Wow. You've really been thru a wringer, eh? I strongly agree with the
posters who advised that this is a hard way to learn Linux. I tried
getting it going on older hardware for years, off and on. ALWAYS had
some kind of issue going on. Even tho I know that the poster who said
'if it runs XP, it'll run Linux' is a wise and experienced poster, I
can't agree. Oh, it'll run linux of some sort, 4 sure, just not a GUI
environment, and the command line is not easy.
I'd like to take this back to basics, tho. It would help this topic to
add some technical detail about your machine. It would also help you
if we know that you are following basic hardware troubleshooting
technique. Next, also do NOT assume that just because a used machine
WAS previously running that there is not a hardware issue. This is
very possible in a used computer environment.
Now, actual steps you can take. If you've done them before, and are
still having issues, you should repeat them, to make sure that not one
item was left out of consideration.
* Treat this as a hardware troubleshooting issue.
- Please post the technical specs on your hardware. If you can
get to the bios, you should be able to get this. How much RAM, CPU
type and speed, HDD size. A little online detective work should do for
the CPU, but check the startup screens or Bios for RAM and HDD size.
- Remove ALL unnecessary hardware until you have a working
installation of whichever OS. Don't plug in ANY USB hardware, don't
use an external monitor if this is a laptop, etc. The only thing I
would use would be the mouse, and that because the internal pointing
device may have driver issues, just as your mouse might.
- If you can get to the bios, and it doesn't save your boot
choice, either you have a hardware issue, or (sorry to say) you are
doing something wrong. Check Dell for a manual for your bios. It may
not be F10 to save.
- I recommend, from having done this with limited hardware
before, that you use either a full CD set of Debian or Vector Linux -
the previous recommendations about gparted etc are to get your hard
disk partitioned and formatted. Both Debian and Vector will get you to
a very basic dos-type window for partitioning. Use the default choice,
do not tweak it! I haven't used Ubuntu, others here could comment.
- If you can't get your hardware to boot to CD or floppy, this
could be a hardware issue specific to your laptop. Some (older)
laptops had CD drives that popped out and a floppy drive that popped
in the same spot. Those wouldn't always boot from CD, but should boot
from a floppy - if you can find a good boot floppy these days. If it
doesn't boot from the floppy, remove the floppy drive and carefully
reinsert it, making sure it is seated fully. If you do that twice, and
still no-go, then recycle the box, unless you enjoy this kind of
frustration.
This has already been way long, sorry - good luck.
Mark
On Jul 7, 8:43 am, cmcanulty <[email protected]> wrote:
> Well I almost gave up but now have one laptop running all except the
> wireless, 2nd older one booting OK, both running Ubuntu 9.04, but it
> only has USB and phone inputs so I have to get it to connect with USB
> or else find a converter cable from ethernet to USB or phone plug if
> that exists at all. Also it only recognizes the USB mouse I need to
> use a ps2 mouse with it, so far no luck on those issues.Thanks for
> all the help!
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