Why can't I install Linux on my PowerBook G4 Onyx 550?

First of all, make sure you have a working boot CD. Try to boot another machine with it.

When you switch it on, go to setup. (Might be “F2” or “Del”) Then check your boot settings. The removable disk boot needs to be enabled in the BIOS. And you need to have the CD boot before hard disk boot on the boot device list.

I know how to boot cds! lol, it just that they dont seem to be working :( which is a bit of a bummer, I can get the alternate install CD (which is 10.04) to boot and install but it wont boot into ubuntu after the install is finished :(

I’d have to have that in my hands to fix it. There sure as hell is a way, but I couldn’t do it without more info.

• Maybe you just need to fix the config of the graphics. Can you do [Alt]+[F1] and get a shell?
• Maybe you need to do something about the bootloader
• Maybe it messed up something when making the file system.
• Maybe some part of the hardware is broken

I really can’t tell without seeing that machine. Sorry.

don’t worry dude :) the machine itself is in kind of good working order, except for the broken left hinge! I can boot into the yaboot thing and get words on the screena and I can boot a live CD, when I install it and then boot my computer after, nothing comes on the screen after yaboot. I’m currently looking for os 9 on the web to see if i can install that :)

There are a couple guides I found on install Ubuntu on mac’s. Don’t know if they would help: http://funadvice.com/r/3ntc9mijqs http://funadvice.com/r/15f5r11q7o4 http://funadvice.com/r/15f5r11q8qd

Also I know you said you tried every type of installation for Ubuntu, so you may have though of this - but have you tried both 32bit and 64bit? (Although IDK even if a PowerBook supports 64bit). I have one machine I could not get the graphics drivers to load under 32bit.

I’ve installed it again, but have a new problem now! its 10.10 maverick meerkat :) It says its loading, actually say ‘ubuntu 10.10’ on screen and it then dissapears :( and doesn’t boot! I didn’t connect it to the internet, is that the problem with it?? thanks dude :)