Dell Studio 15 ATI Radeon HD 4570 graphics card and Ubuntu 9.04

[camajehangir]

Hi,
I'm completely new to linux, but want to start learning. I have just bought a Dell Studio 15 laptop with a 512 MB ATI Radeon HD 4570 graphics card. I am loading both Vista and Ubuntu (the drive has been partitioned). The problem is, it seems that due to this graphics card, the installation of linux is not working. Has anyone faced this problem? Any idea how to solve it?

Thanks

[D-cat]

Can you please elaborate? What error(s) are you getting? What does the screen look like/say? If the desktop shows, then what are your symptoms? We need more specific information in order to help.

Also note that in the course of installing, you should have Windows installed first, and then install Linux. The Linux installer generally sees and includes a link to boot Windows, Windows however sees fit to make only itself accessible after install.

[camajehangir]

hi.
firstly, windows is installed. vista is working fine.

now, when i switch the power of the laptop on and load the ubuntu CD, i come to the screen for the ubuntu installation. i clicked on the first option to install ubuntu. it started installing, and then after a couple of minutes, i get the following message:

"Failed to start the X server (your graphical interface). It is likely that it is not set up correctly. Would you like to view the X server output to diagnose your problem?"

I clicked 'Yes'. Then the following message comes:

X Window System Version 7.2.0
Release date : 22 January 2007
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0, Release 7.2
Build Operating System: Linux Ubuntu
Current Operating System: Linux Ubuntu 2.6.20-15-generic #2 SMP Sun
Apr 15 07:36:31 UTC 2007 i686
Build Date : 04 April 2007
Before reporting problems, check wiki
to make sure you have the latest version.
Module Loader present
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time Tue Aug 4 17:47:42 2009
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
(EE) VESA(0): No matching modes
(EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration.

Fatal server error:
no screens found

Then it asks if I want to see the detailed report as well. It starts like:


X Window System Version 7.2.0
Release date : 22 January 2007
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0, Release 7.2
Build Operating System: Linux Ubuntu
Current Operating System: Linux Ubuntu 2.6.20-15-generic #2 SMP Sun
Apr 15 07:36:31 UTC 2007 i686
Build Date : 04 April 2007
Before reporting problems, check wiki
to make sure you have the latest version.
Module Loader present
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time Tue Aug 4 17:47:42 2009
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
(==) ServerLayout "Default Layout"
**) :-->Screen "Default Screen" (0)
and goes on and on and on....

I am completely new to linux so don't know what to look out for in all this. Any ideas on how to resolve this issue?
Thanks
jc

[coopstah13]

I would download and burn the "alternate" ubuntu installation cd, use that to install.

[camajehangir]

i have a 64 bit core 2 duo processor. so i should get the alternate ubuntu 64 bit intel one, right?

[reed9]

On the Ubuntu site there is an option for a text-based alternate installer. It's not a live CD. Since it doesn't start X, it should allow you to install.

Complete Download Options List | Ubuntu

Current Operating System: Linux Ubuntu 2.6.20-15-generic #2 SMP Sun

I'm a little confused by this? This suggests you're using Feisty Fawn, not Jaunty. Are you sure you have the right installation disk to begin with?

[coopstah13]

This makes sense, if you look at the version of the X server it is from january 2007, which would be right before the release of 7.04. I'm guessing you are right in that the OP is using 7.04, which is unsupported to say the least, and also will not have out of box support for such a new device.

[camajehangir]

the person who gave me the cd told me it was version 9.04. but i'll try downloading it again. just one query- when i download the file, i just then burn a cd using that file as the 'data' to be loaded, or is there anything else that i need to do with the file before making a cd?

[coopstah13]

no, you need to use the option "burn as image" and select the ISO that you downloaded

[reed9]

Here is a guide to burning ISO files.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto