[Zenthachall]

Got two Ubuntu help questions.

One is an Asus laptop (A Republic of Gamers machine). It is a nice computer that is currently a doorstop. When he tries to turn it on, it launches the little Republic of Gamers animation, then goes to an error screen asking for a Windows CD. The "Restore Disk" doesn't work.

So i was going to try Ubuntu for him. But it won't boot the ISO i have in the CDROM. I can get it to ask what i want to boot, but it only recognizes Vista as an option.

I have had to use that little utility so it would give me "Ubuntu" as an option, but i cannot get into Windows on this machine. Is there a utility that I can run that will force it to boot to the CDROM so we can effect an install?

The second one might eventually tie into the first one. I put Ubuntu on moms desktop. It has 10.04. Are there any tweaks specific to this build, or can i just reference the commands provided when i did my own PC? I will be working on hers. I got Ubuntu on, and just need to modify it for user experience.

I also upgraded my own to the newest version. Little slower, otherwise no real difference detected (outside having an extra 2 workspaces to not use).

[DuesTyr]

Not sure I follow the first question. Have you not gone into BIOS and changed the boot order on the laptop? Most computers if you press F2, F10,F12, or delete when the first screen appears will take you into the bios setup screen. From there you can set the boot order.

Not sure what commands and tweaks you saw so I can't help you there. I gave several links that are pretty generic and when they are not they usually have the name of the version or the version number in the path.

For example Ubuntu 10.4 is also called Lucid Lynx. 9.10 is also known as Karmic Koala. Most tips are pretty generic but if they have you setup a repository check the path for those names. Substitute 10.4 for 9.10 or Lucid for Karmic and you'll do fine. Setup of the wrong repository for the wrong version can cause serious problems.

This often applies to the tip websites as well. Change the url names from old version to the new version and often you'll find the same tip reworked for the new version.


Last but not least if on your 9.10 Karmic machine and you haven't upgraded to Lucid yet you can from the terminal line.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

The last command will take your machine to Lucid in about 1-2 hours. It is recommended that you backup your /home directories before you attempt this. Just in case it doesn't work.

[yarita]

Not sure I follow the first question. Have you not gone into BIOS and changed the boot order on the laptop? Most computers if you press F2, F10,F12, or delete when the first screen appears will take you into the bios setup screen. From there you can set the boot order.

Not sure what commands and tweaks you saw so I can't help you there. I gave several links that are pretty generic and when they are not they usually have the name of the version or the version number in the path.

For example Ubuntu 10.4 is also called Lucid Lynx. 9.10 is also known as Karmic Koala. Most tips are pretty generic but if they have you setup a repository check the path for those names. Substitute 10.4 for 9.10 or Lucid for Karmic and you'll do fine. Setup of the wrong repository for the wrong version can cause serious problems.

This often applies to the tip websites as well. Change the url names from old version to the new version and often you'll find the same tip reworked for the new version.


Last but not least if on your 9.10 Karmic machine and you haven't upgraded to Lucid yet you can from the terminal line.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

The last command will take your machine to Lucid in about 1-2 hours. It is recommended that you backup your /home directories before you attempt this. Just in case it doesn't work.

NLINE, i am no idiot. I have a lot of 80's experience. You know, DOS, Apple II/IIe/c/etc.

Having said that, i only had an abstract awareness of being able to do that. I am not sure how to get the "setup" screen. I will try F2.

I told them i would pay them 100 bucks for their doorstop. It is a really nice gaming system. Big as a briefcase. Quad core, etc, etc.

I already did the Lucid upgrade last night. CPU is running a little slower. more lag. I was really fishing for some speed boosting tips for my computer. I presume my moms will need about the same, since they are such similar machines.

[JoesBro]

i think the F2 will get me where i need to get.

On my moms it was F8. That is what i was looking for...how to get into the BIOS.

does it signifiy that i shouldn't be doing this if i don't know what it is called? It is funny that way...i have never screwed up a computer, and know when i am in over my head. but i feel like a "noob".

