Failed install.....openSUSE 11..... Bad DVD ?

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#1

Hello

I had a thread on this subject yesterday, but starting a new one today.

I bought an openSUSE 11 installation DVD from “CheapBytes”.

I installed on a Gateway GM5474. Full hardware spec’s can be found in the component list here:

Gateway Support - 1009568 Gateway GM5474 Desktop Computer

(Except I pulled the TV card, and added a Cisco Aironet PCI352)

The installation goes great, but when it reboots it won’t start the GUI. Instead of the GUI, it boots to a command prompt. (I am able to log in at the command prompt.)

I tried using startx and sax2 commands as suggested by people yesterday, with no results.
I did the install three times with KDE 3, and one time with KDE 4. I got the same result all four times.

On that first command prompt screen, it gives me a long string of file names. And then:

Died at: /usr/share/sax/init.pl line 653

isax: could not import file: /var/cache/sax/files/config at /usr/sbin/isax line 199
isax: could not import file: /var/cache/sax/files/config at /usr/sbin/isax line 199
isax: could not import file: /var/cache/sax/files/config at /usr/sbin/isax line 199
isax: could not import file: /var/cache/sax/files/config at /usr/sbin/isax line 199
isax: could not import file: /var/cache/sax/files/config at /usr/sbin/isax line 199
isax: could not import file: /var/cache/sax/files/config at /usr/sbin/isax line 199
isax: could not import file: /var/cache/sax/files/config at /usr/sbin/isax line 199

Argument. ‘’’’ isn’t numeric in sprintf at /usr/share/yast/modules/xlib.pm line 261 (#1)

(w numeric) The indicated string was fed as an argument to an operator that expected a numeric value instead. If you’re fortunate, the message will identify which operator was so unfortunate

Note: I was not able to copy and paste the text above, so typo’s are possible.

Then there was a bunch of other stuff, and the at the bottom there was:

linux-ks83 login: run level 5 has been
failed services in run level 5
skipped services in run level 5
^B^B^B^B

Yesterday there was a question about the possibility of a conflict between the mainboard integrated GPU, and the GeForce 8500 card. (PCIe)

In the mainboard BIOS, there is no option to disable the integrated GPU, the only option is to select which one is “init”. (PCIe was, and still is, selected as “init”)

I don’t think there is a graphics card problem. It works perfectly with YAST during install.

My guess is that the DVD I’m installing from is defective. But that’s only a guess.:confused:

PS: This is the first time I’ve ever tried to install GNU/Linux, So I have very limited knowledge of the subject.

#2

I installed from the DVD a fifth time, this time I loaded Gnome. I got the same results as with KDE 3 & 4, except it gave me an extra screen at the end, telling me that it was unable to start Xserver, and the likely cause was that it wasn’t set up correctly.

If I choose failsafe during boot, it will boot into a desktop, either KDE or Gnome.

I have a Cisco Aironet PCI 350 card. (actually a PCI352)

If I had the client utility for this card set up, I could access the internet from the machine.

I was hoping the client utility would be included with the install.

Can anyone tell me if there is a client utility available for the card?

#3
  • SemiLucid,

appears it has an NVidia card. Please login as root in runlevel 3, start yast, activate the NVidia repository and install the NVidia kernel modules. After that, start
sax2 -r -m 0=nvidia
in order to reconfigure X.

Uwe

#4

Uwe

I’m completely unfamiliar with this operating system

As far as I can tell, its booting into the bash shell. Am I supposed to call the bash shell the command line?

People keep telling me to log on and off as root, but during install, it only gave me one opportunity to create a password, so all I have is the root password.

I can log-in at the command line, but I don’t know how to enter runlevel 3 or yast.

Please login as root in runlevel 3, start yast, activate the NVidia repository and install the NVidia kernel modules. After that, start
sax2 -r -m 0=nvidia
in order to reconfigure X.

Sounds good, But over my head :confused:

#5

What I would really like to know: is the the DVD defective ?

CheapBytes.com has been in business for a long time, I didn’t think they wold ship a bad install disk.

I emailed them but I haven’t got a reply.

I think I will quit on it for now, It should not be necessary to repair a new installation.

The bad part is, that I bought the disk, so I could avoid all the trouble of downloading and burning a disk.

