NOOB to Linux/OpenSuse: trying to install 11.4 from .iso dvd but laptop doesn't seem to see it...?

English Install/Boot/Login
#1

For starters, I have a Dell E1505/6400. I had Win XP but it crashed my hard drive, so I installed Ubuntu. After that install, I decided I wanted to change to OpenSuse, so I downloaded the 4.6 Gig .iso file. Downloaded fine, and I burned in ImgBurn…no problems with it. So I popped the DVD into my laptop, hit F12 so I could boot from DVD drive, but the DVD isn’t recognized. It goes straight into Ubuntu, and when Ubuntu starts up, it shows up as a blank DVD+R. (That was the 2nd time I burned it, the 1st DVD I burned had the same results.)

I’ve always had Windows, so Linux is new to me and I could use all the help I can get.

#2

For starters, I have a Dell E1505/6400. I had Win XP but it crashed my hard drive, so I installed Ubuntu. After that install, I decided I wanted to change to OpenSuse, so I downloaded the 4.6 Gig .iso file. Downloaded fine, and I burned in ImgBurn…no problems with it. So I popped the DVD into my laptop, hit F12 so I could boot from DVD drive, but the DVD isn’t recognized. It goes straight into Ubuntu, and when Ubuntu starts up, it shows up as a blank DVD+R. (That was the 2nd time I burned it, the 1st DVD I burned had the same results.)

I’ve always had Windows, so Linux is new to me and I could use all the help I can get.
Hello there akg62 and sorry to hear of your problems. Let me say that the iso online that you can download does work just fine. I have installed my computers from this image. Second, on the very first try, just over a month ago, the first disk that I burnt was just bad and I had to make another copy. So, what does that mean to your? You might have a bad download, you may have a bad or perhaps just dirty DVD burner that needs cleaning, maybe your DVD burner program is not working right and finally, you could even have some bad media and need a different brand. I have heard of many issues before, but if I was you, I would download the image again and if possible, use a can of duster spray and try to blow the dust out of your DVD player and burnt one more copy and try again. By the way, I have Dell E6400 work laptop, but the number E1505/6400 did not compute for me and might need further explanation.

Thank You,

#3

I seem to have better luck burning when I lower the burn speed. Most of my discs don’t work when burnt at full speed.

As Jim suggests try again.

#4

If you have one you could try booting the installation off a usb drive (assuming your pc can boot off usb)

If it can boot off usb and still doesn’t work then that would at least tell you the iso you have is a bad download

To put the iso on a usb drive you can use the dd command from your ubuntu, I think this is the correct command:

dd if=/path/to/your.iso of=/path/to/your/usb/drive

#5

On 04/30/2011 12:36 AM, akg62 wrote:
>
> That was the 2nd time
> I burned it, the 1st DVD I burned had the same results.)

first thing to do: make sure the iso you downloaded is perfect…to do
that check it with md5/sha1…instruction on the download page
<http://software.opensuse.org/114/en>, more detailed instructions on the
Download Help page (a link on the Download Page):
http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:Download_help

once you know you have a perfect .iso file, then try the other things
(better blank media, clean burner, slow burn speed, etc)

if the new disk is not seen by your system take it to a different
system…strange things happen, many home burned disks will work on one
machine but not another–probably due to burner misalignment (hey! you
could try taking the one you have to a different machine too)

once you boot up from the install disk then do this before trying an
install: http://tinyurl.com/2ebcf27

also before installing, do a backup of all your important
stuff…accidents happen…

> I’ve always had Windows, so Linux is new to me and I could use all the
> help I can get.

hmmmm…linux is a lot of help yourself…like, have you read these yet:

three stickies at the top of the advanced how-to forum, here:
http://forums.opensuse.org/english/get-technical-help-here/how-faq-forums/new-user-how-faq-read-only/

imo, do NOT begin until you have at least read “NEW Users -
openSUSE-11.4 Pre-installation – PLEASE READ”

and, there are plenty of things to think about on this page
http://doc.opensuse.org/ before you install

and, if you have Win7/Vista you need to take a good look at:
http://forums.opensuse.org/english/get-technical-help-here/how-faq-forums/advanced-how-faq-read-only/451831-install-opensuse-alongside-win7-vista-guide.html

pre-planning is a way to help yourself save time:
“It is far easier to read, understand and follow the instructions than
to undo the problems caused by not.” DD 23 Jan 11

–
CAVEAT: http://is.gd/bpoMD
[openSUSE 11.3 + KDE4.5.5 + Thunderbird3.1.8 via NNTP]
HACK Everything → http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5b4CCe9pS8&NR=1

#6

As others have suggested.
First, check the md5sum of the DVD .ISO you downloaded against the md5sum posted on the download site.
I’ve had a few good .ISO downloads where the md5sums didn’t agree and the DVDs wouldn’t boot.
Then do a slower .ISO burn and then a media check on the finished .ISO.
If everything checks then try the install. Failures during install then would indicate hardware conflicts, IMHO.