some good suggestions but not really solved.

I have tried to install from a Salix XCFE live, Salix KDE and Fluxbox install CD's and all have failed in some way. The Live Cd wouldn't even run and both install CDs (I made multiple attempte with both) either just froze during installation (Default kernel) or completed the install using the huge.s kernel. My problem comes in the form of Lilo. I tried the default settings and the advanced settings where I choose what is booted. in both instances everything went fine until the very end when I get an error message saying Lilo can't determine what video driver/resolution? to use. I have tried to save the error message and I was informed it's in etc/fstab file somewhere in my install but I can't find it. I can boot using a antiX live cd and look around somewhat but that's as far as I can get. I can also boot using a Boot repair disc that uses Grub.

I am installing on an old 2000ish Pentium 3 800mhz, 128mb ram, 20Gb hdd Sager.
It is Partitioned as follows: (rough sizes)

/dev/sda1 4Gb Windowz 2000
/dev/sda2 ext4 6Gb / (Salix)
/dev/sda3 extended 10Gb
/dev/sda4 ext4 5Gb /usr
/dev/sda5 ext4 4Gb /home
/dev/sda6 1Gb Swap

I also can choose the correct vesa driver and resolution if given the list. I don't remember right off but it is around 1280x1024x65.

I believe antiX is also Slackware based too. Is there info in the live CD I can use to get my Salix running?

Maybe Grub? IDK.

I think if given instructions on what to get and post accompanied by the correct command line I can transfer the results to a working computer to post. Also, I have a working Install on a newer laptop if that makes any difference,

Thank you all

You are probably overdriving your monitor. can try to pass the correct parameters at boot to the kernel via adding You should also set "vga=ask" or if you know the correct framebuffer settings use those. remember you need to re-run lilo after editing lilo.conf before rebooting (assuming you can get to the bootloader files).

On an oldsystem like that you are probably probably always going to have issues with your video - your best bet is to start it text only and then initiate the desktop manually (via "startx"). This goes for install too - you are likely goingto have an easier time installing from the textmode or "alternate" install CD (not familiar with your distro). I have a pentium 3 too.

I am installing from a standard install (not live) CD. Once I get to the lilo.conf I'll see what I can do. I don't know how to set "vga=ask" or to append the video but it may be self explanatory once I see the .conf file.

The only Salixes that will work in 128MB are the LXDE and Fluxbox ones. If you install from a live CD, you'll be able to see what video setting works.

AntiX (Icewm) is an installer for Mepis, which is Debian-based. It's the lighest off-the-disk system, and will even do web-browsing and word-processing in 64MB. You can encrypt /home after installation, which is obviously a good idea for a laptop.

ZorinOS Light (LXDE) is Ubuntu based and you can encrypt /home at installation.

Swift (Icewm) is a rolling-release based on Debian Testing. It will run in 128MB and recommends a Pentium II. You do need a swap partition for the installer to run.

See my reviews on this site for more information.

For help on lilo.conf or lilo, use the man pages. you can also search google for "man lilo.conf" or "man linuxcommand" - they are all published online either at die.net linuxdocs.org or tldp.org. I don't know about salix, never used it, so you may want to heed McCann's advice and look into a slimmer distro. I will say that grub is much easier to configure, edit and recover than lilo IMO. Good luck.

Thanks all but I am starting from scratch and doing a fresh install with a Salix Fluxbox install CD. I'll be making notes along the way just in case it goes wrong. Hopefully I won't be back with a similar issue. I appreciate everyone's time and effort in helping me.

Thank you.