First I tried to install mandrake linux and all it gave me was a prompt. Now im trying to install Elx Linux cause they said theyd make the transition from windows easy. anyways its just a black screen on bootup. What do i dos? Im running a Compaq 900mhz Pentium 3, wit a S3 ProSavage graphics card and a Samtron 77v monitor. Any ideas besides by a new video card?

That prompt is linux..

to get into X, type startx..

You may want to read up on Linux before using it. There is lots of documentation online. Just do a search on Linux at google or check out www.tldp.org

I also edited your thread, we try to make the threads here specific to the problem your having as it helps members determine if they can answer your questions or not.

As I said before elx linux freezes on startup and dosnt even give me a prompt. In mandrake linux I tried startx and it gave me an error. Ill check out the webstie you gave me but do you have anymore advice?

If you got errors when trying to startx, then most likely it didn't configure X properly. Check out www.xfree86.org and see if the hardware your using is compatible, like your video and monitor. Or post it here and we should be able to let you know.

Also, try to get the errors posted here as it helps too.

LOL, as i said before....... my video card is a S3 proSavage (Its not posted on Xfree86.org) and a 77v samtron. I only have elx linux installed right now which just gives me a black screen on startup. Ive heard something about my video card having problems and how to fix it but at the time I wasnt to interested in linux and now i cant find where i read it at the time. It sux.

Ill gladly install a different type of Linux to fix this. So if anyone knows a linux thatll work or a linux that there using that will be easy to explain how to fix so it works ill gladly install taht linux. I have cable so its not hard to download a linux distro.

Get a Gforce, all your problems will be solved Also Mandrake defaults into X when you start it. You shouldnt get a command line if your install went smoothly.

The information you seek might be found at http://www.xfree86.org/4.1.0/Status28.html#28

do a search on this site for Trio64 and a few other items might be brought out for you.

The version of X you are using can and does make a difference.

Sorry I cant offer you more than this but I am resolving a simular issue myself.

Here is what worked for me.

SuperProbe reportedmy card as an S3 Trio32/64 with 1 meg ram memory.
I couldnt get but a half screen (320x300).
From a root command line I entered "XFree86 -configure".
This created a file in my /root folder called XF86Config.new .
Next I typed in "XFree86 -config /root/XF86Config.new"
It gave me a distorted X screen that the monitor couldn't sync with. I hit (ctrl+alt+nmpd+) to cycle through the different resolutions in the config file and bang it worked. I could only get 1024x768 to work but it was a useable display for web browsing. Knowing that It would work (for me), I decided to make this file the default.
Then, as root, I passed the command "cp /root/XF86Config.new /etc/X11/XF86Config-4" . I used the -4 because I am using the XFree86-4.0.2 server not 3.x.x . All commands are passed sans quotes.
Your mileage may vary. My Bios settings (F1at boot) for the card made no difference for 640x480 or 800x600. But 1024x768 was set to 43 Hz Interlaced, since it worked I didnt fiddle with it. You might post back any results you experience.