Hello, I'm new to Linux and figured the best way to try it out would be to start with a USB boot version of Linux. I chose Knoppix v5.1.1. Everything seemed to be working until after the first screen, when it starts to check all devices and drivers etc. My screen goes blank. Nothing happens from there. I've tried typing knoppix screen=1280x1024 and that didn't work. I know that it works because I was able to boot successfully on a Dell Latitude D620 laptop. I've checked all over google for some help and have found nothing.
Any help would much be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Computer Specs:
Dell XPS700
NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS
Dell 2007 WFP Monitor (1680x1050)
Windows Vista Business 64 bit
Intel Dual core 3.00GHz
4g of Ram

I would personally stay away from USB boot disks simply because they can be a hassle to boot from.

If your screen goes blank after the POST (power on self-test) routine, I would disconnect all USB devices and restart. If this does not work, try tweaking the BIOS.

During the POST press del, F1, or F10 (this varies from computer to computer, look at the bottom of the screen for something like "press DEL to enter setup". Find the menu for boot sequence, and change the list to make USB-HDD first, CD-ROM second, and HDD 0 third. (You don't have to use this exact configuration).

Also, try a a "JumpDrive Secure" from Lexar Media. when these disks are plugged in, Windows recognizes it as a Hard disk, instead of a removible disk

If all of the above fail, download the Live Knoppix image and burn it to a CD-RW disk, so you will not have to toss away a CD-R disk each time a new version of Knppix is introduced.

I would personally stay away from USB boot disks simply because they can be a hassle to boot from.

If your screen goes blank after the POST (power on self-test) routine, I would disconnect all USB devices and restart. If this does not work, try tweaking the BIOS.

During the POST press DEL, F1, or F10 (this varies from computer to computer, look at the bottom of the screen for something like "press DEL to enter setup". Find the menu for boot sequence, and change the list to make USB-HDD first, CD-ROM second, and HDD 0 third. (You don't have to use this exact configuration).

Also, try a a "JumpDrive Secure" from Lexar Media. when these disks are plugged in, Windows recognizes it as a Hard disk, instead of a removible disk

If all of the above fail, download the Live Knoppix image and burn it to a CD-RW disk, so you will not have to toss away a CD-R disk each time a new version of Knppix is introduced.

Try these boot codes in order. Let us know if any worked for you.

1. boot: knoppix vga=0
2. boot: knoppix acpi=off pnpbios=off noapic noapm Helpful for laptops
3. boot: knoppix vga=0 debug -b 3 Using this boot command will cause Knoppix to pause at various stages in the boot process. Just type 'exit' at each shell prompt to move on to the next stage. You will know that you are at the final stage when typing 'exit' does not do anything. If you get that far, type 'init 5' to go into graphics mode.
4. boot: failsafe debug -b 3 That will do the same as the previous boot command, except turn off most of the hardware detection.

I copied this from the web, I'm not this smart.

Good luck...

David

If you are using a laptop, or LCD monitor, use the framebuffer boot option.

Could you be more specific about a framebuffer option before I try any of the recommended solutions on this post. I'm using a 20inch Dell Widescreen Flat panel also. Thanks again.

Well I was able to start up Knoppix successfully on my Dell XPS700 using the boot command vga=0. Now my only complaint is that everything seems very sluggish and laggy. Not too bad but enough to notice. Any ideas?

Try the toram option, then all of knoppix will run in ram. The problem is most likely that you aren't using nvidia's drivers. I'm not sure if knoppix includes them or not. Try this...

http://www.knoppix.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10329

Also, if you are a little short on ram, like less than 1.5 gigs, you might want to try loading knoppix with a different desktop. The cheat code is desktop=fluxbox or whatever desktop you want to use.

Good luck..

David