Can't follow install prompts

[pelouk]

Well, I tried LL 2.4 with the same negative outcome. Guess I've got (temporary) possession of the only PC which can't run LL.

Many thanks anyway. I truly appreciate the help that's been offered by all on this thread.

[firenice03]

Just out of curiosity... I haven't had anything new enough to give me grief  :o but.. You checked your BIOS??; secure boot isn't enabled and its "legacy" (not UEFI).. I don't know how far into install or if an error message let alone able to boot from something else??

BIOS info for HP's http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03659945

[gold_finger]

Just for the heck of it, boot-up either LL 2.6 or 2.4 live dvd/usb, open terminal and enter these commands.  First one shows partition setup currently on the hard drive(s).  Second one gives hardware specs of the computer.

Code:

sudo parted --list
inxi -Fxz

Copy the entire output with your mouse, then paste it into your reply here.  Once pasted into reply, highlight again and hit the "#" (code tag) button above reply box to enclose it in a code box making it easier for us to read.


There must be something simple we're overlooking and maybe that output will give us a clue.

[avj]

This is looking more and more like a hardware failure in my opinion.
I would suspect that the pc is overheating and causing the installer to hang.

[pelouk]

Hi gold-finger,
Been away for a day but just got back and ran with your latest suggestions.

Results as follows:-
sudo parted --list

Code:

linux@linux:~$ sudo parted --list
Model: ATA ST3320813AS (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 320GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number  Start   End    Size    Type     File system  Flags
1      32.3kB  307GB  307GB   primary  ntfs         boot
3      307GB   320GB  13.4GB  primary  ntfs


Warning: Unable to open /dev/sr1 read-write (Read-only file system).  /dev/sr1
has been opened read-only.
Error: Invalid partition table - recursive partition on /dev/sr1.         
Ignore/Cancel?                                                           

linux@linux:~$ inxi -Fxz

Code:

linux@linux:~$ inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: linux Kernel: 3.13.0-24-generic i686 (32 bit, gcc: 4.8.2)
           Desktop: Xfce 4.11.8 (Gtk 2.24.23) Distro: Ubuntu 14.04 trusty
Machine:   System: HP-Pavilion product: FR579AA-ABU s3624uk
           Mobo: N/A model: Acacia version: 1.02 Bios: Phoenix version: 5.18 date: 06/18/2008
CPU:       Dual core AMD Athlon 4450e (-MCP-) cache: 1024 KB flags: (lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 svm) bmips: 3999.76
           Clock Speeds: 1: 1000.00 MHz 2: 1000.00 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA C61 [GeForce 6150SE nForce 430] bus-ID: 00:0d.0
           X.Org: 1.15.1 drivers: nouveau (unloaded: fbdev,vesa) Resolution: [email protected]
           GLX Renderer: Gallium 0.4 on NV4C GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 10.1.3 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card-1: NVIDIA MCP61 High Definition Audio driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:05.0
           Card-2: Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 driver: USB Audio usb-ID: 002-002
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture ver: k3.13.0-24-generic
Network:   Card-1: NVIDIA MCP61 Ethernet driver: forcedeth port: ec00 bus-ID: 00:07.0
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Gemtek WUBR-177G [Ralink RT2571W] driver: rt73usb ver: 2.3.0 usb-ID: 001-005
           IF: wlan0 state: down mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 324.1GB (1.1% used) 1: id: /dev/sda model: ST3320813AS size: 320.1GB temp: 33C
           2: USB id: /dev/sdf model: Rainbow_Line size: 4.0GB temp: 0C
Partition: ID: / size: 945M used: 37M (4%) fs: overlayfs
RAID:      No RAID devices detected - /proc/mdstat and md_mod kernel raid module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 40.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 176 Uptime: 5 min Memory: 261.6/1888.0MB Runlevel: 2 Gcc sys: 4.8.2
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.11) inxi: 1.9.17
linux@linux:~$

Just as an aside, when I'd finished the above a thought occurred and i ran the install for a Mint distro I had on DVD. It ran no problem right up to the last screen - at which point I closed it down. Might that not point to an issue with the LL iso rather than hardware?  Dunno, but I just mention it.

[pelouk]

Hello firenice03,

Thanks again for your input. I went into Bios but could not find a security tab. Could be because the HP link you provided referenced Windows 8 and I have 7 installed. Searched the site for a W7 equivalent but couldn't find one. I'm not sure if that might be because the computer shipped with Vista installed and I later replace that with W7.

Anyway, I'll have a mooch around and see if I can do with the BIOS.

[pelouk]

hey avj,

I'm not tech savvy enough to check for overheating other than the obvious physical touch test. On that score, the casing, exhaust fan, etc all seem quite cool so should I take that any further?

[gold_finger]

Looked at your hardware specs and you should not be having any problems installing Linux on that machine.  It's Bios is from 2008, so no UEFI issues to worry about.


Looking at partition output shows that there are only two NTFS partitions on the drive for Windows.  That tells me two things:

• No Linux partitions were created during your install attempts; therefore nowhere to install to.
  
• You're likely missing a basic step in the install depending on what install option you are choosing.  (At least that's my guess for now.)
  

When you start the installer, it will ask whether you want to erase and use the whole disk (wiping out Windows), install "Along side" Windows, or do "Something else".  Which of those options have you been choosing?

I've not done an "Along side" install myself, but it's my understanding that when chosen you'll be brought to a screen that allows you to use a slider to resize the Windows partition (the "C: drive") in order to make room for Linux.  (See this link to help manual for how to install "Along side".)  Have you been trying that kind of install and if so have you used the slider to make room on the drive for Linux?


If you've been using the "Something else" option, a common mistake made is to forget about setting the mount points for partitions that are created.  (I don't think you've been choosing this install option, but figured I'd point that out just in case.)


In any event, the most evident problem is that right now Windows is occupying the entire hard drive and there is nowhere for Linux to install to.  Best way to proceed is:

• Boot into Windows
  
• Use Windows disk manager to defragment the "C: drive"
  
• Use Windows disk manager to shrink the "C: drive"
  
• Leave the resulting free space unformatted/unpartitioned
  
• Reboot with LL dvd/usb
  
• Start installer and choose the "Along side" option
  
• It will see and use the free space to automatically partition for you.  (I don't think you'll need to bother with the slider in this case because free space has already been made.)
  
• This time it should work.
  

P.s.
Windows disk manager will probably limit the amount you can shrink that partition.  But as long as you can free up at least 20GB that will be enough to install LL.  Try for more than that, but don't be surprised if it doesn't let you shrink it as much as you'd like.  You can use this Windows tool to safely shrink the partition more if you want to:  MiniTool Partition Wizard.

[avj]

After looking at the output of the inxi -Fxz you posted above, it appears to be within acceptable operating temperature.

Reference:

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/AMD-Ath...OBOX).html

[avj]

On a side note the temperature of the system changes with use.  If you try to install again and it still hangs, you should restart the computer and run the inxi command again to see if there is any overheating involved.

Code:

inxi -Fxz