Tiny Core Linux

Tiny Core Base => TCB Talk => Topic started by: lmart on July 29, 2016, 04:53:12 PM

Title: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 29, 2016, 04:53:12 PM
Attempting to boot TinyCore-7.2 on an Acer Netbook, via PendriveLinux YUMI.
It only boots to terminal. How/What can I troubleshoot to find out what is preventing it from booting to the windows manager?

Netbook specifics follow:

Processor   2x Intel(R) Atom(TM) CPU N455 @ 1.66GHz
Memory   1022MB
Audio Adapter   HDA-Intel - HDA Intel
Input Devices
    PC Speaker   
    AT Translated Set 2 keyboard   
    PS/2 Logitech Wheel Mouse   
    Power Button   
    Sleep Button   
    Lid Switch   
    Power Button   
Video Bus   
Printers None connected   
SCSI Disks ATA WDC
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: Juanito on July 29, 2016, 11:40:34 PM
You don't mention which graphics chipset you have nor whether you're trying to use Xvesa, Xfbdev or Xorg-7.7.

Assuming Xvesa:
Code: [Select]
$ tce-load -i Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar
$ xsetup.sh
$ startx
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: curaga on July 30, 2016, 02:18:11 AM
Also, please use a supported installer. Third-party installers may not work.
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 30, 2016, 05:58:44 AM
Juanito :: Thanks. I will run a check on the graphic chipset and let you know.

curaga :: Thanks. What supported installer do you recommend?
I originally used core2usb-1.6 to create the usb. core2usb-1.6 is the only version I could find.
I formatted a usb to Fat32, but core2usb balked stating the usb was not empty. It was empty. So, I purchased a new usb, deleted the stuff on the usb and ran core2usb again. Same reply from core2usb. Reformatted the usb and same reply from core2usb, so I abandoned it and tried YUMI.


Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 30, 2016, 06:54:38 AM
Juanito:
#1 My only expectation for graphical desktop environment is (http://tinycorelinux.net/downloads.html); "TinyCore is the recommended option for new users who have a wired network connection. It includes the base Core system plus X/GUI extensions for a dynamic FLTK/FLWM graphical desktop environment."
#2 lspci | grep VGA
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Atom Processor D4xx/D5xx/N4xx/N5xx Integrated Graphics Controller
#3 I likely asked my original question incorrectly.
TinyCore should boot into a graphical desktop environment. It didn't. I tried the YUMI usb on 2 other computers. Both booted into the desktop. So, something did not work correctly when booting on the Netbook.
How would I troubleshoot to find out exactly what didn't work correctly?
Then, how would I go about fixing it?
Many thanks.
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: coreplayer2 on July 30, 2016, 07:12:04 AM
...
curaga :: Thanks. What supported installer do you recommend?
I originally used core2usb-1.6 to create the usb. core2usb-1.6 is the only version I could find.
I formatted a usb to Fat32, but core2usb balked stating the usb was not empty. It was empty. So, I purchased a new usb, deleted the stuff on the usb and ran core2usb again. Same reply from core2usb. Reformatted the usb and same reply from core2usb, so I abandoned it and tried YUMI.

This is the main TC installer available form the TinycorePlus ISO
http://distro.ibiblio.org/tinycorelinux/install.html (http://distro.ibiblio.org/tinycorelinux/install.html)

Also "How to use pendrives and other removable devices with Tiny Core? from
http://distro.ibiblio.org/tinycorelinux/faq.html#bootcodes (http://distro.ibiblio.org/tinycorelinux/faq.html#bootcodes)

Or the easiest to follow install guide (Chapter 2), plus important info regarding USB read Section 1.4
http://tinycorelinux.net/corebook.pdf (http://tinycorelinux.net/corebook.pdf)


Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 30, 2016, 08:00:00 AM
coreplayer2 :: Thanks. Will cull through the info shortly. After reading several posts, I came across the recommendation for core2usb. I followed the instructions at https://sourceforge.net/p/core2usb/wiki/Home/

Usage

Its usage is easy and straight forward.

