Originally Posted by mtm

Hi! Sandra,

This will show you how to install Ubuntu on a cd without installed on the hard drive.
I already download it on a dvd and I boot from this dvd and works perfect.

This is the link:
Try Ubuntu before you install | Ubuntu

Sorry for my English

it is a good idea to try it before you install in most cases, but your case is an exception its the actual installing of the program on to an hard drive you need to know, but its a good idea for anyone but you

Thanks for the info, and the link, mtm.

You are welcome.

There's more than 3 desktop environments, gnome and kde are just the most well known outside of the nix circles.

Ubuntu actually runs a different desktop called Unity for the last several versions.

I've downloaded ubuntu 12.04 onto an old machine that was running xp, and am in the process of ironing out a few glitches. I suspect the problems I'm encountering have more to do with the hard ware onboard not being in the best of condition, as opposed to the programme itself.

It's certainly a learning curve...

i would start by downloading dban, run quick wipe, dont have to run it till end 5-10% should be plenty, just starting it should be plenty really it will remove any partitions file structures on the drive, then i would reset the bios and try again or if you think theres a problem with hardware try running hirens or ubcd and testing the hdd or or run chkdsk

The hard drive has bad sectors - I'd already used chkdsk. This is one of the donated machines that I'd stripped down and reassembled. The hard drive is one of the better ones I swapped over. The original had more bad than good sectors! lol - hey what can you expect for free! The only bonus is it has a genuine active windows!

Some of the problems I'm encountering are common, according to the questions posted on the ubuntu forum, such as getting the dongle recognised to enable internet connection. I'm slowly working my way through them, one at a time. By the time I'm finished, I may not be an expert, but at least I'll have a working knowledge of the problems that can be met, and more importantly, how to resolve these issues.

sounds like its not the drive then if its known issues installing drivers and such, what are you doing dual booting it with windows, if so make sure you use magic jellybean to get the key before you go too far just incase you need to reinstall

First thing I did was make sure it was genuine - and that the key matched!

When I said there were problems with the on board hardware, I should have specified that there are very audible noises of complaint on boot up, and although it quietens down, you can really hear it labouring any time you want it to perform.

it will either be the hdd or fan, if its the hdd is it really worth replacing run it till it dies and scavenge parts from it no point being sentmental unless its worth it

My thoughts entirely!