Ubuntu on Blade 100 freezes, almost never gets past boot

[huffandy@hotmail.com]

Hi,

I am having problems with the boot. Actually not just just that, it freezes booting from the install cd (having redo the install several times). Freezes when booting when doing rescue, etc.

I updated the PROM to the latest version also.

If anyone can help me, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks.

Oh, and its Ubuntu 7.10 also.

Andrew

[tahirdar]

Try installing Ubuntu 7.10 server edition first, then once installed do

sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop

One other thing use the onboard graphics card, take out any Expert3D etc. from the system before you install.

[huffandy@hotmail.com]

Hi, I did originally install 7.10 Server first, and then did

sudo aptitude install xubuntu-desktop

but things get a little wild after the SILO prompt, even while trying to run from the CD at boot time, many times, I am lucky to finish the install processes to do this. The problems occur when the white screen flashes back to the black linux screen, and the freeze can occur randomly. (almost whenever it feels like it.)

Thanks,
Andrew

[tahirdar]

Can you see the UBUNTU spash screen when booting? And are you using the onboard ATI graphics adapter. If so try booting into rescue mode and edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

sudo vi /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Then add the following text in Device section of frame buffer:

Option "reference_clock" "28.636 MHz"

[huffandy@hotmail.com]

Thanks tahidar,

I'm just realizing this to be a video card issue, (yeah, onboard dosen't cut it). I scoured for another post and it was a little confusing, Will a ATI Radeon card work or does it have to be Sun "certified?"

Thanks in advance.

[tahirdar]

I guess any PCI graphic card should work, no need for Sun certification as you are using Ubuntu not Solaris.

[huffandy@hotmail.com]

Thanks for all your help, (although I think fixing this machine is costing me more than what it is worth!)