V1J - Ubuntu neither starts nor installs.

While starting Feisty Fawn from cd, I get a message saying that the "X server cannot start". Radeon X1600 seems to be the culprit since it is not on the list of supported graphics cards. So, not a major surprise, but since I'm hearing some new laptops sell with Ubuntu preinstalled, I'd like to know if it's possible for me to do something about it, since I'd really like to try out Ubuntu as the first nod towards 'the big switch' or whatnot.

By googling, I found out some help about this, mainly some vague recipes for reconfiguring the thing to get along with the hardware, but nothing that actually worked. And frankly, after a dozen tries you tend to reach the point where you just don't want to waste time no more. I happen to like things that work without configuring...

Have you tried Ubuntu? Managed to start/install on a V1J(p)? Know how to help? Thanks in advance!

 

I had a beta version (or was it a release candidate) of 7.04 running. By default it didn't install the ATI drivers. When I did install the ATI drivers it worked but with some corruption on the external monitor.

Are you trying to run with the ATI drivers?

 

Sorry, loopty, but I'm not sure which drivers you refer to.

I'm trying to boot from the CD, which I downloaded from the Ubuntu site and burned on a cd. On loading the system, I get the error.

I'm guessing you got Ubuntu installed with some generic vesa settings, and after installation followed with the actual ATI drivers. Is this correct?

 

Yes the CD booted fine for me (generic video), but I don't know what they changed between when I tried it when it was released. What bios version are you running?

 

I've moved this thread to the Linux forum, where you will probably get more responses. I don't have any ATI cards any more, otherwise I'd try to help

 

I believe X1000 support is broken in Feisty, as I have the problem (and many others too).

EDIT: X1000 support was broken somewhere between Herd 4 and Herd 5.

if you get to a point where you get the flashing cursor indicator, you may be able to access a command line by pressing Ctrl+Alt+F2. If you can, you're in luck. If you're connected to a wired network, you can download the ATi drivers using the following commands:

Code:

sudo -s -H
apt-get update
apt-get upgrade
apt-get install xorg-driver-fglrx
sudo aticonfig --initial
startx

Then you can install Ubuntu with a working GPU. However, you'll need to repeat those steps each time you boot using the LiveCD. So install it or do it again.

If that doesn't work, try the guide here. Just ignore the wireless and vm-ware stuff.

 

Just download fgrlx driver from ATI/AMD site, it should solve your problem. If you are using VESA driver, reduce resolution to standard XVGA first and start from there.

 

The problem is rockharder, that not even VESA will load for us. That's why I outlined the steps above.

 

Pitabred: thank you, that'll help.

Lysander: yes, I get to the command line. I'll have time later today to try your solution out. Thanks for input.