[SOLVED] Unable to boot or install any linux distro

[avj]

If the specs listed at cnet are accurate, I don't see why it wouldn't run LL.  http://www.cnet.com/products/hp-compaq-6...ies/specs/

[jerobero500]

wow , it surprises me !

Some newer distros aren t pretty nice to old hardware , seen some in the forum last week or more . Too bad .

Thanks i will check them out.

[jerobero500]

If the specs listed at cnet are accurate, I don't see why it wouldn't run LL.  http://www.cnet.com/products/hp-compaq-6...ies/specs/

Me either but thats the specs and Internet search shows a lot of problems running linux on this lap top. Ubuntu hardy 8.4 is supposed to run on it but its not supported any more. Is there any way to use the 2.6.24 or 2.6.34 kernel in LL? like i said earlier i got berry 1.03 to run on it but noway to convert language to English that i can find. and its not supported either. I will just keep messing around with it till maybe we get a solution to it. Thanks.

[jerobero500]

I just ran a live usb build from porteus and it worked. im downloading LL 2.2 again and checking the hash will try again to see if i can get it to boot.

[jerobero500]

Update.. I just used dban on my had drive and also created msdos partition table on memory stick formatted to fat32. downloaded LL2.2 x64 as torrent,md5sum matches. also checked for any bios updates. started PCwith LL on stick. get to the blue screen with Default-start linux lite etc, let it boot automatically ...didnt work restart computer, after choosing start from usb , hold down shift key, get to blue screen with default,start linux lite etc, and it booted right into the live LL OS. (my blue screen shows press tab to edit and i was going to do that but since it booted into the live OS by holding down the shift key I didnt have to use the nomodeset command) anyway im installing now, and will see how it reacts once its loaded on my hard drive. It seems to me from something i read some where that maybe its not detecting all my hardware before booting or there is a problem with these ati 1250 drivers? Hope this thread helps someone else with problems. any help will be appreciated.

[avj]

I have read that with certain bios types a boot delay increase is needed to give the bios time to register the hardware, when trying to boot from usb. Don't know if yours is one of them but it's something to look at.

[jerobero500]

I have read that with certain bios types a boot delay increase is needed to give the bios time to register the hardware, when trying to boot from usb. Don't know if yours is one of them but it's something to look at.

Yeah that may be the problem. .So far iv been able to install LL2.2, update, set it up and switch drivers for wireless.  Every thing works good, Although i still have to hold the shift key to get grub to start and once there press start Linux Lite and immediately press and hold the shift key or else i get that flashing black screen with a feather in the background and a loader at the bottom which will eventually show full but the system doesn't start. iv tried it over and over so I'm just using the shift key every time. May try the boot repair but don't want to mess a good thing up. don't know whether to close this as solved or not.  Was unable to install boot repair thru terminal (says package not found) followed help instructions to the letter. About to research that boot delay and try that before i run boot repair from an old live cd i have.

[jerobero500]

Thanks everyone who tried to help. I tried this gksu gedit /edit/default/grub changed a few things and added

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="rootdelay=60 quiet splash"
then exec: sudo update-grub
i was able to make the grub menu stay open with out pressing the shift key, but still have to press the shift key after the grub menu disappears to get the OS to start. I dont think the delay had any effect, may not be in the correct place.

[avj]

You probably need to change the bios setup to enable legacy support for usb.

You should be able to enter the bios setup by restarting the computer and when the first screen appears
look for the word "setup" to enter you will have to press the key that is listed, usually F1, F2, F10, or something similar.
You usually only have a couple of seconds to enter the key before the screen changes so you have to be quick. If you don't get it on the first try just restart and try again.

Once in the bios you will need to find the settings for USB legacy support, it is different with different bios types, so I can't tell you where it is.
Be careful not to change any settings if you don't know what you are doing as settings in the bios control your hardware and can cause problems if set wrong.

When enabled, USB legacy support
allows the following:

Startup from bootable USB devices, including a hard drive, diskette drive,
or optical drive connected by a USB port to the computer.

[jerobero500]

legacy support is enabled and im familar with the bios. OS is already installed on hard drive those are just the problems above that i have after i boot and the os tries to start.