[ubuntu-za] Kernel panic - 12.10 on Dell GX520

[Robin Bownes]

On 10/29/2012 02:47 PM, Frans de waal wrote:
> On 29 October 2012 14:21, Robin Bownes <robin at bownes.co.za> wrote:
>> On 10/29/2012 12:17 PM, Wesley Werner wrote:
>>> Hi Robin,
>>>
>>> I'd like to suggest you do a firmware update on that machine, start at
>>> http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/za/en/zadhs1/Product/optiplex-gx520
>>>
>>> The last update was in 2006/12/05 version A11, see if you can
>>> determine if yours needs updating.
>>>
>>> Good luck!
>>>
>>> On Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 12:09 PM, Robin Bownes <robin at bownes.co.za> wrote:
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>> I'm close to my wit's end with this problem, I hope someone can help.
>>>>
>>>> I am trying to install Ubuntu 12.10 (64 bit) on a recently acquired,
>>>> small-form-factor Dell GX520 (Dual-core Intel, 1GB RAM). I have been
>>>> unable
>>>> to even get the installation to run through completely before being
>>>> kicked
>>>> out to a screen full of text (looks like considerably more than one
>>>> screen's
>>>> worth), the last lines of which, mention "kernel panic".
>>>>
>>>> I've Googled this and have seen a few others that have experienced
>>>> similar
>>>> problems, but have seen no solutions.
>>>>
>>>> Help please - simple as possible please, preferably with explanation.
>>>> (for
>>>> my learning curve)
>>>>
>>>> Thanks.
>>>>
>>>> Robin
>>>>
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>>>> ubuntu-za mailing list
>>>> ubuntu-za at lists.ubuntu.com
>>>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-za
>> Thanks Wesley,
>>
>> Not something I've ever done before, but I'll give it a shot. I've
>> downloaded the BIOS file from Dell (the latest version), but see that it is
>> an exe file. Am I therefore assume that I have to somehow get Windows loaded
>> on this PC before I can do the firmware upgrade, or is there another way? If
>> you have any further info on the firmware update procedure, I'd appreciate
>> that too. Thanks.
>>
>> Robin
>>
>> --
>> ubuntu-za mailing list
>> ubuntu-za at lists.ubuntu.com
>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-za
> I usually use Hiren bootcd to boot into mini xp you can then proceed
> to flash the bios
>
Thanks Wesley & Frans, I'll try some of this stuff this evening. 
Hopefully I can tell you tomorrow that it worked.