Please help newbie

Forum: Laptops
Topic: Please help newbie
started by: NewbieDan

Posted by NewbieDan on Oct. 13 2006,00:39

I am a total Linux and DSL newbie. I did a lot of pre-install reading and did successfully boot DSL via live CD to my IBM Thinkpad i 1400 series. After I taught myself how to burn a CD, then make the right ISO image not just a file copy, and then how to get into BIOS to get BIOS to boot from the CD rom, so for a computer idiot I have gotten this far.
Problem is my display settings are wrong from the auto detect and all I see is a ghost of the Dillo. I can only make out a few words per line. I read the thread on weird display colors and solutions but I don't even know what to type or where to get to display setting?
I am sorry, but I need someone to walk me through this. I have hit a wall.
Thanks, Danny

Posted by 77MGB on Oct. 13 2006,01:22

It sounds like you've successfully booted into X, but with the wrong display settings. When you press Ctrl-Alt-Backspace, you should return to a full-screen console with a command line prompt. If this screen appears all right, then enter xsetup.sh. I'm not in dsl at this time, but I believe your first choice will be to select Xvesa or Xfb (or Xframebuffer). Choose one of these, you next select your mouse, then your keyboard. After that, enter startx. If the display is wrong, then Ctrl-Alt-Backspace, enter xsetup.sh at the prompt, and select the other display option. When you choose Xvesa, you will be prompted for the display resolution, so try 1080x760, then the next screen is for color depth, so try 16, and the rest of the screens ask for custom parameters and the default is not to specify anything. When you're finished and return to the command line, enter startx. I hope I remember things correctly, and I hope this works for you.

Posted by NewbieDan on Oct. 13 2006,02:29

Thank you, thank you, thank you. setupx.sh didn't do the trick but your help got me into the boot and I used a cheat code and selected the alternative to Xvesa and damned if it didn't come up looking beautiful on 800x600 and 32 bit. So anybody with an older IBM Thinkpad, this is the way to go baby.

Posted by Zucca on Oct. 13 2006,05:03

Don't use 32 bits. Try lower depth. I have Compaq Armada E500 and this can display maxium of 24bit depth.

Posted by NewbieDan on Oct. 14 2006,06:40

Zucca:
Thanks, I see a lot of your posts and know that you really help a lot of people in here, but I am typing on my system and I have a very clear bright sharp screen with beautiful color at 32 bit. Am I going to screw something up running 32 bit?

Posted by Zucca on Oct. 14 2006,10:41

Oh I thoght it didn't work. =)
That's just fine to use 32bit depth.

Posted by 77MGB on Oct. 15 2006,00:58

You're not going to harm your hardware. If it works and looks good, use the configuration that works.

Linux is addictive; the more you use it, the more you'll like it. Sometimes you'll get frustrated trying to get some piece of hardware to work, but when you do, there is a great feeling of satisfaction. I have found that old Thinkpads are widely supported by recent distros. DSL is amazing, too.

Posted by Zucca on Nov. 01 2006,09:30

Hmmm. Imagine what I felt when I got my Gentoo install finished. Back in the times when there was no GUI install CD for Gentoo.
Installion took about three days. It was like putting a Tux puzzle together that contained over 1000 pieces.

I even got help from my friend then. Well... It was my first Linux... Now It would took only one day... maybe. :laugh: