Ubuntu live CD messed up HP laptop?

[sitruuna]

Hello. I found few years old Ubuntu live CD and I tried it with my HP laptop. While the "installation" of live Ubuntu there came an error. I don't remember anymore what it was, but the "installation" seemed to stuck. So I ejected the CD and switched off my laptop. Next when I try to start my laptop, and it asks bios's startup password I cant type it :no: any key doesn't work! Can Ubuntu live CD "install" failure cause this? And what should I do now? I cant access my laptop anymore..

[markwolfe Veteran]

An Ubuntu LiveCD will not create a BIOS password.

Regardless of what ever OS is installed, if you have a BIOS issue, we need to address that first. Try to reset your BIOS (it is easier on a desktop, admittedly).

[tsupersonic]

markjensen is right, no OS install can do that.

I would call up HP and ask them for support. Are you sure it's not the password to change the BIOS? There's a difference between on a boot password and a password to change the BIOS. In any case, try passwords you use, and see if they work. You mentioned your keys don't work, can you try a USB keyboard?

[Guest]

Try plugging in an external keyboard, so you can type the password.

(I'm assuming that you mean "My keyboard does not work when the computer asks me to type the BIOS password, so therefore I cannot type the password.")

[chrisj1968]

remember this, always download and burn a new Ubuntu version to DVD and then install it. that's like having a 2008/09 mazarati and putting old gas from the gas tank from an old VW into it.

always go new

[mitch00]

Did you have a BIOS password before attempting to install Ubuntu and now the keyboard simply won't work, or did the Ubuntu installation somehow create this password? (The second option seems highly unlikely, I can't think of how it is even possible...)

[roadgeek9]

On my aunt's laptop, it asks for a startup password, but it never shows the letters, because apparently, it can't mask the password, so it doesn't output.

[Boktai1000]

Request an up-to-date CD from Shipit, it will be handy if needed at a later time, and its free (shipping's free too), and is a current up to date version. Right now if you can, download and burn the latest Ubuntu 8.04.1 for desktop, and try installing that. Otherwise reformat back to XP or Vista if you can, whatever you want to do basically. Just remember to always use the newest versions available when trying to install, especially when it comes to Linux.

[markwolfe Veteran]

The talk of newer versions is nice, but isn't related to this problem.

Let's get him booting first, then consider newer releases.

[sitruuna]

On my aunt's laptop, it asks for a startup password, but it never shows the letters, because apparently, it can't mask the password, so it doesn't output.

My problem is not in the password.. the problem is that keys doesn't work.. for example when I press enter when my laptop asks password it doesn't work. If it worked then there would appear X in the screen or something, that means the password was wrong. But could live cd have messed up bios settings or something. But when i change brightness with "special button" + F9 or F10 it works..

[markwolfe Veteran]

Are you *sure* that you should be seeing feedback from your password?

Not all password prompts echo an x or * or such.

And to think that your other keys work, but just not for the password seems strange.

[ViperAFK]

Very strange but there is no way the live cd could have changed your bios settings. Try using an external keyboard as suggested above.

[sciguy007]

just found this article on digg. could be useful if your MB was made by foxconn. apparently foxconn is deliberately designing their MBs to not work properly with linux. really hope this helps in some way.

http://ubuntu-virginia.ubuntuforums.org/sh...ad.php?t=869249

[Budious]

just found this article on digg. could be useful if your MB was made by foxconn. apparently foxconn is deliberately designing their MBs to not work properly with linux. really hope this helps in some way.

http://ubuntu-virginia.ubuntuforums.org/sh...ad.php?t=869249

That's quite interesting to say the least, I wonder how Foxconn will respond when and if this confirmed to be widespread behavior of their products.

[dmd3x]

Maybe it's a boot loader password and not a BIOS password? Can you get into your BIOS setup to check to see if a password is set? If it's a bootloader password and not a BIOS password, you could reformat to remedy the situation.