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Noob Linux DualBoot
- Thread starter Pooky
- Start date
Ok, my understanding is that AMD64 supports running in 32 bit compatibility mode, which to me theoretically means that the x86 iso image [which is 32 bit Ubuntu] should install & run in 32 bit compatibility mode.
But, that is the iso image [ubuntu-7.10-desktop-i386.iso] that hj2k_x has been having problems with, the question is still why it doesn't want to install...
Well, that seems to indicate that during file transfer there was corruption of th ISO, theoretically something a test of the media or a checksum would prevent, but I've redownloaded an ISO or two before after failed installs only to install fine. It has to be ruled out though. One step at a time, let us see what happens on this run.
I don't think it will help for hj2k_x to re-download the exact same iso image since hj2k_x has already done an md5sum check, and the MD5SUM files on ftp://ftp.is.co.za/ as well as http://ubuntu.mirror.ac.za/ are the same for the iso image that hj2k_x downloaded.
Note:
He could try a completely different distro, or ubuntu release, see if it installs, then that image must be stuffed in some way, or conflicting with his hardware in some way.
It's also important to note the error his install fails on, such as corrupt package or IO error. Does he have some sort of rare hardware incompatibility I wonder?
He could try a completely different distro, or ubuntu release, see if it installs, then that image must be stuffed in some way, or conflicting with his hardware in some way.
It's also important to note the error his install fails on, such as corrupt package or IO error. Does he have some sort of rare hardware incompatibility I wonder?
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I just don't want hj2k_x to get capped and find that re-downloading the same iso has not solved the problem.
@hj2k_x, when you're installing, do you first boot into the desktop environment and then click on the install icon on the desktop, or have you been selecting the install option from the boot menu? - if you choose the install option from the boot menu, you should try pressing ALT-F12 to see if there is a more useful error message displayed, or more detailed info displayed at about the time when the install bombs out.
hj2k_x
Honorary Master
I am back. Busy writing the 64bit iso to a CD then will give that a shot.
@ic. When I am installing I do go into the desktop environment and select the install icon on the desktop...
The option I choose at boot is called 'run or install Ubuntu' or some such. It is the 1st item on the list. I didn't see any other options on that list to install the thing. When do you suggest I press ALT-F12? After it has bombed out?
I am off to try this install once more...Wish me luck
hj2k_x
Honorary Master
Well, that worked Setup ran fine with only some warning about security settings that I am meant to attend to later...
It told me to remove the Ubuntu CD and restart, which I have now done. But there was no option for me to chose which OS to boot into...So it just automatically started with Vista.
The 20GB drive that Ubuntu is on is selected as the Primary Master (Ubuntu said this during install and had it as the 1st hdd on the list, before the one with Vista on it)
Vista does not see the Ubuntu drive but it is there and healthy in Computer Management and it is partitioned as it should be...
I did the guided install 'use entire drive' when installing...
Do I need to boot up in Ubuntu using the CD again and change the boot config file there or do I need to fiddle around in the BIOS? Currently the BIOS boot sequence is CD-ROM > HDD1>HDD2 iirc.
Setup ran fine with only some warning about security settings that I am meant to attend to later...It told me to remove the Ubuntu CD and restart, which I have now done. But there was no option for me to chose which OS to boot into...So it just automatically started with Vista.
The 20GB drive that Ubuntu is on is selected as the Primary Master (Ubuntu said this during install and had it as the 1st hdd on the list, before the one with Vista on it)
Vista does not see the Ubuntu drive but it is there and healthy in Computer Management and it is partitioned as it should be...
I did the guided install 'use entire drive' when installing...
Do I need to boot up in Ubuntu using the CD again and change the boot config file there or do I need to fiddle around in the BIOS? Currently the BIOS boot sequence is CD-ROM > HDD1>HDD2 iirc.
hj2k_x
Honorary Master
Just checked in the BIOS and the 20Gb drive is definitely primary master. It has a 0 before it, whereas the Vista drive is listed as secondary. It might be worth mentioning that the 20GB drive is IDE, whereas the Vista one is SATA...
Sharing the IDE cable with the 20GB HDD is the CD/DVD Writer which is set to slave and has been working fine the whole time.
Pressing F12 just after POST gives me only Vista to choose in the Windows Boot List...
