Boot ProblemForum: User Feedback Topic: Boot Problem started by: rthomson Posted by rthomson on April 14 2006,10:58
Hi,I am using DSL 2.3 on a LiveCD. When I start my computer with the CD in, and select to load DSL, the black screen with the penguin at the top appears and the list of configurations and information runs down my screen. However, after this my screen just goes black, and the monitor still says it is receiving a signal. I don't understand why this is happening. Does anyone know what might be the problem? P.S. Every second or so time I try to start DSL, it says that auto config has hanged, and that I should try my BIOS settings. But is I just reboot then it loads (but I get the above problem) Thanks Posted by pridalj on April 14 2006,14:33
Did you try to run DSL in failsafe mode? Just enter the failsafe to the boot line. Posted by green on April 14 2006,17:54
This topic has been discussed many times. Try doing a search using the parameters:blank AND screen It returns many hits. In the meantime, do you have an Nvidia graphics card? If so, post back saying so. If not, do this: When booting from the CD you will get a boot prompt. At the prompt (before the peguine appears) you have the option to enter boot commands. One such boot command that may help you is: xsetup. So, at the boot prompt type this: dsl xsetup Before DSL finishes it's boot process and starts X and fluxbox, it will give you some questions to answer. There are several options to choose from, try them until you find what works for you. You can also do this: Ctrl+Alt+Backspace after boot finishes. This will put you back at the command prompt. You can also try Ctrl+F1, etc. if that does not work. Once at the command prompt, type: xsetup.sh Go thru your choices again, then type: startx This will hopefully get you something neato to look at (Fluxbox). Good luck. Posted by lovdsl on April 14 2006,19:21
I pressed f2 when the black dsl initial screen came up then typed dsl vga=normal. at the boot prompt and hit enter...this seemed to work for several vid cards..others may require more work as posted above or choose an option from f3 dsl vga=xxx..good luck
Posted by rthomson on April 15 2006,12:06
Yes, I do have an nvidia graphics card.P.S. Thanks for the responses so far Posted by pipkato on April 15 2006,13:48
I too have Nvidia GeForce4 MX integrated GPU graphics on my motherboard and have a similar problem with DSL 2.3 on a USB Flash drive. It gets a long way through the install and does the 'configuring' bar chart but then I get a blank screen. Tried it from a live CD and it's the same. I tried running it within Windows 2000 Pro and it works fine from the same USB stick. The flash drive is a Sumvision 1GB and it said on the box that it was bootable.
Posted by dsquared on April 16 2006,20:34
I too have the same problem - a blank screen after the knoppix penguin screen. DSL detects USB devices, auto configures devices (soundcard, network card, sets up etc/fstab, floppy drive, mouse.) and then goes to creating authority file and poof- blank screen. This started with DSL 2.2 has continued with 2.3 and into 2.4RC1. It did not happen with DSL 2.1. I have searched the board under "blank AND screen" and find reference to a similiar problem for nvidia video cards however I have an Ati video card. I have tried to run dsl xsetup with different settings with no luck. I suspect the answer lies in the shift from kernal 2.4.31 in DSL 2.1 back to 2.4.26 in DSL2.2+ - Do I wait for DSL to update kernal again? My specs are: MB: MSI K7N2 Delta (with onboard Lan) CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2400+ RAM: 2 x 512 PC@100 Video: (Saphire) ATI 9600 pro 256Mg HD1: WD 120g ide - pimary master HD2: Maxtor 200g ide - Primary Slave DVD: LG GSA 41663B - secondary master Audio: SB Live PS I always use Dsl Live CD versions Posted by green on April 16 2006,23:42
for those of you with nvidia video:XFree86.dsl nvidia.dsl They are in the < System section of the Repository. > Be sure to read the 'Info' file for both of those. Video will work for nvidia stuff without those extensions, however, it is much nicer when using them. Be sure to try Xvesa and Xfbdev options using the xsetup.sh script if you do not wish to install the two extensions mentioned above. Also, please search the forums. Nvidia video has been discussed many, many times here. As for ATI video, I have no clue. I would not buy them because ATI does not support the Open Source Initiative and Linux in general. Posted by dsquared on April 18 2006,23:58
I most humbly apologize for:my question my ignorance my selection of video card my belief that I might get help with DSL in the forums my repetition of questions asked before even after searching for answers and my choice of wine last night may I suggest you have a gander at < Interesting Linux article > Posted by green on April 19 2006,00:27
I am sincerely sorry that you are offended.There was nothing intended to be snobbish or offensive in any way. I can not apologize for my lack of knowledge regarding ATI video cards. I just don't know how to make them work, I do not have any. Posted by doobit on April 19 2006,00:42
The truth is, you probably are fine with 2.1b. I was a good release. You might also have success with the syslinux of the latest release because of the way it boots. You might also try booting with one of the frame buffer options at the boot prompt. If you are using an LCD monitor then you should use the native resolution of the monitor, eg fb1278x1024 Beyond that I have no suggestions. I haven't had any of these problems. Well, actually, I did initially have a problem with the nvidia card being off about 10 pixels on the right, but that was fixed after DSL-1.5. Had nothing to do with a blank monitor. Blank monitor is more likely to be related to some other thing. You can have a blank monitor because you overclock your processor beyond it's ability, for example. You can have a blank monitor if you send a bit depth or pixel aspect that the card or monitor can't handle, for example. Often, hardware issues are trial and error investigations. The place to start would be the lowest common denominator for VGA cards, which is 640x480 at 4 or 8 bits. Posted by dsquared on April 19 2006,02:42
Thank you! - that was the ticket! DSL 2.4 RC1 with the frame buffer rate set at 1024x768 works fine! So I assume that 2.3 will work okay too...
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