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Is anyone here running a Linux based OS such as Ubuntu ?

I recently downloaded Ubuntu 14.04 (32 bit) and burned it onto a DVD. I want to install it on my old Dell PC as an alternative to XP. It's supposed to be very flexible. It can be run straight from the DVD or as a dual installation alongside XP.

Anyway, I changed the boot sequence but each time, it fails at the install screen and refuses to run as a "live" disc. One of my friends suggested that the BIOS needs altering.

It doesn't work with a newly formatted hard drive either. Anyone got any ideas ?

Assuming you have configured the boot sequence correctly to start with the optical disk drive, if the DVD won't boot 'live' nor can you launch the install to hard disk, then it seems likely the DVD is faulty.

Try burning another one. You have actually boot-mounted the Ubunto .iso image to the DVD and not just copied the file to it? You need a proper image burning program like most Nero versions or isoburner to make a bootable disk.

are you sure your drive is a dvd drive i have made this mistake before .i think you will enjoy ubuntu i have used it many times on older computers to get them running and its a great operating system for older computers and quick to load

Thanks guys.

It's certainly a DVD drive in the Dell and the disc is definitely an ISO one. I've checked the files on it against the Ubuntu website and it's correct. I've just burned a new DVD with Isoburner and I still get the same problem.

Will keep trying. I'm very keen to try Ubuntu.

Are the files on the DVD in a directory?, or in the root as they are supposed to be?

The DVD files are in the root. It will boot to the menu on the DVD. Whichever of the 5 options I choose after that results in a blank screen.

If you take a look at the second and third graphics down on this page, that's as far as I can get:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootOptions

have a go here
http://journalxtra.com/linux/ubuntu-fixing-the-blank-screen-on-installation-bug/

Hi, when you get to the "try Ubuntu" screen what happens? Does the keyboard move the option or does it literally do nothing? A bit more info on the fault would be great.

Ubuntu itself, well it's perfect if you just browse the web, I'm not a fan of Firefox so I usually install chrome. In regards to installing software it's a bit more complex. If you use "things" like Skype, FTP, xbmc, etc then you may have a few problems installing software as it's not straight forward like on windows with an exe file.

Also, I would recommend using a usb drive rather than discs, especially if I running live version.

Thanks guys and a big one to Zipper for providing the solution.

To cut a long story short, I've got it going. I ended up removing my existing C: and replacing it with a formatted old one.

The install was lengthy. Now it's up and running but it's very slow compared even to XP. I'm thinking that I should've gone for something lgihter. Xubuntu perhaps ?

Doh !

Glad you got it sorted, cheers

If you want an OS that's like Windows, try Zorin: http://zorin-os.com/. If you want a reliable OS try Pepermint Linux: http://peppermintos.com/.
You can install them from a USB. Download UNetbootin: http://unetbootin.net/ and use it to make a live USB.

Hi are you running it live or fully installed? I have never seen a installed version run slower than xp.

I was running it live. I've swapped over to Xubuntu which wasn't too hard and it works better for me. Lot of fiddling around to get it going properly but worth it though. This is quite an old machine with just 1GB RAM.

I'm quite impressed so far and would recommend it to anyone wants to finish with XP but can't run 7 or 8. No chance of getting Cryptolocker or any of that rubbish either.

Sorry ComputerLab. What I meant to say was that I tried it first as a live disc and it was grindingly slow. I then did a full install on a clean hard drive and it was still slow compared to XP. Changing over to Xubuntu has improved things.

Incidentally, it detected and ran my broadband connection with no fuss. Previous installs of XP have required digging out the Dell drivers CD and installing the COM ports before running the BT installation disc.