PROBLEM- DSL 3.0.1 install on old Toshiba laptop

Forum: HD Install
Topic: PROBLEM- DSL 3.0.1 install on old Toshiba laptop
started by: ichiban3r1k

Posted by ichiban3r1k on Aug. 23 2006,21:24

Brand new user wanting to use Linux here...

I burned the syslinux 3.0.1 iso, wiped the hard drive, and tried to partition the HD using fdisk. I don't think I did it right, and I have no clue what to do...

When using the liveCD boot from the CD drive, I get to:

xauth: creating new authority file /home/dsl/ .Xauthority
xauth: creating new authority file /home/dsl/ .Xauthority

I really want to get this project done! Please help.

Posted by petay on Aug. 23 2006,22:06

i get that if my settings are incorrect and its trying to use large res on my poxy lil 486 laptop

the best solution i have found is to do a hdd install (option 3 on the menu if you type install at the boot prompt) then go thru the installation questions and i choose the grub bootloader.

once the install is done and the system reboots i can then choose the dsl 800x600 option which i need and can boot properly.

your X server settings need to be correct too, if you type xsetup.sh and have a play to see which suits your hardware best

Posted by ichiban3r1k on Aug. 23 2006,22:17

My problem is that I can't install it to the HD.

I choose the first option from the graphical install interface: start and install DSL. (*EDIT)

It loads the following:

Loading essential drivers OK
Mounting root file system ok
etc.

until it gets to:

Configuring X...

then it locks, goes to a black screen, and doesn't do anything.

Posted by petay on Aug. 23 2006,22:39

scary :S

the way i do hdd install is this

boot from the cd - enter "install" as the boot: prompt

let it run thru all its checks and setups ans you should come to a menu

choose the hdd install option (was 3 on mine)

tell it which partition you want to install to - you may get stuck here, goto the end of the post if you do

answer the questions it asks you (install from live, yes i really do want to continue)

choose the grub bootloader

if your having hdd finding issues then exit the menu (option 0) and type cfdisk. here you can play with partitions like in the good ol fdisk but you have more choice on partition types etc. i make a primary partition about 90% of the drive space with a type of linux (not too critical as it formats the partition in the install) and then make the rest a linux swap partition. then go back to the install menu (i think you type dslinstall) and choose the hdd install option again

Hope this is correct and helps you

Posted by ichiban3r1k on Aug. 24 2006,00:59

*EDIT:

Recurring problem, working on next poster's advice.

Posted by andrewb on Aug. 24 2006,02:39

What are you trying to install? You mention Ubuntu why is this?

You should really use a frugal install - almost impossible to screw up the installed operating system then. A HD install can easily be screwed up & you haveto go through the whole installation again.

Your live CD should boot to the DSL desktop. If it doesn't watch what it does as it's booting. At one point it will display 'Accessing DSL image' & scan through the drives, then display which drive it is loading from (e.g. /dev/hda1 - the 'hda1' will be different, probably scd1 for the cdrom). If it isn't booting from the cd then you must have managed to copy the filesystem onto the hard drive previously.

Assuming you do get to the desktop:

1. right-click on te 'Atrem' icon at the top-right
2. type fdisk /dev/hda
3. type p
4. check the partitions are set up as you want them, if not delete, add, or change the type (type 83, linux is proably best at this point). If you don't know the fdisk commands type 'h' at the 'command:' prompt in fdisk.
5. exit fdisk (write partition table with'w', then type 'q')
6. type mke2fs /dev/hdaN, where N is the partition number you want to use
7. close Aterm
8. right click the desktop & go to apps->tools->frugal install->frugal grub install
9. follow the prompts
10. make sure to remove the CD when you reboot.

Good luck

Posted by ichiban3r1k on Aug. 24 2006,16:09

Heh, ubuntu... I was trying to install that on another machine, and I got a little mixed up. I meant DSL, sorry.

To get to the LiveCD desktop, I have to:

-hit f2 for options
-use "fb800x600" command
-in X setup, choose Xfbdev
-Choose no for usb mouse and IMPS/2 mouse (2-button ps2 port trackball is what I use)
-US keyboard layout

I reached the above success with trial and error, and it frustrates me when I don't know what I am even doing... Why does it have to be FB?

Okay, results:

I get to ATerminal, then:

-type fdisk /dev/hda
-I see a list of options, the first is "-l list partition tables, -u Give start and End in sector"... etc.
-I am then back at user prompt, dsl@box:~$
-I type "p" and nothing happens

Thanks for the help so far!

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Aug. 24 2006,20:35

fb = framebuffer
usually required for older hardware (laptops esp.)

The "p" I believe was meant to be inputted during your fdisk session, not back in your bash session.

Posted by andrewb on Aug. 24 2006,23:30

You shouldn't see the list of options with that fdisk command. You will either get a prompt 'command (m for help):', or an error message saying hda couldn't be found (in which case there is a problem with the hard drive).

One way of checking what partitions have been found during the boot process is to look in the directory /mnt. THere should be directories named hdXY where X is the drive letter (a=first hd, b=second hd,...) & Y is the partition number. If there aren't any directories like this then either the hard drive wasn't detected, or it isn't partitioned. You could also check DMESG to see what happened during booting - either type 'dmesg' in Aterm or open the DSLpanel on the desktop & select the dmesg tab. look for lines starting with hda (or hdb, hdc, ...). This may give some idea if the drive is being found, or has an error.