[MartZubok]

Wasn't calling you an idiot. I wasn't certain if you were asking how to get to bios or telling me that you were having problems getting into the BIOS. Your post wasn't fully clear on that. Every PC has a bios setup screen most are fairly easy to get to but some rare systems use some cryptic commands.

Glad you found it.

[RuttyUttepe]

Wasn't calling you an idiot. I wasn't certain if you were asking how to get to bios or telling me that you were having problems getting into the BIOS. Your post wasn't fully clear on that. Every PC has a bios setup screen most are fairly easy to get to but some rare systems use some cryptic commands.

Glad you found it.

OH, i know you weren't calling me an idiot. I still felt the need to clarify, though.

What i was getting at is that i really don't know much. I just tend to figure it out. Having you and another guy that i know to turn to for some advice really, really helps.

The pool of intellectualism and techno savvy is very shallow in Big Spring.

[DonnyKong]

No problem. The only other issues with 10.4 is appearance. They changed the look of the program, new logo, change the menu locations around some but most things work the same way as before.

And some things never change from each version. You have to connect to the internet wired the first time in order to get the drivers for nvidia video cards, and most wi-fi devices. You need to add the third party repositories to get access to Microsoft fonts, codex files and so on. The steps are the same but the path to the repository will be version specific. Other then that Ubuntu doesn't change much. It want drastic changes you play with other distros like Suse or Fedora or even Kubuntu.

[hrthwhr]

No problem. The only other issues with 10.4 is appearance. They changed the look of the program, new logo, change the menu locations around some but most things work the same way as before.

And some things never change from each version. You have to connect to the internet wired the first time in order to get the drivers for nvidia video cards, and most wi-fi devices. You need to add the third party repositories to get access to Microsoft fonts, codex files and so on. The steps are the same but the path to the repository will be version specific. Other then that Ubuntu doesn't change much. It want drastic changes you play with other distros like Suse or Fedora or even Kubuntu.

i like it.

i would like better windows compatibility, but i can eventually work around that (i am a ms office master, and learning openoffice will be a nuisance). But i prefer a stable design that institutes big changes slowly. incrementally.

Like i said, the only real complain is that it seems a little slower to respond.

[scoussysows]

OK, we got it installed. But now Ubuntu is telling me that the "Hard drive failure is imminent"

What does this mean? i understand the obvious...but can we not partition out the bad sectors? will it fail soon?

[Smabeabumjess]

It depends. It could be bad sectors or it could be the on board controller failing. Most hard drives don't last long after a S.M.A.R.T. flag is tripped. I'd replace the drive.

Do you know the make of the hard drive? If so you may be able to download the hard drive diagnostic for that model drive and get a more detailed report.


Look at post 7 in this link: Post results:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1004674

[icerrelmCam]

Note if the drive isn't SATA but the older PATA then change all the sda references to hda.

[VINPELA]

Note if the drive isn't SATA but the older PATA then change all the sda references to hda.

its a SATA drive. I will have to get specs when i have time tomorrow. I assume that i can find a tool that is Linux friendly to run said diagnostic?

I will read the link when i get home.

Thanks, NLine. I enjoy trying to work on it, because i learn a little more as i do it. I appreciate you being willing to help me with that.

[DoctorTentonyya]

The diagnostics are bootable on there own. You can't really check a disk that is running the OS. Sorta like trying to change spark plugs on a running car.

However system information in the Admin menu can tell you the make and model of drive in the system.

You can also download and burn the Ultimate Boot CD. (google it.) It is a bootable Linux based diagnostic tool with most of the manufactures diagnostics built in on a boot menu.

[DP5Ups8o]

So any word on this?

And the guy that PM'd me. Did you take the plunge? Love to see more Ubuntu or any flavor of Linux users out there.

[haudraufwienix]

So any word on this?

