Ubuntu
xorg package

Wubi install problem

Asked by jrmiller63

Let me start by saying that I am new to Linux and Ubuntu, but have been working on pc's for a long time.

Here's where I'm at - any help here would be great!:

New Dell Mini 12 (model 1210).
Windows XP

Chose to go the Wubi-install method because the Dell mini does not have an optical drive (for use with the Live CD, or other disc-install). Cannot create a bootable USB because I don't have Linux installed on anything else.

I get Wubi up and running and it downloads the file info from the web and goes on it's merry way. Restart, get the Ubuntu welcome screen (yellow/orange line scrolling across the bottom, then stopes and fills up as if it's done computing). Screen goes blank with a blinking cursor at top left, then goes through another quick screen or two. And then I get this:

Loading, please wait...
Linux ubuntu 2.6.27-7-generic #1 smp fri oct 24 06:42:44 utc 2008 i686
The program included... (goes on and on about nothing relative here)
..To run a command as administrator (user "root"), use "sudo <command>".
See "man sudo_root" for details
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$

This seems to be some sort of Linux prompt (similar to DOS), with the cursor just blinking, waiting for me to type something in.

I don't believe that the install has completed, or at least is not performing as it should. I have tried reinstalling with Wubi downloading the files, and then also downloading the files for Wubi and placing in the same folder - I still get the same thing. I have let this screen sit for some time, hoping that the "Loading, please wait..." actually meant it was working on something - still nothing.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

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Revision history for this message
Bhavani Shankar (bhavi) said : 		#1

give startx and see what happens...

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jrmiller63 (jrmiller63) said : 		#2

At the moment, I am trying to start in safe-mode. I am seeing things that I haven't seen before - a lot of lines being written/read and a lot of "ok's". Now saying "starting ubiquity..."

I will try that if this doesn't

Wait - just got a "xstartupError: x server failed to starts after 60 seconds", and a subsequent "fail".

Ran the "startx" at the next prompt (same as above in original post), now getting:

Fatal server error:
no screens found
giving up.
xinit: connection refused (errno 111): unable to connect to x server
xinit: no such process (errno3): server error.
ubuntu@ubuntu~$

Great... lol

Thoughts on this "no screen" business?

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jrmiller63 (jrmiller63) said : 		#3

More info: sifting through the info on my screen I see that it states:

module loader present

screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration.

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Tim McNamara (tim-clicks) said : 		#4

Hi,

You're correct, the Wubi installation has failed.

Just to give you some idea of what's going on. Basically, the core of linux is working (the kernel). What's failing is the X windows server, that generates the graphical user interface.

The safe mode spits out verbose messages about what is happening when the computer is loading.

Thanks for your persistence, we'll get this solved.

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Tim McNamara (tim-clicks) said : 		#5

Could you please review this FAQ thread in the Ubuntu forums. It should provide some guidance: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=396526

Let me know how you get on.

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jrmiller63 (jrmiller63) said : 		#6

I guess I'm a little confused, because that FAQ talks about 8.04.1 being the new version, and that is resolves all issues after 8.04 came out (2007). The installer that is now offered is 8.10.

It is a little unclear how to proceed from here. Is this saying that I should not download the latest and greatest Ubuntu version? And go back to a previous one? I have been letting Wubi grab the Ubuntu .ISO for itself. Any help with direction would be great.

Thanks!

Revision history for this message
Tim McNamara (tim-clicks) said : 		#7

My apologies!

Here are a few things I would recommend:
1) In Windows: Start > Run > "chkdsk"
2) Shutdown properly and restart PC
4) Then run Wubi again. It will reinstall Ubuntu. Let this run uninterrupted.

Also - (from https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WubiGuide)

Some hardware is not fully compatible and Wubi will freeze upon booting (ACPI) and/or you may experience video problems. Those are not Wubi specific issues. There are generally special parameters that are required to enable workarounds for such hardware. If you press ESC at boot after selecting "Ubuntu" you will see a menu with more boot options.

Best of luck :)

Once in the (grub4dos) menu, hit 'e' to edit the first line. Next select the second line and hit 'e' again. Input 'irqpoll' towards the end of the bootline. Then hit 'enter' and then 'b' to boot. Another option that might help is 'all_generic_ide'.

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jrmiller63 (jrmiller63) said : 		#8

Well, I have tried all that you suggested above, and I seem to have run into a brick wall. It looks like I am not able to get Ubuntu installed on my system... Or can I?

What other suggestions do you all have? I have been able to get a hold of an external cd drive, so I can possibly install via disc, but it sounds like either Wubi or Ubuntu does not recognize my screen.

What are my next options?

Thanks

Revision history for this message
Tim McNamara (tim-clicks) said : 		#9

Sorry for taking a few days to get back to you - have had some time away over the Easter break. If you're getting any sort of prompt (e.g. you are getting that DOS-like ) then the operating system can find your screen without a problem. It is strange that things weren't perfect however.

The best thing I can think of is to try the "Live CD". This will run Ubuntu off the CD without affecting your harddisk or current setup at all. It means you'll be able to test all of your hardware without hurting anything.

I'm fairly certain that there are three ways to go about this. 1) Download it and burn the CD, 2) Order the CD from somewhere (will probably cost less than US$5 + postage or 3) order it from Canonical - which is free but will take up to 10 weeks. I don't know for certain that the last two options will allow you to try the Live CD, rather than the standard install problem. A quick email should be all that's required.

1) You can either download the ISO file (http://releases.ubuntu.com/intrepid/) burn it to a disc following these instructions https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto, or

2) Buy a CD http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/purchase. Prices are set by each vendor listed, but are fairly nominal.

3) Order one from Canonical, https://shipit.ubuntu.com/, and they send it to you for free.

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