Live CD distributions don't work :(

I tried several live cd versions, so here are the results.

openSUSE 10.3

The good
+ see all hardware (except graphics), including WebSTAR cable modem and monitor as AUO

The bad
- screen is in 1024 x 768 resolution
- doesn’t see graphics (Mobility Radeon HD 2400 XT)
- doesn’t see NTFS partitions
- brightness is locked at highest value

There is now ways I will install again openSUSE 10.3 after it bricked complete! I tried to repair it, but it failed.

And here’s the photo of broken openSUSE 10.3. Almost everything is blue, like some modified working Windows BSD.


Ubuntu 8.04 & Slax 6.0.6*

The good
+ resolution is native 1280 x 800
+ see all NTFS partitions, mounts them, and I can use files from them
+ see all hardware (including cable modem), but I can’t find any info about graphics
+ brightness can be changed in 9 steps just like in Vista

The ugly
- screen looks terrible !


It’s weird. I run Ubuntu 8.04 live cd in friend’s Fujitsu Siemens, I tried in notebook shop in Dell Vostro 1500 and it worked, and I tried Slax in Dell XPS M1530 at another friend (friend's M1530 is in photo and my avatar) and both worked flawless. On my Acer both don’t work.

* Both behaved the some, so I put them together.

Fedora 9

The good
+ resolution is native 1280 x 800
+ see all hardware (including cable modem), it sees even Mobility Radeon HD 2400 XT!
+ brightness can be changed in 6 steps (9 in Vista)
+ see all NTFS partitions, but…

The bad
- ...refused to mount them

The ugly
- screen looks terrible !


PC Linux OS 2008 MiniMe

I started as live cd, everything loaded and I got textual console. No KDE desktop .

PC Linux OS 2007 & 2008 GNOME

Downloading.

Mandriva 2008 Spring Edition

I don’t like it.

SO FAR

I burned 4 CDs (Slax, Ubuntu, openSUSE, Fedora) and 1 DVD (openSUSE) for nothing. I’ll try PC Linux OS 2007 and 2008 GNOME. If they wouldn’t work either, I don’t know what to do.

I’ll probably download Fedora 9 DVD, full install and try does it work. That would be the last any Linux distribution in the long period of time.

CONCLUSION

Linux is far away from Windows. I’m sorry but that’s the fact. I can’t even proper run live cd distributions .


UPDATE 1

OK, as I promised I tries live CD distributions at friend's Toshiba Satellite A210. And here are the results:

Slax 6.0.6

The good
- screen resolution is native 1280 x 800
- ADSL modem via Ethernet port works

The bad
- Bluetooth mouse, Atheros wireless card don’t work
- don’t see NTFS partitions (XP Pro SP2)
- brightness doesn’t work

The ugly
- display looks terrible


Ubuntu 8.04

The good
- screen resolution is native 1280 x 800
- ADSL modem via Ethernet port works
- Bluetooth mouse works!
- NTFS partitions see, mounted them and can be used

The bad
- Atheros wireless card doesn’t work

The ugly
- display looks terrible


Fedora 9

The good
- screen resolution is native 1280 x 800
- it recognized Mobility Radeon HD 2600!
- ADSL modem via Ethernet port works
- Bluetooth mouse works!
- see NTFS partitions…

The bad
- but can’t mount them
- Atheros wireless card doesn’t work
- it’s waaay to slow (Mat****a DVD drive slow read it)



UPDATE 2

I managed to install PCLOS 2008 GNOME, but I'll open thread about it .

 

I don't put much stock in your conclusion as it is far from objective. Plenty of things are wrong with it.

 

The issues you're having, for the most part, IMHO, stem from the fact that your machine uses ATI graphics. With nVidia, first of all, your resolution problems would probably be non-existent. Also, there's an nVidia tool available which allows lots of adjustments which really make the Mandriva and Fedora distros' screens pop!

