Tiny Core Linux

Tiny Core Base => TCB Q&A Forum => Topic started by: ejames82 on October 04, 2010, 03:49:09 PM

Title: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 04, 2010, 03:49:09 PM
recently i've had good luck with tinycore.  the first install had some difficulty, but since then, many have been successful, until today.

the computer is a dell dememnsion L933r.  it has a pentium III processor and 256mb ram. 

when i boot the tinycore 3.1 disk, here's what i read:

booting linux kernel 2.6.33-tinycore
checking boot options  done
starting udev daemon for hot plug support  done
scanning hard disk partitions to create /etc/fstab
setting language to C  done
setting time zone to UTC  done
possible swap partition(s)  enabled
loading tinycore extensions...hdc: DMA interrupt recovery
hdc: status timeout: status=0xd0 {busy}
hdc: possibly failed op code: 0xa0
hdc: drive not ready for comment

that's where it gets stuck.  the stick spins and spins.  it was only 20 minutes (then i hard killed it), but there was clearly something wrong.  i have two disks, and they are both md5 verified, but both disks did the same thing.
then i tried tinycore 2.11.1 (verified), and it did NOT get stuck.  it booted all the way to the desktop, but the screen was so dark, it is unuseable.  any adjustment (brightness, etc) was adjusted as bright as possible.  the monitor is a HP pavilion M70.

i was able to install another distro, just to prove that the hardware was capable, but i would rather have tinycore installed.

any direction or advice would be most appreciated.

Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: tinypoodle on October 04, 2010, 04:02:22 PM
Is the console dark as well, or only X desktop?
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 04, 2010, 05:05:02 PM
hi tinypoodle,

when you say "console", do you mean control panel?  i know in kde environment the terminal is called "konsole".
the X desktop is the default desktop.  that i definitely know, it's very dark.
anyway, everything is dark.

i took some pictures and hosted them at imageshack.


regular desktop

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/25/oct3001.jpg


with control panel

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1092/oct3002.jpg


with control panel and terminal

http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/7852/oct3003.jpg



thanks again.
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: tinypoodle on October 04, 2010, 05:07:20 PM
No, I meant on a virtual terminal.
As in hitting Ctrl+Alt+F1
Or when exiting X.
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 04, 2010, 05:49:47 PM
no problem with the console.

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/7623/oct3a.jpg

when version 3.1 boots completely with the disk, the desktop display is great.  i'm going to try changing  cd-roms.  maybe the cd-rom is marginal.  barely good enough for the other distro and not quite good enough for this one.

thanks.
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: tinypoodle on October 04, 2010, 07:05:40 PM
Looks like an X issue then, is all I can say.

On a sidenote: you lack the firmware extension for your NIC to work   ;)
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 04, 2010, 08:08:15 PM
would a network card extension effect the bootup?

"loading tinycore extensions...hdc: DMA interrupt recovery"

i'm assuming this is the info you're referring to. 
the ethernet is onboard.  the card is dial-up, and it's not even used.  just every other computer that i've installed tinycore on had a dial-up card as well.  it's never interfered before.

maybe this is one time tinycore isn't going to work.  you can't win 'em all.

thanks tinypoodle.   8)
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: tinypoodle on October 04, 2010, 08:22:43 PM
No, sorry I referred to the output on your console, I don't think there is any relation, just that without firmware the NIC wouldn't work. And looks like ethernet to me, not dial-up.
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: maro on October 05, 2010, 12:13:55 AM
"loading tinycore extensions...hdc: DMA interrupt recovery"

I'm pretty sure those two messages are independent from each other. The 'Loading ...' part of the line is from '/etc/init.d/tc-config', but the 'hdc: DMA ...' is AFAIK an error or warning message from the kernel. Have a look in the 'dmesg' output, those messages should be there as well. They might be "surrounded" by other information, that did not make it to the console.

