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Cannot boot Linux live CD from optical drive
Cannot boot Linux live CD from optical drive
I picked up a T61 recently and had an unusual issue when trying to boot a Linux live CD (no HD).
With a known good Linux CD in the drive and the BIOS set to boot from the CD first, the ThinkPad POST screen would simply loop endlessly. I could see the drive light and hear the drive spin up but no success. I was however able to boot successfully from a USB drive.
Thinking that perhaps the drive was at fault, I swapped a known good drive with the same result. Any possible recommendations come to mind? Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice.
With a known good Linux CD in the drive and the BIOS set to boot from the CD first, the ThinkPad POST screen would simply loop endlessly. I could see the drive light and hear the drive spin up but no success. I was however able to boot successfully from a USB drive.
Thinking that perhaps the drive was at fault, I swapped a known good drive with the same result. Any possible recommendations come to mind? Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice.
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Re: Cannot boot Linux live CD from optical drive
Hmm...
Try leaving the CD out of the drive at startup, then during POST press F12 to get to the boot device menu. After that, put the CD in and wait for it to finish initializing the disc, then choose the option to boot to CD.
Try leaving the CD out of the drive at startup, then during POST press F12 to get to the boot device menu. After that, put the CD in and wait for it to finish initializing the disc, then choose the option to boot to CD.
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Re: Cannot boot Linux live CD from optical drive
Try burning a new disc. Slow the burn down and use quality media.
Main: Latitude E6430
Working ThinkPads: IBM 5155, 755C, 755CX, 760ED, 380Z, 600E (x3), i1420, 570E, X20, T23, T30 x3, T43, Z61t, T60p
WIP: 701c (Broken OS), 600 (LCD), PS/2 L40SX (HDD), 570 (No lid), X31 (HDD, LCD), R51 (HDD), Z60t (HDD), X60 (HDD), T400 (LCD), T43p (?)
Dead: i1420 (Mobo, Keyboard)
Working ThinkPads: IBM 5155, 755C, 755CX, 760ED, 380Z, 600E (x3), i1420, 570E, X20, T23, T30 x3, T43, Z61t, T60p
WIP: 701c (Broken OS), 600 (LCD), PS/2 L40SX (HDD), 570 (No lid), X31 (HDD, LCD), R51 (HDD), Z60t (HDD), X60 (HDD), T400 (LCD), T43p (?)
Dead: i1420 (Mobo, Keyboard)
Re: Cannot boot Linux live CD from optical drive
Thanks to those who responded. As I said, the disc was known to be good, but upon closer examination, there was a small smudge in the write area. After a quick wipe down, we were back in business.
Should always remember to check the easy stuff first- thanks
Should always remember to check the easy stuff first- thanks
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Re: Cannot boot Linux live CD from optical drive
What/where is the 'write area'?zxasqw12 wrote:there was a small smudge in the write area.
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Re: Cannot boot Linux live CD from optical drive
About 95% of the "bottom" surface of the CD; not counting the area around the hub (hole)
.

Ray Kawakami
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X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
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- SuperUserGeorge
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Re: Cannot boot Linux live CD from optical drive
My experience has been that many *61 systems will not boot from a CD unless the HDD is physically present. It can be blank, but it must be inserted.
Why? No idea.
Why? No idea.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)
Cheers,
George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)
AARP club members:A31p, T43pSF
Abused daily: T61p
PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.
Cheers,
George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)
AARP club members:A31p, T43pSF
Abused daily: T61p
PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.
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