Ubuntu needs Ext3 partition and a swap partition. The size of swap partition
is preferred to be around the same as the size of your RAM.
(But i dont think that you need to worry about it)

Check your cd once again. I suspect the cd for this matter.

I will check the cd now. I'm not sure how to set the partitions if I
cannot get past the location screen on live cd.

Thanks for your quick reply, it is very much appreciated.

Could it be that the Ubuntu disc does not contain the IDE driver for
this laptop?

I had a problem installing 7.04 and got the same error message until i
added
"nospalsh=y"
to the boot parameters while loading from the 7.04 cd. I don't know why
this worked but it did for my system.

Is that just for booting the live cd to the desktop (which I can do).

I have been trying all night (again) to install 7.04 on my Compaq
laptop with no luck, takes over an hour to go through each screen
whilst installing.
I can't believe it, I just put it into my wife's IBM and it booted no
problem and started to install no problem, I got right up to the
partitioning bit then stopped as my wife does not want it on yet until
I've tested it, there must be a fix of some sort to get it to load on
any PC with the minimum spec, or have all us MS guys been spoilt with XP?

Yes that was to get the live CD to open the desktop.

How much RAM do you have installed in the machine? The Compaq EVO
N160 shipped with only 128MB and that is not nearly enough to boot
the Live CD. Ubuntu likes 192MB minimum for an installation and Live
CD will run but likes more. What processor does it have the Celeron
or the Pentium III? Do you still have the 20GB HDD in it or have you
upgraded it to a bigger size? I kind of think you have if its divided
in 3 and you have XP running also.

I would try to install Xubuntu with the Alternate Install Disk
instead of the Live CD first and if that doesn't work satisfactorily,
but I think it will, then Dam Small Linux or Puppy Linux and that
machine will perform like a trooper.



Low-spec computers

If you have an old or low-spec computer, using a lightweight desktop
system such as Xubuntu is recommended, as it should make more
efficient use of your system's resources.

If your system has less than 192 MB of system memory, use the
Alternate Installation CD.

Note: If you have a low-specification computer, certain features may
be automatically turned off to conserve system resources. For
example, if you have a graphics card with only a small amount of
video memory (VRAM), the boot-up screen may not be shown.



Minimum requirements

* 166 MHz processor
* 48 MB of system memory (RAM)
* At least 1.4 GB of disk space

* VGA graphics card



Recommended minimum requirements

* 300 MHz processor
* 192 MB of system memory (RAM)
* 8 GB of disk space
* Graphics card capable of 800x600 resolution

I should have put my full spec on, it has been upgraded.
It has:-

Celeron 933mhz CPU
256mb Memory
60gb HD (25gb for XP - 20gb for Backup - 10gb for Ubuntu)

I would have thought from the minimum specs you gave that my laptop
should run it without problems.

It's just strange to me that it will install perfectly on a desktop PC
I have, and start to install on my wifes IBM laptop, I just wish it
would install in this Compaq laptop as it is only used for internet
access.

Would it be worth my while to slip the 20g hard drive back in and
remove the partition and start from scratch?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

I have been trying various things, like:-

The first solution is (with the live-cd) :
- Select 'Other options' with F6
- Remove 'splash', 'quiet' and '--'
- Add 'all_generic_ide'



IF IT DOES NOT WORK - TRY THIS

The second solution is more complex but i think it's better (with the
live-cd) :
- Select 'Other options' with F6
- Remove 'splash', 'quiet' and '--'
- Add 'break=top'
A shell will appear, so :
- Write 'modprobe piix' (after you will see some text)
- Finally, write 'exit'

the above were found on ubuntuforums.org.

They made very little difference, and I still could not install after
booting to the desktop on live cd.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Please excuse my ignorance on different Ubuntu versions, but, does
Xubuntu look and operate much like Ubuntu. I'll take a look at it now.

(sorry for the long post's but I really want to start using Ubuntu
7.04 for internet access and office type applications etc.)

I've got Xubuntu (live disc) it starts and loads to the desktop no
problem.

It starts to install no problem, I have got to the partitioning bit
and have got stuck, I've partitioned 10gb for the installation, and
just under 1gb for swap, but it says I have 'No root file system is
defined' 'Please correct this from the partitioning menu', I have
tried and am looking on the 'net but have not sorted it yet, does
anyone now how to do it, I am so close now.......

use a / as filefolder with installing. Fill that in.
its probably /mounted/sda1 or something, change that in a /
(slash) so its the main

Perfect, sorted now installed fully, all updated, working perfectly.

I can't believe how much faster the laptop works.

I will continue with getting Ubuntu 7.04 working as well.

The way I feel now M$ will soon be history with me (except for gaming).
I get a strong feeling I am going to love Linux, I am really kicking
myself for not getting into Linux sooner.

Yes go back from where it tells you that and set a root as it tells you to.