New kernel works however the console is blank until startx

okos · 03-31-2008, 10:02 PM

Hi
I have slackware. The default login for slackware is in console or command line. Then startx for kde.

Well, I can't see the console. I am able to login and startx without seeing anything. I recompiled the kernel 4 times and still cant figure out what I am missing.

Do you guys have any clues what I missed?

okos

Xian · 04-01-2008, 12:04 AM

Try and edit / change in /etc/lilo.conf value vga to 0.

okos · 04-01-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xian

Try and edit / change in /etc/lilo.conf value vga to 0.

Thanks for the reply but I don't think that is the problem.
I setup in lilo.conf the option to either boot with the original huge kernel from slackware where almost every driver is included, or my new kernel. Both are booting the same partition just different kernels. Everything works when I boot with the original huge kernel.

lilo.conf

Code:

# LILO configuration file
# generated by 'liloconfig'
LBA32
#
# Start LILO global section
boot = /dev/hdc
#compact        # faster, but won't work on all systems.
prompt
timeout = 300
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
vga = 773
# Normal VGA console
# vga = normal
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x64k
# vga=791
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x32k
# vga=790
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
# vga=773
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x64k
# vga=788
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x32k
# vga=787
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x256
# vga=771
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x64k
# vga=785
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x32k
# vga=784
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x256
# vga=769
# ramdisk = 0     # paranoia setting
# End LILO global section
# Linux bootable partition config begins
#image = /boot/vmlinuz
#  root = /dev/hdc6
#  label = Slack
#  read-only  # Partitions should be mounted read-only for checking

image = /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24.3
root = /dev/hdc6
label = Slack-2.6.24.3

image = /boot/vmlinuz-huge-smp-2.6.21.5-smp
  root = /dev/hdc6
  label = Slack2.6.21.5
  read-only  # Partitions should be mounted read-only for checking

# Linux bootable partition config ends


# Windows bootable partition config begins
other = /dev/hdc1
  label = XP
#  map-drive = 0x80
#   to = 0x81
#  map-drive = 0x81
#   to = 0x80
  table = /dev/hdc
# Windows bootable partition config ends

Im guessing that it has something to do with the video driver. But I am not sure.
I have a Dell inspiron 5150 with nvidia video. FYI I have not install the downloaded nvidia on my system yet. I know it has to be reinstalled with the new kernel so I did not install it at all. I am only using the generic video driver. Once again, startx works just not bootup console.

Any help would be much appreciated.

okos · 04-01-2008, 11:22 PM

vga=0 does work but the characters are huge and I cant read everything.
This is only a work around. Since the distro kernel works fine, there must be something wrong with the kernel I built. I enabled all of the graphics support but it still did not work when I recompiled.

I appreciate some help here.