Invalid system disk

[bluemanfu]

I bought an older toshiba sat. with no hard drive or os. I got a hard drive and installed it and have been trying to install Ubuntu on it. When I boot it says invalid system disk, I can get into bios. any suggestions.

 

[cheaptofix]

your cd doesn't work. get another one

 

[bluemanfu]

I had an older version of Ubuntu, and was able to install it. So CD player works, but not sure of the Ubuntu CD. Thanks.

 

[cheaptofix]

exactly thats what I said your CD doesn't work. I didnt say CD drive or bay

 

[bluemanfu]

Okay, thanks I misunderstood your answer. Sorry. I tried downloading Xubuntu online but that didn't work either.

 

[frozenlead]

It's likely not the CD, more likely to be a wonky setting in the BIOS that's preventing the CD from booting. Check that CD boot is enabled and placed in a preference before your hard disk. Try booting without your hard disk installed too. If it does boot without it, you may want to format the disk again.

Just as a check, though - you are downloading an ISO of linux and then properly burning the image to a disk using a utility that can do it (such as Nero)? Or are you simply burning a data disk that contains the ISO file?

 

[bluemanfu]

I think I'm just burning a data disk that contains the ISO file?? I know that when I look on the write to CD, it only shows the 1 file Xubuntu, and not what is on the disk. I'm a total newbie to Linux. But I'm learning thanks to people like you.

 

[bluemanfu]

It's likely not the CD, more likely to be a wonky setting in the BIOS that's preventing the CD from booting. Check that CD boot is enabled and placed in a preference before your hard disk. Try booting without your hard disk installed too. If it does boot without it, you may want to format the disk again.

Just as a check, though - you are downloading an ISO of linux and then properly burning the image to a disk using a utility that can do it (such as Nero)? Or are you simply burning a data disk that contains the ISO file?

 

[bluemanfu]

I finally got the Xubuntu installed but some how screwed up the keyboard settings, How do I reset the keyboard for all English?

 

[frozenlead]

Your other message tells me you weren't burning the ISO's properly.

However, since you got one working...

How to switch your keyboard? It's different for the interfaces - gnome, kde, etc.. It should, however, be in a system settings menu - and you can use your mouse to get there. Knowing linux, though, there's prolly some terminal command you can use.

 

[bluemanfu]

Thanks for all your help. I just wiped the drive and reinstalled Xubuntu and all is well, for now any. I sure appreciate all you help.