My hunch is that it is the old hardware. I've got a 10-year old notebook (Dell Latitude CPx) on which I can't boot TC 3.x at all. I've forgotten the exact messages, but they are somewhat similar. It's not even getting as far as running '/init'. I have just resigned myself to the fact that old HW can cause problems.
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 05, 2010, 11:44:20 AM
tinypoodle,

now that i know what the name of that interface is...console, i have to admit i have been in the console at least a few times.  i should have considered the possibility that either i could use it's output to benefit me, or make changes to benefit me. 


maro,

"DMA ...' is AFAIK an error or warning message from the kernel. Have a look in the 'dmesg' output, those messages should be there as well."
that sounds great, can i run the dmesg command from the [crtrl+alt+f1] console?  i am unable to make it to the X desktop enviromnment.  this is the latest 3.1 tinycore.  tinycore 2.11.1 will get to the X desktop but is so dark it's unuseable.
"My hunch is that it is the old hardware. I've got a 10-year old notebook...I can't boot TC 3.x at all...It's not even getting as far as running '/init'"
init must be the driver/software information.  where you would review to see if hardware is getting recognized and configured.


thanks for the replies.

Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 05, 2010, 12:46:01 PM
i was able to boot up tinycore 3.1 with two other CD-rom decks (decks i had not tried yet).  so now i know i definitely have one malfunctioning/marginal CD-rom deck.  i know for sure that the malfunctioning/marginal deck will work for data exchange, but won't boot.
i'll try the 2.11.1 disk in these two decks as well.  i want to see if the desktop is dark using them.  i expect it to be dark, still, and it's probably a driver issue, but it will only take a few minutes to know for sure.


tinypoodle,
as you stated earlier, there is no internet connection.  i was hoping that with the new CD-rom the software would load, but it didn't.

Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: tinypoodle on October 05, 2010, 01:09:40 PM
Expected. firmware.tcz is not included in base.
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 05, 2010, 03:28:25 PM
tinypoodle,

i noticed another poster had the same trouble getting internet.

the question that begs to be asked is this: 
why is it that sometimes the internet works without intervention, and other times is doesn't?  this is the first time that it failed.  i would guess that it's all the different processor types that need to be considered/worked with (an astronomical number).  this is a pentirum III.  i can't specifically recall using a pentuium III, much less having success with it (getting internet with tinycore).

i haven't really had the luxury to actually try to fix this problem with due diligence, i had other obligations.  i have that out of the way now.  i'm going to put some effort into this.
i'll see if i can't find a way to capture the firmware.tcz on a flash drive and transpher it to the computer that needs it.
this is my idea of excitement. ;D

thanks again.



Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: tinypoodle on October 05, 2010, 03:38:45 PM
Processor is irrelevant.
It's the network card which requires firmware which TC has singled out from base into an extension.
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 05, 2010, 06:26:56 PM
tinypoodle,

i was able to get the firmware.tgz on a flash drive, but installing it didn't work. 
i successfully mounted the flash drive and even verified that the file existed.

according to this:
http://wiki.tinycorelinux.com/Package+management+cheat+sheet
i decided this command to be appropriate:

tce-load -i pkg /mnt/sda1/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tgz

the first time i tried it as root.  the terminal's response:  don't run as root
the second time, not being root, the terminal's response:  pkg.tgz not found

i didn't think it would work anyway, but i found it very intrigueing nonetheless.

thanks tinypoodle

Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: gerald_clark on October 05, 2010, 06:58:36 PM
That should have been "tce-load -i /mnt/sda1/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tgz"

Put the file in your persistent tce/optional directory.
Then use AppsAudit to add it to the onboot list.
You can then load it with:
"tce-load -i firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore"

It should load automatically on reboot.


Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 05, 2010, 07:07:11 PM
hi gerald_clark,

i see, do the command without
 
pkg

well, i'll give it a shot.   :)
thanks again.
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 05, 2010, 07:27:57 PM
gerald_clark,

well, i did this command:

tce-load -i /mnt/sda1/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tgz

and the terminal replied:  OK   :D
but you advise this:
"Put the file in your persistent tce/optional directory."
to make that happen, shouldn't the command been this?:

tce-load -i /mnt/sda1/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tgz tce/optional

thanks again.

