MAndrake Screen Colours on Boot Problem

columbo1977 · 07-21-2007, 03:39 PM

Hi

I am new to Linux and need some help,

I have installed Mandrake 9.1 and when I boot to the computer the logon screen is unrecodnisable all I can see is different colours.

If i boot into Failsafe mode I can see the screen just fine.

I have tried changing the resolution and nothing seems to let me see the desktop properly.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Columbo

{BBI}Nexus{BBI} · 07-21-2007, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbo1977

Hi

I am new to Linux and need some help,

I have installed Mandrake 9.1 and when I boot to the computer the logon screen is unrecodnisable all I can see is different colours.

If i boot into Failsafe mode I can see the screen just fine.

I have tried changing the resolution and nothing seems to let me see the desktop properly.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Columbo

Try using the vesa driver. At the login screen do: Alt/Ctrl & F1 type root enter root password then type XFdrake and change your graphic card driver to vesa. That should at least give you a 'legible' display.

columbo1977 · 07-21-2007, 07:29 PM

Hi

When the computer starts all i can see is a screen full of colours, pressing the buttons you said doesnt seem to do anything, I can see anything on the screen, the only way for me to get in is to start the computer on failsafe mode?

Any other idesas?

Thanks

Columbo1977

{BBI}Nexus{BBI} · 07-21-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbo1977

Hi

When the computer starts all i can see is a screen full of colours, pressing the buttons you said doesnt seem to do anything, I can see anything on the screen, the only way for me to get in is to start the computer on failsafe mode?

Any other idesas?

Thanks

Columbo1977

You can do the procedure in failsafe mode, then type: reboot to restart your computer.

Is there any particular reason as to why you are running such an old version of Mandriva? Consider running a newer version which may have better support for your graphics card.

ernie · 07-22-2007, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by {BBI}Nexus{BBI}

Consider running a newer version which may have better support for your graphics card.

This is the best advise you could receive. Mandrake 9.1 is no longer supported. Security patches and bug fixes are no longer being released. I find it surprising that it will successfully boot up unless your computer is nearly as old as it is. You may find that you get better results using the current release - Mandriva Linux 2007.1 (Spring).

As a side note, Mandrake merged with Conectiva around 2005 and changed their name to Mandriva (reflecting the merger).

columbo1977 · 07-22-2007, 07:01 AM

Hi Guys

I was using that one as it was the one I had handy and the computer would not stratup with Unbuntu for some reason, Following your advise I have started downloading the 2007 version.

The computer is

Pentium III 1Ghz
256mb Ram

Thanks

ernie · 07-22-2007, 11:20 PM

Should work OK. Post back and let us know how it goes

.

columbo1977 · 07-23-2007, 01:25 AM

I am having trouble installing it, it keeps crashing either on the partition part or it starts installing then crashes half wa through saying something about problem with the packages?

it is ok to run on a 1ghz 256mb system it only has a 15gb hdd as well??

Thanks for the help so far.

miclem · 07-23-2007, 02:25 AM

Should be. Are you adding the repositories prior to installation at the Add Media stage? If so, don't. Just stick with the basic installation media (i.e the dvd) - when I tried adding repositories (with 5gb of root partition to play with) the installer returned with the "not enough room" message. Repositories were added fine after installation & update. Mandriva should find the desktop & packages that are best suited to the amount of free space & hardware you have.

{BBI}Nexus{BBI} · 07-23-2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbo1977

I am having trouble installing it, it keeps crashing either on the partition part or it starts installing then crashes half wa through saying something about problem with the packages?

it is ok to run on a 1ghz 256mb system it only has a 15gb hdd as well??

Thanks for the help so far.

It sounds like a corrupt dvd. I reccommend you re-burn another dvd, this time do it at the slowest speed available. As you are a first-time user I also reccommend you start out with PClinuxOS available here: http://www.pclinuxos.com/

Advantages being:

1. It runs from the cd.
2. You can simply click the icon on the desktop to install it to the hard drive.
3. It's very similar to using Mandriva.

It's great to use

Once you are more familiar with the workings of Linux you are still free to choose any of the other distro's to install.