[Linux-disciples] RE: can't root, network and display woes

[Adam Kessel]

--N8ia4yKhAKKETby7
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Disposition: inline
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

On Tue, Nov 25, 2003 at 06:06:11PM -0600, Karl Sokol wrote:
> I have ammended the boot sequence as directed, but it still loads up in=
=20
> the same way.

Can you send us your precise boot sequence as modified?  Maybe you aren't
saving the change properly?

It should be something like, e.g.:

title		Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.0-test7-joehill.1
root		(hd0,1)
kernel		/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.0-test7-joehill.1 root=3D/dev/hda2 ro init=3D/bin=
/sh
savedefault
boot

> Meanwhile, I have been given a WinBook M laptop which I have promptly=20
> repartioned for linux.  I installed Debian 3 from CD.  I have selected=20
> my SIS 900 network card from the listed modules, but it won't work. =20
> Googling revealed that this is an infamous card, but is included in the=
=20
> 2.4 kernel and does not work well as a module. Otherwise, I have a=20
> minimal installation with access to the command line.  Can I get my=20
> network to work from the shell.=20
>=20
> Thirdly, the display chops off the bottom 3 " or so, leaving me=20
> essentially blind to questions being asked.  Using an external monitor=20
> gives the same results.  When I used the install from Debian 2.1, there=
=20
> was no problem.
>=20
> Without exagerating, I have spent about 20 hours trying to get this=20
> laptop to work.  I was even desperate enough to re-partion it as NTFS=20
> and try to restore windows from the restore disks that came with the=20
> computer.  It pretends to restore, but upon restart, it only gives an=20
> endless stream of 010101010101...

Ah, this is a tough one.  Obsolete laptops can drive you crazy, whether
you're trying to install Windoze or Linux.

Your best bet is to see if you can locate someone else with exactly the
same laptop who has gotten linux to work.  Have you checked
http://www.linux-laptop.net for example?
--=20
Adam Kessel
http://bostoncoop.net/adam

--N8ia4yKhAKKETby7
Content-Type: application/pgp-signature; name="signature.asc"
Content-Description: Digital signature
Content-Disposition: inline

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.3 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQE/xCgPdTf3ZklQ6qYRAoIjAJ9eIaewAbsxA8VHdx9WogOxMBjjmACdGyJI
nK3TaD9mbDUEzMFoEbgBtVE=
=eKb1
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

--N8ia4yKhAKKETby7--