X and Fluxbox :: Display doesn't work

Trying to install dsl on an old Compaq Presario 1230 laptop: When X starts the display is all white and fuzzy (other than some vague yellowness where the windows/menus should be). I tried starting it with framebuffer whatever (yeah, i'm not technical) , but it tells me "modprobe: can't locate module fb0" and refuses to start

To use the xfbdev framebuffer , you must start DSL with the
fb800x600 command , or fbxxxXxxx - whatever your resolution is..

then, when you get to the xsetup questions, pick xfbdev..

you should do this BEFORE installing to hard drive, from live CD,
for the info to be passed on to your HDinstall..

73
ke4nt

original here.