64 Bit Problem? Or Graphic Card Problem?
 

Dear Friends,

Since I have this built-up computer, I am experiencing some strange problems. Here are some of them:

1 - I tried to install Debian Linux v.5 several times. Right at the beginning of the installation, I was disabled and not able to click on the "Next" or "Ok" icons because the window was too large and those icons were out of my screen (Monitor) range. I suspect my video card?

2 - I also tried to install Knoppix v.6 and then v.5. The screen went horizontal stripes and frozen.

3 - I also can not install some of my translator and marine softwares because I have 64 bit operating system. (That is what the message says)

Now I know you will want to know my computer's specs. Here they are as per my best knowledge:

Processor: Intel Pentium Dual CPU 2.2 GHz.
Memory: 2 GB.
System Type: 64 Bit Operating System.
Monitor: Acer 17".
Graphic Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7100.

But isn't 64 Bit OS supposed to accomodate 32 Bit based softwares? I am even considering degrading this pc down to 32 bit OS. I don't really know what to do . . .

I am using $$$ 7 now, for the last 7 months after using Ubuntu Linux and Mint Linux for about 5 years, almost continuously. I never wanted to go back to $$$ OS but because I couldn't run my marine softwares, I had to switch back to $$$ OS. It didn't make me very happy, but I forced myself for a long time, I tried Wine, but I gave up :-(.

I wish Wine had improved more so as to let us use our softwares efficiently. And that will be the day of Linux era and victory.

I will appreciate your valuable helps.

Capt. Serdal

Well, I also suspect something about the video card. Specifically, I suspect that the driver being used does not work correctly with that video card. This does not mean that the card does not work, but some playing around with drivers may be required to get it working.

Incidentally, Debian 5 is a bit old by now; is there any reason that you didn't try Debian 6 or testing or Sid? There has got to be a chance that these would work where 5 wouldn't.

Knoppix is usually pretty good with hardware detection; there may be magic incantations that you can give at boot time that cure the problem, but at this point, my usual approach is to try a few live CDs (DVDs) to see if there is a 'just avoid the problem' approach; this is a bit like wimping out, but it may be easier. And anyway, if something does work, it is always interesting to see which drivers it used to do it.

Whatever....

Do you mean that this is a self-build computer, or do you mean that is is from an established brand? In any case, is there a possibility of a set-up error in the BIOS? And when you say 'some strange problems' do you mean that there are other problems that may be relevant that you aren't telling us about?

You should be able to move the window around by simultaneously pressing the Alt key and the left mouse button and moving the mouse. My monitor is always mis-autodetected, and I sometimes need this trick when installing a new distro. Once installed, I create a custom xorg.conf file with the necessary info to force my graphics card to utilize my monitors native 1680x1050 resolution.

You might check to see if your video card needs firmware to operate, (just a suggestion), There are a lot of cards out there made for windoz that do require it. kind of like the silly winmodem game.

Cheers

After following everybody else's advice, read this.



You can't use a 64-bit operating system on a 32-bit processor. It'd be great to know more specs about the processor.

Dear Salasi, I am downloading Debian Linux v.6 now. Once it is done, I will try it and will let you know the result. The screen (Monitor) didn't show the entire Debian installation window. That was the strange problem.

Dear Rock Doctor, I will definitely use tghe Alt + Left click on the mouse when trying Debian Linux v.6 in case if I experience the same problem.

Dear Rcbpage, I will ask the computer repairers about the card which, apparently, is not completely recognizing somethings during the installation, and this is worse in Knoppix installation.

Dear The Russian, I will also ask the technicians if my processor is actually 32 or 64 bits.

Do you know if Knoppix has already distributed a new version such as v.7?

Thank you all very much for your precious time. I will continue updating you.

Very Best Regards . . .

Capt. Serdal