 
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: gerald_clark on October 05, 2010, 07:50:28 PM
I don't know where you get these odd ideas of how to use tce-load.
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: tinypoodle on October 05, 2010, 10:45:15 PM
tce-load -i /mnt/sda1/tce/optional/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tgz

after you first move extension to that path  ;)

 
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: curaga on October 06, 2010, 12:29:48 AM
Using Xorg would probably fix the dark display.
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 06, 2010, 04:36:59 PM
gerald_clark,

i thought a command was supposed to go like this:
<action><source><destination>

i made an effort to find literature about tce-load, an was unable to find any that was specific. i did a forum search for info as well.


tinypoodle,

would this work (command-line is all i have available to me, there's no GUI available)?
cp /mnt/sda1/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tgz /mnt/sda1/tce/optional/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tgz
then this, of course (you recommend):
tce-load -i /mnt/sda1/tce/optional/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tgz


curaga,

it worked, but only offered 800x600 resolution.  i pushed f2 to enter boot options and it was the highest resolution offered. 
i'm not complaining, i'll gladly settle for this.  i don't know yet whether this resolution will cause any problems.  i read somewhere in the documentation somewhere the "possibility" of "trying" to get 1024x786, but some other documentation also said that those options were all that my hardware would allow.  i'll look more into it, but it was a good suggestion.



thanks for the replies.

Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: tinypoodle on October 06, 2010, 04:43:57 PM

would this work (command-line is all i have available to me, there's no GUI available)?
cp /mnt/sda1/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tgz /mnt/sda1/tce/optional/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tgz
then this, of course (you recommend):
tce-load -i /mnt/sda1/tce/optional/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tgz

Yes. But you might prefer 'mv' (move) instead of 'cp' (copy)
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 06, 2010, 07:40:28 PM
tinypoodle,

this is funny.   :D

first, if you go back and look at the posts, you'll notice that somehow (probably my fault) the file got changed/mistaken for a tgz instead of a tcz (this is supposed to always be a 'tcz' file, is that correct?)

anyway i made a directory /mnt/sda1/tce/optional, was able to move the file from:
cp /mnt/sda1/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tcz /mnt/sda1/tce/optional/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tcz
no error messages from terminal.  then did the command:
 tce-load -i /mnt/sda1/tce/optional/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tcz
the terminal said 'OK'

i click on appbrowser>connect 'connection error'

1. am i supposed to reboot?  but if i did, wouldn't that nullify the tce-load, and therefore, still not work?
2. is there any way to verify whether the tce-load went where it's supposed to go?  maybe there's still something i need to do.


anyway, even though this is not working, this is great.
thanks tinypoodle
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 06, 2010, 07:56:54 PM
tinypoodle,

haha, it works.   :o :P

i clicked control panel>network>dhcp and was able to use appbrowser.  downloaded arora browser and did a little surfing.

it seems like i should have done more in the control panel>network window than just clicking on dhcp, like putting in my or my providers IP, but everything greyed out.
and it works.

you did it again.  thanks tinypoodle
and thanks to everybody else who replied
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: maro on October 06, 2010, 08:08:24 PM
ejames82: If an extension is in the correct '.../tce/optional' directory you could just use 'tce-load -i EXT' instead of 'tce-load -i /full/path/to/EXT.tcz' (or in your case: tce-load -i firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore). Now to find out what TC (or MC) has identified as your '.../tce' directory you just use cat /opt/.tce_dir (which should be '/mnt/sda1/tce' in your case).

There are two commands I tend to use to find out what extensions are installed: ls /usr/local/tce.installed or ls /tmp/tcloop

WRT to supported screen resolutions: In my experience the confless 'Xorg' setup always errs on the side of caution and often does not go beyond the 800x600 resolution. One would have to provide a customised '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' to overcome this.

