I just installed Slackware 3.3 on a Compaq Presario 425. I set up to boot with LILO, and installed all a1-9 packages. It says unable to handle kernel NULL pointer durring boot. What is wrong here? Then it goes to "darkstar login", if I enter root, it lets me navigate the files but I dont have permission to do any thing. What am I doing wrong here? Im a nOOb and Im lost, lol. I am assuming since it asked to load a mouse driver, there is some GUI with this? Thanks



OK, I got the system to boot and started xf86config. I got every thing but the mouse. I have tried most of them, even a different mouse. XF86 starts fine I get a display and can get to programs by using alt F1. But no mouse. Any ideas?

Im such a nOOb, I didnt have X installed the first time.

Umm... well first off try to configure Xf86config found in i think.. /usr/X11/bin/ or something.. I THINK that's it.. Uh... then the file should be there.. some one help me out here i don't remember where the file is located any more ;x By try to reconfigure that shizmo, and it should prompt you to setup your mouse and what not ;]

Well, what kind of mouse do you have ? Most of the time a default ps/2 mouse will work, but you haven't specified what kind it is.
Plus, using 3.3 is sorta old, you could probably upgrade to a later version which is going to have better support for more hardware.

I guess I should have been more specific, I have 2 ps/2 mice. One from another computer, so I know it works. That one is a microsoft wheel, the other is a longitech 2 button (a little old I think). I have reconfigured X at least a dozen times, and none seem to be working.

I have also tried 4.0, 7.1 and a few others and none will get past the setup part on the rootdisk. I get a "bus error" message the keeps repeating. I am guessing it doesnt have enough memory. I have set up a swap partition, but I dont know how to use it for the install. I couldnt figure out how to do 8.1 from floppys, its the only drive this thing has.

I also cant figure out how to actully write the new format to disk. I use fdisk and delete the partitions, reboot, start to reinstall and the old system is still there.

Thanks again.

The swap partition will either be detected or you should get an option to turn it on while installing.

Fdisk doesn't save any data to the partition table until you explicitly tell it to. I think its 'w' for commit changes but as I don't have access to a box right now I'm not sure. So when you're done with your partition tinkering go W, Q.