Ubuntu: Grub Error 17

[nr262]

I have a Dell Optiplex G260 (Small Desktop machine, not Small form factor) and I wish to install Ubuntu. I tried to install Ubuntu 7 but when trying to load, I had a black screen garbled with graphics and the user name and login show. Followed by Grub error 17. This machine uses the onboard graphics and I figured a problem was this due to garbled screen, etc. I put in a PCI graphics card but continued to get the grub error 17.

I have since reformatted the hard drive and gave up trying to figure this out (new to Ubuntu) but would like information so I could try again. This machine is a P4 2 GHZ with 256 MB ram. Any information would be helpful, thanks.

[MikeTbob]

Hello and welocme to the forums.
You might try getting a newer version of Ubuntu, or any other distro, sounds like maybe the CD you have is defective.

[Jonathan183]

I tried to install Ubuntu 7 but when trying to load, I had a black screen garbled with graphics and the user name and login show. Followed by Grub error 17.... This machine is a P4 2 GHZ with 256 MB ram. Any information would be helpful, thanks.

I don't think you will have much joy with the RAM you have ... at least not with the latest version of Ubuntu - see here.
The grub manual gives a list of errors

If you still want to install Ubuntu try the alternate CD to do the install ... its text based and does not need as much RAM.

[nr262]

Thanks. I am using the CD version to install. I am awaiting the new 8.10 version. As for the memory, I plan on upgrading to 1 GB. This machine is old but want to put it to use rather than getting rid of it and I would like to learn a bit of Linux and Ubuntu. I'll look into the grub manual and thanks for the link. My question is would the onboard graphics be a problem or by adding a graphics card with no drivers (trying to get Ubuntu to load) be a problem? Would this be a reson for a grub error?

[Jonathan183]

I think your system is struggling to run the live CD ... when you get 8.10 it will be even worse. The graphics card can cause problems running a system but I don't think it is the cause of the grub error (unless it causes the installer to bomb out part way through the install process).
You might want to consider something a bit lighter on resources like fluxubuntu. If you want help with the grub error you will need to boot from a live CD, open a terminal, and post the output of

sudo fdisk -l
cat /boot/grub/menu.lst

so we can see the disk partition structure and grub configuration.

The -l is a small L not a one

[nr262]

Thanks. I will try to install again next week and try this. I appreciate your help.