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Hi I'm trying to install Ubuntu 12.04.1 on my Dads desktop. The thing is he has a very crappy HP Invent desktop and it will not do anything I want it to ldo. I am switching my Dad over because Windows Vista keeps giving him the Blue Screen of Death. The computer will not load Windows when I want it to, but when I can get into Windows, it's only for like 60 seconds before it goes back to the BSOD. So, installing Ubuntu is not an option from the desktop is not an option. Another way I have tried is to install Ubuntu is from the USB Flash drive. Still even when I can get the computer to even load the USB, Ubuntu will crash, and go to a terminal looking screen with text and will just stay like that. That is when I can get it to boot off the Flash Drive. What is happening right now is that when I turn on the computer, I will try to go into the boot settings, but then the computer will freeze before it even gets there. So I am not able to get into the boot settings to set the computer to boot off the flash drive. The computer is a piece of {poo} and all I wanna do is get Ubuntu (or any working operating system) on the computer. I don't care if I even have to delete Windows. Do you think you can help me out at all? Other notes. I did get Ubuntu to install last night, I updated the computer and it was working great, but then I updated the drivers, and then I got the Black screen of uncomfortableness. It was a NVidia driver. Like Linus said F*** NVidia. I have also tried unplugging the SATA from the HDD so it will not try to boot to Windows, but rather the Live USB flash drive. But still the computer will freeze at the screen with the options to go to the BIOS or system settings or repair mode. I think that this computer is just done for. I don't know what else I can do to fix this computer. Any suggestions? Should I just tell my dad to take it to a computer repair place, and have him tell them he wants Linux on the computer? (If they do that?) |
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Hi Curtis, Okay- before you shoot me, I know this is not what you want to hear. However, it's going to be the least painful. Find the key/combo you need to reinstall Vista from the system image. It ought to be a hidden partition that's accessible at boot by holding a particular key or combo of (for HP, usually F11 or ALT/F11). Once you get it set up, immediately run MS update, once, to get you the newest installer package update. Then, download & install SP1/SP2, depending on what you're starting with. Download that/those, install them. You'll find that w/6GB RAM & the SP's installed, Vista runs just fine. That being said, I'd go to run>msconfig & untick unnecessary startup items. Also, right-click recycle bin & set size to 500mb (no reason to have a massive bin?). Next, go into performance settings & untick all except glass, thumbnails, desktop composition, & smooth fonts. Hit apply- if it looks good-stop- if not add one at a time until it suits you visually. Everything you can leave unticked helps. After that, check the installed programs. Most of HP's stuff is junk. That being said, only uninstall that which you know is safe to let go. You can google them to be safe. I say this as you could reinstall with a plain-jane Vista DVD & then load only the hardware drivers & it'd be fine (activating with the legit key on the case). That pretty much tells you the usefulness of the HP stuff. This way, your Dad gets what's familiar- refreshed & fine-tuned- & it costs you nothing to give it a whirl? I feel your pain- It irks me when something that OUGHT to work, just adamantly refuses...& especially when you're just trying to do a good thing, yeah? You hang in there! Cheers! Tracy :) Windows is dead. I don't want it back on the computer because it has caused enough problems already. So far Ubuntu is running on the USB, but I may install Zorin for my dad because it's really similar to Windows. Ah well, to each their own... I tutor older folks & I know how much they aren't comfortable with change- hence my suggestion (he has already paid for the Vista licence, after all?). I have a Vista laptop Sp2, it's never given issues- likewise many people I service, as well. Again, that's the basis for my answer- keeping your Dad in familiar territory. I do appreciate your wishing to shift to Linux, however. My main system has run pretty much all of them until I settled on Mint about three years ago. I'd never go back to Windows now- but I need to keep up for my work. Your Dad may not be as keen? Good luck! :) No, some companies don't give you the reinstall disc anymore for Windows. I know Gateway doesn't, because when I go my Gateway Laptop, there was no reinstall disc that came with it. I do believe this to be a hardware issue, specifically with the RAM. Many people have suggested it to be the RAM. When I tried to use Puppy Linux, I was running the OS completely off the RAM, without the HDD being connected. Puppy crashed within 5 minutes of me using it. So, I know it's not Vista's fault, it's the Memory that's faulty, I would go in and take them out to see which stick it is (There are 4) but like I said, HP builds their systems so you can't upgrade, - therefore you have to buy another computer from them. If I wanted to take the RAM out, I will first have to take out the HDD, and another Optical bay. Thanks for your answer. |
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"No, some companies don't give you the reinstall disc anymore for Windows." The reinstall partition is not a disc, but a separate partition which holds the complete Vista OS. If it's a new-ish system, it will have this. If you don't see it directly within "Computer"- try looking at disk management within computer management (run>compmgmt.msc). If it's present, then you can restore to it's "out of box" condition. If you believe it is a memory issue, then run a memory test. If it turns out to be a RAM issue, then, yes- you either drop the unit for repair, donate to a place that revamps them, or you fix it yourself. If you go that avenue, you might get lucky & find a schematic online to guide you. Good luck! I disconnected the RAM and booted up the computer once. It froze, so then I disconnected the other set of RAM and played around on it for about 5 minutes and it did not freeze up. I could not get on the internet though, so I'm installing OS on my drive that will let me get online. I think I may have it, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Lots of thins can go wrong. |
