can't seem to edit /etc/lilo.conf

Forum: USB booting
Topic: can't seem to edit /etc/lilo.conf
started by: batman

Posted by batman on Feb. 10 2005,02:33

Hi guys I'm up and running with my Pen Drive with latest DSL embedded. PROBLEM on my work computer (Dell) with active matrix monitor, I get the error "you passed an undefined mode number" and video is messed up and any of the resolution choices fail. THis same pendrive works fine on my home computer. I found advice that I should try:

edit /etc/lilo.conf (I found only the empty file using Beaver and WRiter editors but there is nothing in the file and it doesn't let me save anything to it.

I am trying to ad the line "VGA=Normal" into /etc/lilo.conf but can't do it. then I'm supposed to execute lilo to finish/configure right?

Tried using shell root access but typing: edit gives (command not found)

As you can see I'm new to linux how do I find/edit this file to see if this helps my video problems. Thanks in advance

Posted by SaidinUnleashed on Feb. 10 2005,02:44

just hit space to continue without choosing a mode number.

works fine on the dells at school

Posted by batman on Feb. 10 2005,12:15

Weird I tried that then it strangely boots into winblows. When I choose a mode it stays in DSL but my screen doesn't work and I get all the weird colors. Hmm.....

Posted by batman on Feb. 11 2005,15:00

SPACE BAR then boots into winblows choosing a mode number then boots into windows on Dell but as I said it works fine on the non-Dell computer. Strange indeed

Posted by batman on Mar. 29 2005,14:12

NEW PROBLEM now when I hit space I get into DSL but the colors and graphics are messed up and there are no icons on the desktop, it only has the DSL info box present. Can right click and enter flubox but graphics are clearly messed up. NO problems on other computer at home just these Damn Dell computers.

Posted by mikshaw on Mar. 29 2005,15:40

"edit /etc/lilo.conf" means "use an editor to modify /etc/lilo.conf". Typically "edit" is a symlink to an actual editor, but not so in DSL.

You can use any editor you want to edit this file...so maybe vga=normal will fix your trouble.

Posted by cbagger01 on Mar. 29 2005,17:43

Try booting with

dsl vga=normal xsetup

and choose 640 x 480 x 16bit XVesa

or if you need a bigger screen, try:

1024 x 768 x 8bit

and then after bootup edit your /home/dsl/.xserverrc file and add

-swaprgb

after your "Xvesa" line.

Then "Exit Window Manager"

and type "startx" when you get back to the text prompt.

Posted by batman on Mar. 30 2005,14:58

Mikshaw I can open lilo.conf only in read-only mode when I used Beaver editor. It won't let me save anything. Privilege problem? cbagger01 when I went to /home/dsl there was no file .xserverrc there or pre-existing there does it need to be created first to try your approach. UPDATE just saw this post where you guys attempted to help this guy with same Dell problem as me:

< http://damnsmalllinux.org/cgi-bin....l=xserv >

Posted by cbagger01 on Mar. 30 2005,18:43

Open an xterm and type:

sudo beaver

and then try editing the lilo.conf file.

Your .xserverrc file is there. In linux, any filename that starts with a period "." is a hidden file.

Try pressing the "H" button at the top of your emelfm window and you will see the hidden files.

Or from the command line

ls -al

will show all of your files including hidden ones.

From inside a GTK program like Beaver, you can see the hidden files if you do this:

Go to the File -> Open dialog box.
Click in the filename entry box and press the period "." key on your keyboard.
Then press the TAB key on your keyboard.

The hidden files in this directory should then magically appear.

Posted by batman on Mar. 31 2005,03:16

NO GO, 1. I opened Xterm both by invoking it from desktop and flubox and typing sudo beaver bringing up beaver editor. When I opened lilo.conf it said "opening in Read-only" which wouldn't let me add anything to it. could open home/dsl/filetool.lst and change that as a test which didn't open in "read only mode"
2. Emelfm would always goto /ramdisk every time I clicked on /home/dsl, emelfm would insert the ramdisk path in there when trying to list-view xserverrc. Of course then I didn't have it saved after a reboot. When I went in some other places/directories emelfm would not auto insert the ramdisk path so I could open it with an editor and save/modify if I wanted. Looks like I can't try much without the basics down first. Hmmm and thanks