Installation help.... Black Screen
 

Just tried installing mandrake 9.1 (3 times)

Each time I get the same problem... Install is successful (or so I am told)

When I try to boot into linux, the screen runs through a checklist (rapidly) OK OK OK.... Booting Mandrake 9.1 ...... a few more items and then............BLACK!!!

20 gig HD
Windows XP (dual boot)
Celeron 533mhz Cpu
256 megs RAM
ATI Rage 128 pro


PS ...... Linux Newbie here... so step by step is greatly appreciated

Have you given it a few minutes? When XFree86 is auto-configured is scarily looks like a black screen and can take several minutes.

Good luck,
Andrew

Yes... waited a few minutes, but nothing.... monitor clicks off (similar to power saving in Windoze)

What happens if you Press <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Fn> (n e {1,..,6})?
Does it take you to a full-screen login?

Cheers,
Tink

Ctrl Alt F1..... brings me to a command line login

Cool ... do a ps -A, and if you find
any processes related to X (X, xdm, kdm, gdm)
kill them.

Then run the appropriate drak-tool (no idea
what it's called ;}) ....

If you can't find it, try
XFree86 --configure

or

xf86cfg ... if all else fails, make sure you
know your monitor's capabilities, graphics
card, video ram,, type of mouse and keyboard
and run xf86config ....

Cheers,
Tink

In the installation, did you test the video-monitor configuration toward the end of the installation procedure? If not, you could run the installation procedure again and select 'Upgrade' when prompted. Then you proceed through the installation procedure, making no changes until you get to the Configuration screen. Here, you can check whether the video/monitor setup that the installer has selected for you actually works by using the 'test' function. You could also enter the configuration options for the video card and monitor and see that it has selected the right ones. On my computer, the installer had only selected a generic monitor, whereas I was able to change it to the correct manufacturer and model. It got the video card right, though.

If the 'test' function works, then you should be able to boot into Linux after the installation is completed. If the test function works, but you still can't boot into Linux, then the video-monitor setup is probably not to blame. Have a look at some installation tips here:

http://www.mandrake.tips.4.free.fr/install.html

The BIOS changes are important. For example, PnP OS and Video Shadow Bios settings could be causing your problem.

OK I got it to work...... but only by using the Vesa driver instead of ATI

Unfortunately, looking at the screen gives me a headache (refresh rate sucks)


How can I get my ATI drivers to work?

Mandrake Control Center->Hardware->XServer, click on the 'Graphics card' button, scroll to ATI; click on the little triangle to the left of 'ATI'. This will open up all the available drivers for ATI. Scroll to Rage 128 entries; you will know better which one to pick for your card; I'm not familiar with the differences in those listed. It doesn't seem that your card is supported directly. You could try the 'Rage 128 mobility'; ATI information here:

http://www.ati.com/technology/hardwa.../features.html

says that it is based on the Rage 128 Pro.

Got it ... thanks