Thanks.

#6

It’s easy. At the green bootloader screen where you select, just pause it by moving your down arrow - Now move back to the default suse boot and press number 3 on your keyboard. You should see it type in the display lower down.
Now hit enter.
at the prompt to login type
root
followed by your password (text does not display as you type password)

then type:
sax2 -r -m 0=vesa

reboot

N.B. Rather than use the NVIDIA command I would suggets Vesa, as above

This will give you a chance to login and enable repo’s for the nvidia drivers

#7

caf4926

I followed your instructions, and it all worked great, right up to the point that it froze, and told me:

Died at /usr/share/sax/init.pl line 653

Same as before. The DVD I’m installing from must be defective.

I need to wait, and see if “CheapBytes” responds to my email.

This is not a good experience for a first time Linux user :slight_smile:

Thanks

#8

Why don’t you check the md5sum on the DVD? Do you have an existing Linux install from where you can do that?

If you read our newbies stickie:
NEWBIES - Suse-11.0 Pre-installation – PLEASE READ - openSUSE Forums

and read here:
how to create iso file for checking md5sum on cd/dvd

you see instructions on how to create a image11.iso file on your hard drive, which can then be checked with “md5sum image11.iso” and compared to the md5sum posted on the Novell/openSUSE web site.

#9

No, I don’t have an existing Linux box.

This is the very first time I’ve tried to use it.

#10

Although, I can boot into failsafe mode. Can I do it from there?

#11

Do you mean you get to a desktop via failsafe?
If so, you probably have a hardware issue.
Press the esc key during a Normal boot to see errors

Otherwise, if you have a desktop, you can work from that of course
or
If you have any live distro on cd and a partition to save to or external drive, download and save, then burn.

oldcpu is correct - check you md5sum’s always
then use the dvd or cd media check too

#12

On 07/03/2008 SemiLucid wrote:
> Although, I can boot into failsafe mode. Can I do it from there?

You could just boot from the DVD and start the install. One option is to check the media.

Uwe

#13

SemiLucid schrieb:
> What I would really like to know: is the the DVD defective ?

What you describe really doesn’t look like a defective DVD, but
rather like a problem with installing the correct graphics driver.
Therefore I’d recommend not to pursue the “defective DVD” line
any further, but to concentrate instead on finding a working driver
configuration for your graphics adapter.

HTH
T.

#14

Failsafe doesn’t give you a graphical desktop, does it? :confused: Cos if it does, all you have to do is add the working failsafe option to your default kernel at the grub boot menu and it should boot into X.

Failsafe options are:
ide=nodma
apm=off
acpi=off
noresume
edd=off
x11failsafe

To add an option to the default kernel, just start typing at the boot menu, then hit enter when you’re done. Try using acpi=off and apm=off first.

#15

Just to add to this thread - I get EXACTLY the same problem as the OP including the error message with the “Died at line…” being exactly the same so it doesnt look like bad media.

I have an ATI pci-express card and going in through the “Failsafe” option brings up the desktop OK. Normal ways dont!!

If I find out which failsafe option sorts it, how do I make the change permanent so I dont have to type it each time on startup?

The annoying thing is that it loads up fine when using the Live CD too. Installing from the DVD gives the same problem as the OP.

#16

how do I make the change permanent so I dont have to type it each time on startup?

edit the boot line in
/boot/grub/menu.lst

#17

Thanks. Found if I add the X11failsafe option to the bootup options it gets through to the desktop but cant change the resolution or enable graphical effects. At least I can hopefully get further now and if the OP is still around maybe get somewhere!

Do you reckon if I install the ATI drivers now things will work? I just cant see why it all works fine from the live CD!

#18

HOWTOs - openSUSE

The cd likely defaults to vesa

#19

Managed to get the xserver working - but now loads into a blank white screen after a reboot with the cursor on the screen which you can move about! Can exit to the console by doing CTRL+ALT+F1.

Got it working this far by doing:

sax2 -p to show me which cards had which number associated with them

sax2 -c 0 then loaded up the resolution configuration screen at last which was failing before. Seemed to all work fine until I rebooted then the white screen issue came up.

#20

I suggest you read very carefully through here
ATI - openSUSE

might be worth starting a new thread - specific to your ati issue