cant install ubuntu 10.10 on dell dimension2400 desktop

Did you md5sum the iso after download?
Did you burn the CD as slowly as possible?
Did you media-check the CD before trying the install?
memory test?
------
Now, sounds like you got rid of one problem, the hibernated windows -- are you sure you got them all? Some machines might have a "hidden" partition of an embedded windows for media play. The partition is not hidden from the Linux disk partitioning tools.
  Go to the BIOS and look at the boot order -- disable any non present devices like the floppy from this list. 10.10 for some reason had this problem which was never an issue before.
 You might get a text screen of possible errors by typing ESC when the colored dots are cycling -- This is where I saw the "windows is hibernated" problem and the "no media in sdb" error.

"GLib-WARNING **: get pwuid_r() failed due to unknown user id" is a meaningless message. Forget it.
Please MD5 iso image: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM

im not sure about the speed that the disk wasburned at, or if the
download was checked, my brother in law downloaded and burned the
disks for me as our high speed is down at the moment. I've checked the
partitions for any signs of leftover windows, and im not finding
anything. i did however get the code stdin, error 0. it actually went
through the install process to the point where it is copying files
from the disk, the i get the error message that the installer has
crashed, and it tells me to send a bug report, but doesnt give me the
option to do so, then everything locks up and the only way to get past
is to shut the power off. all this was accomplished using the live CD
for the laptop version, the desktop version still wont go anywhere

On 3/19/11, delance <email address hidden> wrote:
> Your question #149649 on ubiquity in ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ubiquity/+question/149649
>
> Description changed to:
> I'm trying to install Ubuntu 10.10 on a dell dimension 2400 desktop. The
> hard drive has been wiped with the exception of the dell utilities (fat16).
> I have both the laptop and desktop version of 10.10, both on Live CD.
> The laptop version will at least start to install, but then freezes.
> The desktop version doesn't even get that far, it goes from the solid purple
> Ubuntu screen to a black screen with the message (process: 241):
> GLib-WARNING **: get pwuid_r() failed due to unknown user id.
> I was able to get to the Ubuntu desktop from the disk on the laptop version,
> and used it to remove a corrupted and key-jacked version of Windows XP that
> was blocking the install originally. Now I can't even get there. The laptop
> version will go to the 1st screen where i asks you to choose a language, and
> then gives you the choice to quit, go back, or forward. Once you select
> forward it will give you the round pointer with the moving circle inside, it
> sits there for around 20 mins and then the CD drive shuts off and the screen
> freezes. I already have 10.10 on my HP laptop, and the install went fine.
> what do i need to do?
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

On 3/18/11, Ubfan <email address hidden> wrote:
> Your question #149649 on ubiquity in ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ubiquity/+question/149649
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> Ubfan proposed the following answer:
> Did you md5sum the iso after download?
> Did you burn the CD as slowly as possible?
> Did you media-check the CD before trying the install?
> memory test?
> ------
> Now, sounds like you got rid of one problem, the hibernated windows -- are
> you sure you got them all? Some machines might have a "hidden" partition of
> an embedded windows for media play. The partition is not hidden from the
> Linux disk partitioning tools.
> Go to the BIOS and look at the boot order -- disable any non present
> devices like the floppy from this list. 10.10 for some reason had this
> problem which was never an issue before.
> You might get a text screen of possible errors by typing ESC when the
> colored dots are cycling -- This is where I saw the "windows is hibernated"
> problem and the "no media in sdb" error.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ubiquity/+question/149649/+confirm?answer_id=0
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ubiquity/+question/149649
>
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>
im not sure about the speed that the disk wasburned at, or if the
download was checked, my brother in law downloaded and burned the
disks for me as our high speed is down at the moment. I've checked the
partitions for any signs of leftover windows, and im not finding
anything. i did however get the code stdin, error 0. it actually went
through the install process to the point where it is copying files
from the disk, the i get the error message that the installer has
crashed, and it tells me to send a bug report, but doesnt give me the
option to do so, then everything locks up and the only way to get past
is to shut the power off. all this was accomplished using the live CD
for the laptop version, the desktop version still wont go anywhere

also, does the "check disk" option on the boot menu on the live cd
work effectively?

On 3/19/11, michael chidester <email address hidden> wrote:
> On 3/18/11, Ubfan <email address hidden> wrote:
>> Your question #149649 on ubiquity in ubuntu changed:
>> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ubiquity/+question/149649
>>
>> Status: Open => Answered
>>
>> Ubfan proposed the following answer:
>> Did you md5sum the iso after download?
>> Did you burn the CD as slowly as possible?
>> Did you media-check the CD before trying the install?
>> memory test?
>> ------
>> Now, sounds like you got rid of one problem, the hibernated windows --
>> are
>> you sure you got them all? Some machines might have a "hidden" partition
>> of
>> an embedded windows for media play. The partition is not hidden from the
>> Linux disk partitioning tools.
>> Go to the BIOS and look at the boot order -- disable any non present
>> devices like the floppy from this list. 10.10 for some reason had this
>> problem which was never an issue before.
>> You might get a text screen of possible errors by typing ESC when the
>> colored dots are cycling -- This is where I saw the "windows is
>> hibernated"
>> problem and the "no media in sdb" error.
>>
>> --
>> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
>> know that it is solved:
>> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ubiquity/+question/149649/+confirm?answer_id=0
>>
>> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
>> following page to enter your feedback:
>> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ubiquity/+question/149649
>>
>> You received this question notification because you are a direct
>> subscriber of the question.
>>
> im not sure about the speed that the disk wasburned at, or if the
> download was checked, my brother in law downloaded and burned the
> disks for me as our high speed is down at the moment. I've checked the
> partitions for any signs of leftover windows, and im not finding
> anything. i did however get the code stdin, error 0. it actually went
> through the install process to the point where it is copying files
> from the disk, the i get the error message that the installer has
> crashed, and it tells me to send a bug report, but doesnt give me the
> option to do so, then everything locks up and the only way to get past
> is to shut the power off. all this was accomplished using the live CD
> for the laptop version, the desktop version still wont go anywhere
>

Check disk is a good idea in this case, since you appear to have problems with the CD. If you get complaints, definitely don't waste any more time with that CD. The other possibility is that the drive is flakey, and a perfect disk will still look like it has errors. Doing a usb install may be an option to look into at that point.