Installing Ubuntu 11.04 on a pc without OS

Hi,

I am a Linux user for several years but I am not really an expert. Someone gave me an pc without OS and I would like to install ubuntu 11.04 32bit.
I have a Desktop CD with ubuntu 11.04 and a usb stick with ubuntu 10.04 and both works perfectly; I've tried them on my laptop.
When I try to boot on the usb stick I get the following error message: F1 to retry boot, F2 for Setup utility
When I tried to boot on the Desktop CD, I manage to launch the cd but it stopped rapidly with the following message: No init found. Try passing= bootarg.
I've tried F12 but nothing happen and I get the 'F1 to retry boot, F2 for Setup utility' message.

The pc that I want to install ubuntu on is a Dell optiplex gx240.
I took a look into the setup and the bios version is A01.
I couldn't find anything like USB hdd in the boot sequence. I only have Floppy device, IDE-CD, and Hard Disk C:.

Is there anything that I should change in the Setup? Maybe there is some components inside the pc that I have to change (motherboard, ...)?

Any would be great!!

 

Try changing the boot sequence,place cd in first boot device and hdd in second,it worked for me in my school.

 

And you might also find help in here http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1386549

 

I also had a problem with an 11.04.I tried installing it on a ibm with an intel pentium 3,wich is from 1999 btw.It didn't work at all so i burned a disk at lower write speed and also i instaled 10.04 lts instead of 11.04. You only have visual improvement in 11.04 and some tweaks and thats all. I hope this will help you

 

I'm not that versed in Linux.

I just want to say that from what I see the gx240 does not boot from USB even with the latest BIOS update A05.

So, I think you are going to have to install from CD. If it were me I would try a different Linux distribution written to CD. (I find Ubuntu can be a bit buggy on some computers.) Maybe try Linux Mint and see if that installs. Or any of various others. Doesn't cost much to burn a few CDs.

Stefan.P's suggestion of an older Ubuntu sounds good too. I'm not sure how easy it is to update an existing Linux installation but once installed updating may be easier than a fresh install.

 

I suggest Xubuntu 10.04. http://www.xubuntu.org/

With the XFCE window manager, it's great for older PCs like yours. I've got it on a 6 year old HP.

 

Hi,

Thanks all for your posts. I tried the simplest option first, installing ubuntu 10.04 instead of 11.04, and it works just fine!