on Sat, Aug 25, 2001 at 01:36:37AM -0700, Mark Seven Smith (pampaluz@home.com) wrote: > Blank > Problem: Debian CD "B1" bombs either when choosing modules, or before > (can even happen right off the bat, scrolling through the keyboard > selection screen!) > > The suggested way to install Debian is to use the CD's; so bought > some, and I can boot from them. However, in the early part, after > partitioning (although this can happen even before then), when I am > scrolling through the lists (like when choosing the modules to > install) I will be using the arrow keys, or the PageUp/PageDown keys, > and suddenly a keystroke will cause what appears to be a NewLine, > making a blank (black) interruption of the screen for one text line, > and then everything locks up. I presume this is in console mode, not X....or framebuffer. You using that at all? You also fail to specify what you've had on this box before and/or whether you've had problems with other OSs. Sounds like you're in dselect when this happens. It would be helpful to know which of the following have any effect: - <ctrl>-Z - <ctrl>-C - <alt>-<F2-12> (that's <alt> plus any of the function keys 2-12.) - <ctrl><alt><del> I don't know if the installation kernel has Magic SysRQ compiled in, if it does, you might care to try the following, in sequence: - <alt><sysrq>-k : kill programs in current console - <alt><sysrq>-p : registers to console - <alt><sysrq>-t : tasks to console - <alt><sysrq>-m : memory to console - <alt><sysrq>-s : sync disks - <alt><sysrq>-u : mount disks readonly - <alt><sysrq>-b : reboot system > Nothing can be done except to hit a hard RESET. Define "hard reset". Is this: - <ctrl><alt><del>, aka "three fingered salute"? - warm-boot reset button on your system. - cold-boot (power-cycle) reset. > I first began trying to install Debian via downloads, I had planned on > finishing up with a Network install (I have cable modem Internet > service). > > Then, I tried using a copy of Debian from the back of the book, > "Learning Debian/GNU Linux". The book and CD are very poor. They can be used for installation, however many people report serious problems. > Finally, I bought the latest version (Potato) of Debian from the > Computer Help Guy in Canada (www.chguy.net). > > All of these installation programs acted the same way. I strongly suspect hardware problems or compatibility issues. > I suspect a problem with hardware compatibility with my AGP slot > "ATI RAGE 128" video card (it seems to be not listed in the > hardware compatibility list, although other, similar ATI cards > are listed). Strongly recommend Googling this card. "ati rage 128 linux AGP lockup OR freeze OR crash" produces some interesting results. It appears that the card may be poorly supported under GNU/Linux, and/or that using framebuffer may be a good alternative. > I have used other Linux distros before; esp. RedHat (up to 6.1), > and SuSE 6.4 (SuSE is TOO EASY! Not at all a challenge, > everything is done FOR you! <sheesh!> ;-) Have you tried another distro on this box? I'd very strongly recommend trying the LNX-BBC bootable business card, it's a very cleverly assembled recovery / rescue / diagnostic system, and autodetects and correctly configures an enormous amount of hardware. http://lnxbbc.org/ > I have read the installation manual online; and I have gone > through and read the FAQs and other stuff; but I really don't > know what to make of this curious install program bombing, or > locking up or whatever. I never get very far, never get to see > the program actually working. > > One idea that I have is to install a different distro of Linux, > then use it to build a new kernel image for Debian that has video > card support--but what if the problem isn't the video card? I don't think that building kernel support is going to make a difference in console mode. I could be wrong. > Plus I have never built a new kernel before (I suppose it's about time > ! ;-) Anyway, I just wanted to ask if anyone recognizes this problem > before I go to such extremes. I would like to go "ALL DEBIAN" in this > adventure. > > >>>>> Anyway, I have the following equipment: <<<<< > > ABit BX6 motherboard > PII 400 MHz > 300 Watt power supply > 256 MB of RAM > 2 6-gig HDD's > 80-pin HDD ribbon cable (purchased for a defunct 30-gig drive > that was 100 DMA, but got *MUNCHED* by WINDOWS 2000!) > ATI RAGE 128 AGP-slot video card > standard Creative SoundBlaster sound card (the cheapest one! :-) > 52X CD-ROM (it works fine booting the CD's for Debian) > Debian Linux 2.2.19pre17, kernel-image-2.2.19pre17_2.2.19pre17-1 > D-Link DFE-530 TX PCI fast ethernet adapter > Epson 777 printer, new (uses USB port or parallel, but it doesn't > matter > if it is plugged in or not, I still get the same difficulties > in > trying to install). > > Thanks in advance, > > --Mark Seven Smith > pampaluz@home.com > > > > > -- > To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-request@lists.debian.org > with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmaster@lists.debian.org > -- Karsten M. Self <kmself@ix.netcom.com> http://kmself.home.netcom.com/ What part of "Gestalt" don't you understand? There is no K5 cabal http://gestalt-system.sourceforge.net/ http://www.kuro5hin.org Free Dmitry! Boycott Adobe! Repeal the DMCA! http://www.freesklyarov.org Geek for Hire http://kmself.home.netcom.com/resume.html
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