[caniac]

My Linux Computer:

Dell
Pentium II 300 MHz
Intel Board (forgot the model but it's on the accepted list)
Onboard Video
96 MB RAM
IBM Monitor - 15P???

This was my father's old machine so I figured I try running Linux on this as a stand alone OS.

The Problem:

I went through the "Recommended" Installation using store bought cd's. I had no problem with the proceedure. However, when trying to install X I selected a generic monitor because I don't know the exact model Monitor mine is and have no documentation (I didn't see a model using Belarc). After making the selection I get a white screen with a black X in the middle. No error message, and it does nothing after that. I let it sit for a while and still nothing. So I hit reset and Linux boots up but in all text and I'm lost.

I tried to re-install choosing a new monitor setting and got the same problem. So I've called it quits....for now.

I figured my problem may be the Monitor, Video Card (onboard), or ME. But, if my Motherboard is reported as acceptable, this may not be a Video Card issue. So I've narrowed it down to the other two.

Any insight as to what can be done, or what I've done wrong?

Thanks to all for the help!

[codejockey]

I think you've diagnosed the problem correctly -- I suspect it's either a video card problem (most likely) or a monitor problem. The selection of a generic VGA monitor is probably OK, although you will eventually want to find out the refresh rates your monitor supports, as over-driving a monitor can be harmful. This information will also help you to create a custom X configuration file that will get the most out of your monitor.

Now, the video card (integrated). The crucial piece of information here is the chipset (S3, whatever). Regardless of the name on the card or whether it is integrated with the motherboard, you will need to know the chipset in order to configure X optimally. You may be able to find this info in the motherboard manual. Otherwise, you may need to look at the motherboard itself and locate the video chipset, or do some research on the web to locate the info for your motherboard.

Since you can boot into text mode, you can likely run xf86config, which will help you to create an X configuration file. You will be asked for information about your hardware (refresh rates, video chipset, mouse port) so you will need to know this information before invoking the command. You should run the command as root, since the new configuration file will be written to a directory such as /etc or /usr/X11. It wouldn't hurt to check the hardware compatability list for your distribution as well, to verify that your video chipset is supported.

Hope this helps.

[caniac]

Thanks a ton, codejockey! I'll look into the compatablity again. Unfortunately I don't have a manual at all so this will take some digging.

As for using the command line, I'll need to get used to it. My knowledge is extremely limited here. Do you have any suggestions on where to get some information about basic commands and the like?

Thanks again!!! You help is greatly appreciated!

[stnwerks]

caniac,
Here's a book to check out, http://cart.cheapbytes.com/cgi-bin/c...1?twuweaD3;;71
lots of linux books at this site. hope this is helpful Steve

[codejockey]

You're more than welcome.

You might also check out the Linux 101 course at www.linux.org -- online, and covers a number of important Linux concepts, from installation to essential commands. For the record, you should know that X-windows is probably one of the more difficult/intimidating interfaces in Unix/Linux. Don't worry if X seems arcane and inscrutable -- it is (but then, so is much of Unix ... ).

Hope this helps.

[caniac]

Well, after looking on the board here is what I've found so far. The following information appears on the top of the three larger chips:

(Detaisl are from top to bottom as they appear on the chips)

3D Rage Pro AGP
215R3DUA22
BCE84
9804AA

Intel
PCIset
FW82371AB
F806IN12
SL23P

Intel (this one was under the processor)
AGPset
FW82443LX
F806IS13
SL2KK

I haven't found out much else yet. I have no manuals at all for this computer. Thanks for all you help and insight guys!

[caniac]

I'm not sure if this is helpfull either:
<table>
<TR>
<TH>Number</TH>
<TH>Part Number</TH>
<TH>Function</TH>
<TH>On Chip S #</TH>
<TH>Step #</TH>
<TH>PCI ID</TH>
<TH>Revision</TH>
<TH>Notes</TH>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD>1</TD>
<TD>82443LX</TD>
<TD>SC<BR>
AGP</TD>
<TD>SL2KK</TD>
<TD>A3</TD>
<TD>0x7180<BR>
0x7181</TD>
<TD>0x03</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD>1</TD>
<TD>82371AB</TD>
<TD>PIIX4</TD>
<TD>SL23P</TD>
<TD><A href="http://wwwcsif.cs.ucdavis.edu/~wen/intel_a.html#B1">See 430TX</A></TD>
<TD><A href="http://wwwcsif.cs.ucdavis.edu/~wen/intel_a.html#B1">See 430TX</A></TD>
<TD><A href="http://wwwcsif.cs.ucdavis.edu/~wen/intel_a.html#B1">See 430TX</A></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TH><A name=440ZX>440ZX</A><BR>
<BR>
<A
href="http://wwwcsif.cs.ucdavis.edu/~wen/intel_a.html#TOP"><I>Top</I></A>
</TH>
<TD align=left colSpan=7>
<UL>
<LI>CPU: single Pentium II (Celeron PGA370 for ZX66) support
<LI>Motherboard Speed: 100Mhz (66Mhz for ZX66)
<LI>Memory: 4 RAS Lines, SDRAM, up to 256MB
<LI>2X AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) support </LI>
</UL>
</TD>
<TR>
</table>

