I'm putting together a server out of old pc parts with the intention of making it into a server that runs Slackware in the console (no X session). I'm not sure what's wrong with this pc (it's a 500 MHz K-7 with 512 MB RAM) since I don't get any video when it boots. The motherboard doesn't have integrated video and I'm using an AGP Diamond Video card. I've used 2 different PSUs and swapped the memory around with no success...the video worked fine 2 days ago but unfortunately the hard drive that is in there won't boot and ends with a kernel panick (Slackware 12 was installed on the drive while it was in a Pentium 3).

Is there anyway I can use the installed Slackware on the hard drive or can I install Slackware over my home network?

At what point in the boot process do you get the kernel panic message on the console? What is the message? Can you boot do single-user mode? Boot to CDROM?

Well, I can only go from my memory of what it did a couple days ago when I had video. After the lilo screen it found the kernel and started booting up Slack 12....after about 15 seconds it stopped and said:

kernel panic

All the keyboard lights were blinking and I did not have control of the keyboard....all I could do was press the power button for a couple minutes to power down.

Also, this pc won't boot the Slackware 12 cd. I was told in another forum that it's because I have an old motherboard (basically). It was booting a Slax cd ok, though.

I'm wondering if the entire motherboard is shot...can I salvage this and use it in ssh?

EDIT: I did try 2 other video cards with the same result (1 was AGP and 1 was PCI). I also have tried the LCD monitor on my other pc and it works fine.

I would go through the BIOS settings - maybe even reset the BIOS to default and check ALL of the settings. Remove all cards except for your memory, CPU and video card. Check that the jumpers are correct on your drive(s). If it's one ATA drive on a channel and the drive is jumpered to auto, change it to master. Download the knoppix image and make a bootable CDROM and try to boot from that so you can mount up the disk(s) and take a look in /var/log for some clues.

Just a few things to try. I would be very conscientious of the drive jumper setting thing.

My monitor never gets a signal from the motherboard so I cannot get to the BIOS settings. The only responses I get are that my PSU fan powers up with the CPU fan and my keyboard lights momentarily light up to signal a keyboard check.

Perhaps the motherboard is bad?

Ok. It sounds like, at least at this point, you're not getting it to post (beep, beeps, etc.). I suggest you strip it down to just your motherboard, CPU, PS, 1 stick of RAM, video card and your keyboard. Disconnect everything else (drives, PCI cards, etc.). If you have two sticks of RAM try swapping those so that you've tried it with each alone. You want to see if you can get it to post.