I personally find Xvesa to be in most cases completely sufficient, and it is able to support a range of resolutions. To find out more you might want to boot for once with boot code 'vga=ask', (and hit 'Enter' when asked). You will then be presented with a list of VESA (and VGA) modes, which should give you an idea what would be supported by your graphics adaptor. Note down those that appeal to you (e.g. '1280x1024x16'), then reboot and use this mode as paramter of the 'xvesa' boot code (e.g. 'xvesa=1280x1024x16'). If you have the 'Xorg-7.5.tcz' extension installed you better add the boot code 'base' to avoid loading that extension (and all others) as it would "take over" from Xvesa. With these boot codes you should be able to start the default X server (i.e. Xvesa) in the specific mode, instead of the default '1024x768x32'. If that should work to your satisfaction, you could "loose" the 'Xorg-7.5.tcz' extension (for which one could use 'appsaudit', but since I'm not using this tools myself I'm not the proper person to provide instructions).
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: tinypoodle on October 07, 2010, 12:05:14 AM
first, if you go back and look at the posts, you'll notice that somehow (probably my fault) the file got changed/mistaken for a tgz instead of a tcz (this is supposed to always be a 'tcz' file, is that correct?)

I never even noticed that - just using "copy&paste" - and therefore reproducing the naming error.   ::) 
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 07, 2010, 05:27:20 PM
maro,

"If an extension is in the correct '.../tce/optional' directory you could just use 'tce-load -i EXT' instead of 'tce-load -i /full/path/to/EXT.tcz'"
that helps me right away for a couple of reasons:
1. i'm still having to run the command every time i boot up.  i need the extension to tce-load with persistence.
2. i need to mount the flash drive before i run the command.


"Now to find out what TC (or MC) has identified as your '.../tce' directory you just use cat /opt/.tce_dir (which should be '/mnt/sda1/tce' in your case)."
actually, at the time, sda (the flash drive) was a better choice than the hard drive (hda), because i was booting from the live disk.  i installed tinycore today to hard drive so i can now use /mnt/hda1/tce/optional.


"There are two commands I tend to use to find out what extensions are installed: ls /usr/local/tce.installed or ls /tmp/tcloop"
the answers are the same, but the colors differ. 


"I personally find Xvesa to be in most cases completely sufficient"
the xfe file manager was the only 'inconvenience' caused by it so far (the resolution being 800x600).  the window is so big that the X to close is off the screen.  there is also a file>quit available.  not a problem.
i'm pleasantly surprised to see that i can use the tinycore forum without a scrollbar at the bottom.


"To find out more you might want to boot for once with boot code 'vga=ask', (and hit 'Enter' when asked). You will then be presented with a list of VESA (and VGA) modes, which should give you an idea what would be supported by your graphics adaptor. Note down those that appeal to you (e.g. '1280x1024x16'), then reboot and use this mode as paramter of the 'xvesa' boot code (e.g. 'xvesa=1280x1024x16'). If you have the 'Xorg-7.5.tcz' extension installed you better add the boot code 'base' to avoid loading that extension (and all others) as it would "take over" from Xvesa. With these boot codes you should be able to start the default X server (i.e. Xvesa) in the specific mode, instead of the default '1024x768x32'. If that should work to your satisfaction, you could "loose" the 'Xorg-7.5.tcz' extension (for which one could use 'appsaudit', but since I'm not using this tools myself I'm not the proper person to provide instructions)."
since i installed tinycore to the hard drive, i no longer get the screen where the chance to press f2 or f3 to select "boot options".  now that i've installed to hard drive, how do i access "boot options"?
once i get the connectivity/firmware extension issue out of the way, i'm going to try all that you suggest in this paragraph.  why not?!  there's no data at risk, and i've got very little time invested.  by far, there's more to gain here than to lose.

thanks, maro, for the boatload of info.


tinypoodle,

it looks like everybody was on a ""copy and paste" ROLL"   :)

Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: maro on October 07, 2010, 09:26:32 PM
ejames82: The boot codes I've mentioned are to be specified via the boot loader, so that it can pass it on to the kernel.

Now, the CD-ROM version of TC uses 'isolinux' as boot loader and it pauses (for 30 seconds) and shows the now familiar 'boot: prompt. That is the time when you would add the boot codes (or would press F2 or F3 to get some help with that). All this is driven by the configuration file '/boot/isolinux/isolinux.cfg' on the CD-ROM.

IIRC the 'usbinstall' script would install 'syslinux' or 'extlinux' as boot loader onto the USB drive. Those are "siblings" of 'isolinux' and the config file should be either 'syslinux.cfg' (and to be found in the root directory of the device), or 'extlinux.conf' (which should be in '/boot/extlinux' on the device).

