Ubuntu

Ubuntu 9.04 Xubuntu 8.04 install failing

Asked by Todd Meyers

I'm trying to install Ubuntu 9.04 on a machine running Win98. The install stalls at the point where the screen comes up asking for answers to questions 1-7 once I choose [Next]. I've created boot CDs at slower speeds and have the same issue. I attempted to install Xubuntu 8.04 when the ubuntu 9.04 install kept failing and after the first splash screen, asking if I want to install, the cd keeps spinning and the HD keeps working but nothing happens, except the desktop background eventually shows up. I've tried burning 8.04 at different speeds as well. I have also run the check cd and check memory tasks on the initial startup screen. I'm new to Linux and have pretty much exhausted my personal knowledge base. I've had no problem installing Ubuntu on newer laptops but this is the first older system I have attempted.

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Rob Frerejean
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Best Rob Frerejean (hffrerejean) said : 		#1

Sometimes installing Linux gives some problems. There for there is a Alternative version you can use.

You can find the Alternative version here.

http://releases.ubuntu.com/jaunty/ubuntu-9.04-alternate-i386.iso

and here as torrent file.

http://releases.ubuntu.com/jaunty/ubuntu-9.04-alternate-i386.iso.torrent

I don´t know what you prefer.

Rob

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Tom (tom6) said : 		#2

Hi :)

The normal Ubuntu is likely to be tooo heavy and bloated for a Win98 machine. The Xubuntu is very much better and very much the same except for using AbiWord & Gnumeric instead of OpenOffice (both excellent packages tho) and also it has a blue desktop instead of the nice earthy tones of Ubuntu. There are a couple more things but nothing really significant.

Please can you try running your Xubuntu Cd as a LiveCd to see if that works?
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD

Also please check the md5sum for the files you downloaded. This is usually easier to do from inside Ubuntu/Xubuntu even on a LiveCd session rather than trying to do this inside Windows
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM

Also this guide might hlp with more ideas on how to burn a better CD but you seem to have already done everything from this page
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto

I tend to find the cheapest "write once" or "record once" type CDs that can only normally be bought in packs of 10 or more tend to be much better than more expensive kinds and DVDs are really rubbish. I think the extra cost goes into optimising the cd for normal data rather than for using as boot disks.

I hope something here helps! Please let us know how the LiveCd session goes :)
Good luck and regards from
Tom :)

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Todd Meyers (dankim2) said : 		#3

Rob - Thank you! I used an alternate version of xubuntu 8.04 and everything worked flawlessly. The PC I'm using is lacking in resources so I figured I should use a lighter version. Your alternative idea is what got it done though!

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Todd Meyers (dankim2) said : 		#4

Tom - Thank you too. The LiveCD version wouldn't load. I did check the md5sum on the LiveCD version and on the version that ultimately worked. I'll use that in the future. I had some really cheap CDs that I burned the xubuntu version on real slow. That probably helped as well.

Regards,

T

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Tom (tom6) said : 		#5

You are welcome :))
It's great to hear you have solved this :)) I hope you enjoy it even half as much as i have. It's great fun, and sooo fast.

If you have install Ubuntu main and want to switch it to Xubuntu then just install "xubuntu-desktop" which brings in the entirety of xubuntu. You can then change session type at the loging screen to compare the two. To try an extremely lighter faster option the try installing "LxDE", again change session at the login screen. The LxDe hasn't been themed to *buntu style but it still has all the same programs and things :)

It's good to have a LiveCd available if you ever need to work away on someone elses machine or help them fix their Windows or even on odd occasion it can be useful for repairs and things on your *buntu machine :)

Welcome to linux-land, especially the *buntu corner ;)
Good luck and regards from
Tom :)

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Rob Frerejean (hffrerejean) said : 		#6

Glad we could help you.