mavazz
October 13th, 2012, 10:37 PM
Hello,
I have a long story I'd like to tell which may offer some clues as to why I'm having these problems.
I recently bought a new computer from System76. They come pre-installed with Ubuntu. I've been running Ubuntu for 3 years now and don't have any need for Windows.
When the computer arrived Ubuntu started up no problem. But before I migrated all of my important documents from my backup of my old computer I decided to try another Linux Distro.
I downloaded Linux Mint 64 bit. Seeing as how I have a brand new computer I figured it could handle 64 Bit. As of now I still don't know if that caused any sort of problem. Anywho, I downloaded LinuxMint 64 bit and attempted to install it from a USB pendrive. To be clear, I followed the instructions and converted the iso using the startup disk creator. I've done this many times before so I'm not new to it. I will say, however, that I've always had more luck with CD's than USB drives.
Anyways, Linux Mint didn't even get the installer running. So, I decided to download the alternate installer for Ubuntu so that I could get FDE set up. I downloaded it, converted it for USB installation and the installation part was up and running without problems.
I meticulously followed the instructions I read online for setting up FDE. I finished the installation process, rebooted, but then things froze at an error. It was something to do with no video detected. But everything I read online said that it was a common error. However, for everybody else the error would last about 10 seconds, then proceed to boot up. It was an error that was supposedly easing fixed by giving some commands in the terminal. But I could never reach the terminal.
Anywho, after much frustration and several attempts to reinstall the alternate installer, including no partitioning or encryption, things continued to fail. I've even tried installing the normal install for Ubuntu but the installer won't even load for me. Yes, I've got the USB to boot before the hard disk, etc.
So, right now I can't get any distros to install except the alternate installer, but after installation it refuses to boot properly.
I've also attempted to install 32 bit. None of those work as well.
Sadly, when I bought the new computer I opted not to have it built with a dvd drive because I really thought I didn't need it. I've attempted to migrate my dvd burner from my old machine to the new one. Sadly, the new motherboard is incompatible with the much older dvd burner. Or perhaps it is compatible and I just need to go buy the right cables. Either way, that's another hassle I have to worry about.
I've done some reading online and I think I read something about SanDisk USB pendrives causing problems for disk images. That seems totally ridiculous to me, but in the three years I've been running Ubuntu, the USB drives have definitely caused me much more headache than CD drives when it comes to installation.
Do I need to worry about the SanDisk causing me problems or is that a red herring?
Do I really need to stop attempting to install Linux from a USB drive and get my DVD drive installed ASAP?
Have I irreparably hashed my hard disk with partitioning and encryption?
Can't I just start from scratch with a brand new installation?
Any help would be much appreciated!
I have a long story I'd like to tell which may offer some clues as to why I'm having these problems.
I recently bought a new computer from System76. They come pre-installed with Ubuntu. I've been running Ubuntu for 3 years now and don't have any need for Windows.
When the computer arrived Ubuntu started up no problem. But before I migrated all of my important documents from my backup of my old computer I decided to try another Linux Distro.
I downloaded Linux Mint 64 bit. Seeing as how I have a brand new computer I figured it could handle 64 Bit. As of now I still don't know if that caused any sort of problem. Anywho, I downloaded LinuxMint 64 bit and attempted to install it from a USB pendrive. To be clear, I followed the instructions and converted the iso using the startup disk creator. I've done this many times before so I'm not new to it. I will say, however, that I've always had more luck with CD's than USB drives.
Anyways, Linux Mint didn't even get the installer running. So, I decided to download the alternate installer for Ubuntu so that I could get FDE set up. I downloaded it, converted it for USB installation and the installation part was up and running without problems.
I meticulously followed the instructions I read online for setting up FDE. I finished the installation process, rebooted, but then things froze at an error. It was something to do with no video detected. But everything I read online said that it was a common error. However, for everybody else the error would last about 10 seconds, then proceed to boot up. It was an error that was supposedly easing fixed by giving some commands in the terminal. But I could never reach the terminal.
Anywho, after much frustration and several attempts to reinstall the alternate installer, including no partitioning or encryption, things continued to fail. I've even tried installing the normal install for Ubuntu but the installer won't even load for me. Yes, I've got the USB to boot before the hard disk, etc.
So, right now I can't get any distros to install except the alternate installer, but after installation it refuses to boot properly.
I've also attempted to install 32 bit. None of those work as well.
Sadly, when I bought the new computer I opted not to have it built with a dvd drive because I really thought I didn't need it. I've attempted to migrate my dvd burner from my old machine to the new one. Sadly, the new motherboard is incompatible with the much older dvd burner. Or perhaps it is compatible and I just need to go buy the right cables. Either way, that's another hassle I have to worry about.
I've done some reading online and I think I read something about SanDisk USB pendrives causing problems for disk images. That seems totally ridiculous to me, but in the three years I've been running Ubuntu, the USB drives have definitely caused me much more headache than CD drives when it comes to installation.
Do I need to worry about the SanDisk causing me problems or is that a red herring?
Do I really need to stop attempting to install Linux from a USB drive and get my DVD drive installed ASAP?
Have I irreparably hashed my hard disk with partitioning and encryption?
Can't I just start from scratch with a brand new installation?
Any help would be much appreciated!