There are problems with Linux/ATI graphics, but I'm surprised that you've run into so many, especially with PCLOS.

FWIW: I have an ATI card in one of my desktops. Ubuntu, Mint and GEUbuntu (think that's the proper name) all recognize the card and work well. Sorry you're not enjoying Linux as most of us are. Good luck with PCLOS 2007. That's a nice distro.

 

Well its the live cd, problems are expected.

 

why didn't use rewritable cds, which are recommended for testing purposes (so you don't have to waste money on tons of cds).

I've never had a problem with a live cd distro, ubuntu, xubuntu, fluxbuntu, linux mint, dreamlinux, opensuse, fedora etc.. If you installed the full version many of your problems will most probably be resolved, and anyway there is a variety of solutions to any problems u may experience just check out any linux forum.

er.... u know u can change screen resolution in about 5 secs.

 

cdrw's dont work. it won't let you burn the iso image to the cd

 

Blame ATI rather then Linux, the driver support for ATI cards is horrible because they didn't like working on driver for Linux. Since ATI is owned by AMD now, AMD said they'll start to improve drivers for Linux but it'll be a while. You can try to install the distros in text mode and install the restricted drivers but I would read up and make sure the distro would work for your card.

If you want to try out the distros I'd recommend using VirtualBox and mounting the machine under a virtual machine and have it mount the disc in the vm's cd rom. If you have problems booting then you would have to go under the general options for the vm and fiddle around with VT-x /AMD-v or PAE/NX. Also don't forget that live cd mode needs at least 512 MBs of ram and a decent amount of video memory.

 

@OP: If you want to try a nice LiveCD which works well with ATI cards, try Gentoo. Believe it or not, hard as that distro is to install, the LiveCD works well, and is extremely fast - you won't believe the speed! I am using the CD as I type, and I'm on the desktop with the ATI card. Resolution is 1920x1200, and is very crisp and clear.

 

I recommended you LinuxMint but you refused in another thread, if you're at your wits end then just try it. It's worth a shot at least.

 

i agree ubuntu and linuxmint are the two easiest distros- when u get more exp. u can move on to debian etc... for a speedy system

 

I'd go with Linux Mint.

 

I favor Arch more than Debian for a speedy system.

 

I think blackbird and elementhp have gotten to you, Calvin!

Is there now a LiveCD for Arch?

 

They have, i've even been reading over the beginners guide while i consider it. No, no LiveCD unless you want to use the kdemod alpha which is VERY unstable.

 

Thought so. They've gotten to me, as well.

I've got Arch partially installed. Seems easy enough, but when I get to the Daemons - which can basically be ignored, if I'm reading the instructions correctly - I can't seem to go any further. I come to the end of a page, and can't get back to the . . . not sure what it's called, but the next step in the installation. Stupid problem, but can't find anything in the guide that mentions this situation. Damn, I can be dumb sometimes!

 

Rob, let us know how the install ended up, Demons included.... errr....Daemons.....LOL

 

Zoid, ygpm.

 

Also to the OP....do NOT use rewriteable CD's....not recommended for a serious install. Very glitchy burns sometimes.

 

I had the same experience in openSUSE 10.3 live CD and openSUSE 10.3 DVD installation. The same problems remained. After I installed ATI Linux drivers, and some restarts openSUSE bricked completely as you can see .

See above answer.

What scares me if I install for example full Fedora 9 DVD and I get the same screen, I wasted my time, DVD and internet bandwitch.

OpenSUSE 10.3 allowed 1024 x 768 and 800 x 600. No native 1280 x 800.

I don't want to mess with virtual machines. And I have more than powerful hardware (see signature) .

OK. I don't have much too lose, so I'll download it tonight .

OK. I'll download just to see does it work. I don't like Debian/Ubuntu distributions, but nobody complained that LinuxMint kills hard disks.

