I’ve used Ubuntu for the past couple years and decided to try OpenSUSE 11.1 from the KDE liveCD; however, I am having installation problems.
Computer specs:
hp pavilion xt395
Pentium 4 - 2.2Ghz
1 gig of ram
I checked the md5sum after download and also checked it on the CD using the installation option. Both times it was fine. During some installation attempts it freezes during boot. On other attempts I get all the way to:
Welcome to openSUSE 11.1 - Kernel 2.6.27.7-9-default (tty1)
linux login:
From watching the text of the boot process, most items receive a green done. There are a few that do not:
Something about time needing --utc --local time
fail
Not starting NFS client services - no NFS found in/et /fstab: unsused
Sorry I don’t know why you’re not getting a GUI session and getting a console login instead, but I can tell you that the nfs service and time config are not the problem. It’s probably that the install failed to create a suitable config for your video card. Try this, login as root and run
startx
Maybe you will get a GUI session maybe not. You could also try there:
sax2
which will give you another go at configuring your video card. Any info you get from these experiments will help others help you with the problem.
Thanks for the advice so far ken_yap. I logged in as root:
linux login: root
Have a lot of fun...
Then I tried startx
linux:~ # startx
xauth: creating new authority file /root/.serverauth.3142
xauth: creating new authority file /root/.Xauthority
xauth: creating new authority file /root/.Xauthority
giving up.
xinit: No such file or directory (errno 2): unable to connect to X server
xinit: No such process (errno 3): Server error
I also tried sax2
linux:~ # sax2
SaX: initializing please wait...
Can't load '/usr/lib/per15/vendor_per1/5.10.0/i586-linux-thread-multi/auto/SPP/SPP.so' for module SPP: /usr/lib/libSM.so.6:
cannot read file data: Input/output error at /usr/lib/per15/5.10.0/i586-linux-thread-multi/DynaLoader.pm line 203.
at /usr/lib/per15/vendor_per1/5.10.0/i586-linux-thread-multi/SPP.pm line 10
Compilation failed in require at /usr/share/sax/modules/SPPParse.pm line 12.
BEGIN failed--compilation aborted at usr/share/sax/modules/SPPParse.pm line 12.
Compilation failed in require at /usr/share/sax/init.pl line 20.
BEGIN failed--compilation aborted at /usr/share/sax/init.pl line 20.
It looks like your installation is incomplete and therefore cannot be relied upon to work. Did the installer complete normally? Is it possible your disk has bad blocks?
Right after that sax2 command, do:
dmesg
Are there any log messages about error reading some block device?
Try a reinstall, but this time at the partitioner step go into expert mode and ask for a bad block check of the disk (I think this is possible, not certain).
Ken_yap, I haven’t been able to get the KDE LiveCD fully booted to the OpenSUSE desktop to even begin installation. I get sent to the linux kernel during initial booting of the live CD.
I tried the sax2 command again:
linux:~ #sax2
SaX: initializing please wait...
SaX: your current configuration will not be read in
SaX: no X-Server is running
SaX: will start own server if needed
SPP: prepare device [0] profile: Depth25
SPP: prepare device [0] profile: Radeon
SPP: calling device [0] profile script: Radeon
SPP: prepare device [0] profile: Virtual
SPP: prepare device [0] profile: NoVirtual
SPP: prepare device [1] profile: synaptics
SPP: including prepared profile(s)...
SPP:prepare device [0] profile: nobus
SPP: including prepared profile(s)...
SaX: startup
SaX: using cache data...
linux:~ #
During this process the GUI started to work and I was able to see a wavy blue desktop. A window popped up asking me:
Automatic Graphics System Setup
SaX2 Suggestion
The currently-stated graphics system is based on a suggestion made by SaX2. If this is acceptable click OK.
Otherwise, change the configuration.
Change Configuration
OK
Cancel
When I click on “OK” it sends me back to the text based kernel. When I click on “change configuration” it sends me to the “SaX2: X11 Configuration” window:
Card and Monitor Properties
Display 1
Card: ATI Radeon LY
Monitor: --> LCD 1024x786@60HZ
Properties
Resolution: 1024x768 (XGA)
Colors 16.7 Mio. [24bit]
Dual Head Mode
]Activate Dual Head Mode
[x]Activate 3D Acceleration
Clicking on “OK” allows me to “Test”, “Save”, or “Cancel”. I tested and then saved which sent me back to the text based kernel.
I’ve also tried installing the Gnome LiveCD and was able to get to the GUI/desktop and complete the installation process until the required restart. Apparently I did something incorrect as there was no operating system found after restarting.
Are you able to use the LiveCD part to take a look at openSUSE?
It should give you a desktop, working in a similar manner to the Kubuntu Live CD.
The Answer is No!
The whole point of Live CD’s is to check out a version of Linux, without touching your hard disk. If that part doesn’t work, then it really is telling you not to bother. So listen to what the Live CD is saying…
If operating from the CD worked well, so you then decide to install, and then booting without the CD from disk causes issues subsequently, I’d consider the possibility of a kernel driver problem.
However, you could also run memtest86+ to check your memory as well as running the Intel Linux Firmware test, to try and eliminate hardware issues. You can run those via the Net Install CD which is just a 90 MiB download.
If you are desperate to try out openSUSE 11.1, then I’d try with a Net install in another month, many problem hardware issues get sorted by kernel updates post release. And your initial install, will suck down many updates, often fixes for bugs found before release testing -RC1 and the betas, but that didn’t have time or the criticality to get included in the “Gold Master”.
I don’t think any of this is any use until you can get the installer to complete an install. A half-installed system can’t be relied to do anything consistently.