[SOLVED] New Slackware user

lghizoni · 12-30-2011, 08:27 AM

Hello,

I've been a Ubuntu user for a while, but now I'm trying to go with Slackware to get more serious.

I installed Slackware 13.37 on my machine, wich is a Dell XPS L502X, Intel i7-2670QM.

But now, in Slackware initialization the monitor goes off automaticaly and doesn't come back it all! Then I initializaed it again, this time choosing lilo, and putting 'linux init 3 nomodeset', wich works fine.

In the installation I didn't choose the default graphic resolution, choosing the 1024 configuration. I also chose the xfce desktop.

Also, the boot takes too long to initialize. Is that normal?

Can someone help me with that? I don't want to always have to choose lilo and enter 'linux init 3 nomodeset'.

Sorry, I'm a new Slackware user.

lghizoni · 12-30-2011, 08:33 AM

Hello,

I've been a Ubuntu user for a while, but I want to go with Slackware to get more serious.

I installed Slackware 13.37 64 bits with no problems in my machine, wich is a Dell XPS L502X, Intel i7-2670QM.

When I boot the system, it takes too long to initialize, with long text lines os output.

Is that normal? Because it takes more than 1 minute to initialize.

Can someone, please, help me?

Sorry, I'm a new Slack user.

BlackRider · 12-30-2011, 08:38 AM

I think you should be able to edit /etc/lilo.conf and configure the default parameters.

For example, if your lilo.conf contains something like this:

Code:

  image = /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6
  root = /dev/sda1
  initrd = /boot/initrd.gz
  label = Slackware
  append = "quiet resume=/dev/sda1"
  read-only

You can add your desired parameters to the "append" section

Code:

append = "quiet resume=/dev/critdata/critswap [option1] [option2] [etc]"

Then, run lilo as root, so the changes are made effective.

EDIT: You can configure your resolution ensuring that there is an vga option active in your lilo.conf. The file contains a lot of examples, you just have to uncomment the one you need:

Code:

# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
# I UNCOMMENT THIS ONE BECAUSE IT IS THE ONE I WANT!!
vga = 773  
# Normal VGA console
#vga = normal
# Ask for video mode at boot (time out to normal in 30s)
#vga = ask
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x64k
# vga=791
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x32k
# vga=790
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
# vga=773
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x64k
# vga=788
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x32k
# vga=787
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x256
# vga=771
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x64k
# vga=785
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x32k
# vga=784
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x256
# vga=769

kkady32 · 12-30-2011, 08:48 AM

add "compact" in lilo.conf

jimmy_page_89 · 12-30-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkady32

add "compact" in lilo.conf

And don't forget to execute

Code:

# lilo -v

:P

gegechris99 · 12-30-2011, 11:33 AM

Are you using a generic kernel or the default huge kernel?

If you are using the huge kernel, try installing the generic kernel as indicated in CHANGES_AND_HINTS.TXT. Don't forget to create the initrd file by following the instructions in the indicated file:

Quote:

Use one of the provided generic kernels for daily use. Do not report
bugs until/unless you have reproduced them using one of the stock
generic kernels. You will need to create an initrd in order to boot
the generic kernels - see /boot/README.initrd for instructions.
The huge kernels are primarily intended as "installer" and "emergency"
kernels in case you forget to make an initrd.

gilead · 12-30-2011, 12:27 PM

Is it pausing for long periods of time at any point? You can modify the start-up scripts to run some commands in the background.

onebuck · 12-30-2011, 01:24 PM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by gegechris99

Are you using a generic kernel or the default huge kernel?

If you are using the huge kernel, try installing the generic kernel as indicated in CHANGES_AND_HINTS.TXT. Don't forget to create the initrd file by following the instructions in the indicated file:

Changing to the generic from the huge will not decrease the boot time that much. Even if you do choose to use the generic with a initrd your gain may be in the milli-seconds.

To get response you might consider 'SSD' along with as much RAM as possible then setup tmpfs.

lghizoni · 12-30-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackRider

I think you should be able to edit /etc/lilo.conf and configure the default parameters.

For example, if your lilo.conf contains something like this:

Code:

  image = /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6
  root = /dev/sda1
  initrd = /boot/initrd.gz
  label = Slackware
  append = "quiet resume=/dev/sda1"
  read-only

You can add your desired parameters to the "append" section

Code:

append = "quiet resume=/dev/critdata/critswap [option1] [option2] [etc]"

Then, run lilo as root, so the changes are made effective.

