Dell can't run Linux anymore?

[PartsMan]

I have a Dell 2400 (p4 2.2 with 640mg) that I ran Ubuntu 8.04 for almost a year on.
Last month I switched to Xubuntu 9.10 and ran fine for a couple of weeks.

Then one day I down loaded a game(Openarena). The first time I tried to run it I got a black screen.

I have not been able to boot into any Ubuntu since. Some times it will run live in safe video mode.

Tried some other distros but anything big enough to run as my main desktop won't run.

I had desided that my on board graphics had gone bad and was about to throw the whole tower in the trash.

Then I did the unthinkable.

I loaded XP and it runs fine.

Please help! I am stuck in the windows.

PS The Ubuntu forum guys couldn't figure it out.

[Kieren]

Can you link your thread from the Ubuntu Forum so we can see what you have tried so far?

[oz]

Dell can't run Linux anymore?

Welcome to the forums!

It sounds like the installation of the game or some system update must have broken something rather than Dell boxes can no longer run Linux.

You said you tried several other distros, so just curious... did you also try another fresh install of Xubuntu but without the game, and it was still broken?

[PartsMan]

http ://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1375781
(remove space after "http". this sight won't let me post url yet)

I just meant that this Dell won't anymore.

[techieMoe]

Judging from your post on the UbuntuForums site, you have an Intel integrated graphics card on that computer. Recent versions of Linux (not just Ubuntu specifically) have issues with Intel cards due to a problem with the driver. You might want to stick with 8.04 for now until the next LTS comes out (should be in April of this year), or they release a patch for it.

[reed9]

Karmic uses KMS by default for Intel cards, right?

I would try disabling it. Should be able to by passing nomodeset to the kernel boot line.

Permanently disable as so
9.10 Release Notes | Ubuntu

[PartsMan]

8.04 won't run anymore.

It really has me baffled.
I grew up around computers and thought I new how they worked.

[techieMoe]

8.04 won't run anymore.

Can you be more specific? Does it refuse to boot, or not show a desktop? Does it show a desktop on the LiveCD and not when installed? We need details.

[PartsMan]

Can you be more specific? Does it refuse to boot, or not show a desktop? Does it show a desktop on the LiveCD and not when installed? We need details.

It will boot live in safe graphics mode.
In regular live mode or fresh install it will not make it to the desktop.

What does safe graphics shut off?
Can it be disabled on install?

I would be happy with bad graphics.

[Kieren]

In regular live mode or fresh install it will not make it to the desktop.

You need to give us more information. Does the screen go blank? Does the boot up process freeze? Do you get an error message?