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Author Topic: Computer crashes at GUI startup. Help needed?  (Read 2387 times)

Offline PM

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Computer crashes at GUI startup. Help needed?
« on: September 18, 2009, 06:50:26 AM »
I have an old IBM Thinkpad 390X laptop that I'd like to revive. It's equipped with Pentium II 400 Mhz CPU, 64MB RAM and Neomagic MagicMedia256AV  (details: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:390X).

I can boot the CD burned ISO easily in text mode. However, booting to GUI results in a black screen with just the mouse arrow visible.

My efforts have so far been to include a SWAP partition, but it is not recognised by TC. I don't think to little memory is this issue, anyway.

It's hard hunt for errors since the computer is unresponsive, and the log files inaccessible. Furthmore, any remote connection is impossible due to lack of network cards (I have an PCMIAA wireless card, but I have to make that work later).

I have successfully loaded both Puppy and DSL on this computer.
I am rather experienced with linux. Right now I run TC on my eee 1000HE, and that works wonderfully. This distro really stands out. Keep up the great work!

Help would be greatful appreciated!




Offline Guy

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Re: Computer crashes at GUI startup. Help needed?
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2009, 07:48:51 AM »
Are you using Tiny Core CD, not Microcore?

You need to install additional programs on Microcore to make it work.

/microcore.html][removed due to policy violation]/microcore.html
« Last Edit: September 18, 2009, 07:55:27 AM by Guy »
Many people see what is. Some people see what can be, and make a difference.

Offline PM

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Re: Computer crashes at GUI startup. Help needed?
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2009, 08:14:52 AM »
I am using the Tinycore iso (tinycore_2.3.1.iso), so I think all required files to start xvesa should be there. Btw, I have also tried different VGA modes, but the results are the same.

Offline jls

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Re: Computer crashes at GUI startup. Help needed?
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2009, 08:45:42 AM »
u can try fbdev or xorg
dCore user

Offline combo3

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Re: Computer crashes at GUI startup. Help needed?
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2009, 11:37:28 AM »
According to the product specs your video card has 2.5 MB, so maximum resolution is limited to 1024x768x16.

Add xsetup to the boot options.