[caniac]

Sorry for the crappy code pasting

It's late and I'm hittin the sack.

Thanks again!

[codejockey]

According to Mandrakesoft, your ATI 3D Rage Pro is supported in release 8.1, which makes we wonder why you didn't get farther when you tried to run X. You can try invoking X from the command line as follows:

startx > startx.log 2>&1 &

which will capture any error output in the file startx.log, which may provide a clue. This would be a good test to run anyway, just to eliminate the possiblity of an inittab problem for the default run-level. Note that the "x" in the middle of the screen should move as you move your mouse; if it doesn't, you may have a hardware problem.

Hope this helps.

[caniac]

Thanks again for the help. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your assistance!

I'll give it a shot.

[blablabla]

that happened to me with debian, I also tryied to ceck the video card, but finally realized the problem was the mouse.
If Mandrake is not recognizing your mouse, the graphic session is never going to start(that make sense right?).
Try checking out if your mouse is serial or not, 2 or 3 bottons, and then to choose the right option.
Not sure if this is gonna work for you, but it did for me. Thought you´re gonna have to work a little bit on text mode to solve the problem, probably, but no problem, you can do it(or somebody on the forum can help you).
Good luck

[caniac]

I don't believe it is the mouse. I'm using a Microsoft Intellimouse and it does seem to be working. My keyboard is Microsoft Natural which seems to be fine. Both are PS/2 and appear to be recognized fine durring installation and when I've tried xf86config. But, I really don't know what I'm doing (if I may be so bold) so I could be WAY off.

I think I may try switching the monitors. What the heck.

BTW, I'm pretty poor with the command line but I'll get there.

Thanks to everyone on the board. Your support has been great!

[stnwerks]

caniac

went to free 86 and dug up this
. ATI

3.3.6:
Accelerated support is provided for the Mach8 chips (by the XF86_Mach8 server), Mach32 chips (by the XF86_Mach32 server), the following Mach64 and Rage chips: GX, CX, CT, ET, VT, VT3, GT, RageII+DVD, RagePro (GB, GD, GI, FP, GQ), VT4, Rage IIC (GV, GW, GZ), Rage LT Pro (LD, LB, LI, LP), Rage LT, Rage XL or XC (GL, GM, GN, GO, GR, GS) and Rage Mobility (LM, LN, LR, LS) (by the XF86_Mach64 server). Unaccelerated support is provided for most of the above (except some early Mach8 and Mach32 adapters), as well the old VGAWonder series chipsets (18800, 18800-1, 28800-2, 28800-4, 28800-5, 28800-6) by the XF86_SVGA server with the ati driver. Accelerated support is provided for the Rage 128 chips by the XF86_SVGA server with the r128 driver.

4.2.0:
Accelerated support is provided for Mach64, Rage, Rage 128 and Radeon chips by the "ati" driver, as is unaccelerated support for all of the others except the Mach8 and some early Mach32 chips.

Summary:
All hardware supported in 3.3.6 is also supported in 4.2.0 except for Mach8 and some old Mach32 chips.

I hope its helpful just got my books will let you know if I run across anything Steve
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[caniac]

Great! Thanks for the info!!!

I wonder if it is the monitor? I have one on a different computer that I may try to swap and see how that works. I have the documentation for that one too.

Either way, my situation is a good way to learn some commands so it's not all bad.

Thanks Again!

[stnwerks]

caniac,

Heres a site http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel...i_rage128.html

I have the Mandrake 8.2 book and found some X instuctions : "as a last resort, if you still can not get X to work, choose CHANGE GRAPHICS CARD, select ULISTED CARD and when prompted on which server, choose FBDev. THIS IS A FAILSAFE OPTION WHICH WORKS WITH ANY MODERN GRAPHICS CARD (sorry about caps)Then choose TEST AGAIN to be sure."
I hope some thing here will put you on the right track, I listed them I the order I'd try. Have a great day Steve