Cannot start Ubuntu from Live CD or Wubi

[Fraser Cameron]

I have recently been trying to install Ubuntu on my computer alongside Windows XP SP3. On selecting the first option of the live CD, I am presented with the Ubuntu splash screen, which hangs at around 15% for a while before giving a whole load of 'permission denied' and failed execution errors. I have tried versions 7.10, 8.04, and 8.10 - all with the same problem. In addition, the CD in the drive seems to stop spinning after a few seconds of the hang.

I have tried the CDs on my other computer, and all of them work without any problems. The computer I am having the problems with is a Dell Dimension 2300 - P4 2.00GHz, 1GB RAM, 250GB Hitachi DeskStar HDD, ATI RADEON 7000 Series, Linksys Wireless b/g Network Card. The other computer is AMD Athlon XP 2400+, 512MB RAM, 80GB WD HDD, ATI RADEON 9000 Series.

Any help would be appreciated on this.

Thanks,
Fraser.

[sanderj]

Have you tried another CD-drive in the problematic computer?

Other things worth trying:
1) burn another CD, and burn it at low speed
2) put the harddisk in another computer, install Ubuntu on that harddisk, then put back the harddisk.

[Fraser Cameron]

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, I have tried both CD drives in this computer. I'll try burning the CD at a lower speed tomorrow, but I doubt it will work - I had the same issue trying to start versions 8.10 and 8.04-2 after installing through Wubi a few months ago on the old 20GB WD hard drive. Wubi 8.04-1 successfully installed and booted, however.

I might consider the 2nd option if all else fails, although it isn't really a practical soloution to be messing around with the family computer. I have a Fedora Core 9 disc that installs and boots fine, but Ubuntu has always been my preferred distro.

Thanks again,
Fraser.

[Fraser Cameron]

Update:

Tonight I was able to start my computer and install from the Ubuntu 8.04 Live CD. I took out one of the memory modules that was in my computer when I acquired it - leaving me with 512MB. On reinserting the module, the problem returns. I have emailed Crucial about this and I'm currently awaiting a reply.