Opps with linux

[Byte 2.0]

I was installing Mandrake 8.0

Here is my system

800 mhz
256 meg

3 hard drives

first drive 30 GB IBM
second 2.5 WDC
thrid 2.5 WdC

windows is installed on the 30 GB IMB

installed linux on the 2.5 second . used alot of the automatic setups.

after the install sucessful screen reboot

Now after my system info bios screens, I get a

LI




Ok, i am lost at this point. I was planning a dual boot system. I am assuming the lilo boot didn't load correctly

[mairving]

More than likely you loaded lilo to the MBR which some times causes these kind of problems. If you made a lilo boot disk you should be able to boot off of it.

[Byte 2.0]

ok, i have fixed my MBR
nice little fdisking.

I will try linux again tomorrow, this time I will make the boot disk and read a bit more. I was in rush today

[MaXimum SMOKE]

http://user.fundy.net/cyclist/linux/troubleshoot-LILO.html


The above link may help. Found it with a search engine.

Are drives configured using MASTER or SLAVE? (Do not use cable select.) Does your bios report the drive sizes correctly?
Is there a 'physical' partition for /boot (as opposed to having /boot reside as a directory on the / (root) partition.) (Hopefully) - Just a few thoughts. My best guess ... Geometry not translated right.

[Byte 2.0]

tomorrow i am going to try again, but I am going to unhook the main drive with windows and just try a plain install of mandrake 8.0 again.

If I can get a clean install of mandrake 8.0 going I will worry about setting up dual booting later or just unhook the power from the drive that i am not using. that is a lazy around about way to do it. :D

[jglen490]

It would be very helpful if you could get to your /etc/lilo.conf file and post it here.

More than likely it is not an MBR install problem, but rather a problem with how lilo is configured.

You didn't state which version of Windoze you have on your primary hard drive, but if it's WinXP or W2K, you could use either ntldr with Lilo boot code on the boot sector of your Linux space or you could install lilo with its boot code on the MBR of your primary. If you have Win98/98SE, then you must use Lilo on the primary MBR, or boot Linux from a diskette, or use some third party boot manager.

[Byte 2.0]

ok, i have linux installed I believe but i need some command help hehe :D

I just rebooted, it started, loading, I thought forsure I had had configured during install to go straight to the xwindows interface.

Well i am at the command promptit wanted my login and pass
gave that
Now i am at a command line with my [byte@linux byte]$

How do I get into X now,
Byte=linux newbie..

Also if it matters, i know i installed KDE
I hope the command is not startx
cause i get errors trying that.
execyv failed for /etc/x11/x (errno 2)
giving up
xinit: no such file or directory (errno 2): unable to connect to x server
xinit: No such process (errno 3): Server error


more i look at it, I believe I just have a screwed up install, probably need to reinstall. appears stuff is missing, probably explains why I know i set it to goto KDE or xwindows on boot and that didn't happen.

also, just for the record the PC only has one hard drive atm, no other OS.

[Byte 2.0]

ok, i formatted, reinstalled linux mandrake 8 again.
well when i attemp to startx I get a few pages of white text on a black screen rollls bys.

fatar server error
no screen founds.

[MaXimum SMOKE]

I'm guessing, that this old version of mandrake does not understand either your video card, or your monitor. Either can cause this problem. You're several versions behind as 9.0 is current. Does this version bring up a test screen for x during install? Usually something like a rainbow of colors with a penguin in the middle and a box that says something like "Is this O.K.?"
Leaving in 10, 9 , 8, 7, ...etc seconds. What is the card and monitor and does Mandrake ID them correctly?

[Byte 2.0]

yes, the test is correct.

the card is ATI radieon, 32meg DDR, it just lists radieon.

I can download 9 and try that, but 8 should work with what i have I beleive. WEll it is time for tell I will try again when i get more time.

[MaXimum SMOKE]

ATI seemed to have a lot of variants. Actually from the 'no screens found,' it may be having problems with syncing to the monitor. You'll get someone 'popping in' telling you to go to ATIs site, but with a version this old, and if you have a high speed connection..... My personal opinion is to start with 9. The system should support it ok. You'll get the latest kde. , and better hardware support in general.

[TMAN]

I wouldn't update just yet. That card and monitor should DEFINITELY work. I mean you were at least able to use the graphical setup right? If you have nothing to lose and are feeling adventurous run XF86Config (console fun) or xf86cfg (X graphical) or XF86Setup (ncurses grpahical- may not exist anymore). If all else fails edit your XF86Config file and try generic settings like the VGA driver for "cards" and 640x480 @ (some refresh rate lower than what is in your manual) for "Screens". It might help if you could post your XF86Config file. HTH

[Byte 2.0]

nothing to lose on this hard driver :D

[OOPS!]

Hi byte,

I agree with MaximumSmoke, it is probably your monitor that is causing the trouble.

Just a word of caution, becareful when playing with your refresh rates. Linux WILL do as you tell it. No questions asked. So it is possible to blow a monitor.

OOPS!

[Byte 2.0]

the monitor is on it last legs, it is about 5 years old, out of shape pictures until windwos loads with video drivers, I normally play it safe and use 800X600 about 60 on refresh

about 6 months ago i was using that monitor and it just poped, and been like this ever since, I would like to get someoen to repair it but probably cost more then to replace it. actually I did replace it for my main system, just have it on that test PC.

I am working on downloading verison 9 now.