 

Don't be discouraged if your res is messed up on LiveCD boot, just install it and let restricted drivers manager and Envy do their thing. You should be able to tweak it exactly as you want it after that, post if you need help.

 

OK, thanks .

I'm at friends flat (near college). I'm waiting him to come from library, so we'll try all live CDs which I tried on my Acer. He has Toshiba Satellite A210 (Turion 64 X2 2.1 GHz, 2 GB DDR2, 250 GB HD, Mobility Radeon HD 2600 512 MB DDR2), so I'll see how another ATI graphics based notebook will behave . I'll post results.

 

I have an ATI based notebook with relatively no problems.

 

I have a old x700 equipped laptop laying around, and I remember having to reconfigure the xserver to use vesa everytime I wanted to use the 7.04 and 7.10...

 

So Linux is far away from windows because there's issues with the live CD? Where's this Windows live CD that works 100% right off the burner?


Try Gentoo Live. Very sleek, and worked with my radeon 9700. (as did LinuxMint).

 

Hopefully AMD keeps its promises to have better linux support.

 

Well, they are updating the RadeonHD drivers, albeit slowly.

 

Slowly, but surely
I know my Radeon Xpress does well in most distros.

 

Here's the update I promised. First how Linux live CDs work in Toshiba Satellite A210.

Slax 6.0.6

The good
- screen resolution is native 1280 x 800
- ADSL modem via Ethernet port works

The bad
- Bluetooth mouse, Atheros wireless card don’t work
- don’t see NTFS partitions (XP Pro SP2)
- brightness doesn’t work

The ugly
- display looks terrible


Ubuntu 8.04

The good
- screen resolution is native 1280 x 800
- ADSL modem via Ethernet port works
- Bluetooth mouse works!
- NTFS partitions see, mounted them and can be used

The bad
- Atheros wireless card doesn’t work

The ugly
- display looks terrible


Fedora 9

The good
- screen resolution is native 1280 x 800
- it recognized Mobility Radeon HD 2600!
- ADSL modem via Ethernet port works
- Bluetooth mouse works!
- see NTFS partitions…

The bad
- but can’t mount them
- Atheros wireless card doesn’t work
- it’s waaay to slow (Matshi.ta DVD drive slow read it)


Wow, Fedora 9 is impressive . Too bad it doesn't work at my notebook .

 

UPDATE 2

I managed to install PCLOS 2008 GNOME . And it was very painful on the moments. I first started as live CD and I had bad experience, but because installation was easy, I wiped out bricked openSUSE 10.3. And I didn't regret .

I'll open new thread about that distribution and how to install it properly on similar configuration (ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2x00 is key problem).

Final result:
+ I managed to install Catalyst v4.22 drivers
+ screen resolution is native WXGA
+ I set up special keys on keyboard even without appropriate Acer software (Launch manager)
+ cable modem works via USB perfect
+ brightness can be changed in five steps (nine in Vista)

- only web camera doesn't work (don't care about it)

I even found good program for power management (only con it has to be run from terminal).

I didn't try Mint (that was my last resort) as PCLOS works perfect.

 

Dude, those are the most common problems with Live CDs.
Tell me something, does your bluetooth mouse or Atheros card work OTB in Windows? I think not.

 

I think we should be careful of taking this sort of stuff personally. The OP obviously has a strong interest in Linux, otherwise they wouldn't be spending so much time checking it out. Their conclusions, while purely anecdotal, are the result of their minimal experiences at their own level of proficiency, which is valid when taken in that context. The fact is, while an experienced Linux user can get the most out of the OS, it *does* still lag behind Windows where new or even somewhat familiar users are concerned. Some of that disconnect may be the direct result of things just being "different" than what the user is accustomed to, but that doesn't change the end result.

I'm not saying that Linux distros should be more like Windows in any particular area. I just think that the confusion that those differences can create shouldn't be dismissed as cases of users being too stubborn to learn something new.

I love Linux. That said, I still struggle mightily with it.