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Can't boot into linux - graphics prob?

Hey guys! I was told to try and ask on the mepis forums to see if anyone can help me! :newbie:

Basically, I want to have 2 OS's - Windows XP and MEPIS.

The problem is, I cant boot linux off my cd. When I choose 2.6 (Newer version) , then It looks like its going to boot fine, but instead of comming up with the mepis login screen, the screen goes black for a sec, then a text login screen comes up! I cant seem to get into the KDE! The same problem happnes with 2.4 (older version) .

I can only install from the safe mode on the cd - all the other modes result in a text login screen. I've tried loging in, then using the code

Code:

kdeinit

but it came up with the error

Code:

Kdeinit: Aborting. $Display not set

. Also tried

Code:

xinit

but that resulted in a similar graphics error.

Once im the safe mode, I can install mepis just fine - and i do! After installation (and the cd is out), I do get the selection screen with a choice of mepis 2.4\2.6 kernels, windows or memtest.

[ooooh on a side note, does anyone know how to change what it shows on this screen? once everything is working, i'll only want windows and mepis 2.6 to be shown there :D ]

I get into linux fine after installation, but if i even change some of the graphics settings, once i restart my computer, the original error comes up! but this time, there is no safe mode to go into cause im not booting from the cd!

hmm, so if there was a way to reset the graphics (or to get some linux drivers) so i dont have to format eachtime it messes up. Also, then id be able to install the newer version from the cd, as aposed to having to install Mepis using safemode.

I also tried the

Code:

startx

command when booting " BOOT 2.6 (Newer version) " from the cd. I get into the txt login screen, and type it in... it then shows the following error:

Code:

(WW) RADEON: No matching device section for instance (BusID PCI:1:0:1) found



(EE) No devices detected



Fatal server error:

No screens found



....





XIO: Fatal IO error 104 (connection reset by peer) on x server ":0.0"

after 0 requests (0 known processed) with 0 events remaining

Any ideas on whats happening :Pengy: Im sure its not just a mepis problem, its gotta be my graphics card or something

thanks guys :)

If I'm not mistaken, you have managed to get KDE in safe mode when booting from the CD.

You should be able to save a copy of the file /etc/X11/XF68Config-4 from your CD system to the equivalent file on your hard-drive installation. It'll be at /mnt/hda1/etc/X11 (substitute your root partition for hda1).

I believe that Mepis 3.1 has a "reinstall X11" button somewhere in the OS center as well. That may well automate this process for you.

Once you have a working system you can probably tinker with this file some more to get better resolution and/or a more appropriate video driver, but at least you'll be up & runnong ...

What is your hardware? Is this a laptop computer? Please specify your hardware specs. For the graphics card, please specify the interface (PCI, AGP).

You may be able to fix your problems by manually editing the /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file. Change the video driver with "vesa", the generic video driver. I think it's using "ati" right now, or maybe "radeon". Maybe Mepis mistakenly thinks you have an Ati Radeon card. Maybe your particular Radeon card isn't properly supported with the "ati" driver. The "vesa" driver will work with almost any video card.

note: the failsafe option does the following things:

forces vesa
disables acpi with acpi=off
and disables dma with nodma

I would be willing to bet that the problem lies within the raedon driver.

When you put in the live CD and it gets to the screen where you can pick 2.6 or 2.4 for older hardware, tab down to the 2.4 line and at the bottom of the screen is a line of info, you will be able to type into that info line. Add the command xdrvr=vesa and then hit enter and let it load and boot and see if you get the kde desktop.

well im on a pc not a laptop. It has a Pentium 4 - 3.2 and hyper threaded ;) got a gig of ram and my graphics card is a Sapphire Radeon x600 pro, with 256megs in a pci express slot (the pci express has caused quite a fuss before now) so its probably that!

ill try copying and editing the /etc/X11/XF68Config-4 then, but first ill add the commands you gave me into the info line on the live cd.. it sounds easier :P

thanks guys! Ill report back soon hehe:)

ooh, well i simply tried the xdrvr = vesa command and it all works fine now! i can even boot in with 2.6 and install form there! problem solved ;)

i also edited the menu.lst and changed it to my liking! now my os's are complete

thanks guys :D :D