Leann, I don't think you fully understand the problem. Apparently, installing Ubuntu on my Dell CPxH laptop OVERWROTE part of the BIOS. Although I have 256 MB Ram installed, installing Ubuntu from live CD reported 255 MB. Then the installation HUNG for about four hours before I did a hard stop - holding down start button. Something in the Ubuntu setup must have accessed part of the bios EEROM/NVRAM because afterwards I was unable to make any changes to the bios.
I can access the bios using <F2>, but then no of the keys work including <ESC> to exit. Also, I noticed that the TAG CODE and ASSET NUMBER are now blank. I have to do a hard stop to get out of the bios setup. Fortunately, I can still use the laptop. I'm currently running both Windows XP Pro and Xubuntu. Since the bios is already corrupt, running the newer kernel or 8.10 wouldn't really tell us anything. What I really need is one of you BRIGHT computer programmers to tell me how to repair the bios, so I can use the bios setup again. I've tried flashing the bios back to Dell A11 and re-flashing back to latest Dell A14 to no avail. I've even spent a couple of hours on chat with Dell rep who tells me that their FLASH program doesn't reprogram all the bios. And, that I'd have to replace the mother board. I can't believe that! In the old days, I'd just rebuild the bios memory with a bin file. I might could still do that if someone has a memory map or bin of a working CPxH bios. I'm new to Linux, but I was on the cutting edge in 1985 with DOS, Basic, Compiled BASIC, some C, and even wrote machine language subs for some of my programs. If I still had my old utilities package, I'm sure I could reprogram the bios if I had the right bin file. However, most of my old stuff has been lost or misplaced over the years. Anyway, any help would be appreciated in getting this bios repaired. This is an old computer, so it's not critical for my work, etc. But, now it's become a CHALLENGE! BTW - Ubuntu appears to be an excellent package/operating system. As soon as I figure out how to run some proprietary packages under Linux I plan to convert all my machines to Ubuntu. The only problem I've had so far is this bios overwrite on my old laptop. Best Regards, George ----- Original Message ----- From: "Leann Ogasawara" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 6:50 PM Subject: [Bug 259474] Re: Ubuntu 8.04 corrupts Dell CPxH Bios The Ubuntu Kernel Team is planning to move to the 2.6.27 kernel for the upcoming Intrepid Ibex 8.10 release. As a result, the kernel team would appreciate it if you could please test this newer 2.6.27 Ubuntu kernel. There are one of two ways you should be able to test: 1) If you are comfortable installing packages on your own, the linux- image-2.6.27-* package is currently available for you to install and test. --or-- 2) The upcoming Alpha5 for Intrepid Ibex 8.10 will contain this newer 2.6.27 Ubuntu kernel. Alpha5 is set to be released Thursday Sept 4. Please watch http://www.ubuntu.com/testing for Alpha5 to be announced. You should then be able to test via a LiveCD. Please let us know immediately if this newer 2.6.27 kernel resolves the bug reported here or if the issue remains. More importantly, please open a new bug report for each new bug/regression introduced by the 2.6.27 kernel and tag the bug report with 'linux-2.6.27'. Also, please specifically note if the issue does or does not appear in the 2.6.26 kernel. Thanks again, we really appreicate your help and feedback. ** Tags added: cft-2.6.27 -- Ubuntu 8.04 corrupts Dell CPxH Bios https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/259474 You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber of the bug. Status in “linux” source package in Ubuntu: New Bug description: After a successful install of Ubuntu 8.04 on my Dell Dimension 8300 desktop, I decided to install it on my older Dell Latitude CPxH laptop with Pentium III 500 MHz processor, 256 KB ram. I was hoping to bring back a little "zip" for the older machine which was now running Windows XP Pro. However, during the install I got a warning that I only had 255 KB ram (?) and Ubuntu might not install properly. As predicted, it didn't and locked up on install. However, the REAL problem is that now I can no longer access the BIOS. I can get into bios setup with F2 as normal, but cannot make changes or even exit {ESC}. Also the dell service tag and asset numbers are now blank. I've tried re-flashing the BIOS from 1.44 MB disk to no avail. Right now, I'd just like to get the bios working again. Any help would really be appreciated. -- Ubuntu 8.04 corrupts Dell CPxH Bios https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/259474 You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list [email protected] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
