Ubuntu-based distros on older Hardware

If, like me, you keep a lot of old hardware around running Linux you will inevitably get to the point where the newer versions of Linux won't play nice.

For me this happened recently on my old Dell XPS M1730 when trying to install the latest version of Backtrack, Mint or any other Ubuntu-based distro. From initial boot it'd take me straight to the "flashing colours of death". Not good.

So for future reference, this is how you to get past it:

• Hit tab on the main screen before the distro attempts to boot from the live CD.
• Add the following to the end of the command line: nouveau.blacklist=1
• Hit enter.

You should be able to boot into the Live CD from here. Remember, if you have similar issues when you've installed your distro you'll have to add it to grub.

Enjoy!