Can't install OS to computer.

[Brain]

Well I'm trying to install either TinyXP or Ubuntu to an old computer I have requisitioned.
When I try to install TinyXP, it says I need to insert the install disk into drive A (floppy, lol, not even activated/plugged in).
When I try to install Ubuntu 10.04 (should I use an old one for this old crappy comp?) it just pops up with a screen of errors, as follows. The first picture is a larger one, but you might not be able to read much on it.

http://i47.tinypic.com/xeiyr4.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/sb5xnd.jpg

I've tried lots of different HDDs, dunno whats going on... :(

[x[Warrior]x3500]

i honestly have no clue what the issue could be, but maybe u made the live ubuntu CD incorrectly? if so, i would suggest useing http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/ . this program installs a bootable linux os onto your flash drive. then load it up from the flash drive on start up :) . this might help.

good luck

EDIT: also, if your computer is older, i would recommend Xubuntu over Ubuntu

[Brain]

The disk is fine, installed into another computer, and to make sure I even burned another disk, same problem.
For some reason I can't get into the BIOS, I don't think this has the option to boot from flash drive anyway, as I already have a flash drive with bootable ubuntu on it :p
Thanks for the attempt though.

[Dgby714]

Check your computer before trying the option above!

If you can't boot to usb it wont work. =/

[noidea]

Are you sure the computer is i386?
How much RAM does the computer have? Could it have run out while trying to load whats on the disk?

[Brain]

i have no idea what i386 means.
It has 640Mb of RAM. I know I've had an OS on this one before, but I was playing around and seeing which I liked better on the computer, TinyXP or Ubuntu, and somehow it ended up stuck without an OS on it....

[anonymity]

After going over in my mind the problem you have, I believe this to be a valid solution. http://www.freedos.org/

Also i386 =
Option 1 (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=i386)
Option 2 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80386)

[ShowerThoughts]

This is pretty obvious, boot into bios change the bootorder, consider it done.

[Wizzup?]

i386 is just a version of x86. There's also i486, i586 and i686.

Brain, try running a memtest with the Ubuntu CD.

[Nava2]

I'd say its probably an issue with the boot order, unless it is actually booting.

[ShowerThoughts]

This is pretty obvious, boot into bios change the bootorder, consider it done.


I'd say its probably an issue with the boot order, unless it is actually booting.

Indeed, or the booting part is screwed. First try to change the boot-order.

[Brain]

For some reason I can't get into the BIOS

It just goes straight to trying to boot from the CD. I can't run the mem test with the CD, as after the DELL logo thing, it goes straight to the death screen (when trying Ubuntu, with XP it goes to the insert disk screen right away).

will try out freedos, thanks anonymity

[ShowerThoughts]

It just goes straight to trying to boot from the CD. I can't run the mem test with the CD, as after the DELL logo thing, it goes straight to the death screen (when trying Ubuntu, with XP it goes to the insert disk screen right away).

will try out freedos, thanks anonymity

Did you try the bios key? Because something there isn't any press ?? to enter the bios you just have to guess it. If you only see your dell screen it might be that your CMOS battery is empty but I don't think that could be problem unless your computer is like old old old.

[Brain]

the comp is old old old, I've been in the bios before, the key is Del. does not work anymore, onboard speaker just beeps at me.
I'll try a different battery as well, thanks for the tip.

[Frement]

the comp is old old old, I've been in the bios before, the key is Del. does not work anymore, onboard speaker just beeps at me.
I'll try a different battery as well, thanks for the tip.

F8 is usually the boot menu key, but you could try different cd drive? If for some reason the computer doesnt recognize in the boot.

[Brain]

it already has a different CD drive in it (that was an initial problem a few weeks ago).
I will try tons of F keys in a bit. Thanks.

[Brain]

still can't get into bios/boot order, tried all the F keys/del and stuff, at all times during the turn on.
Changed the battery, nothing.
I haven't tried freedos yet, burning disk now.

[i luffs yeww]

Tried Insert? :p Apparently that works for some..

[Brain]

I've gotten into the bios now, boot order is correct.

[i luffs yeww]

:o How'd you get in?

[Sabzi]

Have you tried hitting it with a hammer?

Yes, that's an exact quote :D.

But it really helps sometimes. If not for the machine, then for you.

[Brain]

:o How'd you get in?
I got to know it really well, took it on a few dates, spent a lot of money on nice dinners. Pretty straightforward :p
nah, I dunno, it boots to the freedos disk, I press 1 to boot freedos from CD-ROM, and then it hangs on "loading boot sector..."
After that I was able to hit del to get into the bios and check the boot order.

E: and I haven't gotten to the hammer point yet :)

[i luffs yeww]

^ Ha.

Do you have the CD in? ^^

[Brain]

yes, otherwise the option to boot freedos wouldn't come load ;)