    Format target USB drive for FAT (FAT16 or FAT32 depending on system and size) making sure there is enough free space for system. Add extra free space if /tce directory is created to store downloaded extensions and backup on the same USB.
    Download ISO file you want to install.
    Start installer.
    Select ISO file.
    Select target drive. In the list free and total capacity is indicated. Target drive must be empty.
    Click INSTALL button to start installation. It may take some time, please be patient.
    Follow installation status at the bottom line.


"I originally used core2usb-1.6 to create the usb. core2usb-1.6 is the only version I could find."
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: Juanito on July 30, 2016, 09:00:07 AM
Unless you have a pressing reason to use a fat filesystem, it would be better to use tc-install and a linux filesystem
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 30, 2016, 10:03:43 AM
Juanito + curaga + coreplayer2
Many thanks for your replies. With the exception of the book, I read the info coreplay2 provided prior to downloading TinyCore.
A few comments:
Quick & Easy Overview - Tiny Core Linux
http://distro.ibiblio.org/tinycorelinux/overview.html
1. Minimum System Requirements
        CPU-i486DX   | Yes
        RAM-48Mb   | Yes
        CD Drive   | No, CD-less laptop
        Wired Internet Connection   | Yes
        TinyCore CD   | No, iso only

Found core2usb and pendrivelinux-YUMI from the query https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=boot+tinycore+from+usb
I followed the core2usb instructions precisely (Fat32). It did not work. Thus my use of YUMI, which worked on 2 different Win10 cd-less laptops, but not my Win10 cd-less NetBook.

With that said, again, I think I asked the wrong question. TinyCore did not boot into a graphical interface, as expected, so How/What can I troubleshoot what went wrong?

Again, thanks.
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: Juanito on July 30, 2016, 10:07:52 AM
Did you try the instructions I gave a few posts ago after "assuming Xvesa"?
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: curaga on July 30, 2016, 11:12:30 AM
It's quite likely YUMI does something wrong, missing a proper waitusb code, and your netbook's usb is slower than the other two. If core2usb has issues, please use the native installer.

The commands in Juanito's first reply will tell us if this is the case. It most likely is, and that would be why we tell people not to use third-party installers.
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 30, 2016, 12:45:31 PM
Juanito :

tce-load -i Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar
   Xvesa.tcz not found!
xsetup.sh
   xsetup.sh not found
startx
   startx not found
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: Juanito on July 30, 2016, 12:48:38 PM
OK, so it looks like your installer did not work fully.

If you have a wired network connection, you can use "tce-load -w Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar" and then the commands I listed.
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 30, 2016, 12:49:45 PM
It's quite likely YUMI does something wrong, missing a proper waitusb code, and your netbook's usb is slower than the other two. If core2usb has issues, please use the native installer.

The commands in Juanito's first reply will tell us if this is the case. It most likely is, and that would be why we tell people not to use third-party installers.

thanks, please point me to a url with install directions for creating a boot usb w/o a cd drive.
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 30, 2016, 12:52:02 PM
OK, so it looks like your installer did not work fully.

If you have a wired network connection, you can use "tce-load -w Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar" and then the commands I listed.

ok, will try later in a few ... thanks
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 30, 2016, 12:59:52 PM
Juanito : I was wired into the network.

tce-load -i Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar
   Xvesa.tcz not found!
xsetup.sh
   xsetup.sh not found
startx
   startx not found
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: Juanito on July 30, 2016, 01:23:44 PM
That's a "-w" not a "-i"
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: patrikg on July 30, 2016, 02:11:08 PM
You may doing like this if you want.
http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,20135.msg125292.html#msg125292
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 30, 2016, 02:12:02 PM
That's a "-w" not a "-i"

Juanito : I was wired into the network.

tce-load -w Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar
   this command worked
xsetup.sh
   xsetup.sh not found
startx
   startx not found
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 30, 2016, 02:14:28 PM
You may doing like this if you want.
http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,20135.msg125292.html#msg125292

thanks, will cull through it, then give it a run after we exhaust what we're working on now
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: coreplayer2 on July 30, 2016, 02:40:38 PM
Hi  Might be helpful to show the output of the command "tce-status -i" so we can see what's actually loaded..  if you hadn't done that already..
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: coreplayer2 on July 30, 2016, 02:47:16 PM
coreplayer2 :: Thanks. Will cull through the info shortly. After reading several posts, I came across the recommendation for core2usb. I followed the instructions at https://sourceforge.net/p/core2usb/wiki/Home/

Usage

Its usage is easy and straight forward.
..

