Problem solved
 

Problem solved.

does your screen blank and/or change resolutions as this is happening? Are you fairly certain that it is the ALSO thing that is hanging the machine, or is it possible that the ALSA line is simply the last thing being done BEFORE the machine hangs?

Sounds to me like the video configuration isn't right.. Try CTRL-ALT-BACKSPACE and see if that takes you to a login prompt. OR, hit CTRL-ALT-Fn using a Fn Function key between 1 and 6, and see if you get a login prompt.

if you do, login as root, and go to the file /var/log/xorg.0.log and look for errors in it (lines starting aith (EE) ) and post any results.

If this is all way off base, and it is definitely ALSA, please let us know.

does your screen blank and/or change resolutions as this is happening?

No, the screen is black and goes along executing each line until it gets to the ALSA line.

Are you fairly certain that it is the ALSO thing that is hanging the machine, or is it possible that the ALSA line is simply the last thing being done BEFORE the machine hangs?

Sorry, the ALSA line is the last line executed then it hangs.

'Ctrl+alt+bkspace' does nothing: only 'ctrl+alt+del' and it reboots the sys.

I will try the 'ctrl+alt+*' 1-6 next.
The machine is my neighbors and I don't know if I'll get to work on it tomorrow yet.

I can log on via the rescue program on the install DVD.
Will look at the /var/log/xorg.0.log also.

Will post results probably day after tomorrow so keep an eye out for it.

Thanks for replying,
dlw

Sounds good..

Note, (just for clarity) that Fn means F1 - F1 right? Not simply numbers 1 thru 6. So like CTRL-ALT-F1 for example.

And:

Me: does your screen blank and/or change resolutions as this is happening?

You: No, the screen is black and goes along executing each line until it gets to the ALSA line.

I meant, "I know the screen is black, and is scrolling up the crap as it loads. I wanted to know if, just as the whole thing hangs and borks up, does the whole screen go black (like EMPTY) first, or does it simply stop scrolling and hang, with the text still on the screen.?

Anyhow, post what you find out, when you can.

My neighbor went to the coast today so will not work on problem today.

The sys comes to a halt with several lines on the screen with the ALSA line being the last.
The screen never goes completely black even after it hangs.

One thing I did notice during installation: during the post-installation summary, when setting the monitor and screen resolution, the ability to test the settings were not present. To my knowledge the ability to test the settings has always been there.

I will be online tomorrow with my laptop (Wxp) while working on the problem.

Will post more tomorrow.

Thanks again,
dlw

Was unable to look at /var/log/Xorg.0.log via the rescue sys. No editor.
ctrl+alt+f1 was the boot screen that halts at ALSA. Also HAL a couple of times.
ctrl+alt+f2 was a blank screen.
ctrl+alt+f3 gave the following;
PCMCIA: probing PCI bus.. not found.
PCMCIA: probing for Intel PCIC (ISA).. not found.
PCMCIA : probing for Databook TCIC-2 (ISA).. not found.
ctrl+alt+f4-f6 were blank screens.

After a while the sys seems to continue but the screen is blank.
It halts at a blank screen as if the xserver is dead.
ctrl+alt+f1-f6 do nothing.
ctrl+alt+bkspace does not restart the xserver
ctrl+alt+del kills the sys.

dlw

Update:
Was able to open /var/log/Xorg.0.log via failsafe.
Several (WW) warnings concerning the screen size pages ????.
Not sure how to describe the problem.

I'm guessing but it seems the xserver may not be working.

dlw

I'm on my WXP lapatop so can not send anything on the Linux box.

Tried installing another graphics card.
Did not work.
Doing a reinstall now.