Installing Ubuntu On A Netbook

[Crushdepth]

I just bought a HP Mini 5101 netbook and love everything about it except for the fact it comes with Windows XP. I want to put Ubuntu remix on it instead.

Problem is I can't seem to install it via USB flash drive (there is no CD drive). I've created the installer, the menu boots and the software verifies ok. But once I select the 'install' option I get an Ubuntu splash screen for a couple of seconds then it blanks and hangs. I've tried 2 different USB flash drives, same result.

Anyone got an idea what could be wrong? Is there some other more reliable way to install it?

Edited November 24, 2009 by Crushdepth

[Samuian]

Look here:

Checked the BIOS for "Boot from USB"?

[Crushdepth]

Thanks, yep I have USB drive set as first boot option and it does boot at least as far as the menu. It's when I select a menu item (install or run live) that I run into problems.

[dave_boo]

First thing I thought of was a corrupted download...but you stated that the software checked out ok...so that's not it.

I don't know about the HP netbook, but Asus uses a funky mbr setup that speeds up a Windows based startup; perhaps something of that sort is the problem?

Ever think about a net install of SuSE? It's a tiny download to get started and it then just grabs the packages you want installed; setting it up to install over night is what I usually do. Also it would give you a better idea if the problem lays with the software or the machine.

[SeanMoran]

Hit F9 during the POST at boot, and that might give you the option to boot from the USB Hard Drive,l as they call it. If not, I will be in Thailand in a week from now and can demonstrate if i can buy a decent mosai and travel. I have a Compaq Presario laptop now and tested on a legacy HP laptop, and F9 seems to be the missing link for activating the USB to boot.

No doubt you'll have it sorted out one way or another before I arrive, but I know that you won't look back once you've made that one small step for mankind although it seems like one giant leap for man.

<edit: stuffed up my ending terribly = somebodhy please shoot me quickly now>

Edited November 24, 2009 by SeanMoran

[Crushdepth]

Ever think about a net install of SuSE? It's a tiny download to get started and it then just grabs the packages you want installed; setting it up to install over night is what I usually do. Also it would give you a better idea if the problem lays with the software or the machine.

I'll try it if I can't get Ubuntu working. I really just want to have a decent Linux OS on it. Does SuSE let you set up dual boot during install?

[GmB]

Ever think about a net install of SuSE? It's a tiny download to get started and it then just grabs the packages you want installed; setting it up to install over night is what I usually do. Also it would give you a better idea if the problem lays with the software or the machine.

I'll try it if I can't get Ubuntu working. I really just want to have a decent Linux OS on it. Does SuSE let you set up dual boot during install?

Could this be a problem with the dual core support?

Take a look here

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1268255

[dave_boo]

Crushdepth;

Every distro I've tried let's you set up a dual boot. I recommended trying SuSE first so that you could rule out hardware problems....

GmB;

I'd be pretty amazed if the problem was dual core support with the netbook in question having a single core Atom processor.

[GmB]

Crushdepth;

Every distro I've tried let's you set up a dual boot. I recommended trying SuSE first so that you could rule out hardware problems....

GmB;

I'd be pretty amazed if the problem was dual core support with the netbook in question having a single core Atom processor.

Speaking about BIOS setting

http://sphillier.blogspot.com/2009/09/ubun...-follow-up.html

Probably this is not the case but I'd give it a try

[Crushdepth]

Ok I found a 'dual core' setting in the BIOS, which was enabled. I disabled it, and now I at least get to see an error message, which says:

Can not mount /dev/loop1 on /cow

Any idea how to mount the cow (no witty replies please!). I seem to be looking at a Busybox / ASH shell now.

[GmB]

Ok I found a 'dual core' setting in the BIOS, which was enabled. I disabled it, and now I at least get to see an error message, which says:

Can not mount /dev/loop1 on /cow

Any idea how to mount the cow (no witty replies please!). I seem to be looking at a Busybox / ASH shell now.

http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-1306277.html

[Crushdepth]

Thanks that solution seems to be working (when create the bootable flash drive, choose the 'discard documents on exit' option). If everything works out I will post the results.

[Crushdepth]

A different problem now - the Ubuntu partition manager can't create new partions behind XP (everything is on C:). The only option is to blow XP away totally, which I don't want to do. So I tried to manually resize C: down with Partition Master to create room, but it complains that the partition has an error and can't proceed.

Never had problems resizing a partition with Ubuntu or Partition Master before.

Edit: Spinrite hangs 'discovering systems mass storage devices', so I can't look for errors either.

Edited November 25, 2009 by Crushdepth

[Crushdepth]

I ran chkdsk and tried Partition Master again. This time it worked. Ubuntu installed without any further problems. Looks dam_n cool, the wireless isn't working but apparently this is a known issue that can be fixed with installation of some Broadcom wireless drivers.

Thanks for your help.

[GmB]

I ran chkdsk and tried Partition Master again. This time it worked. Ubuntu installed without any further problems. Looks dam_n cool, the wireless isn't working but apparently this is a known issue that can be fixed with installation of some Broadcom wireless drivers.

Thanks for your help.

great!!