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Topic: Black screen of death, unable to load DSL

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Sharktooth Offline

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Posts: 11
Joined: Jan. 2007

Posted: Jan. 13 2007,00:29

With my old Dell XPS R350 computer, I was able to run DSL. Now with a new computer, no matter how many options I try, it continues up to a point where the main DSL screen should appear, and there it hangs with a Black Screen of Death (excuse the paraphrase)

My assumption is that there is probably an incompatibility with my nVidia card, which is a GeForce 7600GS.

Have others experienced this, and is there any solution?

Thank you,

^thehatsrule^ Offline

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Posts: 3275
Joined: July 2006

Posted: Jan. 13 2007,05:34

which "main DSL screen"?

X? If yes, then try fb options and use xsetup to try xfbdev. which options have you tried? did you try failsafe, etc?

There shouldn't be a problem in using that card. If it's only X, you could use the full xf86 server as well.

Sharktooth Offline

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Posts: 11
Joined: Jan. 2007

Posted: Jan. 14 2007,19:23

Thanks for the response. However, none of the options produced a result other than a blank screen hanging right after reaching the point where I verify my keyboard, mouse, and screen parameters.

Just to be certain that my DSL disk was not defective, I resurrected my old Dell XPS computer, attached the cables, and a few moments after just pressing <Enter> DSL was up and running again.

There has to be something about my NVidia card that DSL does not recognize, but what?

skaos

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Joined: April 2004

Posted: Jan. 15 2007,11:47

I don't know what's the problem, but you could try "dsl 2" (without quotes) at the boot prompt which should launch you into command line only. If this doesn't work, see if there is any boot option for booting into standard vga resolution, i.e. 640x480 at 16 colours - all(?) graphcis cards should recognise this. If this works, run "Xvesa -listmodes" to see which vesa resolutions etc. that your card supports.

Sharktooth Offline

Group: Members
Posts: 11
Joined: Jan. 2007

Posted: Jan. 15 2007,18:02

You have given me a diagnostic tool that showed some good clues. When I entered "dsl 2" at the boot prompt, it went into command mode. Then, "Xvesa -listmodes" gave me this somewhat puzzling list:

Interrupt pointer doesn't point at ROM
Interrupt pointer doesn't point at ROM
ox0006: 640x200x1 (monochrome) Planar (1 Planes)
ox000D: 320x200x4 Planar (4 planes) (no linear framebuffer)
ox000E: 640x200x4 Planar (4 planes) (no linear framebuffer)
ox0010: 640x350x4 Planar (4 planes) (no linear framebuffer)
ox0011: 640x480x1 (monochrome) Planar ( 1 planes)
ox0012: 640x480x4 Planar (4 planes) (no linear framebuffer)
ox0013: 320x200x8 PseudoColor

I should mention that running my usual distribution (SUSE10.2)
I am showing Monitor VESA 1024x768@60 HZ 16.7MO(24 bit)

11 replies since Jan. 13 2007,00:29

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