Ubuntu

Ubuntu freezes after selecting in GRUB menu

Asked by xkalibur84

First of all I would like to say that I am COMPLETELY new to Linux. I've never touched any other OS outside of Windows. Before I get to my problem, here is my system stats:

XP Home
AMD64 3200
1GB PC3200 Memory
ATI Radeon X800 Pro
80GB PATA HD(Master)(Windows XP)
40GB PATA HD(Slave)(20GB for Ubuntu and swap)
Asus K8N Motherboard

Okay, I downloaded the Ubuntu Feisty ISO for AMD64's and burned it to a CD. Upon booting to the CD, I picked the first choice to Install or Run from the CD. After that, my monitor goes blank, the Caps lock and Scroll lock lights start to blink, and my computer locks up. I do a bit of research reading from this site and the ubuntu forums and come to the conclusion that I should set my VGA by pressing F4. I restart my computer, boot from the CD, press F4, chose "1280 x 1024 x 32 bits" and everything is good. I get to the desktop, click install, and begin installing Ubuntu onto the slave.

After it finished, it told me to pick either reboot or continue using the live cd. I chose reboot. Goes to a black screen, stuff scrolls up a bit with "ok" proceeding it, then it pops out my CD, told me to remove the cd, close the tray, and press "enter" to continue. I do so but upon pressing enter, nothing works. My computer just sits there. So I manually press the reset button on my computer.

The computer restarts and I'm presented with the GRUB menu. I choose the first option and then suddenly I'm back with the problem I had with the LiveCD. Choosing option 1 blanks out my monitor after a second and causes my keyboard lights to flash and my computer to stop responding.

From what happened earlier, I figure that it has to do with maybe the video setting? I'm not sure since this is my first time using this thing. I've been at this for about 4 hours now reading stuff on forums and whatever, rebooting, and even reinstalled Ubuntu once. Still the same thing. Any help is appreciated and if you can, please dumb it down as much as possible since this is my first time doing this. Thanks!

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
Steve Romanow
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Best Steve Romanow (slestak989) said : 		#1

hmm. i imight suggest the #ubuntu channel on irc.freenode.net . You may be able to get feedback faster, since your initial post was 18 hours ago.

I have had real problems using the livecd with any of my machines that have ATI graphics cards. I usually use the Alternate ISO to install in text mode.

GRUB is a good bootloader, and it can boot both winxp and ubuntu. Until you get things going, I would disable the flashy boot screen. When machine reboots, press escape to get boot menu, highlight first ubuntu line, choose e (for edit), then use your arrows keys to remove the last word off of that line, I think it is "silent". I am going from memory, but I have had to do this several times. Dont worry about saving it, just do it this way each time until you get your issue resolved. Choose b (for boot) to launch the initrd and kernel. You should see more output streaming by and get more of a clue where its borking. If it goes by too fast, I think SHift-PgUp may scroll back.

Revision history for this message
Steve Romanow (slestak989) said : 		#2

You did not mention if XP still boots. DOes it?

Revision history for this message
xkalibur84 (xkalibur84) said : 		#3

Thanks Steve Romanow, that solved my question.

Revision history for this message
xkalibur84 (xkalibur84) said : 		#4

To add to this, the paramenter I had to remove was "Splash" not "Silent" as you suggested, but I'm sure you meant "Splash." My XP install did boot with no problems before and after the removal of the paremeter. I edited the xorg.conf file afterwards to make the change permanent.

I guess I won't have that pretty little loading screen during boot up, huh? =( Oh well, at least I can get into Ubuntu now! Thanks again!

Revision history for this message
Steve Romanow (slestak989) said : 		#5

Hmm. i would not have guessed the splash screen was the culprit, maybe there is an issue with the 64 bit driver, maybe the 32 bit driver is being used and is not working w bootsplash. i would enter a bug report, and link this Question to it.