Odd linux problem, I NEED HELP NOW!


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So, a few months ago, I installed ubuntu (v6, 7 wasn't out yet) because I was having problems with windows. All was fine until v7 released. I upgraded to it and had odd display problems. I tried reverting back to v6, but it didn't work.

Now, I can get live CDs to run fine, but if I install one I get:

GRUB Loading stage1.5

GRUB loading, please wait...

Error 2

_

Why is this? I can't figure out why it comes up. Please help me, the computer I'm writing is on the edge of crashing (stalling randomly, even at the windows logo during startup).

Thanks in advanced,

sb.net

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http://www.uruk.org/orig-grub/errors.html

GRUB error 2 is

"Selected disk doesn't exist"

This error is returned if the device part of a device- or full filename refers to a disk or BIOS device that is not present or not recognized by the BIOS in the system.

EDIT: Oops, hit "submit" before I was done. :pinch:

Anyhow, I would wager your grub/s menu.conf file isn't matching what your hard drive configuration is. Some of this might be due to changes in how Linux used to treat IDE drives has hdx, and SATA/SCSI/USB drives as sdx. They are all sdx drives now.

Can you post a copy of your /boot/grub/menu.lst file, as well as a copy of the output of sudo fdisk -l from a LiveCD boot session?

Any reason you are using such old versions? 6.xx and 7.xx?

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I was using those versions, but now there is nothing on the computer. I just finished burning v8 to a disk and I'm trying to install it.

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Well, unless your drive dies, it just doesn't happen that there is suddenly nothing on the drive. :ermm:

Perhaps a bad install option was selected, or some such. Your post lacks details on how you "reverted", did you just do an install with an older 6.xx CD?

If 8.04 boots fine as a LiveCD, do the install, and we can look at it from there.

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???

Computer specs? video card?

What happened during the boot process? Did it prompt for language? Then show a menu that offered to boot the CD into the Live environment? Did any splash screen come up? Were any errors ever posted in this process? What did the command prompt state?

I know... a lot of questions, but just saying "I got a command prompt" doesn't tell me much. In fact, I am not even sure you left the GRUB boot level.

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???

Computer specs? video card?

What happened during the boot process? Did it prompt for language? Then show a menu that offered to boot the CD into the Live environment? Did any splash screen come up? Were any errors ever posted in this process? What did the command prompt state?

I know... a lot of questions, but just saying "I got a command prompt" doesn't tell me much. In fact, I am not even sure you left the GRUB boot level.

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechS...ectID=c00572528

1. It launched the CD

2. Asked for the language

3. it said "Try ubuntu without any change to your computer" Install ubuntu" "test memory" "boot from hard drive"

4. I chose "Try ubuntu without any change to your computer"

5. a prompt came up. saying (initramfs)_

What now?

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I would recommend the "alternate" install CD. That is the standard for systems that have problems with the combination Live/Install CD.

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OK, I got to the live CD... It's running in a loop it says:

user ubuntu will login in 8, 7, 6 ect. it finishies counting down and goes back to the login screen..

Downloading the alternate version now, but I have to go to a bass guitar lesson.. see you in an hour.

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Damn dude, it's really starting to sound like your hard drive, dvd drive or memory is fubard if you're getting this may problems. Run a memory diagnostic.

and yeah, what is the exact spec of your machine?

Motherboard

Graphics

CPU

Are you mixing and matching RAM?

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Ok then, here is my ideas, Pop in a Ubuntu LiveCD disc, and when you get the message with "Install Ubuntu on this PC" etc etc, Chose the option for Test Memory, You may have to chose a more options button first, I'm not sure.

Anyway, let the memory test complete and if you see any errors you'll need to get a new stick of Memory, if not, use the Alternate Ubuntu CD and as soon as the install is finished and you're on the desktop install an application called Envy.

Open Terminal,

sudo apt-get install envy

After installation open the application, it should be on the Applications Menu under system tools, and chose to install the ATi Driver for Ubuntu. It'll download and do all of it's dirty work for you.

After this you shouldnt really need to do anything else to get Ubuntu working properly. Obviously download and install the latest updates etc.

I think this should solve any issues you've got.

Keep us posted :)

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Bass lesson was canceled and I just finished dinner.. I'm testing it now...

EDIT: at like 6:10 pm I have to go again...

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I went through the installer up until the base system.

It said, "The installer cannot figure out how to install the base system. No installable CD-ROM was found and no valid mirror was configured."

What the heck!! Two totally different problems on two different CDs!!

HELP!!

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You have something weird going on with your hardware, I think.

I googled "Linux Presario SR1720NX", and no hits on the first two pagefulls turned up anything like the problems you are having. One had a firewire ethernet detected, but other people commenting on that hardware are asking questions about changing messenger settings and such on a running system.

I'm really at a loss on this one. :ermm:

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