Trying to install 6.0.6 and all I get is a garbled screen

Astro · 02-01-2013, 06:30 AM

I'm trying to do a graphical install of 6.0.6 and I get a garbled screen when it starts the installer. I'm assuming I just need to pass some video options on boot, but I'm not sure what I need here. I tried booting and installing slackware, which installed fine in text mode, when it boots up for the first time I get a black screen. So I'm pretty sure it's a video issue... but I did try the onboard card and an Nvidia PCI card too and got the same results. Any ideas? (Here's some photo evidence of the Deb install)

TobiSGD · 02-01-2013, 07:04 AM

This looks like the video drivers are not able to set the correct screen resolution and/or refresh rate. Try it with the boot option

Code:

video=1024x768@60

This will tell the driver to use the resolution 1024x768 with a refresh rate of 60 Hertz. Of course you can adapt that to your needs, but if you are unsure just use these values, pretty much any monitor should be able to display that.

Astro · 02-01-2013, 07:11 AM

Rgr that. I'll have time tonight to really sit down and play with it and I'll try setting the video mode. I didn't have a whole lot of time for investigation last night but I at least managed to snap the photo.

Astro · 02-01-2013, 03:46 PM

Hitting tab and changing the graphical install line to 1024x768@60 boots to a blank screen like the slack install.

TobiSGD · 02-01-2013, 04:56 PM

What exactly have you changed? Normally it comes down to just add the option, not changing anything.
Alternatively you can try to add the nomodeset option, but this can prevent the graphical system from starting.
If you have Slackware installed with the default Lilo configuration, just hit the Tab key when Lilo shows the menu and enter Linux video=1024x768@60 into the prompt, this should start the installed Slackware with that resolution.

descendant_command · 02-01-2013, 05:04 PM

Or you could just use the text installer.

TobiSGD · 02-01-2013, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by descendant_command

Or you could just use the text installer.

Of course, but most likely the problem will appear again when the system is installed. But it may probaly be easier to find a solution in that case.

Astro · 02-02-2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by descendant_command

Or you could just use the text installer.

Text installer doesn't work either... Here is what I've tried this morning.

Debian 6.0.6 DVD

##########################
#Integrated Graphics Card#
##########################
Install - Garbled screen
Graphic Install - Garbled Screen

#At this point I booted to the menu and hit tab to edit the boot options... changed the following parameters...
Install (vga=ask) - Garbled Screen
Graphic Install (video=1024x768@60 vga=ask) - Garbled screen
Install (video=1024x768@60 vga=ask) - Screen doesn't seem to change, discolors

Astro · 02-02-2013, 09:06 AM

Second try with integrated video...

Install (Removed vga=788) - Grey screen, white cursor flashing with unreadable garbage down left side of screen
Graphical Install (Removed vga=788) - Same as above
Graphical Install (Removed video=vesa:ywrap,mtrr) - Garbled Screen

Install (video=1024x768@60, removed vga=788, removed -- quiet) - Hangs after "Booting the kernel.f to disable...ok" with blinking cursor (No USB on keyboard/mouse)

Astro · 02-02-2013, 09:21 AM

The hardware is a Shuttle K45 btw...

fatmac · 02-18-2013, 05:38 AM

Maybe try one of these, as your graphics card looks like it needs non-free firmware :-

http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/un...ding-firmware/

cynwulf · 02-18-2013, 08:16 AM

I doubt it's related to firmware?

According to a few searches, the Shuttle K45 uses the Intel GMA 950 - as far as I know they do not require proprietary firmware, unless something has changed.

You will probably get working text mode (console) if you pass nomodeset to the kernel, but x server will not start.

It may be the case that your best option here is to install wheezy.

fatmac · 02-18-2013, 08:33 AM

My ATI graphics wouldn't work, not even text, until I ran a >= 3.5 kernel, so presumed it was that causing the problem, maybe it was just a newer graphics driver, but it worked after using one of those discs.

cynwulf · 02-18-2013, 09:07 AM

Yes that's normal, the xf86-video-radeon driver requires the AMD/ATI proprietary firmware blob, the intel and nouveau drivers do not require any firmware.