Hey,

I have no experience with Linux and have just converted from windows, however installed Mandriva 2007 and went through the process which seemed to be successfully.
When the computer boots it brings up a blue screen as it boots and eventually comes to a screen with Mandriva at the bottom right (black and grey screen).
At the top it shows:
Mandriva Linux release 2007.0 (official) for i586
Kernel 2.6.17-mdv on an i586 / tty1
localhost login:

I log in the details that I did at set up and then the screen reads:
Last login: Fri Jan 25 09:43:29 on tty1
[steve@localhost ]$

from this point I cannot work out what I am to do. Have I done something wrong in the installation etc?
Hope some one is able to help a realy beginner.

THANKS IN ADVANCE
Wato

Hmm, it sounds as if your xorg.conf file wasn't (properly) configured so the system fails to bring up a GUI. Have you got any idea about the type of videocard in your computer? ATI?

I've no experiance with mandriva, so I can't say if that's normal. What I can tell you is, you're looking at a CLI (Command Line Interface). To get to a GUI, try typing "startx" without the quotes, and press enter.

yeah, as Chris.C said, type 'starx' and if it brings you any errors, post them here, it will also point to a log file where more detailed description lies. Post it as well.

If the GUI does come up, then you need to change the default runlevel. It's in the file /etc/inittab

hth

Thanks,

I typed "startx" and it went through the following process and for a short time the screen want blank. I am not sure how I can check what graphics card is installed (its a laptop).

Screen shows:
xauth: creating new authority file /home/steve/.serverauth.4706

X Window System Version 7.1.1
Release Date: 12 May 2006
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0, Release 7.1.1
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.17-4mdv i686
Current Operating System: Linux localhost2.6.17-5mdv #1 SMP Wed Sep 13 14:32:31 EDT 2006 i686
Build Date:17 September 2006
Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
to make sure that you have the latest version.
Module Loader Present
Module Markers: (--)probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting, (++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational, (WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log File: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Sat Jan 26 02:02:48 2008
(==) Using config file: "/etc/x11/xorg.config"
Using vt 7
(EE)AIGLX: DRI module not loaded
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
>Warning: Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
> Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the x server
Synaptics DeviceInit called
SynapticsCtrl called.
Synaptics DeviceOn called
Synaptics Device Off called

waiting for X server to shut down

[steve@localhost ~]$


- Sorry for the long post thought I should put all the display on there as I have obviously set something up incorrectly.

Thanks in advance
Wato

Log in as root (type su -) and then type lspci .

Mandriva has a special utility to configure graphics that is called XFDrake. While you're logged in as root, you may as well give it a try (just type XFDrake). However, you'll need to know which video card you have as it will ask you a few questions.