Mandrake Linux 9.2, GUI not loading...

p3ngu!n · 12-09-2003, 04:53 PM

I just finished installing 9.2 and I wanted to boot the computer. LILO loads just fine and then Mandrake starts up fine but then when it's finishing loading everything the screen starts blinking. The progress bar reaches the end and then I'm taken to the black screen command line, dhcpp1 login or whatever... What's the deal?

SOYO K7V Dragon Plus! Mobo with integrated C-Media sound.
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 128MB AGB
Western Digital 8.4GB 7200RPM used for Linux (I have another 80Gig for Windows)

superbondbond · 12-09-2003, 05:03 PM

Well, that's the Linux command line. That's the deal.

Sounds like your system is set to boot to the command line. This is most likely run level 3.

you can do one of two things.

1) login and type startx

2) open up the /etc/inittab file and look for where it says:

Code:

 
#   0 = halt
#   1 = single user mode
#   2 = unused (but configured the same as runlevel 3)
#   3 = multiuser mode (default Slackware runlevel)
#   4 = X11 with KDM/GDM/XDM (session managers)
#   5 = unused (but configured the same as runlevel 3)
#   6 = reboot

# Default runlevel. (Do not set to 0 or 6)
id:3:initdefault:

and change the deafault to whatever number corresponds to X11. then reboot
Note:I'm showing the inittab from Slackware, so the run levels might be different on yours.

p3ngu!n · 12-09-2003, 05:16 PM

Well yes I know it's the commandline I meant to say what was the deal, why wasnt the GUI loading...
I'm gonna try that and get back to you. Thanks.

p3ngu!n · 12-09-2003, 06:01 PM

Okay apparently it doesn't seem to recognize either my monitor or my video card... I want to use Mandrake...

I have a Dell M780 which used to work with Mandrake 9.0 so I don't see the problem and a new ATI Radeon 9600 PRO which is supposedly compatible with Linux... someone help me out here?

superbondbond · 12-09-2003, 09:16 PM

post your XF86Config.....

p3ngu!n · 12-10-2003, 04:10 AM

Uh... english please... I'm not a Linux techie. I'm barely trying to understand it...

superbondbond · 12-10-2003, 09:47 AM

there's a configuration file for the graphic environment (called X). It is
/etc/X11/XF86Config
post it here. Maybe we can find what's wrong in it.

Swampy · 12-10-2003, 10:53 AM

p3nguin, if you look in /etc/X11 you'll see two files, XF86Config & XF86Config-4

Mandrake uses XF86Config-4 as the default config file for your X server. If it doesn't exist it will look at XF86Config instead.

If you know the horizontal/vertical refresh rates of your monitor, plus your graphics driver, you should be able to run:

xf86config

from the command line as root. It's a command line configuration utility for X. Simply follow the instructions on screen. If you take your time it's fairly self-explanatory, but you might need your monitor manual handy. Run it as many times as you like if you make a mistake you cannot correct.

This utility, as I remember writes a new XF86Config file.

Either move your old XF86Config-4 file somewhere else, so Mandrake refers to your new file or overwrite your old XF86Config-4 file with your new XF86Config.

Make copies of your config files before you start, just in case.

Mason Storm · 12-10-2003, 02:31 PM

There is a bug or lack of support for ATI's newer video cards with the downloaded version of Mandrake 9.2 you must download the newest driver from ati and install it in order to get full harware support in Mandrake 9.2.

If you reinstall Mandrake you can set your videocard to 800x600 and 16-bit color depth
and use the "dev" driver for Radeon cards, this setting will at least let you get into X .

I think i saw a step-bystep guide here on this forum a couple of days ago search for poster NBN and I'm sure you will find it

p3ngu!n · 12-10-2003, 04:13 PM

The "dev" driver would be which?