Tried for hours, cannot install.

[tp55]

I have a Dell, unsure of the model. Could look it up later. I basically let my pc just become full of junk. Microsoft wasn't for me. I don't need anything more then a browser really and some java capabilities so I decided to go ahead and try to reformat. 2 discs and 2 dls and I got input/output error. I tried to put it on a Flashdrive and still no luck. I have no OS so using something would be nice lol...I have no idea what I am doing...at all. NOOB FRIENDLY PLEASE. Seriously, talk to me like I am a newborn or I will not understand you.


Latest post:

Hashes match.

I do not know the specs or my graphics card. Any easy way I can grab this information? RAM is low however, whatever the standard 500~ish size is. I have a Nvida (SP?) for a graphics card but I just don't recall which model it is.

Does it matter how the flashdrive is formatted?

[sikander3786]

Welcome to the forums :-)

Check your downloaded image for any possible defects. As 2 of the discs produced an input/output error and the USB drive also did the same, I suspect the image is not good. See here.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM

If the sums don't match, download the 32-bit 10.10 or 10.04 (not 11.04) here.

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

Then burn a USB with unetbootin.

http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net

Keep us posted ;-)

[Rubi1200]

It would also help if you can post the specifications for the computer, especially RAM and graphics card.

Thanks.

[mörgæs]

You could also try installing using the alternate version:
http://www.releases.ubuntu.com/

You don't need to format the drives. It will be done automatically during install.

By the way, older computers can normally not boot from USB. Take a look in the BIOS settings, if you are in doubt.

If error messages appear, please post them here exactly as they are written.

[tp55]

Hashes match.

I do not know the specs or my graphics card. Any easy way I can grab this information? RAM is low however, whatever the standard 500~ish size is. I have a Nvida (SP?) for a graphics card but I just don't recall which model it is.

[Rubi1200]

I think you should consider going for a lighter version. In general, the older the machine, the more likely one of the following will work:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1582027

[P4man]

~500Mb should be enough for ubuntu. A little more detailed explanation of what actually happens would be useful though. Does it boot from CD or USB? Do you get any menu? Any messages on screen?