installing linux with broken vista

[ilnux]

Hello! I recently had a big problem with my registry in vista so that basically my laptop boots into windows but no apps or files work. nothing works. As far as drives go, Cds seem to be recognised but DVDs make a horrible noise.

I would like to install ubuntu and am not too bothered about losing files I had in windows (but would obviously prefer to keep if possible).

Please could you tell me if it would be possible to install under these conditions?

Could I partition windows and transfer files to linux after installation, even though they no longer work in windows?

Many Thanks,

[devils casper]

Hi and Welcome !

Please could you tell me if it would be possible to install under these conditions?

Its possible. You have to create free space for Ubuntu. 6-10GB is enough. Use Vista's Partition Manager to create free space. Start Ubuntu installation and select free space for installation in Partition Section. Installer will do the rest itself.

Could I partition windows and transfer files to linux after installation, even though they no longer work in windows?

Yes. Linux supports read/write access on Windows partitions and data sharing/transfer is not a problem.

Good Luck !

[ilnux]

Hello again!

I have got as far as booting with an ubuntu cd and I am on the main desktop page. I clicked on install but I am stuck on the "where are you"(select a timezone) page!!

I cant see a next or continue button and I cant change to a higher resolution to see the bottom of the page because I am only given two options: 800 x 600 and 640 x 480. I have tried pressing enter to continue, and double clicking, but to no avail.

Like I say, my Vista is hardly functioning ,is it to do with that?

Also I have a feeling my 'Vista partitioning manager' won't work if I get to the partitioning stage.

Please could you advise me, many thanks.

[devils casper]

Like I say, my Vista is hardly functioning ,is it to do with that?

No. It looks like Graphics Card problem. Installer is not configuring your Graphics Card. Which Graphics Card do you have?

Also I have a feeling my 'Vista partitioning manager' won't work if I get to the partitioning stage.

Vista Partition Manager is in Vista only. Boot up Vista and open its partitioning program and create free space/partition for Ubuntu. You should do that before starting installation.

[ilnux]

HI, I tried to find out my graphics card by using device manager in Vista but it appears blank. Also, Display Settings will not run. The manufacturers support webpage was not too much help either.

However, on my initial boot screen there is a line near the top which reads:

VIA VN896+VT8237A R11

Is this the info about the graphics card? If not I am not sure how else to check - sorry.


I also tried to follow your instructions and run vista partition disk manager (which I had to do from command prompt in safe mode becuase of the state of Vista) but it failed with a COM services error!

I have also noted exactly what happens when I boot from the ubuntu cd in case any of this may be of use:

-boots up

-goes to options menu, first option is to start or Install Ubuntu. I click on it.

-for about 10 seconds these following lines flash up on a black screen

0.184777 PCI BIOS BUG #81 [49435000] found.

0.398247 PCI failed to allocate mem resource #6 :100000@c0000000 for 000:00 1:00

-loads to ubuntu desktop with this notification:

"New Restricted Drives in use.
In order for this computer to function properly Ubuntu is using driver software that cannot be supported."

-Upon clicking on this message a new window opens with this entry:

Atheros Hardware Access Layer (HAL). Enabled (checked box). In use (YES).

Can I resolve any of these issues to successfully install Ubuntu?
do any of these events shed any light on the problem?

Many thanks.

[devils casper]

Ubuntu is recognizing everything perfectly except Graphics Card. Try to install it again. Use arrow Ctrl+Alt+ - ( minus key ) and Ctrl+Alt+ + ( Plus key ) to decrease/increase desktop size.
In case nothing works, Download Ubuntu Alternate Installation CD. It has text based installer.

[ilnux]

Thanks, I have managed to install Ubuntu (I 'cheated' and removed the top and bottom panels on the desktop to see the tops of the forward buttons!) but I still cannot change the screen resolution.

I have looked into other threads and forums but am a little confused as to exactly where I should start or what the problem is. Is it a driver issue or I read something about adding modules?

When I type 'lspci' in the terminal I have noted this line:

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. Unknown Device 3371 (rev 01)

Please could you tell me what my next step should be?

p.s during install I used the Ubuntu option of guided partition as Vista Partition Manager did not work. Was there any major disadvantage of creating the partition during installation rather than prior to?

[devils casper]

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. Unknown Device 3371 (rev 01)

Check this post and set Driver value to "vesa".

p.s during install I used the Ubuntu option of guided partition as Vista Partition Manager did not work. Was there any major disadvantage of creating the partition during installation rather than prior to?

Vista keeps two copies of Partition Table. If you modify Partition using any third party Partition Manager, Vista doesn't boot up and throws errors.