Can not install any linux distro

Greetings to all,

I have attempted to install the top ten major distributions (and their recommended alternatives) as posted on distrowatch.com without success:

distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major

I am reasonably certain the reason for this problem is a failure to use the correct display drivers. Immediately after the boot loader executes, the display corrupts.

I know it gets to the desktop because the start-up sound for the various distributions I attempt does eventually execute.

I have scoured numerous forums & attempted several troubleshooting suggestions, all to no avail. To save some time, here is what I have tried so far:

• install in text mode
• install in video safe mode
• install in VESA mode
• install in compatibility mode
• install in kernel safe mode
• install with swtiches (nomodeset, nosplash, noacpi, noapi)
• verify the disc checksum
• install a 32 bit or 64 bit distro
• install from discs, flash memory, graphical installers

The specs of the machine I am attempting to install on are posted here:

support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1501/en/om_en/html/specs.htm

If anyone can help, I would like to install the latest version of OpenSUSE as this is the distro my instructor will be using in an upcoming college course I will be taking.

Thank you in advance to anyone that can help.

Hello and Welcome!

The system specs page reports that you can have up to a max of 2 GB RAM. What do you currently have loaded?
Also, when attempting to boot to the installation media, do you see any text flashing past that may indicate an error?

Have you tried the Ubuntu Alternate install?

Do the live CD/DVDs run?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jayd512

Hello and Welcome!

The system specs page reports that you can have up to a max of 2 GB RAM. What do you currently have loaded?
Also, when attempting to boot to the installation media, do you see any text flashing past that may indicate an error?

Have you tried the Ubuntu Alternate install?

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• I have 2 Gb of RAM currently installed
• The only text that displays before the display corrupts is the boot text
• I have tried the Ubuntu Alternate install. The display corruption still occurs immediately after the boot loader executes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rubberman

Do the live CD/DVDs run?

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I have attempted the following install methods:

• CD/DVD
• USB Key
• WUBI (before I attempted an overwrite install)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rubberman

Do the live CD/DVDs run?

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I think what Rubberman was asking is, do the LiveCD's actually boot? Can you run a live environment from the disc?

Sounds like a cheatcode may be needed because of graphics crash.

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jayd512

I think what Rubberman was asking is, do the LiveCD's actually boot? Can you run a live environment from the disc?

---

Sorry about that.

The answer to this question is yes & no. Some live discs seem to boot. I can hear the start-up sound execute on some distros if I wait long enough.

The issue still remains that the display goes corrupt right after the boot loader.

[QUOTE=rokytnji;849044]Sounds like a cheatcode may be needed because of graphics crash.

I did attempt the safe video mode option via the F4 menu. I was not aware of the options under the F6 menu.

I will attempt to install & post the results.

I installed the latest version of ubuntu successfully from USB key.
I jiggered around with the options in the F# menus. The display corruption still occurred.

I then edited the boot parameters command line with the nomodeset, noacpi, & nosplash switches. This worked as I was able to view the entire boot & install process.

What is interesting to note is that I tried this method before with other distros (mepis, mint, open suse) without success.

It would have been nice to get OpenSUSE on so that I could follow along with it in my upcoming college course. I guess beggars can't be choosers ;)

The outstanding issue now is a WiFi driver failure, but that is a topic for a separate forum post.

Thanks to everyone that replied. Have a pleasant day.