[SOLVED] Failure to shut down properly

[Confused Computer User]

I have a Pentium II 400MHz with 254MB RAM (two 128MB DDR1 133MHz sticks). I’ve worked on Windows for a long time and only recently started experimenting with Linux. I downloaded Ubuntu 8.04 and made bootable CD. This went well and I loaded the Live CD (no system alteration... I want to wait a while before installing). The system loaded a bi slowly but it ran smoothly. I opened Open Office writer and then when I went to close it, the operation stop responding. Despite this Ubuntu (8.04) force shut it and the system kept running (I was surprised but pleased).
Now my problem comes when I shut down Ubuntu (8.04). The system closes and the Disc pops out. On the screen I see a message telling me to remove the disc and close the CD tray (if any) and then press ENTER. I did this and waited about ten minutes without anything happening. Finally I shut down the computer manually. I rebooted this time without the CD to make sure that nothing happened. Windows booted up and ran as before but the question still lingers: why didn’t Ubuntu (8.04) shut down properly?

[drubin]

Try download the alternate cd. and install Xubunt(For lower end systems).

[fatality_uk]

If you type the following into a terminal and copy and paste the output of the first 25 lines of the file here please.

gedit /etc/init.d/halt

[Confused Computer User]

Fatality UK, I would gladly type “gedit /etc/init.d/halt” into a terminal but I am not sure I want to but up Ubuntu again, especially since I have no clue what happened in the first place. I want to also add another 128MB RAM stick which would give me the 384 MB RAM that Ubuntu recommends.
On another note, what is gedit /etc/init.d/halt suppose to display and how do I access the terminal in Ubuntu (I am an absolute beginner when it comes to Linux)
Thanks.

[Confused Computer User]

Sorry to ask this here but where do you get your avatar?

[fatality_uk]

Fatality UK, I would gladly type “gedit /etc/init.d/halt” into a terminal but I am not sure I want to but up Ubuntu again, especially since I have no clue what happened in the first place. I want to also add another 128MB RAM stick which would give me the 384 MB RAM that Ubuntu recommends.
On another note, what is gedit /etc/init.d/halt suppose to display and how do I access the terminal in Ubuntu (I am an absolute beginner when it comes to Linux)
Thanks.

Ahh. Yes upgrade RAM

That's the shutdown script. An a similar Intel PIII PC I had, I had to change the following line to correctly shutdown.

When and if you do bring Ubuntu back up, go into the menu Applications->Accessories->Terminal to bring up the terminal. Alternatively, press alt+F2 and type

gnome-terminal

and that will bring it up also.

The avatar. Can't remember. I think it was http://tux.crystalxp.net/

[Confused Computer User]

Fatality UK, you say: “An a similar Intel PIII PC I had, I had to change the following line to correctly shutdown” . So am I to understand that I would have to bring up the terminal and type “gedit /etc/init.d/halt” in it. I am a bit confused because in the last part you say I had to change the following line but I don’t see what you mean by following line.
How much part does the ram play in this whole situation? (Keep in mind this was a live CD boot up... id did not install it) Will my 254MB RAM be able to cut it?
Thank you in advance (for the help and the site).

[avtolle]

I think the RAM is the problem. The Live CD needs 384 mb to install, using the graphical installer, and Ubuntu needs a minimum of 256 mb to run. I'd give the alternate installation iso burned to CD a try (text based installer, so if you are just wanting to check Ubuntu out, ignore this) to install; the system requirements for Ubuntu are 256 mb RAM, but it might run, albeit a bit slowly, with 256 (which, if I understand correctly, is reduced to 254 mb, likely due to the graphics chip sharing some RAM).

[FreewheelinFrank]

Blame Bill:

http://antitrust.slated.org/www.iowa...00/PX03020.pdf

My laptop never shuts down fully.

[dislocated]

I have the same problem on an old PIII running xubuntu. I've never given it much thought, and it never gives me any real problems. When I shut down, I just let Linux shut down as far as it can, and then I push the button.

BTW, I love the email from Bill... So typical.