USB/Boot Ubuntu Problem

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headsore

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Guys I am having quite a frustrating issue...
As you know I am knew to Linux so please be patient. Anyway this is my situation:
My moms windows PC died the other day (won't boot up, or does and then just shows the mouse and a blank screen in safe mode and normal). So I decided this is the perfect time to see how she finds Ubuntu.

Firstly I burnt the .iso file to cd...and was able to use that as the source for having Ubuntu running on parallels on my mac. Now am I correct in saying that with the CD I created that my moms pc should give me the option to boot from the CD? Because it doesn't?

My idea from there was to create a USB start up for Ubuntu. So I opened up the little application in Ubuntu, had the CD in, put in my flash drive, and nothing...only recognized/showed the CD...(It also won't recognize/show my external.)

Any idea's on how to solve this problem? Thanks guys :)
 
okay i think you should go into the bios and change the boot sequence, make usb and CDROM before the hdd...

can you navigate the Bios?
 
:o Please expand a bit...
only been using Ubuntu or any Linux anything for a few days. Still learning.
 
when you start your computer it makes a beep then your press del, and you should get to the BIOS, after that you goto <advanced setup> then you will see something about boot devices and choose CDROM as the first Boot device, USB as second (depending on how old the Motherboard is it will or will not allow it) and then HDD in the third place

then F10 and Y then put in the CD or USB and try booting
 
okay thanks. And this should work even whilst running ubuntu on parallels?(haven't been able to get it to work on the pc as explained on first post). I will give it a shot soon.
 
but that has been the problem, it hasn't booted from the CD. That is why I am trying to do the USB option.

Side question: For creating the Ubuntu CD, I downloaded the Ubuntu 8.10 intel version. Then burnt it to disk. Just like that. Now is that wrong?
If it is right, then as you stated I will try BIOS.
 
see the bios is your motherboard that controls everything, and its got a "boot-sequence" on default its HDD then FDD then CD but now you have to change it, the CD will most probably work if you change the boot sequence
 
okay thanks. and I have created the CD correctly?
Thanks so much for your help.
 
if you burnt it straight from the ISO yes...

just give a shout on this thread again if you have a problem, then maybe i can help further...
 
Basically the BIOS comes before you do anything on your PC. It is the Basic Input / Output System. It sets up the hardware of the PC, discovers what's there etc, and then decides what storage medium it will attempt to boot from. In your case, your mom's PC is probably booting from the hard drive as the first device to try. What you need to do is tell it to boot from CD, and then Hard Drive. This should then load the Ubuntu disk no problem. What Peder said should get you into the BIOS, although BIOSs differ across the board. But basically, as you turn it on, it should give you the option of either, Del, F2 or F10 to get into the Setup. Once in there, browse around until you find the boot order, and set the CD first. This should get you to boot into the Ubuntu Live CD no issue.

Good luck
 
Perhaps just make sure that you created the CD correctly. For example, i dont think you can just burn the .ISO file to the CD as normal file. I used Roxio to creat my live CD. You have to select "burn image to disc". As i understand it, this then extracts all the files from the .ISO file and creates the correct structure on the CD to make it bootable. If you simply just burnt the file as is to the disc, it most likely wont work because i dont think your PC can read a .ISO file when it boots up.

Am i correct in saying this? Just how i understand it.
 
ocleroux said:
Perhaps just make sure that you created the CD correctly. For example, i dont think you can just burn the .ISO file to the CD as normal file. I used Roxio to creat my live CD. You have to select "burn image to disc". As i understand it, this then extracts all the files from the .ISO file and creates the correct structure on the CD to make it bootable. If you simply just burnt the file as is to the disc, it most likely wont work because i dont think your PC can read a .ISO file when it boots up.

Am i correct in saying this? Just how i understand it.
Click to expand...

as long as you write it from the image and don't write the image as a file it should work...
 
ocleroux said:
Perhaps just make sure that you created the CD correctly. For example, i dont think you can just burn the .ISO file to the CD as normal file. I used Roxio to creat my live CD. You have to select "burn image to disc". As i understand it, this then extracts all the files from the .ISO file and creates the correct structure on the CD to make it bootable. If you simply just burnt the file as is to the disc, it most likely wont work because i dont think your PC can read a .ISO file when it boots up.

Am i correct in saying this? Just how i understand it.
Click to expand...

Think you hit my problem on the head :)
 
will let you know tomorrow. Away from home for a little. Will tell you how it goes then. :)
 
Im glad i could help. I hope that solves your problem. I have only been using Ubuntu since this weekend myself and so far it has been a pleasure. The only thing that i am still strugling with is getting DVD's to play. Have tried everything and installed MPlayer and VLC but nothing seems to work properly. Other than that, im loving Ubuntu. I would say Ubuntu is now pretty much ready for the mass market. If i can use it, everyone can.

Will revert back to this post to see if you came right with your Live CD.
 
ocleroux said:
Perhaps just make sure that you created the CD correctly. For example, i dont think you can just burn the .ISO file to the CD as normal file. I used Roxio to creat my live CD. You have to select "burn image to disc". As i understand it, this then extracts all the files from the .ISO file and creates the correct structure on the CD to make it bootable. If you simply just burnt the file as is to the disc, it most likely wont work because i dont think your PC can read a .ISO file when it boots up.

Am i correct in saying this? Just how i understand it.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is correct. An image is actually just in fact a mirror of a cd/dvd on the hard drive in the form of an iso/<insert other image types here>.
Unless you cannot boot from a cd, this should work fine.
 
ocleroux said:
Im glad i could help. I hope that solves your problem. I have only been using Ubuntu since this weekend myself and so far it has been a pleasure. The only thing that i am still strugling with is getting DVD's to play. Have tried everything and installed MPlayer and VLC but nothing seems to work properly. Other than that, im loving Ubuntu. I would say Ubuntu is now pretty much ready for the mass market. If i can use it, everyone can.

Will revert back to this post to see if you came right with your Live CD.
Click to expand...

Try installing Xine and ffmpeg.
 
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