Xubuntu Live CD doesn't boot right on laptop

I have a similar problem with a Sony Vaio. The model is PCG-505TX.

I'm presented with the boot options screen, and choose "Start Xubuntu". usplash comes up, but it gets stuck "mounting the root partition". The hard disk clicks periodically for about 10 seconds, and then I get dropped into a Busybox shell.

I think it could be because the CD drive is connected through a PCMCIA card. Perhaps those modules need to be loaded first?

Using an old Hoary Hedgehog beta CD instead works fine.

Sorry, I should have mentioned the Xubuntu version. It's: Xubuntu 6.06 "Dapper Drake" - Beta i386.

Thanks,
Alex

My problem is the same as bug 36667, except that it doesn't continue to boot.

I tried 6.06 beta 2 of Xubuntu Live CD and it's worse than beta 1. The NumLk, ScrLk, and CapsLk lights come on and the BIOS complains about keyboard error on the Vaio SR-33K. I go into the setup and just exit. If I try pressing the CapLk a few times just that light remains on and the others turn off and it boots up. I choose 800x600x32 because the default resolution used to do weird things. It says it's loading the kernel then goes to a blank screen for a while. It comes back alive and the boot process starts, but stops on the second item. After the first ok, the second item comes up then it after a little bit it goes to a blank screen and stays there. There's no activity from the hard drive or the CD drive at this point. I tried this about three times with the same results.

Similar issues using xubuntu-6.06-FLIGHT7-live-i386.iso. Verified md5sum of ISO = correct. Burned 2 copies = both behave the same. Burned ubuntu-6.06-FLIGHT7-live-i386.iso on same burner with same command [1] and same (old crappy) CD-R media = worked fine. All ISOs work fine in VMware, but I can't mount the Xubuntu CD under itself either. I get a the usual "wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock" though the Ubuntu CD mounts fine. I CAN read it under Windows.

I can't do a boot with floppies + CD because I can have only one or the other at a time (which has caused MUCH pain over the years). Nuking the hard drive, creating a tiny DOS partition, and installing Smart Boot Manger (http://btmgr.webframe.org/ (sbminst -t us -d 128)) caused it to Just Work. I have no idea why, especially since I never even saw SBM come up...

All of the screwing around, reading forums posts that referred to each other in circles, reading much of https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Installation/FromWindows?action=fullsearch&context=180&value=installation&titlesearch=Titles and all the rest took at least 5 hours. The laptop is ancient Dell Latitude CPx, Breezy booted fine and works fine. I want to use Xfce to save on resources, since its so old, but DAMN. I only finished because I love Linux, like Xfce, and hate to let that PoS laptop beat me. But if I was a newbie--no way. And most of the methods in the above list are just WAY too tedious for me, and too scary for a newbie.

What's the difference between Ubuntu and Xubuntu ISO boot settings?!?

PS--Once booted, the PCMCIA NIC wasn't there. Xubuntu is 0 for 2 so far and not looking good this close to realase.

[1] CD-R burn command (see http://www.troubleshooters.com/linux/coasterless.htm): cdrecord -v -eject -dao speed=4 padsize=63s -pad xubuntu-6.06-FLIGHT7-live-i386.iso

Please open separate bug reports for separate laptops. Original reporter - do you still have this problem with the Edgy beta live cd?

Thank you for reporting the issue.

I tried Edgy beta the one just before RC and it went to the cute
ubuntu logo thing, but the little bar under it showed no movement. The
little bar was missing in the long bar. Not sure whether that was
incomplete or just my PC. After that it went to a blank screen with a
blinking cursor.

With the RC I get the following:

   BusyBox v1.1.3 (Debian 1:1.1.3-2ubuntu3) Built-in shell (ash)
   Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.

   /bin/sh: can't access tty; job control turned off
   (inittramfs) [blinking cursor here]

I tried bother version with 800x600x32 since when I didn't do that
with Badger, it did crazy thing with my display. Hope that helps.

On 10/16/06, Carthik Sharma <email address hidden> wrote:
> Please open separate bug reports for separate laptops. Original reporter
> - do you still have this problem with the Edgy beta live cd?
>
> Thank you for reporting the issue.
>
> ** Changed in: Ubuntu
> Status: Unconfirmed => Needs Info
>
> --
> Xubuntu Live CD doesn't boot right on laptop
> https://launchpad.net/bugs/40825
>

--
James
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www.jameshi.com
Help fight the evil SS!! Go to:
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I can confirm this with an Apple PowerBook G4 using the Ubuntu 6.10 Edgy Desktop CD imaged burned to a DVD+RW disc.

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