Switching from Debian to Ubuntu

[john8547]

I burned the Ubuntu .iso file to a blank DVD and rebooted my computer, my boot order has CD/DVD/etc. drive listed to run first. When it boots with the disk in I see my Dell screen then it goes to a black screen with a blinking _ and just stays there.

[Bucky Ball]

Thread moved to Installation & Upgrades

Did you check to make sure disk has no defects? The most reliable way to get the ISO is via torrent. Which release number are you using?

[Synoc]

first thing I need to ask. are you running a 32 bit system and did you download a 64 bit iso? next question is, did you check the md5sum on the iso?

[john8547]

I went to see if it had no defects and it said there was no partition to perform that operation. Downloaded the 32-bit version of Ubuntu 12.10

[oldfred]

If a really old computer before Pentium or if Pentium M, you can have issues with PAE. Then you need Lubuntu 12.04.

If a newer computer with at least 2+GB of RAM you will do better with the 64bit version.

Often black screen is a video issue. What video card or chip does system have?
Many then work with nomodeset, but some may also need other settings

Graphics Resolution- Upgrade /Blank Screen after reboot mega thread - MAFoElffen
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1743535


How to set NOMODESET and other kernel boot options in grub2 - both liveCD & first boot, but different
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1613132
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootOptions

[john8547]

I had bought this computer from a teacher who refurbrishes them. I think it's an older one, but it has 2 gig ram and Pentium M.
Since I figured it was an older one, I tried Lubuntu 32-bit (downloaded via torrent) and it was installing but then failed. I checked for errors and there was 1 general error. How do I fix it, or should I go ahead and try 64-bit?

[oldfred]

You need to get a good download.

With Pentium M you may have PAE issues or no support.
You have to use Lubuntu or Xubuntu and possibly 12.04 32 bit only. Most newer only work with processors that support PAE.

PAE is provided by Intel Pentium Pro and above CPUs, including all later Pentium-series processors (except most 400 MHz-bus versions of the Pentium M)


http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1951653
Ubuntu, Kubuntu, and probably Edubuntu will ship with the PAE kernel in 12.04, but both Lubuntu and Xubuntu will ship with non-pae

[john8547]

Now whe I try to install Lubuntu 32-bit 12.04, it freezes in the middle of the installation

I think I'm cursed Dx

[oldfred]

Does it boot in live mode?

[john8547]

like the 'try libuntu without making changes to your computer'?
I tried that too and it also froze
I also checked for defect and there were none