Either of those files should contain a line like 'APPEND initrd=....' to which all additional boot codes would have to be appended. You could also specify them during the execution of 'usbinstall' when asked for "boot options".

I assume that when you installed TC on your hard disk you were following the installation instructions (http://www.tinycorelinux.com/install.html). In which case you would have installed GRUB as boot loader. During this process (http://www.tinycorelinux.com/install.html#6_Installing_GRUB) you would have edited it's configuration file (i.e. '/boot/grub/menu.lst' on the hard disk). As mentioned in those instructions all additional boot codes should be appended to the 'kernel' line.
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 08, 2010, 01:05:43 PM
maro,

"The boot codes I've mentioned are to be specified via the boot loader, so that it can pass it on to the kernel"
i'm not sure how that is done.  i've included one of the boot screens in a screenshot.
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/3698/oct3a005.jpg
if i press e during this screen, do i get launched into the boot loader/kernel that you mention in that statement?  i've been in that mode before and there are two options there, kernel and initrd.
since installing to hard drive, f2 is useless to me.  it has no effect after the bios/post screens.

"the CD-ROM version of TC uses 'isolinux' as boot loader and it pauses (for 30 seconds) and shows the now familiar 'boot: prompt. That is the time when you would add the boot codes (or would press F2 or F3 to get some help with that). All this is driven by the configuration file '/boot/isolinux/isolinux.cfg' on the CD-ROM.

IIRC the 'usbinstall' script would install 'syslinux' or 'extlinux' as boot loader onto the USB drive. Those are "siblings" of 'isolinux' and the config file should be either 'syslinux.cfg' (and to be found in the root directory of the device), or 'extlinux.conf' (which should be in '/boot/extlinux' on the device)."

   
so what changes i make hinges on the installation i do.  if i install by cd, i modify '/boot/isolinux/isolinux.cfg', if i install by flash drive, i modify 'syslinux.cfg'or 'extlinux.conf' 

"Either of those files should contain a line like 'APPEND initrd=....' to which all additional boot codes would have to be appended. You could also specify them during the execution of 'usbinstall' when asked for "boot options"."
what specifically to look for when i'm in there.

"I assume that when you installed TC on your hard disk you were following the installation instructions. In which case you would have installed GRUB as boot loader. During this process you would have edited it's configuration file (i.e. '/boot/grub/menu.lst' on the hard disk). As mentioned in those instructions all additional boot codes should be appended to the 'kernel' line."
well, actually, yes and no.  i read it outloud and recorded it on cassette tape.  that way i can watch what i'm typing and verify it's correct.  but yes, i recall there being info about the kernel in the menu.lst.  the modification would go on that line.
i've installed tinycore and xp on several dual-boots so i'm somewhat familiar with the menu.lst file.  for the dual-boot all i changed is the timeout from 10 to -1 so it waits for me to choose an OS.
you know, it sounds like alot to me right now, but after i've done it properly and it works, i'll get in a routine where it's like clockwork.

as soon as i tie up a few loose ends, i an going to try your "vga=ask" suggestion.  i hope you keep an eye on the thread. 
thanks for the very informative post.
 
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 08, 2010, 01:27:07 PM
there was still a problem with the internet connection (it wouldn't survive a reboot).  i had to copy the extension to tce/optional of the hard drive.  after mounting the flash drive.

cp /mnt/sda1/tce/optional/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tcz /mnt/hda1/tce/optional/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tcz

the terminal replies: OK

still need to control panel>network>dhcp


to make changes survive a reboot:
control panel>apps audit>on boot>boot maintenance>click extension on left side until it appears on right side>close
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 08, 2010, 07:56:03 PM
maro,

i tried to get the boot options so i could try the "vga=ask" suggestion, and the option was not given.  after 2-3 hours of checking the wiki, concepts, and this thread, i've noticed a few things:

in the wiki it says the boot options screen comes up with the cd.  since this is now installed to hard drive, that explains why boot options screen is unavailable.

