new and need help

[w3lshm3n]

i have a hp dv2000 pavilion laptop. I recently had it wiped cause my vista was completely fried inside. Now I've had ubuntu on that computer before as a duel-boot, but this time around it won't install. it will get to ( could not detect display ) basiaclly thats what it says. Than gives me 3 options Configure, shutdown or continue. I've had a go with the first option but it doesn't have my laptop as a choice, so i started over and just chose continue and i'll get to take after it's installed , but after that i get a screen waiting for a command. Now when i had duel-booted it started and install right a way. HELP or do i have to format my drive? i just don't know. I took it in to be wiped and i told the man behind the counter that I was putting linux on it. And when i came to pick it up he said " it's already for your linux" so maybe he formatted it. or did it wrong. But in any case if some one could lend out so advice that would br great. THANKS

[am256]

I actually have had the same problem on my girlfriend's HP...also a pavilion dv2000. The problem I've come across is that her motherboard is completely shot - she's been having a lot of issues (screen not staying on, overheating, wireless network card = done).

Goto HPs website, and check the information about the safety recall. They've been recalled, but I think its only extending the manufacturer 1yr warranty 2yrs beyond the purchase date (i.e. If you bought on march 1 of 2006, you'd be eligble for recall until march 1, 2009). I checked her info, and she's outside of the date-range to send in her computer to get fixed (they're going to charge $380 i think to fix the problem...we're just getting a new one).

I don't know if this is the issue you might be having, but it'd be worth it to check it out and see if you can get it fixed then try installing ubuntu once you get it back from hp.

The link for the recall is here (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01087277&lc=en&cc=us) , hopefully that might help you.

[jerrrys]

you don't have to do a thing to hard drive just use "Guided Install>Use entire disk

this is the live cd, right? Maybe (since you didn't say) when you first installed ubuntu it was 8.10 or 8.04 and now your trying 9.04.

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing

https://help.ubuntu.com/9.04/installation-guide/i386/index.html

[dstew]

What version are you trying to install? Are you trying to install using a Live CD? It seems that the installer software is having trouble operating your display hardware. When you get to Configure, can you choose a VESA display option? Usually that will get you a working display, without a lot of fancy accelaration.

You could also try another version, like 8.04. You could also try the Alternate Install CD (http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/downloadmirrors#alternate). It installs the same Ubuntu system, but uses a text-based installer that sometimes works better.

[am256]

Also - i dont know what problem(s) you might be having with the hardware...but the Fed Governement issued a safety recall for the batteries (regardless of when you bought it...thank God).

here's the link for that:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09221.html?h=387

even if you're not having problems, i'd get a new battery.