MandrakeLinux Problem

[ZachMarius]

Hey ya'll I just installed MandrakeLinux on my machine 4 times and it still gives me a blank screen when starting up. It goes through the "start up" process and then gets to the root log in screen when suddenly it goes black. And the monitor responds like it's not getting any more signals from the computer. I'm a linux newb and want to try it but my comp doesn't seem to like it. Help please.

P3 500mhz
458MB of Ram
2 HDD 1--7.8gb 2--12GB
CD-RW Drive
DVD Drive
Nvidia GeForce2 64MB Video card
2 NIC's

 

[Bateluer]

I assume Mandrake 10, yes? It sounds like its installing faulty drivers for the video card. Try telling the installer you've got some generic VGA card and see what happens.

I'd think that Mandrake would recognize a GF2 card.

 

[ZachMarius]

Yes, It's Mandrake 10. The funny thing was that I was only asked once what the video card was. The other times it just recognized it and did the blank screen on me.

Thanks

 

[ross8425]

the screen just goes blank? it wont go to a prompt or anything after it fails to boot? try out an older distro, like red hat 7.3 or something and see if that works. also did you do full install of all packages? its like 7 gigs or something. ive never had a problem like you describe with mandrake, but maybe its because you did full install on a 7 gig hard drive and its out of space when trying to use the swap? if you didnt do full install, ignore that little bit.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Maybe it is trying to use a refresh rate or something that your monitor isn't specced for.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Try booting into failsafe from Grub/Lilo.

 

[ZachMarius]

Thanks for all your help guys. I deleted any and all partions that had been made in the drives and installed it fresh. Fortunatly for me I was able to get it working. I'm running in KDE 3.2....if that's good. You guys know of any good free books or instructions for Linux for dummies? Thanks again!

 

[drag]

There realy is a "linux for dummies" book out there. Usually it comes with redhat or something, but it's not free (the book that is).

I like the guide section at www.tldp.org.. check out the hands on linux guide, introduction to bash, and stuff like that.

Mandrake has a few mandrake-specific manuals

But there are stuff all over. Lots of different pages specificly for beginners and newbies. do google searches like this and you'll find lots of stuff.

Google has a linux specific search by typing in www.google.com/linux (no last slash or .htm or anything) in your URL. Makes it easier to find stuff.

 

[ross8425]

if you have a problem with something just do a google search for it, chances are alot of people have the same problem. use sourceforge for software and upgrades if you need them. there is actually a tool within the newer versions of linux (cant remember the name) that lets you download updated packages from a server. someone could point him in that direction for me please? that way you can get all the newest things (provided you want them)... i think there is a kde 3.3 now as well.

 

[pitupepito2000]

first in order to solve your problem you need to do a failsafe boot. What boot manager do you use?
Do you use lilo or grub? if you use lilo you can pass the following parameter "linux 1" and it shouldn't go into graphical mode, just log in the console and try to edit the file "/etc/X11/XFree86" config file, look at the refresh rates of your monitor.

Good luck,
pitupepito

 

[ross8425]

Originally posted by: pitupepito2000
first in order to solve your problem you need to do a failsafe boot. What boot manager do you use?
Do you use lilo or grub? if you use lilo you can pass the following parameter "linux 1" and it shouldn't go into graphical mode, just log in the console and try to edit the file "/etc/X11/XFree86" config file, look at the refresh rates of your monitor.

Good luck,
pitupepito

he fixed it already

 

[ZachMarius]

Drag,
Thanks for that manual to the Mandrake Website. It's only having 9.2 but I think there shouldn't be too much differnce between the two right? Anyway The only thing it dosen't say is how to install somethings. I'm continuing my search of How to's on linux. I know that mozilla and Flashplayer have instructions it's just that they're confusing to a windows person. I'll keep ya'll updated.

 

[ross8425]

the difference in 9.2 and 10 is just more hardware support, updated stuff, etc. linuxquestions.org is one of the best linux forums out there. just browse around in it and you will probably see people with the same problems as you asking questions and getting quick fixes good luck with linux its a good os