Windows help

[angelclare]

I have both Ubuntu and XP Pro. But Xp will not load other than in safe mode/safe mode with networking. WHY? When I try to load it normally, all I get is a blank screen. I did a fresh install, have SP3. What's the problem? Also, the only Ubuntu CD I have is 8.10. OLD. I can upgrade for the next 2 versions fine. But when I try to upgrade to 10.04 it can't do it and aborts. Same with 10.10. This leaves me with an Ubuntu I can't use. Hence the XP fresh install. Can anybody figure this out? English, please. I can't follow geekese. Thanks.

[richthelandlord]

Is the machine the same one XP ran on OK before, or is it a different one?

Also, when Ubuntu tried to upgrade and aborted, what error-message did it give you?

How good is your internet connection?
It's sometimes possible to install the current version of Ubuntu straight from the internet without an existing install that works - even if the only way you can get online is the broken XP installation in safe-mode...

[angelclare]

Hi rich
it's the same machine XP ran on before, but got fu**ed up with a virus. As for the error message from Ubuntu, I don't remember exactly, but basically it fetched all the packages, and got half way through installing them and then said the install failed and was aborted. Once I was able to go ahead anyway, but it gave me endless messages about being unable to install this script and that one over and over. The end result is an unstable system. It used to let me try to fix broken passages, but now doesn't load at all.
BTW, I installed Ubuntu inside Windows. Does that make a difference?

When I go into BIOS the system recognizes the slave, but no master.

[richthelandlord]

BTW, I installed Ubuntu inside Windows. Does that make a difference?



That should work fine - it's how I normally do it on dual-boot systems.




When I go into BIOS the system recognizes the slave, but no master.



Ah... that might be a valuable clue - you problems with both operating systems might be down to a hardware problem, a failing hard-drive.

Do you have a spare ribbon-cable to try out on the hard-drive?
It's always worth looking at the cheaper possibilities first...

[angelclare]

No, I don't have any cable. There are 2 separate hard drives in the PC. I have uninstalled Ubuntu as it wouldn't load anyway.

[richthelandlord]

No, I don't have any cable. There are 2 separate hard drives in the PC. I have uninstalled Ubuntu as it wouldn't load anyway.

If you have an optical drive, you have a spare cable to borrow from there?

Alternatively, have a crack at installing to the other HD?

[angelclare]

Methinks I need a new computer, period. It won't let me install anything; I can only run from disk in a live session.
When I do try to install something and take the disk out it is HOT.

I am having a friend come and check it out today.

[richthelandlord]

When I do try to install something and take the disk out it is HOT.

I am having a friend come and check it out today.

Warm is normal, hot is not... something is seriously awry... :(

I think you're doing the right thing having somebody cast their eye over it... times like this I wish you lived in the next street!

[angelclare]

Well, my friend came over to check out the PC. When he was here he swapped out some cable, which didn't make any difference. He DID get things squared away so I could load the old version of Ubuntu from the hard drive. But I tried to install a later version of Ubuntu and it WOULD not install. (Fatal error).
So that fucked up the hard drive version of the older Ubuntu, too.
Now I can only run live sessions fron the dvd drive.
The only thing that did get fixed was now the CDs don't get hot anymore in the DVD drive.

[richthelandlord]

So that fucked up the hard drive version of the older Ubuntu, too.
Now I can only run live sessions fron the dvd drive.


I really wouldn't blame you if you squatted back on your haunches and howled like a wolf at this point... I wish I knew what was causing that fatal error but there's no way I can diagnose it from here. :(

[angelclare]

SOME good news. I got Ubuntu back on the hard drive. Let's hope it keeps loading.

[richthelandlord]

How did you do that, the power of prayer? *scratches head*

[angelclare]

I called a convention of my elves and did a little dance with them, and VOILA. I installed 8.10-- an old version, but my only legit cd. Since then, I have been able to upgrade to 9.04 with NO GLITCHES. Would like to keep upgrading but don't want to push my luck.