That was my first attempt to install Linux and I chose Mandrake (9.2) as it is said to be easy-installing.

Everything was fine until I requested testing of graphical interface; I got something very messy.
Then I did installation without the test - Linux runs well on tty1-6. But when I run startx the same mess appeared.
I tried variations of resolutions, Hz, color depth but nothing helped.

I have: S3 Inc. Savage4 V8.10.23 (16MB), and Super VGA 1280x1024 monitor. I don't know exactly
but the monitor is like an old one. XFree 4.3 (also tried 3.3.6)

Try googling the model# of your monitor with the specs on the back. See if you can find a datasheet with the horizontal and vertical refresh rates listed. Once you find that, run the x configurator again choose to enter those values in. Perhaps you'll see a screen. Sounds like your configuration is asking for something from your hardware that it doesn't want to do.

You have 16 Mb Memory ,its not enough.You can setup linux, but its work as terminal.So you can setup kde and gnome ,but it does not work.You have to upgrade memory.

Not true. I have used KDE and Gnome both with a 4mb s3 virge. If the system memory is 16mb, that would not be good, though.

Actually, come to think of it, I used the built-in video for my IBM for an x-server once. It was 2mb(256 colors, though)

Maybe you can try another "lightweight" window manager? like IceVM (can't remember the exact name ).

Please note that estod doesn't even have the chance to have a problem with a window manager. This is an "X" problem. Without an Xserver working, KDE and Gnome are irrelevant.


estod: Your best bet so far is to find out the horiz and vert refresh rates for your monitor and start with that. If you're able to log in without a graphical interface, you can at least have a chance to fix it. If it boots to graphics, try ctrl+alt+F2 and see if you can get to a console. Log in as root and see if you can fix it again. You can use XFdrake if you want. Or, you can fire up a text editor and fix the file yourself. If you can post the specs of your monitor as well, that would be great. Deosn't matter about the age of your monitor. 4.3 is almost always a better choice. I wish I had known about LQ when I was trying to set up X the first time (I might have actually liked Red Hat - the first distro I tried to install - had I got it to work back then)

Those who know thier stuff please go over this.

I was told in the past if I was having trouble getting to graphical mode at install to choose the "vesa" driver. Then I could have the basics at least and try to further troubleshoot from within a desktop. It worked for me.

<EDIT>
Thanks for taking the tme to go over that in your post below vectordrake. It really helps me to have things described in plain english.

You are right. That is the driver that will apply to your graphics card, though. I think that estod's card is supported reasonably well, but what is holding it back is the monitor.

If you feed it the wrong values, you can even fry it. I'll give you an example. My monitor is a 17" KDS "Visual Sensations" model VS-7i. This monitor can reach a maximum of 1280x1024@60hz. It happens to be in the database, so its a snap for me to install it. However, I have another older monitor that I had to enter the values manually. Since I got used to that, I have done it from then on. This is all you need to get a monitor to work:

1)horizontal sync rate(s): mine is set to 30-70 #its a multisync, like most svga and newer are these days. If this is set too high, your monitor can actually fry, or at least shut down or display wavy lines like crazy (sound familiar???)
2)vertical refresh rate: mine is set to 50-120 #as that's what the XFdrake set it to - it actually can do 50-160, but I haven't bothered setting, as it works this way.
3)a resolution setting that the monitor can handle. If your default setting is 1280x1024 and your monitor cannot accept that setting, it won't work (but X will usually just crash if this is so). If the monitor being used has a few known resolutions, try to be sure they are in the list.

So, the answer is yes, if the driver is not listed for the s3 card in question, use vesa to get going

Thanks vectordrake; it was only about horiz.&cert. refresh rates, resolution
aspects to consider for me (fool I am)- now it is OK!!!

Now, another trouble: Gnome!!!
While installation I chose only IceWM as desktop manager or environment(I don't really know exact meanings of such words). Later, I installed Gnome by Software Package Installation. It seemed well during installation - a successful completion was reported. But I couldn't run Gnome anyway!

I tried changing /etc/sysconfig/desktop file (setting values to GDM), started X by "startx gdm", issued commands on prompt like gnome, gnome-session.
But nothing appeared like Gnome - only my IceWM.

Can you access your Mandrake Control Center? It should be available to you in the menu under 'system', perhaps listed as 'configure your computer'. You can change a few things with it, like your bootup and desktop manager.

Do you have a desktop manager running aleady? (graphical login prompt)

Yes, I can access MCC and I remember things like boot but not desktop manager. So I will try again with MCC.

Desktop manager is running - it has only login window(user,passwd) and anything else like Session, System, Language.

P.S. I haven't Internet connection on my computer, so I may be late in my responses.

Is it mdkkdm? The mandrake-specific version of kdm? It has a box for you to click with your user and then it prompts you for your password on another 'screen'? If so, see if Gnome is one of the choices for you to use. Try to log in just like that. It should work. I have a choice between KDE,IceWM(which I don't like as much - too rigid), Windowmaker, and XFCE. I can log in to any, so its possible.

No it is not mdkkdm since user and password are requested on the same screen. And I haven't any choices to make, only user-passwd window is there. Logging in gives me IceWM.