Hi everyone, I tried a few forums so far but I hope someone here can help me or refer to someone or a post with a similar situation.

I got a new hard drive and I installed window$ first and then Linux Mandrake 9.1 just like i did the last time i installed them both. Now I choose linux in the (LILO) boot menu and as it loads into graphics and network mode it shows the desktop for a second or two and then goes back to text mode and then shows the graphics again (I just see blue background and mouse) and back to text again. The screen changes a bit more, but I can see that it goes into graphics mode after "dm" is loaded (not sure what it stands for). Anyway, i booted failsafe and used linuxconf and all that to change everything like it was on the old one and I cant get it to boot properly. I had this problem before but what solved it last time doesnt work now.

I tried running startx
Here is exactly what I get after it throws me into console mode:
..root]# startx

xauth:creating new authority file /root.Xauthority
xauth:creating new authority file /root.Xauthority
using authority file /root.Xauthority
writing authority file /root.Xauthority
using authority file /root.Xauthority
writing authority file /root.Xauthority

Xfree86 version 4.40
... (some version stuff)
build date: 12 march 2003
Module loader present
Markers: (--)Probed, (**)From config file,(==)default setting, ... (NI)not implemented, (??)unknown.
(==)Log file: "/var/log/Xfree86.0.log", time: Tue Sep 30 20:50:56 2003
(==)Using config file: "/etc/x11/xf86config-4"
Using vt 7

Waiting for X server to shut down

root]# _

Yeah maybe I should also mention that the first time i get X loading i see the cursor and the desktop for 2 seconds. Then black. Then It flickers FOUR times, and i end up at the text console. Might give you a clue about whats happening.

Help! Thats what I need...

bummmpppp !!! HELP!!!!!!!!!! MEeeeee ahhhhhhhhhhhhh..... ah...!

" i see the cursor and the desktop for 2 seconds. Then black. Then It flickers FOUR times, and i end up at the text console."

I have had these symptoms before. It means that something basic in X is failing and X retries several times before giving up.

Once I had the problem when I had the wrong version of png lib installed. The other time I had /etc/X11/XF86Config configured wrong.

Since you have just installed Mandrake the first thing I would try is to reconfigure /etc/X11/XF86Config, however that is done on Mandrake.

well i would love to reconfigure it but if anyone would tell me if there is a text-based editor that i can use in the text mode terminal?
I know everything in graphics mode but now, i'm helpless

Can anyone tell me how to reconfigure this ? Or any other hint!??!

*whine!*

"if there is a text-based editor that i can use in the text mode terminal? "

You may have vi installed.

I notice that the error message says that X Window is using /etc/x11/xf86config-4. The first thing to check in that file is the video card setup and the monitor setup. Perhaps you have the screen set to the wrong size or something like that.

You could also try xf86cfg,has to be started as root.This should take you into a graphical setup but in safe mode.

Lachlan

also
XFdrake
mandrake's tool for configuring the graphic card. You have to be root to start it.