can't see the whole messages during boot

Forum: Laptops
Topic: can't see the whole messages during boot
started by: Joe Shmo

Posted by Joe Shmo on Nov. 30 2005,09:35

Hello,

during boot of DSL on my Tecra 500 CDT the system makes a lot of output.
Unfortunately if the messages reach the end of the screen, the scrolling doesn't start immediately only with some rows delay. So there a few rows of output, which I can't see on my screen.
So if there is a line which asks me to input something (maybe user/password or resolution or whatever) I can only guess, what the system wants from me.
Is there a possiblity to make a configuration somewhere in a config file or maybe there is an option in the bios, therewith I can see the whole output?

Where can I configure, that the system does an automatic log in with the user dsl?

Any idea?
Joe

Posted by adssse on Nov. 30 2005,13:43

I am assuming that the screen is probably set to 1024x768 and your screen can probably only handle 800x600. If this is the case try the boot code 'dsl vga=788' and let me know if this helps.

Posted by Joe Shmo on Dec. 01 2005,22:05

I've done a hdd install, so no asking for boot options. Can I put some in a config file and if yes, in what file!

I make an entry in lilo.conf:
there was a line vga=791 and I put in vga=788 - but without a result.

My screen can only 800x600 - thats a fact!

Posted by Rapidweather on Dec. 01 2005,23:13

You might try booting from a dsl cd, and do it like this:
boot: fb800x600
Then you can see your bootup messages.
There are other "knoppix cheatcodes" that you may have to use,
on my Toshiba laptop, I have to add "acpi=off" or the bootup gets stuck partway through. I believe I looked at a dsl 1.5 isolinux cd, and they have the acpi=off built in, so that may not be necessary on dsl.
the file that has that is "isolinux.cfg", in /cdrom/boot/isolinux.
---
On a side note, I have been working on my Knoppix Remaster, and now have it up to Beta 78E. Main thing I have been working on is an
Automated Master Copy and a companion Automated Remaster,
these scripts first create a master-copy on a hard drive partition for you to work on and remaster. Then, when you are ready to make an iso, the Automated Remaster is run. These scripts save me a lot of work and time. I get to do the fun part, like upgrading Firefox to 1.5 final, then I can go to bed while the iso is being made. Next morning, I get up, and burn the CD!.
Other more important item worked on is getting "testcd" to come out right. The output should show all of your booting files as OK, and then test KNOPPIX last, then declare the CD OK.
The "isolinux.bin" file is one that the Knoppix Hacks CD did not get passed by "testcd", but I have done it.
If you get 100% OK's on "testcd" when you boot up, then the CD will most likely boot on a greater number of computers with various bios.
The 451PG bios is the one I had to get the CD to boot on, it is popular on lots of older computers. I still use the 2.4.26 kernel.
"testcd" is run at the boot: prompt, and shortly thereafter, you get the report. If you do run it on a Knoppix based live cd that you have, be sure and reboot after that, as it does use a bit of memory.

Posted by adssse on Dec. 02 2005,05:23

vga=791 is 1024x768 16bit while vga=788 is 800x600 16bit so I am not sure why editing your lilo.conf file would not make a difference. After saving the file did you run lilo again in order for it to take effect. I believe you have to run lilo -C or something like that.
Rapidweather brings up a good point about testing it out with the cd, then if you achieve the desired results you will know for sure what changes need to be made. Let us know how it goes.

Posted by Joe Shmo on Dec. 02 2005,09:03

Thanks for your help.

I don't have a (working) CD Rom, I've done a poor man install via Floppy and Network. So booting from a CD is not an option.

After changing the lilo.conf, I reboot the PC - so lilo was also restarted. Maybe I can suppress the pengiun on top of the page during the boot - maybe this causes the trouble.

Anyway - if I configure an automatic login for any user, than it is not a problem anymore - how does ist go? The system messages during boot are listed in the system stats, so I can look in there for possible errors.

Posted by adssse on Dec. 02 2005,15:31

After editing the lilo.conf file as root I believe lilo needs to be run in order for lilo to use these new additions. So after saving your changes to lilo.conf open a root shell (in right click menu Xhells>Root Access) and try and run the following commands: (note: this is based on a frugal install, I dont remember what the path is on a regular hd install so just change the path to where your lilo.conf is)

ln -sf /mnt/hda2/boot /
lilo -C /mnt/hda2/boot/lilo.conf
after this try and reboot and see if the changes take effect.

Posted by Joe Shmo on Dec. 02 2005,20:10

After entering

ln -sf /etc
lilo -C /ect/lilo.conf

it works - I can see every row during boot.

@adssee: Can you explain me, what the two lines exactly do?

Joe

Posted by adssse on Dec. 03 2005,06:12

Glad to hear it is working for you.
'ln' is the link command, so it creates a reference to something. The option '-s' makes it a symbolic link, and the option '-f' just tells it to force the link.
As far as the 'lilo -C' I am not completely sure what it does. But I believe it basically installs or executes the new lilo.conf file, so it should be run whenever lilo.conf is edited.