Error message: "Failed to fetch http://dell-mini.archive.canonical.com

KateWhittle · 02-13-2015, 09:08 AM

Hi,

I haven't used my dell mini with ubuntu operating system for a long time, got fed up with the flaky keyboard. But there are some files on it I need. I know there will be several thousand updates & was prepared to wait however it will not connect (I have entered the latest network key) and I get a whole list of error messages when I load update manager:
"Failed to fetch http:/dell-mini.archive.canonical.com/ubunto/dists/hardy/Release.gpg Could not resolve dell-mini.archive.canonical.com"

Be grateful for guidance

Thanks

Kate

business_kid · 02-13-2015, 09:24 AM

The site is up there.

Try http://91.189.90.29, which is the same place. If that gets through, check your /etc/resolv.conf. It may be out of date. You can't get a dns server, so it doesn't know the IP.

For resolv.conf, you want 2 dns servers You could use opendns or google's The two lines at the top might be

nameserver 208.67.222.222
nameserver 208.67.222.220

or google's

nameserver 4.4.4.4
nameserver 8.8.8.8

Otherwise you are offline.

michaelk · 02-13-2015, 09:34 AM

Welcome to LinuxQuestions.

Looks like the website file structure has changed, looks like http://dell-mini.archive.canonical.c...ardy-dell-mini. Since Hardy has reached end of life I suggest installing a more recent distribution if you still want to use your mini. Not sure what the hardware specifications are for the mini so Ubuntu 14 or derivative (i.e. lubuntu etc) might not be the best choice.

KateWhittle · 02-13-2015, 09:41 AM

Err sorry I am too much of a newbie (to Linux) to understand your no doubt helpful replies!

#2 I found totally incomprehensible - thanks very much but I don't know enough to follow your instructions!

#3 Slightly more comprehensible - but what is a 'distribution' and how do I install a new one if I can't get online?

Thanks for your patience!

Kate

michaelk · 02-13-2015, 01:51 PM

Ubuntu is a linux distribution. Just one of hundreds of operating systems built around the linux kernel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution

If you can not access any website then your mini probably has a networking problem. Are you able to get the files you need off the computer?

Do you still want to use the mini? What is the model number? Do you know how much memory it has?

You can download an image file and create a bootable flash drive using windows to install a new distribution but how familiar are you with installing an operating system on a computer? Have you installed windows before?

KateWhittle · 02-13-2015, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelk

Ubuntu is a linux distribution. Just one of hundreds of operating systems built around the linux kernel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution

Thank you!

If you can not access any website then your mini probably has a networking problem. Are you able to get the files you need off the computer?

I have the files now, I downloaded them to a memory stick

Do you still want to use the mini? What is the model number? Do you know how much memory it has?

But I thought I would try to get the mini working again.

Model number: Del Inspiron 1210 Model PP40S
Ubuntu version 8.04
Total filesystem = 69.4 GB Available 43.7GB

You can download an image file and create a bootable flash drive using windows to install a new distribution but how familiar are you with installing an operating system on a computer? Have you installed windows before?

Yes, but years ago when it was all so much simpler - before windows, when we used the DOS operating system! & no I've not installed windows.

Thanks

Kate

michaelk · 02-13-2015, 03:36 PM

I might try linux mint with xfce desktop 32 bit version.

http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/744

KateWhittle · 02-16-2015, 12:02 PM

Thanks very much, that looks great. Just not sure how I can download it to the mini, when I can't get it to connect to the internet?

michaelk · 02-16-2015, 12:29 PM

You can do it using windows.

You can't browse any websites on the mini, wired or wireless?

KateWhittle · 02-16-2015, 12:53 PM

No, that is the problem I encountered when I charged up the old mini - I posted the error message in my first question to this forum. However i didn't try it wired, didn't think it would make any difference as i thought it was an out of date piece of software on the machine. i will try connecting with a wire.
Thanks

kate