also, i am using Xorg.  that is what curaga suggested i try because the screen was so dark.  i pushed f2>tinycore xsetup and 800x600 (i'm trying to recall all of this from memory as best i can).  my fault.  i should've caught that.

how many different types of video mode are there?  i guess it's a good thing there's more than one.  the more there are the better off we ALL are.

how does this change things?  am i out of gas because i'm using Xorg?

thanks again.   
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: maro on October 09, 2010, 01:23:36 AM
Just a few points:

(1) Only extensions listed in '.../tce/onboot.lst' will be loaded at boot time. As I'm not using 'appsaudit' I can't guide you there, but "looking" into that file (e.g. via cat /mnt/hda1/tce/onboot.lst in case of your hard disk install) should clarify the status of your firmware extension. My expectation would be that a timely load of the firmware extension saves you from having to "fiddle around" later on.

(2) I've tried to make it clear in my reply #28 that boot codes are to be specified during the phase when the boot loader is "in control". What you get after pressing F2 or F3 when booting the TC CD-ROM is merely the display of simple help files, as specified in the config file (i.e. '/boot/isolinux/isolinux.cfg'). Those help files on the CD-ROM mention just some of the possible boot codes, but not all of them (e.g. 'vga=ask' is one not mentioned).

When you install to a USB drive or a hard disk none of these help files will be made available via the respective boot loaders (unless you'd undertake it yourself). It is probably assumed that the users have already figured out what they need and don't require a help screen option on an ongoing basis.

(3) For the GRUB boot loader to change boot codes you have two ways: permanent changes by editing the config file (e.g. '/mnt/hda1/boot/grub/menu.lst'), or one-off changes by pressing 'e' to get into the "edit mode", and after you've finished your alterations pressing the approriate key to continue the boot process.

(4) For your testing with 'Xvesa' as X server it is vital that the Xorg extension is NOT installed at boot time. I therefore suggested to use the 'base' boot code (as a one-off it is probably no issue that the firmware extension would also not get installed). The permamnet way to disable Xorg would be via 'appsaudit' (don't know it myself), or editing of 'onboot.lst' (see above).
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 09, 2010, 01:25:27 PM
maro,

"Only extensions listed in '.../tce/onboot.lst' will be loaded at boot time. "looking" into that file (e.g. via cat /mnt/hda1/tce/onboot.lst in case of your hard disk install)"
1. it was difficult to find.  xfe file manager wouldn't show it.  i had to use the terminal.
2. correct, it was in /mnt/hda1/tce


"should clarify the status of your firmware extension. My expectation would be that a timely load of the firmware extension saves you from having to "fiddle around" later on."
1. the firmware extension was, indeed, there.  no other info was given.  just the fact that it's there, tells its status (i would assume).
2. if the firmware extension was not there, i would have to run the commands to copy/move and tce-load.


"boot codes are to be specified during the phase when the boot loader is "in control". What you get after pressing F2 or F3 when booting the TC CD-ROM is merely the display of simple help files, as specified in the config file (i.e. '/boot/isolinux/isolinux.cfg'). Those help files on the CD-ROM mention just some of the possible boot codes, but not all of them (e.g. 'vga=ask' is one not mentioned)."
acknowledged, though not mentioned, 'vga=ask' is available (i hope).  this was one tool this apprentice wants to try out.


"When you install to a USB drive or a hard disk none of these help files will be made available via the respective boot loaders (unless you'd undertake it yourself). It is probably assumed that the users have already figured out what they need and don't require a help screen option on an ongoing basis."
this is very reasonable thinking.  i don't blame them (the developers).


"For the GRUB boot loader to change boot codes you have two ways: permanent changes by editing the config file (e.g. '/mnt/hda1/boot/grub/menu.lst'), or one-off changes by pressing 'e' to get into the "edit mode", and after you've finished your alterations pressing the approriate key to continue the boot process."
yes, i posted a screenshot only a few posts back, of the screen i think you're referring to.  there's options to modify kernel or initrd.  i tried this once with ubuntu.  though it didn't fix the display problem, the computer didn't blow up either.  i felt victorious.


