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My system hates linux

N

nismotigerwvu

Golden Member
Specs:
x2 3800+
Foxconn 6100K8MA-RS mobo
3 gigs of ddr400
radeon x850xt

I've tried pclinuxos 2007 (kde and gnome versios) and ubuntu as live cd's (tried burning to both cd-r and dvd-r) and i just keep getting dumped to command prompt. Am I missing something here? I know ATI's drivers can be a pain but this is a older card, one would imagine that some sort of functional drive would have come around by now.
 
We know just as much as you do now. You have to post some errors or something if you want anyone to help you.
 
nothing...no errors...it'll go through a normal boot like on my laptop, but dumps right to a console log in...and try as i might i can't get it to go to a desktop
 
why would i have a log on livecd?
Click to expand...

Because Linux apps are nice and create logs. /var/log should still be writeable even on the LiveCD. Hell you can install software in the Ubuntu LiveCD once it's booted up.
 
Originally posted by: Nothinman
why would i have a log on livecd?
Click to expand...

Because Linux apps are nice and create logs. /var/log should still be writeable even on the LiveCD. Hell you can install software in the Ubuntu LiveCD once it's booted up.
Click to expand...

and yes, it is stored in RAM.

Also, could you post a link to the exact livecd you downloaded, just to verify you got the right thing?
 
Originally posted by: Brazen
Originally posted by: Nothinman
why would i have a log on livecd?
Click to expand...

Because Linux apps are nice and create logs. /var/log should still be writeable even on the LiveCD. Hell you can install software in the Ubuntu LiveCD once it's booted up.
Click to expand...

and yes, it is stored in RAM.

Also, could you post a link to the exact livecd you downloaded, just to verify you got the right thing?
Click to expand...

The discs boot fine on myroommate's lappy (similar specs, single core turion at 2.0 ghz integrated graphics core based on the same architecture as my x850 (mobile x800 i think). links were

http://www.pclinuxos.com/index...com_ionfiles&Itemid=28

and

http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download
x86...didn't want to mess around with x64, no need really
 
Try another distro, I suggest Fedora 8.

My laptop has similar issues, though I only tried Fedora 7. Basically, some piece of hardware was completely screwing up the boot, and I would get dumped to a command prompt, but a very disabled one. Fedora 8 completely supported my laptops hardware, so problem solved (after a short wait for F8 release). Also, downloading using a torrent generally helps make sure the iso is good, as they should do has checking on each piece. Failing that, if the iso is valid, works on other machines, and no distro (within reason) will boot on that machine, then it sounds like a weird hardware issue.
 
It sounds like the live CDs aren't recognizing your graphics card. I doubt this problem is going to be solved by switching distros, as they all pretty much use the same graphics technology (called the X Window System, AKA "X11," "X server," etc.). What you'll probably have to do is install Linux on your hard disk, then download whatever proprietary drivers are necessary to get the graphics rolling.

I suggest Ubuntu for three reasons:

1. It's a well-proven distro which is highly functional, easy to use, and easy to install.
2. It has an incredible support base in the form of ubuntuforums.org, ubuntu.com, and other sites.
3. Ubuntu is possibly the single most popular distro around, which means it has a bright future of support and development.

When you install Ubuntu, make sure you do two things, which newbies often overlook or dismiss as unimportant.

1. When you first boot the Ubuntu installation disc, you'll be given an option to check the CD for errors. Do this. I know it takes a few minutes, but it's well worth the trouble. If it doesn't pass, re-burn the disc.
2. Install in text mode. I can't remember if the latest live CD gives you this option, but I think it does. If by some chance it doesn't, though, try downloading the "alternate" installation CD, which is text-only by default. You can download the alternate CD by marking the check box on this download page.

Good luck!
 
Isn't the Ubuntu LiveCD considered a recovery option, and as such boots to command line? Try the Ubuntu Desktop instead. It will install Gnome GUI and set it to come up by default at startup (or you could go with Xubuntu, Kubuntu, etc.).

 
did some digging....turns out my hunch was correct and its the video drivers for mt x850xt....i can boot in vesa mode....anyone know how to build a live cd based around ati's own video drivers or if there are premade pclinuxos that are ati friendly?
 
I had a similar issue recently, though mine was magically fixed by not passing 'quiet' to the kernel at boot time via grub... maybe the same magik will work for you?
 
Originally posted by: nismotigerwvu
did some digging....turns out my hunch was correct and its the video drivers for mt x850xt....i can boot in vesa mode....anyone know how to build a live cd based around ati's own video drivers or if there are premade pclinuxos that are ati friendly?
Click to expand...

Are you looking to always use a liveCD? If not, just install with ubuntu's alternate install CD, then install the ati drivers (from ubuntu's restricted drivers ) and then you should have a perfectly working system.
 
I was looking more into finding a livecd that worked to have something that could work in a pinch a after I had something stable getting it to boot from a usb drive (i have an 8 gig stick) with persistence. I'm not really even looking to dual boot or anything, more like, when the mood strikes me.
 
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