Failed attempt at Linux via Wubi...what's wrong?

cromwell1230 · #1 05-11-09, 21:15

I tried to taste Ubuntu 9.10 via Wubi Installer but after downloading the installation files and rebooting choosing Ubuntu as the OS the screen just went black, cpu quiet

, and the red light died(the blue light stayed on). What could have caused my failed installation? Is Ubuntu 9.10 still buggy? Hardware problem/driver incompatibility? Can I have a better chance with Wubi + Ubuntu 9.04?

spiraleye · #2 06-11-09, 00:16

Try looking in the WubiGuide for starters, under troubleshooting. I googled about a bit and a bug has been mentioned. Perhaps 9.04 might be better. Maybe head over to Ubuntu forums for more advice.

I haven't had this problem and seeking advice on Linux issues on this forum is probably not the way forward, given the apparent lack of Linux users. Good luck, I hope you don't get put off before you get the Linux experience working in your own hands.

Chris · #3 06-11-09, 09:51

Hi,

I tasted Ubuntu, before installing it on a hard disc, by installing it on a USB memory stick. One recommended method is to disconnect the hard drives, boot up using the Ubuntu CD, insert the memory stick and click on the "Install" icon. Apart from the hassle of opening the computer case and unplugging the drive(s), this is a very easy way of tasting Ubuntu and unlike using the Live CD you can save any changes you make on the memory stick. If you like it you will have a portable version to use wherever you go and you can then install it on your HD...... if you like it.

Alternatively, have a look at Here where there are some other methods of putting it on a memory stick.

If you like the "taste" of it you can just boot using the Ubuntu CD and tell it to install Ubuntu. You don't have to do anything other than answer a few questions. I did that on an old PC and was amazed to find that it installed itself without interfering in any way with the Windows installation that was already on the HD

Chris · #4 06-11-09, 15:34

Hello again Cromwell1230, two things have just occurred to me:

First, I was reading some specs for a new hard drive and the information said that it would only work with Windows. Perhaps you have something in your machine which is Windows specific and won't work with other operating systems although I would imagine that to be unlikely.

The other thing is that if you log onto the Ubuntu web site and click on the "Get Help" link and go right to the bottom where it says "ask a technical question" then put your problem, you would probably get a helpful response very quickly. I did that today about something to do with the latest release of Ubuntu and got a response within 10 minutes.

cromwell1230 · #5 07-11-09, 18:01

[ QUOTE ]
Good luck, I hope you don't get put off before you get the Linux experience working in your own hands.

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm afraid that's exactly what I'm feeling right now. I've been browsing Linux forums and there seems to be problem with Nvidia and/or ATI Radeon graphics card resulting in failed booting up with Ubuntu 9.10 with sometimes flickering black screen. Will have to gather courage again to perk up my dampened enthusiasm.

Magpie2 · #6 08-11-09, 14:53

Hi,
If you just want to taste 9.10 you do not have to install it,just run it from the live CD.I have it installed as a dual boot which is often recommended in preference to a wubi installation.It does not need any antivirus software.The CD gives you the opportunity to automatically install a dual boot although I did mine manually to give me the choice of disk space used.

Chris · #7 09-11-09, 10:27

Hello again Cromwell1230, I think you are right about there being a problem with the NVIDIA driver. When I installed Ubuntu on the memory stick I also installed the nVIDIA driver and was unable to boot Ubuntu properly; it just booted into a command line all the time. Fortunately I asked in Launchpad how to overcome this and was told how to remove the NVDIa driver and replace it with the Ubuntu driver. That is the advantage of installing it on a USB stick before installing it (if you like it) on the HD. It was a bit of hassle but worth it in the end, so don't be discouraged as Ubuntu (and Linux in general) seems to have a lot going for it so long as one remember that it is not an imitation of Windows.

spiraleye · #8 11-11-09, 04:33

[ QUOTE ]
I'm afraid that's exactly what I'm feeling right now.

[/ QUOTE ]
Please don't give up. Don't forget there's Linux Mint. The live CD offers an install option if you are happy having 'tasted' it. There's a new version of Mint being launched soon.

Just to recap, I have two laptops both with Windows pre-installed. I have Mint as the primary boot option on the Vista laptop and Ubuntu installed via Wubi on the XP machine. I should really have it installed separately, but I hardly use the XP machine as it has a screen fault.

As with Windows, I experienced problems initially as part of the Linux learning process and still have occasional issues that I manage to sort out with help from others. But I haven't come across anything to force me to quit Linux. On the contrary, I waste a lot less time having to wonder about glitches, slowdowns, BSODs, etc. and if they have anything to do with security issues and my wife, who knows and cares little about computers, is still telling me how much smoother and faster her browsing experience is with Linux than with Windows.

It's interesting how my browsing experience has changed. I was often curious about the next new version or 'big thing' in anti-malware, often wondering if I really had the best security, maintenance and tweaking software so that I could finally give it a rest and get on with better things. But now I look at all the magazines and web pages and what stands out is just how huge is the amount of coverage devoted to issues that I just don't have to care about anymore. It really is a bit of a weird feeling, and quite liberating.

Even the massive coverage obviously being given to Windows 7 just seems so irrelevant, when only a few months ago I'd have been champing at the bit to actually throw a lot of money at Mr. Gates for the 'privilege' of junking the piece of cr*p he threw at us called Vista.

cromwell1230 · #9 11-11-09, 14:28

[ QUOTE ]
Just to recap, I have two laptops both with Windows pre-installed. I have Mint as the primary boot option on the Vista laptop and Ubuntu installed via Wubi on the XP machine.

[/ QUOTE ]
What type of Ubuntu did you install with Wubi on your XP machine? Is it the Ubuntu 9.04? Have you upgraded that already to Ubuntu 9.10? Any problem in the upgrade so far? I asked this because I had problem installing Ubuntu 9.10 via Wubi and so I am thinking now of going a bit backward and try my hand on Ubuntu 9.04 via Wubi.

I am still on the look-out for a reliable answer and permanent cure to the glitch that I experienced when trying to install Wubi + Ubuntu 9.10 by always checking the Ubuntu/Wubi forum. I hope they make it easy for a newbie like me. Right now they are advising downloading/installing added/missing driver for those with ATI/nVIDIA graphic cards...a bit daunting

for me to do & follow.