Cannonfodder

I'm bored, sorry cannonfodder, but I'm going to put your post in a 'somewhat' standard way to help other people to do the same you've done but with no mandrake dependant commands, this might help some one. If you feel that this post is out of place or too pedantic you can just remove it :) ;)

Would I do that?

:unsure: :lol:

As I just installed 9.2 tonight and had the same problem with my ATI All inwonderve (black screen), I tried this too.

However, the ctrl-alt-backspace part didn't work.. If it doesn't work for you you can try booting into failsafe (see lilo menu) and then at the prompt

XFdrake

Do a test to insure it works. After configuring the video again, click options and set it to not start automatically. Reboot and login at the console. Then type

startx

to start the X session. If you do it this way, and it doesn't work, you will see error messages in the console and be able to act on them.

When done, you can run XFDrake again and set X to start on boot.

My problem is solved, hope yours does too..

Have you tried some googling under

tv card linux

?

Here's an example..

http://www.tv-cards.com/linux.php

There's a maintained faq out there also.. just gotta find it :) Let us know what you figure..

Also, try to be logical about the boot process. It's a sequencial process, bios, mbr, lilo, win.. Eliminate each step as being part of the problem.

bvc reminded me of a few things I haven't thought of in a while..

http://xosl.sourceforge.net/

http://www.azillionmonkeys.com/qed/os.html

bvc, I see, you right! Will wonders never cease?

You need to check that boot.ini file. Post it here if you need too..

[boot loader]
timeout=5
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect

I don't think that code is needed for win2k, more for 98/millinium. Reason is that win2k has a file called boot.ini. That text file contains the location of the win2k installation. It's actually the win2k boot loader. I used to have several versions of win2k running and don't recall needing that code. I stand corrected if I'm wrong though ;)

The win98 fdisk /mbr command installs a simple mbr that goes to the primary hard drive's first partition.. doesn't matter if its win2000 or whatever. Basically you are replacing lilo's mbr with a simple mbr.

The fact that it is not booting means something is up with your win partition or your partition table.

Now verify that hda1 contains your windows files. Boot off of CD1, hit F1, type rescue. At the menu select go to console (I think).

Now type

mount -t ntfs /dev/hda1 /mnt

cd /mnt

You should see your windows files.. if its a fat32, then use vfat instead of ntfs in the above command.

type

ls to see your files.

If you can't or can't mount it, then something is wrong..

Assuming that you can't see your files, now verify where your linux partitions are.. is it possible you replaced your windows partitions with linux partitions?

If so, you may want to totally delete all partitions and start from scratch. Think of it as an oppportunity to redesign your partition layout as you would like it... I've been there a few times :)

Additionally, once you have installed both windows and linux. You MUST NOT use the windows disk manager to make any partition modifications. By this I mean, add/modify/delete partitions. It can scrag your partition table easily. Is it possible you did this after installing linux?

Try this..

Boot into the install CD.

When you get to a screen asking whether you want to partition it yourself (custom partitioning), select the option to partition yourself.

Now click the autoconfigure button, if it offers you an /usr option, select that. Once done, you can note the partition name, size, mount point on paper. Do not save yet.

If you want to change any of the partition's file systems. E.g. ext3 to reiserfs or something else, then remove each of the partitions just created and re-create them, same size, same mount point, but the file system you want. I found this useful when I was just learning as auto-configure will try to setup what it thinks the partition size should be. When ready, save and cointinue install.

When you get to the lilo install, just select the default settings. It will boot the computer into the lilo boot manager and then within that you will have an option for windows. Select windows to boot into the XP boot manager and then into windows.

Some notes..

1. After doing this, never use windows xp disk manager to manipulate your partition table (modify/create/delete partitions). You may lose all your partitions. XP is not familiar with some linux partition entries..

2. If you want to install a different partition setup later on, make sure you uninstall lilo first.

lilo -U

and then boot into CD1 and start the install process again to get back to the custom partitioning screen.

I recommend you stay away from partition magic unless you have no choice. Mandrake's diskdrake disk manager program will do what you need it to do..

have you tried the

lilo -v

option for verbose description of any problems?

I was speculating. If you installed lilo to hdb for example, I think you have to alter your bios to make it work (not sure).. thought maybe you did that, although your lilo.conf states /dev/hda.. just a quess :)

I don't know anyting about ISC but could something be interfering such as a firewall? Turn off all the firewalls (if on) and see if connection happens.. .if not, what else?

I've got one and tomorrow I'm driving up into the mountains where I will use it with dial up. Does anyone know if linux will work with it? Can't test it where I'm at now..

Its a possibility that the bios is set to the other hard drive.

I guess the first thing to do is to see if the win_c works independant of lilo. So make sure bios is pointing to hda as the boot and also restore the boot loader. Several ways..

1. Try

lilo -U

or if that doesn't work,

2. Go to www.bootdisk.com and see if you can find a boot disk or mbr restore.

3. Try to find a win98 boot floppy and use

fdisk /mbr

to restore the mbr.

If you can then boot into it, then you know that the problem is lilo related, otherwise, you will not be sure..

You can also backup your lilo.conf, and remove all the extra entries. Just leave one entry for linux and one entry for the first windows. Simplify it. Try that. Does it work? No? Try removing the mapdrive stuff. I don't have that but you might need it. My windows is in hda1.

Let us know how you made out..

What do you want to do with your programming? Web design? Applications? scripts?

What else have you tried? Try changing the permission sto 777 anyways? Different editor? Obvious stuff that shouldn't matter but does anyways. Boot off of CD1 and see if it lets you change it there? If so, recreate the file (make copy, delete original, rename copy)... let us know how you make out..

Just guessing but try using chown to change the owner to root. You can also post your /etc/fstab file to see if the volume is being mounted incorrectly..

To do this, you need to investigate special character sets. I think you can get the terminal to use these characters. In windows, this is called a code page. Do some googling on

linux special character sets

Here's an example..

http://www.linux.com/howtos/Text-Terminal-...l-HOWTO-8.shtml

Anytime you are doing something that you think is repetative and takes a long time, there's good odds that someone else has a quicker way!

Doesn't surprise me that the script fanatics have reared their heads in this thread

Try opening a console and type

man rename

to explore the rename command. Read carefully and backup your work first so you can experiment..

You can easily edit the file /etc/lilo.conf and then type lilo at the prompt to process the changes. Just make the mbr on hda, it will work.. There is a faq on duel booting on this board go take a look..

You sound like my mother

Just wanted to add that I'm looking forward to when you get settled in and can join us again.  :)

Can't wait to settle in.. but I'll be participating more and more in the board. We had a good chat on some ideas for the board. I know I sounded like I was on Mushrooms but its just the way I talk sometimes :D Sorry I didn't get a chance to meet your husband but your family, dogs and horses, computer were all an experience to remember!

Eh? I thought Houston was in Russia?

Might of been the very large drink they served me on Bourbon street, could be! Truth is I didn't have time. Tomorrow is Dad's bday and I just got here last night so it is all working well.. Take a rain check?