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Topic: Installing DSL from CD on older machine, Problem getting a GUI

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coolest

Group: Members
Posts: 3
Joined: Mar. 2006

Posted: Mar. 14 2006,13:50

Hi--I an new to Linux but DSL sounded real cool, and a fellow suggested I use it to identify a modem I'm having trouble finding a driver for.

I created a CD with DSL on it and set the BIOs to boot off it--not a problem--but when I choose any kind of boot or simply hit Enter, all I get is the penguin and a Welcome to LINUX message and a white prompt that doesn't take any kind of command.

The only thing I can think of is DSL seems to be looking for a 1024 X 768 monitor setting, but my old PC can only be set to 640 X 800 display. Could that be the reason I'm not getting the GUI? Specifics on the machine are 433 Celeron processor, 8 gig HD, 64 RAM with 56 usable.

I would welcome any suggestions. Thanks very much.

anaconda

Group: Members
Posts: 96
Joined: Mar. 2006

Posted: Mar. 14 2006,15:03

Yep. DSL still doesn't support ALL hardware! My previous motherboard didn't work with knoppix or DSL. (problem was with the onboard vga-controller)

But if you think that resolution is the problem, you can give boot time arguments for dsl.

Code Sample

dsl vga=7xx
or
dsl vga=normal

you have to press F3 to see what is the exact number 7xx, ot just use "normal"

Other idea. Remove all extra hardware from your PC, and look if it boots. IF you are REALLY determined, and think that the display-card is the problem, you could get some old display-card (2-16MB of ram, which would cost about 5$) and try if DSL works better with it....

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anaconda

skaos

Group: Members
Posts: 430
Joined: April 2004

Posted: Mar. 14 2006,15:21

If you only will identify which modem you have, write "dsl 2 vga=normal" (without quotes) at the "boot:"-prompt. This should launch you into the command line interface where you can try these commands to identify your modem (assuming it is a pci card):
lspci
lspci -v | more
lspci -vv | more

coolest

Group: Members
Posts: 3
Joined: Mar. 2006

Posted: Mar. 16 2006,02:33

Hi, fellas--

I tried the various suggestions you had, and as someone else remarked, no cigar! I still get the boot, but just end up with a blank white cursor that won't take any commands. I think I will just install a new modem for which I have the driver, and then I'll go to town!

BTW--does anyone know how to get to the BIOS setup on a Dell machine with Win 98 loaded on it? Any special key combination or F-key to hold down?

Thanks much for your responses.

coolest

Group: Members
Posts: 3
Joined: Mar. 2006

Posted: Mar. 23 2006,13:47

Follow-up:

It turned out viewing the DSL GUI *does* depend on having more than the minimal colors available. After I got and installed the video card driver, the GUI loaded right up.

BTW--the procedure for entering setup with a Dell machine running Win 98 is to hit the Delete key.

Everbody have a good one.

5 replies since Mar. 14 2006,13:50

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