Dell Latitude c400 Graphics Problem

I have a Dell c400 Pentium III 866Mhz with 256ram, and a Intel 82830M 48mb built in graphics card. It doesn't have a cd-rom or floopy drive and will not boot from USB. I got it for $90 because it had a corporate Windows XP that was completely locked and wouldn't even let me change the desktop's background. I connected it to a desktop computer through a network and installed windows XP home using the cd-rom on the desktop. It works great, however I have been playing around with Linux for a couple weeks (on another computer) and I think it would be Ideal for my old laptop. I like the idea of a duel boot because I'm on a windows network and am at this point more comfortable using windows for networking. I have Installed Ubuntu 8.10 using the "install in windows" option and it went fine until I reboot and Ubuntu says it's installing the system. During the system install my screen changes to vertical bars (like a failed graphics card)and completely locks up. I have to hold the power button until it shuts off and if i try to reboot ubuntu it goes through the same process of installing the system all over again, just to once again freeze. Is there a safe graphics mode that can be activated before it installs or a file that I can modify while in windows? If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Hi, I have exactly the same machine and had the same problem. What I did , after several attempts to have Ubunto 8.10 installing with lots of crashes was, insert a USB mouse, have Ubunti installing in safe graphics mode. It should do the installation without problems. Afte installation you can adjust the screen/graphis parameter. Afterwards you can disconnect the USB mouse. Ubuntu 8.10 runs very stable on my C400. I also have a PCMCIA card installed for wireless. I am just mentioning it, may be it also plays a role.

Cheers

harleymick said: Hi,

I have exactly the same machine and had the same problem. What I did , after several attempts to have Ubunto 8.10 installing with lots of crashes was, insert a USB mouse, have Ubunti installing in safe graphics mode. It should do the installation without problems. Afte installation you can adjust the screen/graphis parameter. Afterwards you can disconnect the USB mouse. Ubuntu 8.10 runs very stable on my C400. I also have a PCMCIA card installed for wireless. I am just mentioning it, may be it also plays a role.

Cheers

how would u install ubuntu 8.10 in safe graphics mode.? there is no such option. can u please explain in detail?

Already posted this somewhere else, but it seems u have the same problem I struggled with. Just got my machine working and am running all the updates now. Hope it doesn't freeze on me or goes white screen again on me. I think the videocard is the problem, I found my solution here:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/fglrx-installer/+bug/196900

It's a fun little machine and quite high powered 4 its time so I hope u get it working :popcorn:

Intrepid Ibis on a Dell C400 OK, I've got an old Dell C400 without an external CD-Rom. So I copied the Ubuntu system to a stick and chose for double boot Windows + Ubuntu

It took 4ever to install and when it was installed I got a white screen after logging in. I could see my cursor though.

What I did to solve this problem (with a little help from the web) was

==> Choose Ubuntu (remember, dual boot) ==> Press Escape within a few seconds and go 4 Ubuntu 8.10 (recovery mode)

(U get all kinds of fun little letters that fly by so fast u can't read them xcept Activating swapfile. It ends up with a lovely blue screen)

==> Go to root and Enter

Then follow these instructions:

2) sudo pico /etc/X11/xorg.conf 3) Add the following: Section "Extensions" Option "Composite" "disable" EndSection 4) save file, quit pico, logout.

Dude you rock, thanks this worked just it is case ses. thanks so much

i love my c400 but the no usb boot suchs.

zulunet