Problem loading Ubuntu into used laptop

mbpark · 03-26-2007, 11:25 AM

BigV,

The Inspirons usually don't have the diagnostic partition, the Latitudes do.

The UBCD is updated more often and has some seriously good tools for checking RAM

.

Dells are well-known in my book for changing how they work with Linux with each BIOS update. The Gateway laptop at work sitting next to me has the same issue (wouldn't boot OpenSUSE without a BIOS flash to the most recent version).

If you really want to test a laptop or desktop, attempt to load Windows NT 4.0 on it. Since the OS runs in a continual "busy loop", it stresses your hardware significantly more than Linux or later versions of Windows will. I've successfully tested servers with this issue that ran Linux fine

.

mbpark · 03-26-2007, 03:09 PM

Rich,

There may also be a drive firmware update from the Dell site, but you'll have to boot into DOS off a bootable floppy (Dell provides them) to use it.

tw · 03-26-2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbpark

The Inspirons usually don't have the diagnostic partition, the Latitudes do.

My Inspiron (purchased two years ago) does have a diagnostic partition. I recently upgraded that hardware diagnostic from the Dell web site.

On the bottom is a Service Tag number. Use that number to quickly access all upgrades that apply to your machine from Dell's web site - including latest BIOS and hardware diagnostic.

As Mitch says, these diagnotics can be downloaded even onto bootable (DOS) floppies - or other media.

richlevy · 03-27-2007, 09:12 PM

I updated the bios. The PC was delivered without an operating system, only command.com and the CD-ROM driver, so I do not need drivers and diagnostic utilities.

I was able to load and navigate in Knoppix, which shows that the drive and memory will accept a new OS. I didn't like Knoppix, however, since it botched the resolution leaving me with a 2 inch black frame around the desktop. This wasn't just the screen background since the mouse would not go onto the black area.

I cut two new Ubuntu disks, and both showed 1 checksum error. I was still able to load the Ubuntu desktop from the CD. I did lock up when attempting to set up, but that might be because I updated the system clock in the middle of the setup.

Ubuntu let me navigate the Internet with Firefox, so it recognizes my NIC card. I recognizes a USB mouse, my sound card, and gives me the correct screen resolution. The only issue I have with both new copies I burned is an error starting the GNOME Settings Daemon on boot from the CD.

I'm going for it. Wish me luck.

Bitman · 03-28-2007, 11:26 PM

You might want to run memtest86 on it first. Ubuntu should have a copy, and maybe Knoppix if the Ubuntu one break. You can download a bootable floppy too if the CDs just don't work.

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Looks like there's a version you can drop on a USB key if you can boot from it.

If you get an error, swap the DIMMs, and/or try them singly to see which module is bad. If it finds no problems, let it run overnight to stress-test the chips.

If you still find no problems, hit it with Prime95. If that runs fine for 5-10 minutes (a couple hours if you want to be certain), you can consider your CPU and RAM clean. I hear it's on the UBCD; I can't find a bootable version anywhere.

Prime95 was never meant to be a system test, but it somehow manages to heat up both the CPU and RAM to the point that it can sniff out even the slightest problem.

Strange you had so many problems with the CDs; I haven't had CD problems in years. Still have DVD problems tho.

03-26-2007, 11:25 AM	#1
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	Don't assume that all dells have the diag partition BigV, The Inspirons usually don't have the diagnostic partition, the Latitudes do. The UBCD is updated more often and has some seriously good tools for checking RAM . Dells are well-known in my book for changing how they work with Linux with each BIOS update. The Gateway laptop at work sitting next to me has the same issue (wouldn't boot OpenSUSE without a BIOS flash to the most recent version). If you really want to test a laptop or desktop, attempt to load Windows NT 4.0 on it. Since the OS runs in a continual "busy loop", it stresses your hardware significantly more than Linux or later versions of Windows will. I've successfully tested servers with this issue that ran Linux fine .

03-26-2007, 03:09 PM	#2
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	There's also firmware updates for the drive Rich, There may also be a drive firmware update from the Dell site, but you'll have to boot into DOS off a bootable floppy (Dell provides them) to use it.

03-27-2007, 09:12 PM	#4
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	I updated the bios. The PC was delivered without an operating system, only command.com and the CD-ROM driver, so I do not need drivers and diagnostic utilities. I was able to load and navigate in Knoppix, which shows that the drive and memory will accept a new OS. I didn't like Knoppix, however, since it botched the resolution leaving me with a 2 inch black frame around the desktop. This wasn't just the screen background since the mouse would not go onto the black area. I cut two new Ubuntu disks, and both showed 1 checksum error. I was still able to load the Ubuntu desktop from the CD. I did lock up when attempting to set up, but that might be because I updated the system clock in the middle of the setup. Ubuntu let me navigate the Internet with Firefox, so it recognizes my NIC card. I recognizes a USB mouse, my sound card, and gives me the correct screen resolution. The only issue I have with both new copies I burned is an error starting the GNOME Settings Daemon on boot from the CD. I'm going for it. Wish me luck. __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama

03-28-2007, 11:26 PM	#5
Bitman cellar smellar Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: californy, baby! Posts: 403	You might want to run memtest86 on it first. Ubuntu should have a copy, and maybe Knoppix if the Ubuntu one break. You can download a bootable floppy too if the CDs just don't work. http://www.memtest.org/#downiso Looks like there's a version you can drop on a USB key if you can boot from it. If you get an error, swap the DIMMs, and/or try them singly to see which module is bad. If it finds no problems, let it run overnight to stress-test the chips. If you still find no problems, hit it with Prime95. If that runs fine for 5-10 minutes (a couple hours if you want to be certain), you can consider your CPU and RAM clean. I hear it's on the UBCD; I can't find a bootable version anywhere. Prime95 was never meant to be a system test, but it somehow manages to heat up both the CPU and RAM to the point that it can sniff out even the slightest problem. Strange you had so many problems with the CDs; I haven't had CD problems in years. Still have DVD problems tho.

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