Sharing the IDE cable with the 20GB HDD is the CD/DVD Writer which is set to slave and has been working fine the whole time.
Pressing F12 just after POST gives me only Vista to choose in the Windows Boot List...
hj2k_x
Honorary Master
I don't get to see this message at all. And pressing a button just takes me to the Windows Boot Menu where I can only select Vista.
At the moment, I barely get to see anything upon startup. The initial screen with the memory check and POST is over within less than a second...The it is straight to the next screen where it asks at the bottom if I want to boot from CD. If i hit a key, i get the boot list with only Vista to choose, if I do nothing Vista just loads automatically.
@hj2k_x, thought your Vista HDD was also IDE, but since it is SATA, your BIOS is deciding to boot off of your SATA HDD instead of allowing you the choice of which HDD to boot from.
PS: when you find a way of getting your BIOS to co-operate, you will not need to make any changes to grub.conf bcos your Vista HDD is SATA and not IDE.
PS: when you find a way of getting your BIOS to co-operate, you will not need to make any changes to grub.conf bcos your Vista HDD is SATA and not IDE.
hj2k_x
Honorary Master
I see. So it does make a difference
Not sure how to get the BIOS to cooperate any more than it already is. I mean the IDE drive is set as Primary Master and everything.
If I take the Vista drive out and just boot with the IDE 20GB with Ubuntu on it, is there anything I can do from the Ubuntu side to get it to show up at boot time? Or will Vista always be dominant because it is on a SATA drive?
I have lots of other IDE hdd about the place, but the one that Vista is on is my only SATA one
There has to be a way of getting your BIOS to allow you to select which HDD to boot from - like that F12 you mentioned should be showing both the IDE HDD and the SATA HDD - maybe change the boot order with the SATA HDD deprioritized, or see if there is a newer BIOS version available.I see. So it does make a difference
Not sure how to get the BIOS to cooperate any more than it already is. I mean the IDE drive is set as Primary Master and everything.
If I take the Vista drive out and just boot with the IDE 20GB with Ubuntu on it, is there anything I can do from the Ubuntu side to get it to show up at boot time? Or will Vista always be dominant because it is on a SATA drive?
I have lots of other IDE hdd about the place, but the one that Vista is on is my only SATA one
hj2k_x
Honorary Master
Thing is, in the BIOS it just says 'hard drive' under boot sequence. I don't think there is an option that allows me to choose which hdd I want to boot from first.
Do you think that if I had two SATA drives this problem would be solved or is that not going to help either?? Surely it cannot be this difficult to dualboot Vista and Ubuntu!
There has to be a way...is there a newer BIOS version available for your mainboard? - or maybe this IDE & SATA boot selection problem is documented on the mainbaord manufacturer's website...
You could try that - if you have a spare SATA HDD to install Ubuntu on...Do you think that if I had two SATA drives this problem would be solved or is that not going to help either?? Surely it cannot be this difficult to dualboot Vista and Ubuntu!
AFAIK, SATA HDDs do not follow the same boot sequence rules that IDE HDDs have traditionally followed, and AFAIK, this is why most 'modern' BIOS versions include HDD boot selection menus [the F12 HDD boot selection thing].
One other thing you could try in the BIOS, is to change all the selected boot sequence devices, to None|Not Applicable|Disabled - or whatever the terminology is that your BIOS uses.
Hi guys, just woke up after a nap.
Good article here:http://apcmag.com/5045/how_to_dual_boot_vista_with_linux
They have a little vista app it seems, http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1
http://neosmart.net/downloads/software/EasyBCD/EasyBCD 1.7.1.exe
This will help you get an entry for Ubuntu in your MBR. It seems to be endorsed by pc mags and stuff. From there you can choose at boot. I'm staying here so let me know!
Good article here:http://apcmag.com/5045/how_to_dual_boot_vista_with_linux
They have a little vista app it seems, http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1
http://neosmart.net/downloads/software/EasyBCD/EasyBCD 1.7.1.exe
This will help you get an entry for Ubuntu in your MBR. It seems to be endorsed by pc mags and stuff. From there you can choose at boot. I'm staying here so let me know!
hj2k_x
Honorary Master
I'm writing this from my phone so i hope it doesn't come out all wonky. I shall try that app as soon as i get back to my pc tomorrow . It looks like just what i need.
don't have a sata drive lying around so this would be the solution.