Re: X-windows will not run on sarge / tried several kernels

[Kent West <westk@acu.edu>]

Thomas Milo Somers wrote:

> For my first Linux install experience, I chose Debian 3.1 (sarge) because I
> thought it would be easy for a novice to install and more likely to be
> compatible with my hardware, a Dell Dimension 4600 P4 2.66GHz BIOS Ver. A07,
> purchased about a year ago.
>  
<snip>

> /var/log/XFree86.0.log and noticed the following significant warnings and
> errors:
> WW  Open APM failed.
> WW I810(0) Extended BIOS function 0x5f11 not supported.
> EE I810(0): No video BIOS modes for chosen depth.
> EE Screens found, but none have a usable configuration.
> and finally:
> Fatal Server Error: No screens found.
>  
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86

and tinker with color depth, resolution, and perhaps try VESA as your 
driver.

This may be unrelated, but I have problems with Dell GX270 PCs that we 
purchased a year or two ago. Seems the BIOS on them misreports the 
amount of video RAM; Dell finally sent me a beta BIOS patch which solved 
my problems. Perhaps your BIOS is misconfigured to a small amount of 
video RAM, or is misreporting what it's configured to.

--
Kent