Laptop not booting

Steve_xx

Browntoa wrote: »

you need the ISO file

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/downloading?release=desktop-newest&mirror=http%3A%2F%2Fmirror.u-soft.dk%2Fubuntu-releases%2F&arch=i386

then just burn that to CD

it runs from the CD, not installed

The ISO file in isolation is only 774kb. I downloaded that file and put the ISO file in isolation onto a cd and put the cd into the Dell, but the problem is as in post #1, ie the Windows flag comes up, I get the options to boot in ordinary or the various forms of safe mode and when I select one the blue screen appears after a short while.

Wouldn't I need the whole Unbuntu package for this to work?

The full Unbuntu file is zipped and I unzipped it before trying to put it on to the cd. Then I discovered that the cd wasn't big enough to cope with the size of the files. I am assuming that I couldn't put the unzipped full Ubuntu file onto a cd then put it into the Dell?

Steve_xx

Ok I managed to get it all onto a single CD. Put the cd in the Dell and as it was booting I pressed f12 and then selected the boot up from the cd/dvd drive. Then, as before I get the Windows page asking if I want to boot normally or in safe mode. It's as though it ignores what's on the cd and wants to carry on loading Windows. The cd drive does make a noise as though it's attempting to read it.

Any further advice?

daily_2

Did you burn the file as a cd image, or does the CD have a .iso file on it when you view it in explorer?

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

Steve_xx

I'm not sure. I'll go through the link you provided and check the cd I created and then will get back on that.

Steve_xx

What's on the cd is just as per the "CORRECT" view on this link. There is a folder that says ISOLINUX:

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

Steve_xx

daily wrote: »

Did you burn the file as a cd image, or does the CD have a .iso file on it when you view it in explorer?

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

I believe what I have is an image. When I put the cd into the Dell it seems to try to find it but then continues on in Windows. I altered the BIOS settings to cause it to look at the cd/dvd drive first.

Steve_xx

Update to the problem.

I've downloaded Ubuntu onto a cd and a dvd and from different places using different cd/dvd burning software. I put the dvd into the Dell laptop and booted it from the cd/dvd drive and it does seem to make an attempt to lok at the drive yet it still wants to load Windows. Can anyone advise further please?

daily_2

Do you have another pc you could try the bootable cd in

Steve_xx

Yes I put the cd and the dvd in my mates Vista laptop, which is the laptop they were created on. The Autoplay window comes up and presents with various options for importing/viewing images or pictures?

daily_2

I meant to test it was bootable.

4 possibilities, it's not bootable, linux is having a problem with your hardware, your F12 boot procedure isn't working, your drive or the disks are faulty/dirty