[SOLVED] Can't Install PCLOS On Laptop- Help!

[CheeseQueen452]

I just got a used laptop from Ebay, & it's a Lenovo Thinkpad T400. I attempted to install PCLOS, but the disc fails to load. All I see is a black screen with text that says:

PCLinuxOS release (PCLinuxOS) for i586
Kernel 2.6.38.8-pclos1.bfs on a Dual-processor i686 / tty1
localhost login:

This has never happened before. What do I do? Is PCLOS incompatible with my laptop?

[Waldo22]

Have you tried Safemode?

[aguila]

go search the forum a little.

You might try safe mode, change the boot options, or first of all make sure that your iso is okay by checking md5sum.

Does it have an OS instaled and is that one working?

What are the specs of the machine and which iso did you use?

[CheeseQueen452]

Md5sum is fine, the disc I used is the same one I used to install it on my mother's desktop computer, before she got a laptop which is the same model as the one I have. I got the same result on hers. My laptop has window$ 7 installed, & it seems to work fine. The disc has 2011, which was downloaded a few months ago. Here are the specs of my laptop:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Dual-Core P8400 2.26 GHz

Processor Technology: Virtualization Technology, Enhanced SpeedStep Technology, EM64T, Trusted Execution Technology

Bus Speed: 1066 MHz

L2 Cache: 3 MB

Chipset: Intel GE45 Express

Standard Memory: 3 GB

Maximum Memory: 8 GB

Memory Standard: DDR3-1066/PC3-8500

Number of Memory Slots: 2

Hard Drive Capacity: 160 GB

Hard Drive Interface: Serial ATA

Hard Drive RPM: 5400

DVD-Writer

Graphic Mode: WXGA+

Display Screen Type: Active Matrix TFT Color LCD

Display Resolution: 1440 x 900

Graphics Controller: Ati Radeon HD 3470

Graphics Memory Capacity: 256 MB

Ports: 1 x IEEE 1394a - FireWire, 1 x RJ-11 Modem, 3 x 4-pin Type A USB 2.0 - USB, 1 x Mini-phone Audio In, 1 x RJ-45 Network, 1 x Mini-phone Audio Out, 1 x DC Power Input, 1 x VGA

Microsoft Windows 7Pro 64Bit

go search the forum a little.

You might try safe mode, change the boot options, or first of all make sure that your iso is okay by checking md5sum.

Does it have an OS instaled and is that one working?

What are the specs of the machine and which iso did you use?

[Just18]

Did you have the same result with all the boot options?

You can log in as root (password  root) or guest (guest) at the log in prompt, then type in

pcc

and from there try to set up a working video card ......  I suggest you try the Xorg - Vesa   driver at first.
It is a generic driver and should suffice to get you into the desktop.

[CheeseQueen452]

Ok, after typing "pcc", I'm prompted with a box that says "choose the tool you want to use". I tried to select "auto install" but nothing happened. Now what?

Did you have the same result with all the boot options?

You can log in as root (password  root) or guest (guest) at the log in prompt, then type in

pcc

and from there try to set up a working video card ......  I suggest you try the Xorg - Vesa   driver at first.
It is a generic driver and should suffice to get you into the desktop.

[Ramchu]

Did you try booting the Live CD in video safe mode (3rd selection ) ?

[djohnston]

Did you try booting the Live CD in video safe mode (3rd selection ) ?

Ok, after typing "pcc", I'm prompted with a box that says "choose the tool you want to use". I tried to select "auto install" but nothing happened. Now what?

Try Ramchu's suggestion. If that doesn't work, try "pcc" again. To make a selection in the menus, you'll have to use the keyboard to get around. Use the up and down arrow keys, Tab and Enter keys. After picking an option in the pcc menu, you'll need to use the Tab key to get to the OK option, or whatever it's called. When OK is highlighted, press Enter.

[CheeseQueen452]

Ok, I tried the safe mode, & it seems to have worked! I'm currently installing updates, so I'll report back here if there's any problems. I'll mark this thread solved pending the results.... Thankyou all for the help!

[Ramchu]

That being a 64 bit computer I would recommend that you install 1 of the 2.6.38.8-pclos1.pae kernels
with or without the bfs scheduler.