And the guy that PM'd me. Did you take the plunge? Love to see more Ubuntu or any flavor of Linux users out there.

Not gonna be able to look at it again till friday. Once i do, i will let you know what it says.

This guy likes to game. I am not sure he will stick with Linux. But since he fried his windows (apparently bad enough to compromise his HD), and he doesn't have his product key or anything, this was just a way to give his doorstop life once more.

If he can get programs to run reliably on it (games, like WOW) he will keep it for the long run. Otherwise, I am pushing it for users whose main need is internet surfing, maybe some media stuff like music, pix, or video/movies.

I have two machines that i am appropriating. They are retired W2k machined that i am going to image with ubuntu. One is for employee training, the other is for an employee to use for reference (to look up "how to's" that will help his job).

I hope they put out some updates to help with the slowness in responsiveness in the latest release.

you sold me...on a product that was free. LOL. But even if i had a choice on paying, if compatibility with specific programs isn't an issue, i would still choose Ubuntu. I just like it better. And I am not really that savvy of a user.

[amotoustict]

So any word on this?

And the guy that PM'd me. Did you take the plunge? Love to see more Ubuntu or any flavor of Linux users out there.

Got it on a CD but haven't installed it yet. Probably will next week when I get time.

[Flefebleaft]

Not gonna be able to look at it again till friday. Once i do, i will let you know what it says.

This guy likes to game. I am not sure he will stick with Linux. But since he fried his windows (apparently bad enough to compromise his HD), and he doesn't have his product key or anything, this was just a way to give his doorstop life once more.

If he can get programs to run reliably on it (games, like WOW) he will keep it for the long run. Otherwise, I am pushing it for users whose main need is internet surfing, maybe some media stuff like music, pix, or video/movies.

I have two machines that i am appropriating. They are retired W2k machined that i am going to image with ubuntu. One is for employee training, the other is for an employee to use for reference (to look up "how to's" that will help his job).

I hope they put out some updates to help with the slowness in responsiveness in the latest release.

you sold me...on a product that was free. LOL. But even if i had a choice on paying, if compatibility with specific programs isn't an issue, i would still choose Ubuntu. I just like it better. And I am not really that savvy of a user.

The Product Key for Windows should be on the bottom of the machine. You said you tried to use the image disk. It probably failed because of the faulty hard drive. If you put a new blank HDD in the unit your image disk will probably work just fine. Also with the product key sticker on bottom ANY standard oem copy of Windows will load on it. You don't need the dang image Acer gives you. I do it all the time here at the shop.

Older machines are going to have problems running Ubuntu for the same reasons that they would have running Windows 7. Both OSs are optimized for modern hardware. Unlike Windows there ARE some distros of Linux optimized for older hardware. You can also just install an older version of Ubuntu.

[Honealals]

Also on your sluggish machine: Are you running the correct video driver? Many computers come with Nvidia video cards. Ubuntu does NOT provide drivers for them because Nvidia does not release them open source. You have to install ubuntu and then activate the third party repositories. After that you are usually offered the correct drivers. If you upgraded the process is the same the third party repositories are not active.

[JJoon077]

So any word on this?

And the guy that PM'd me. Did you take the plunge? Love to see more Ubuntu or any flavor of Linux users out there.

I've been enjoying Slitaz Linux. not as many apps as debian based distro but damn it's fast on old hardware.

testing out Antix linux which is ubuntu based.
It's lightweight also.

I really don't need a full featured desktop these days.

Also up until the last WOW patch I was dual booting win7 & PCLinux OS phoenix addition & went weeks without logging into windows. I was playing WOW on Linux & using OpenGL it actually ran faster than on windows 7.

but sadly the last patch did something to break W.I.N.E.
I think they fixed it though so i'm going to go back & reconfigure it again when I got time.

[bettingonosports]

Got it on a CD but haven't installed it yet. Probably will next week when I get time.

Cool. Let us know.