Yes but it's also not the Official installer (which is provided in tinycoreplus.iso), while core2usb should work there are sometimes fatal issues when reading a blank USB when used in Windows (still to be resolved I guess).   Therefore the Official installer is Highly recommended and is the only supported installer and it's also simple to use..  Just follow the instructions in the Core Book.


Unfortunately the most complicated and difficult methods that almost always fail are the ones folks seem to come up with on their own..
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 30, 2016, 04:50:19 PM
coreplayer2: thanks for your 2 replies
#1 I did post the output of Juanito's command. Want to finish up with Juanito before I try anything else.
#2 I did a quick cull of Chap 2 in the book, which I have yet to read. As I do not have a cd/dvd drive on any of my laptops, it looks like I will have to download the "official installer" from the command line and manually build a usb from the USB-HDD option. Is that how you see things?


With that said, it may help me get an instance of tinycore up and operational. However, I have no idea how to troubleshoot when things go South. Perhaps, that will come with time ...

Again, thanks for your help.
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: Juanito on July 31, 2016, 12:10:46 AM
tce-load -w Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar
   this command worked

Good - "tce-load -w" downloads the extensions

Next you need "tce-load -i" to install them...
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 31, 2016, 05:03:27 AM
tce-load -w Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar
   this command worked

Good - "tce-load -w" downloads the extensions

Next you need "tce-load -i" to install them...

Juanito, thanks, want to make sure I'm getting things correctly


tce-load -w Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar - this worked

next commands
tce-load -i Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar
xsetup.sh
startx
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: Juanito on July 31, 2016, 06:04:46 AM
affirmative  :)
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 31, 2016, 12:52:46 PM
You may doing like this if you want.
http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,20135.msg125292.html#msg125292

patrikg: just finished with Juanito's recommendations. Will now try yours and let you now how things go.
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 31, 2016, 12:54:25 PM
coreplayer2 :: Thanks. Will cull through the info shortly. After reading several posts, I came across the recommendation for core2usb. I followed the instructions at https://sourceforge.net/p/core2usb/wiki/Home/

Usage

Its usage is easy and straight forward.
..


Yes but it's also not the Official installer (which is provided in tinycoreplus.iso), while core2usb should work there are sometimes fatal issues when reading a blank USB when used in Windows (still to be resolved I guess).   Therefore the Official installer is Highly recommended and is the only supported installer and it's also simple to use..  Just follow the instructions in the Core Book.


Unfortunately the most complicated and difficult methods that almost always fail are the ones folks seem to come up with on their own..

coreplayer2: just finished with Juanito's recommendations. Will now try yours and let you now how things go.

Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 31, 2016, 12:56:57 PM
Also, please use a supported installer. Third-party installers may not work.

curaga: just finished, successfully, Juanito' recommendations. core2usb, cited in the book, did not work. Going to try the "official method" shortly.
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 31, 2016, 01:03:31 PM
tce-load -w Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar
   this command worked

Good - "tce-load -w" downloads the extensions

Next you need "tce-load -i" to install them...

Juanito : your recommendations worked. thanks!

    tce-load -i Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar
    tce-load -w Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar
    xsetup.sh
    startx

With this behind me, I am going to try the "official installer" and, a recommendation by patrikg.
Need to figure out (1) the proper mouse selection (xsetup.sh) and how to save the system changes or write a .sh for every boot.
Thank you again.
Title: Re: How to troubleshoot?
Post by: lmart on July 31, 2016, 03:02:22 PM
curaga + coreplayer2

successful unofficially official install

1. Boot TinyCore-7.2 via YUMI usb. (Wish core2usb worked!)
2. Successfully applied Juanito's 4 commands to enable X/GUI. Thanks Juanito!
    tce-load -i Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar
    tce-load -w Xvesa Xprogs flwm aterm wbar
    xsetup.sh
    startx
3. Downloaded the "official installer" (command-line version, tc-install.sh), following prompts.

Now, 2 successful usb installs of TinyCore. However, I have yet to understand how/what to troubleshoot when things go South ... is there some boot log that would tell/help me where things didn't go as they should ...

Now, to try patrikg's method ...