No console display when new kernel boots
 

i hope somebody can help.

I've compiled and installed a new kernel on a Slackware 10.1 distribution with kernel 2.4.29. I'm using lilo to select the kernel (as default) but when it boots i lose the console display (ie. no boot progress information and no console login prompt). I can telnet into the machine ok, but can not login from the console (as no display).

The default kernel boots ok (complete with console display and login information) and uses the funky penguin logo at the top of the screen - could this be anything to do with it? Or something to do with a video card?

Any advice appreciated! This is getting annoying...

Thanks!

Did you use the old config to compile the new kernel? Don't take compiling lightly, it's a delicate process.

You have to compile the framebuffer and enable at least VESA compatible graphic card fot the framebuffer to have a safe fallback in case you mess up and select the wrong options. If you are such a freak (like me) login without the screen and startx. It should get you into X. Just give the computer enough time so you are sure that the login prompt is waiting for your input :)

I am having the eact same problem with a RedHat 9 box that I just tried to update to kernel 2.6.11.7

I had the same problem, mine was sorted by booting back into my old kernel, looking at lilo.conf and changing the line:


vga=791

to

vga=normal

This did the trick. Oh, it is on Knoppix 3.7.

Hope this helps

Hong

phollow,

I went thru some webpages last night and came up with a revised procedure for my upgrade attempt, and I got past the "blank screen" problem.

The steps I went thru in order were:

extracting the kernel to /usr/src/linux-2.6.11.7

make mrproper

make menuconfig (picked all my options, in video only selected framebuffer, VESA, generic VGA and Radeon)

make dep

make bzImage

make modules

make modules_install

make install

lilo -L

then rebooted!

I am getting some other errors, but getting past the blank screen was encouraging!

I'm not sure how this would translate from RedHat to Slackware, but I hope this gives you some info.


G.

I wonder why they don't enable the framebuffer stuff by default

I have a server with a monochrome 14" monitor and with a framebuffer I can't read the screen. I'm happy they don't set fb as a default ;)

Thank you very much, Hong!

The change of vga=xxx to vga=normal in lilo.conf did the trick nicely!

Thanks once again!

phollow

Hey glad to know I could help...;)