"For your testing with 'Xvesa' as X server it is vital that the Xorg extension is NOT installed at boot time. I therefore suggested to use the 'base' boot code (as a one-off it is probably no issue that the firmware extension would also not get installed). The permamnet way to disable Xorg would be via 'appsaudit' (don't know it myself), or editing of 'onboot.lst' (see above)."
i've decided to pull this hard drive (it works nicely, i don't want to mess it up) and put another in, then boot from cd and start fresh.  this way, i will once again be offered the 'boot options' screen.  i'll avoid installing to hard drive.  i want to try out the stuff you explained in post #28 (i believe) thoroughly.
i hope you continue to keep an eye of this thread.  i'll try not to be too much of a pain.  i'll keep it short and sweet.  i don't want to wear out my welcome.

thank you for another great post.

 
 
 
 
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: tinypoodle on October 09, 2010, 04:09:55 PM
Those help files on the CD-ROM mention just some of the possible boot codes, but not all of them (e.g. 'vga=ask' is one not mentioned)."
acknowledged, though not mentioned, 'vga=ask' is available (i hope).  this was one tool this apprentice wants to try out.

Yes because it is not at all specific to TC.

Code: [Select]

vga= [BOOT,X86-32] Select a particular video mode
See Documentation/x86/boot.txt and
Documentation/svga.txt.
Use vga=ask for menu.
This is actually a boot loader parameter; the value is
passed to the kernel using a special protocol.

I would use vga=ask whenever booting any distro for the first time, until being sure to predefine a specific mode.

For all kernel boot parameters:
http://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/kernel-parameters.txt
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on October 11, 2010, 01:07:43 PM
tinypoodle,

awesome archive.  i like having that info in my thread.   :)  it's easy to find that way.


maro,

i am going to sound even more foolish when i tell you, it probably is xvesa i'm using after all.
i boot from the disk and push f2, then i type 'tinycore xsetup', and i'm offered a list of possible choices.  i tried them all, and the only one that would work, was the one i had before; 800x600.
i tried all of the 'vga=ask' choices as well.  i either got 'no signal', a black screen, or an error message of some kind.  still great to know these tricks, though.
it looks like i have exhausted all options, but the computer works darn good!  And got lot's of great info as well.
if you have any specific procedure in mind that i've missed, i'm still willing to try something else.  otherwise, i think we've taken it as far as we can.


thanks alot, tinypoodle and maro.
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on January 18, 2011, 05:16:28 PM
today the hard drive failed so a reinstall was needed, but this time i used version 3.4.1.

i anticipated the same problems that i had last time with this demension l933r:
1. no internet connectivity
2. dark display after installation

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
it's a good thing i save the firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tcz extension on a floppy, because i accidentally erased a flash drive that the firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tcz extension was also on.
insert floppy
sudo su
mount -t vfat /dev/fd0 /mnt/fd0
can't be loaded as root
tce-load -i /mnt/fd0/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tcz
copied for persistence.  may need sudo
cp /mnt/fd0/firmware-2.6.29.1-tinycore.tcz /mnt/hda1/tce/optional
control panel>apps audit>on boot maintenance-put extension on onboot list

DISPLAY
boot options are no longer available after installation without installation media
necessary is using f2, f3, and f4 at prompt before installation to note available options.
options listed that applied to me to resolve this problem were:
1. tinycore xsetup
2. tinycore vga=ask
3. tinycore xvesa=800x600x32

the only options that would work for me were:
1. tinycore xsetup
2. tinycore xvesa=800x600x32

however, unless i edited my /mnt/hda1/boot/grub/menu.lst file, the changes would not survive a reboot.
this edit would need to be made at the end of the kernel line, but the "tinycore xsetup" option required two more screens (resolution and mouse type) every bootup.  the real solution was the "tinycore xvesa=800x600x32" choice, where there are no extra screens to contend with.


 
Title: Re: dell demension L933r stalled installation with 3.1 and too dark with 2.11.1
Post by: ejames82 on January 18, 2011, 06:29:53 PM
i wanted to add this for clarity.  my /mnt/hda1/boot/grub/menu.lst

default 0
timeout 10
title tinycore
kernel /boot/bzImage quiet tinycore xvesa=800x600x32
initrd /boot/tinycore.gz