Comments on: Linux guru needed

By: Upstart Blogger

Upstart Blogger — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:40:23 +0000

Matt - Thanks very much! It works. Ubuntu installed without a hitch and ran after using the command you gave. Now I need to take a crash course in getting started with Linux, and, I owe you a favor!

By: Upstart Blogger

Upstart Blogger — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:33:45 +0000

Thanks Matt, I”m downloading the alternate, non-live, CD now, I’ll let you know how it goes.

By: Matt J

Matt J — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 14:36:08 +0000

Try running the dedicated Ubuntu install disc, instead of the Live CD. It’s not as friendly as the Live CD, but it’s reasonably straight forward. If you successfully install Ubuntu, you’ll probably need to reconfigure the X Server once you’ve put the disk back in the Vaio, using the command ‘dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg’.

By: Upstart Blogger

Upstart Blogger — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 13:24:39 +0000

Matt - The Ubuntu CD I’m using is an image of the latest version straight from their website. The hard drive isn’t in the Sony when I’m trying to install on it - it’s in a USB caddy attached to a Compaq Pressario (an awful pile of junk that I’ve borrowed from a friend who keeps old hardware). Ubuntu live boots and runs on the Compaq, I clicked install and the options begin to appear. After I select the time zone the installation hangs. I have a feeling it might be due to low memory on the Compaq.

Don’t get me wrong - I’m not blaming any particular distro here - It’s the Sony’s fault for disabling USB booting. If I could somehow force the Sony to boot from an external drive things would be a lot easier.

By: Matt J

Matt J — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 13:01:22 +0000

I’m only really familiar with Ubuntu, can I ask you what errors you had installing Ubuntu onto the Vaio’s harddrive? Also, which model Vaio do you have?

By: Upstart Blogger

Upstart Blogger — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:52:22 +0000

Thanks. I have an external USB CD drive but the Sony won’t boot from it. The option to boot from USB devices has been locked out in the BIOS. Typical Sony / Microsoft trying to block people from doing what they want with the hardware.

I’m stuck with only being able to access the Sony hard drive once it’s been removed from the laptop. There were some options in the Fedora install wizard so I’m going to try changing those and see what happens.

By: Matt J

Matt J — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 07:59:44 +0000

Firstly, have you tried searching for ‘Ubuntu’ plus your model of Vaio? Secondly, I have found that there is a page explaining how to install from a flash drive. Google Installation/FromUSBStick’. It looks pretty complex though, and requires you a have a working Ubuntu installation on a different computer. Lastly, it might be easiest to buy a USB CD drive, and boot from that. Of course there is no guarantee that your hardware will work totally with Ubuntu. Especially since you’re using an Ultraportable. Once again, Google is your friend, people may have resolved issues you find with your hardware. Also, OS X commands are effectively identical to Linux shell commands, if that helps.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 06:07:46 +0000

I would go with a USB thumbdrive installation or spring for a USB CD drive.