Re: Reality Check. (was Why Linux on a Laptop?)
> Reality Check:
>
> I sure would love to get Linux working again on my Laptop!
>
> I started with Progeny and am trying to shift to 100% Debian, however
> something -- possibly an artifact of Progeny -- is tripping things up and I
> cannot find it.
Well, you might take a "package pools" approach - rescue your own control
files to a clas of apps or utilities, remove it entirely, use the
packaging system to reintroduce the pool, and then look at the control
files that come with the "standard" kit and apply only the changes you
need back in.
This can be a real pain in the toot but if, for instance, you've made
scrambled eggs out of your Gnome setup, it might be the cleanest way
to detangle things.
Having to normally do that on RPM systems a lot is something that reminds
me why I like Debian.
> I would like to request more assistance in resolving my problem with
> Debian-Linux on my OmniBook 4100. I currently have Unstable and
> 2.4.14 loaded and cannot get into X. (FYI: Progeny loaded GRUB
> rather than LILO.)
GRUB/lilo probably not nearly as much a bug as X dying on you. which
flavor of X?
Do they have 2.4.16 up yet?
What sort of "doesn't work" does it do, e.g. error messages, etc.
> I am forced to boot Single mode to the command prompt because I
> otherwise am faced with a flashing display. Should I download 2.5 and
> update Unstable?
Turn off xdm/gdm/kdm so you don't have a GUI login attempt gumming up
the works.
The "flashing effect" is... ?dm tries to load up GUI prompt. fails.
init attempts to restart it. (flash flash flash) gives up, says gonna
try again in a few minutes. (text) rarely lasts long enough to try a
prompt ... unless you type waaaaay fast ... init tries the dm again
(flash flash flash ... ad nausea, possibly literally if you're susceptible
to strobe lights).
> Is there a good reason to believe the problem may be resolved if I
> do so, or would it just be a shot in the dark?
It should not be related to the kernel, unless you have a video card which
requires direct kernel support (e.g intel i810, sis6xx). Luckily those
are more common on desktops and bookends than in laptops.
You may, however, need to back down to "plain" SVGA support until you resolve
acceleration problems. That will require editing some control files, or
regenerating them.
xf86config is good, it's a text mode app that only asks you all the right
questions, rather than expecting the GUI to work yet.
* Heather Stern * star@ many places...
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