EDIT: You can configure your resolution ensuring that there is an vga option active in your lilo.conf. The file contains a lot of examples, you just have to uncomment the one you need:

Code:

# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
# I UNCOMMENT THIS ONE BECAUSE IT IS THE ONE I WANT!!
vga = 773  
# Normal VGA console
#vga = normal
# Ask for video mode at boot (time out to normal in 30s)
#vga = ask
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x64k
# vga=791
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x32k
# vga=790
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
# vga=773
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x64k
# vga=788
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x32k
# vga=787
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x256
# vga=771
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x64k
# vga=785
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x32k
# vga=784
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x256
# vga=769

Ok, thank you very much!

Now, how do I edit /etc/lilo.conf? In terminal using gedit? Something like that?

And in 'append = "quiet resume=/dev/critdata/critswap [option1] [option2] [etc]"[/CODE]' what are the [option1] [option2] [etc] parameters? What should I do?

And how do I configure the resolution? Where do I do this?

Sorry for lots of questions.

lghizoni · 12-30-2011, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy_page_89

And don't forget to execute

Code:

# lilo -v

:P

Thank you very much!

Now, do I add "compact" editing lilo.conf? And in wich part of the doc?

Also, do I run lilo -v in shell?

Sorry for lots of questions.

bruinshockey · 12-30-2011, 02:42 PM

you must edit /etc/lilo.conf as root and add the compact line here

boot = /dev/sda
compact

save and exit then run lilo -v in a shell

honeybadger · 12-30-2011, 02:56 PM

Try doing this. Login as root and run 'pkgtool'. It will give you some option one of them would be to run the init scripts again. This time when you select boot mode select textmode. Then run 'startx' or 'startxfce' and you should be able to see the screen. In case you do not then run 'xorgconf' as root and just keep hitting enter until it ends and then run 'startx'. Once you get the desktop you will find prefrences -> administration and then you would be able to set the monitor in a gui mode.
Hope this helps.

lghizoni · 12-30-2011, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruinshockey

you must edit /etc/lilo.conf as root and add the compact line here

boot = /dev/sda
compact

save and exit then run lilo -v in a shell

Thank you!! It works fine now!

Can I ask just one more question?

In Slackware apresentation I have the alternatives:

"Select an OS to boot, or hit <TAB> for a LILO prompt"

About the OS, I just have Linux, and if I press <ENTER>, it starts Slackware, but then suddenly the monitor goes off automaticaly and doesn't come back!

The same thing happens if I press <TAB> for LILO prompt and just run Linux.

The only way till now is to run 'linux init 3 nomodeset' in LILO.

Do anyone know what's the problem? I don't want to need to go for a LILO prompt and run 'linux init 3 nomodeset' everytime.

Thanks.

onebuck · 12-30-2011, 03:16 PM

Hi,

Welcome to LQ & Slackware!

Two good references Slackware® Essentials & Slackware® Basics that will help you.

Another useful resource would be 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

You will find the following tutorial useful;

Quote:

excerpt from sticky 'So you want to be a Slacker! What do I do next?';

'New tutorials for installing and configuring Slack ' is a thread for a great tutorial: http://genek.net/LinuxAdventures/ins...allation1.html by 2handband. I recommend that all should look at this new tutorial for Slackware. Great for everyone!
http://genek.net/LinuxAdventures/sysadmin/index.html << new temp link

Newbies will learn a lot by following the sections within. As for the experienced users, it's a good place for us to recommend corrections or suggest areas that concern you. I for one participate with 2handband on subjects that I'm interested in: Slackware! Several other members have participated.

HTH!

BlackRider · 12-30-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Now, how do I edit /etc/lilo.conf? In terminal using gedit? Something like that?

Any text editor which you could easily use as root will suffice. For simple administrative tasks you can invoke nano.

Code:

$ su -c 'nano /etc/lilo.conf'

Quote:

And in 'append = "quiet resume=/dev/critdata/critswap [option1] [option2] [etc]"[/CODE]' what are the [option1] [option2] [etc] parameters? What should I do?

The "[options]" were just meant to show you that you can append any booting option you want, and it will be considered a "default". For example, you can pass the "nomodeset" option.

Quote:

And how do I configure the resolution? Where do I do this?

They are set somewhere in /etc/lilo.conf

Quote:

Try doing this. Login as root and run 'pkgtool'. It will give you some option one of them would be to run the init scripts again.

It is another idea, but running the install scripts again is basically going to automatically comment/uncomment the "vga" options as I told in my first post.