Stuck on an install
Forum: HD Install
Topic: Stuck on an install
started by: Merlyn
Posted by Merlyn on June 26 2005,21:49
I’m a Linux newbie. I am doing my first Linux install. I’m trying to put DSL on Olivetti Echos 133DM laptop. It’s a 486DX with 16Mb memory and about 2Gb disk space. It currently runs Windows 95. Also it doesn’t boot from CD. The floppy drive and CD drive are interchangeable. I have recently sourced a cable allowing me to have the CD and floppy drive work together – this definitely works with Windows.I have created a boot floppy disk and a CD (DSL 1.2) When running the install I get:
| Code Sample |
| You passed an undefined mode number. Press <RETURN> to see video modes available. <SPACE> to continue or wait 30 secs |
(I press space)
| Code Sample |
| Uncompressing Linux… Ok. Booting the kernel. Welcome to DSL Built using Knoppix Technology. DSL comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by applicable law. Accessing DSL image at /dev/scd0… |
Then I get nothing. It stays at that screen. Would someone tell me what I’m doing wrong, please? How do I proceed?
Thank you for your help
Posted by tjm4fun on June 28 2005,16:34
Just a shot in the dark here... did you verify the md5sum of the iso before you created the cd? also, older cdroms don't always read cdr's well, if you have a different brand of media to try, that may resolve, it sounds like it may be having read issues with the cd...
Posted by Merlyn on June 28 2005,17:17
I didn't verify the md5sum. I'm lazy, I always thought they work but I'll check it."older cdroms don't always read cdr's well"
This sounds promising. I'll try the cd in another box. I haven't got a different brand at the moment. But I'm willing to give it a go.
Also can you install dsl to a hd via a zip disk? I may have one of those that I could use.
Thank you for your help, tjm4fun. You've given me some hope of fixing it.
Posted by SaidinUnleashed on June 28 2005,18:22
There is a how-to for a zip install in the Documentation.
Posted by Merlyn on June 29 2005,08:38
"http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/talk/node/93"From the instructions, you need Linux installed to run it. I've got Win95 on the box. I want to wipe Windows off the machine and put linux on the hard drive so it will perminantly boot Linux. I want to make the switch from Windows to Linux.
Posted by skaos on June 29 2005,12:27
It could be that the DSL kernel doesn't support the interface to the CD - many 486s didn't use ide or scsi, but some special interface. Would it be possible to take out the hard disk, put it into some other PC, install DSL from there and then put it back?
Posted by Merlyn on June 29 2005,15:41
If it were a normal pc I wouldn't hesitate to do this, but unfortunately it's a laptop.
Posted by cbagger01 on June 29 2005,17:01
Try this:Boot up your laptop with your original OS
Insert DSL cd
Copy
\knoppix\knoppix
file over to:
c:\knoppix\knoppix
Note that all letters are lowercase.
Download the DSL boot floppy image file from the DSL download site
Download rawrite2.exe or rawrite32.zip Search google for the download locations.
Use rawrite to create a boot floppy disk from the image file.
Reboot with the boot floppy inserted into the laptop.
Good Luck.
Posted by Merlyn on June 29 2005,21:45
I think tjm4fun was right. I can read the CD on my Laptop but it won't copy over. I'm going to verify md5sum.Also I like and want to follow cbagger01's instructions on installing. On the cd the directory was:
\Knoppix\Knoppix
not
\knoppix\knoppix
I'm going to get a new copy of DSL, check it's valid and follow the instructions. Thank you cbagger01 and everyone for your help.
Posted by cbagger01 on June 30 2005,02:06
Ignore the CD.It needs to be
c:\knoppix\knoppix
or
C:\KNOPPIX\KNOPPIX
If you mix uppercase and lowercase letters IE: Knoppix , then the boot disk will be unable to find the knoppix image.
Posted by Merlyn on July 01 2005,09:01
I've made some progress. Thank you for your help.The CD was faulty. I burned a new image and I can copy Knoppix.
I have also tried running it off the CD and it's got me much further. I've got as far as a Linux command prompt! I think I have two problems before it will boot the desktop environment -
1. I think I've sent the wrong vga mode.
2. It's looking for a PS2 mouse. I don't have one -- it's a laptop with a built-in "thing" (I don't know what it's called but you push your finger around is square box!) -- I just need to plug in a mouse. Cool -- It's something to play with at the weekend.
Thanks again!
Posted by cbagger01 on July 02 2005,18:28
Try booting with the boot command:dsl vga=normal xsetup
or
fb800x600 xsetup
and then choose your graphics settings and mouse settings.
Posted by Merlyn on July 07 2005,20:11
After a while, I’ve managed to source a normal mouse for the laptop and booted up – “dsl vga=771” with a boot floppy and dsl being on c:\knoppix\knoppix as suggested by cbagger01It took “like forever” to start-up and when it did there was only about four garish colours to it and it couldn’t do anything --- The mouse could move about. I could click on things but it didn’t do anything.
Would someone kindly suggest what I can do to speed things up and improve my experience? When the laptop runs Windows 95 it’s fairly slow but it’s easily ten times faster then this! (Also what can I do to get the build it mouse tablet-thing to work?)
Thank you for your time and especially patience with a newbie like me.
Posted by Delboy on July 08 2005,11:50
What is your maximum supported LCD resolution 800 x 600? 640x480? You may have a graphics card which will not allow autodetection. My old laptop displays fine following this route:When floppy booting, at the first prompt, put in either "fb800x600" or "fb640x480" (whatever your notebook supports) this bypasses the video autoscan module and should allow the boot process to continue until a menu for graphics server options appears: try choosing "framebuffer" server. Next menu will be for mouse. My touchpad (which sounds like what you describe) works fine is I choose "no" for USB mouse and then yes for PS/2 option via the next menu.
Version 1.21 has a keyboard selection menu then before booting into Xwindows.
Posted by Merlyn on July 08 2005,17:45
Hi Delboy,| Quote |
| What is your maximum supported LCD resolution 800 x 600? 640x480? |
fb640x480 didn't work with dsl. (I am using dsl version 1.21)
fb800x400 didn't make any difference.
Yes, I have a touch pad. (Thank you -- that's what it's called!) Unless I have a PS/2 mouse plugged in it can't get passed the configuration questions.