I have a Toshiba 1805-S203 laptop.
It will not install any distro that I have but Ubuntu gets the farthest.


Here is what I get when installing:

Ubuntu: I can get all the way to installing the base system then it hangs/will not install past 6% of the base no matter what I try for boot options.

Debian/FC4: wont even boot. I get the first screen with the boot: prompt. What ever I put for options or just to do a default install it comes up with a invald commpressed format (err=2) system halt...

I am slowly loosing intrest in linux on my laptop and am frustrated. any help would be appreciated.

I have 2 desktops: 1 server running Debian and other 2 desktop running FC4 installed with out problems and will keep this way just the laptop is killing me.

My first thought is that your CDROM is having trouble reading the CDs.

Did you burn your own? You could try making a backup copy of an original MS install CD using the same CD writer and see if that works.

I will try to change cd burner but I also tried a dvd from a friend that is the the FC4 and Debian from 2 diffrent people and the ubuntu i burned my self. still not working.

did not work. it installs win fine

Have you tried running Knoppix? It could give you a clue.

Also, in BIOS setup, disable "Virus Checking", switch "Plug and Play OS" setting to the other option, whichever is set at the moment.

Another possible problem is memory timings. Linux is more agressive in memory usage than Windows so, if you can, slow down the memory.

Can you alter the CDROM settings in BIOS setup? If so, drop them a notch, this can help.

Hope this helps.