Ubuntu 7.10 on an AMD machine w/ 21 inch CRT

chaznaustx · 03-16-2008, 12:23 PM

I am a NEWBIE at this but I want to learn.
So I decided to install Ubuntu from a friend's suggestion. I opted for a VM installation so I could avoid the boot switch issue and I could toggle between Windows and Linux.
I've never managed to get to the Gnome screen. I get a strange thing where my virtual window jumps and shrinks then does it a few times more then I get an error message that says "The display server has been shut down about 6 times in the last 90 seconds. It is likely that something bad is going on. Waiting for 2 minut4es before trying again on display."
That continues, if I let it.
When I installed Ubuntu I set it to the same resolution I use in Windows 1280 x 1024.
Probably now would be a good time to get that "Linux for Dummies" book.
But any insights would be appreciated.

My Virtual Machine is running through Parallels Workstation software.

Tinkster · 03-16-2008, 12:42 PM

Moved: This thread is more suitable in <UBUNTU> and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

jay73 · 03-16-2008, 12:52 PM

That sounds like your resolution is set too high. VMWare has a similar problem (although it doesn't crash, it just gives you those tiny windows) but it also has a driver package that makes higher resolutions available. I don't know about Parallels.

http://kb.parallels.com/entry/32/568/

danboland · 03-16-2008, 12:57 PM

You should post the Xorg.0.log and that will contain the exact error message you encountered.

Ubuntu should also have a safe mode and be able to boot up vesa driver. try something like 800x600. if thats doesn't work then its the driver or xorg.conf configuration.

Dan

greengrocer · 03-17-2008, 06:59 AM

Or try an older version of Ubuntu. Version 7.10 has totally different version of xorg than the older versions and I have found it is not as reliable with video hardware as say version 6.10

chaznaustx · 03-20-2008, 07:45 PM

Thank you for the responses. Unfortunately the error was in the keyboard operator.
I decided to try KUbuntu to see if it might work and it did and when the display selections came up I realized that I had misread what it was telling me to do. So I had only chosen the maximum display size for my monitor and not any of the options below it.
So I went back and reinstalled the Ubuntu version and did the display choices correctly this time, and it worked fine.

I guess I should remind myself of that age old saying "RTFM" or, in this case, "RTFI".