Unable to boot any Linux on my laptop

Ah, another problem with the worst laptop of all f*cking time

Okay, so l bought a Sony Vaio VPCEB2M0E a few months ago, and have regretted it ever since. I've been running Windows 7 fine (well, it worked anyway)

Core i3-350M
3GB DDR3 RAM
Intel GMA HD

I moved some files in the WINDOWS folder (my mistake) to a backup folder, and now it won't boot up

Anyway, I decided to boot into a Linux LiveCD and just move the folders back, but it won't boot up at all

PuppyLinux gives an error about loading something (can't remember the error now) but I tried running it directly into RAM, and it didn't work

Tried DSL and it didn't work either, can't remember the error, but I tried loads of different options, including installing it to RAM again

now I'm trying Ubuntu, but it just shows the Ubuntu loading screen and doesn't do anything. Just shows the little dots

the CD drive makes noises, and I know the CDs work in my other laptop. also, I tried running it directly from RAM, so what can I try to resolve it

I couldn't see any options in BIOS, and btw, Windows 7 and XP both work so I don't think it's a sata issue (although I tried some sata command I found online for DSL and that didn't work), besides it seems the issue is the CD -> RAM anyway

Is there anything I can try, or is this another reason why Sony Vaios are rubbish?

 

My first though is that DSL and Puppy both use older versions of the Linux kernel and there were issues with Arrandale-era Intel graphics until 2.6.38.

So, I'd try Ubuntu 11.04, or any other more recent distro using version 2.6.39 or 2.6.39.

 

if all else fails use your sony recovery discs that you made when you got the laptop to restore windows.

 

^^^^ S.Prime has it right!
You do not mention trying safe mode though - F8 after the machine posts

BTW when the original issue happened were you logged in with an admin account?

 

Kernel needs to catch up with your hardware. Try something featuring 2.6.39.

 

IIRC Ubuntu live CD has a mode option - try pressing F4 during the main LiveCD menu and there should be a Safe Mode Graphics or something like that.

Another thing you can do is to view the bootup logs (which unfortunately Ubuntu hides IIRC).

Pressing Esc or any other key during the Graphics Splash during bootup should let you see the logs - you can use Shift + Page Up, Shift + Paeg Down to scroll too. Fedora/openSUSE should let you view these logs easily - try finding out where it actually stops or fails.

Trying a distro which uses the latest kernel would also be helpful.

 

hey, thanks for all of the replies

I tried Ubuntu 11.04 which I assume was using the latest kernel?

Anyway, I could get into CMD so I just used xcopy to replace the folder I deleted and Windows is working again

However, I'd still like to get Linux live CDs to be bootable, as they do come in useful a lot

 

Try pressing F4 as I mentioned in my previous post. Also post the complete error message - this might be helpful to find the solution.