Trouble installing

**doctorbighands** · December 2nd, 2008

I just picked up an old "clamshell" style Mac iBook G3. I'm trying to install Ubuntu, but I keep running into the same issue.

I've tried using 7.10 alternate and 6.10 alternate, and they both report the same issue.

After a VERY brief period of trying to load the install CD, I get the following errors:

Code:

RAMDISK: incomplete write (-28 != 32768) 8388608
RAMDISK: ran out of compressed data
invalid compressed format (err=1)
Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(1,0)

The discs md5sum just fine. Why is this happening, and how do I stop it so I can install correctly?

Thank you!

**ibizatunes** · December 2nd, 2008

I dont know why your getting that error, but i would suggest downloading ubuntu 8.04 LTS (3years support) or ubuntu 8.10 (18month support) - newer and better than ubuntu 8.04 but you will need to upgrade - i leave the choice to you
The version you are installing 7.10 and 6.10 falls out of support shortly, if they havent already
www.ubuntu.com
Why dont you try that, and see if that help
PS check the CD for burn error before installing and maybe run a mem check on the computer

**Kevbert** · December 2nd, 2008

How much memory has your G3 got ? If it's less than 384Mb you'll have problems.

**doctorbighands** · December 2nd, 2008

I think it is less than 384 MB. Honestly, I'm new to Mac hardware (I don't even know if this thing has a BIOS, and if it does, I don't know how to access it). That being the case, I'm not sure how to check the amount of RAM without opening the thing up.