after grub, stripy screen

[Bob McClure Jr]

On Sun, Oct 23, 2005 at 03:57:02AM +1300, Grant Allan wrote:
> hi,
> 
> i installed linux CDs using text mode 'anaconda', because i was having
> troubles getting the GUI version to display properly.  (first i tried
> different resolutions, and "nofb".)  but text mode seemed to install the 4
> CDs just fine.  but...
> 
> when i get to my grub screen, it displays ok, but then when it goes to
> start linux, it tells me it is checking the hardware and then gives me a
> stripy screen (red and green vertical stripes, in case you were wondering
> ;) - and a little while after that, i get a screenful of orange and white
> rectangles, various sizes).
> 
> what to do?  i expect that i need to install some special display drivers
> from nvidia - but until then, is there some way to get grub to start me in
> text mode or something.  i guess i would use the "linux rescue" to do
> that?

Not necessarily.  Use Ctrl-Alt-F1 to get to a text-mode login.  Then
follow the directions here:

http://www.rhil.net/docs/faq.html#x_fails

> i did try using "linux rescue" to try looking into grub.conf (in case
> there were some helpful comments), but no joy.  when i tried to use
> "gedit" on grub.conf, it failed to start, citing a display problem.

The answer is in /etc/inittab, not grub.conf.  See above hint for
directions.

> if editing some file somewhere is part of the solution, is there maybe a
> text-based editor in "linux rescue" that i can use instead of gedit?
> 
> i'm a bit worried about not being able to shut down gracefully.  when i
> get to the an unreadable screen, my only way out would seem to be hardware
> reset button (ouch!).

Use the Ctrl-Alt-F1 (or -F2 through -F6) to get to a text screen.

> thanks for any insights!
> grant

Cheers,
-- 
Bob McClure, Jr.             Bobcat Open Systems, Inc.
robertmcclure at earthlink.net  http://www.bobcatos.com
Peace at any price is inflationary.