Hi,
I have checked the forums but could not find an answer to my specific problem regarding installation. Here is what I have:
HP Pavilion ZV5466 laptop, about 4 years old.
It has a AMD 64 bit CPU, 60Gb HD, 512 Mb Ram.
The Video Card is a NVIDIA GeForce4 440 Go 64M.
Here is what I have done:
Downloaded the 64 bit Gnome live disk.
Mdsum checked out perfectly. I have a good CD.
The problem seems to be the video.
I have tried 1024x768, 800x600, VESA selections and fail-safe. I always get the same results e.g yellow wavy lines, very large unreadable text, and no mouse indication.
I hope some one can help. I have Xp installed
and also another linux distribution that works fine.
I would like to install SUSE but that is not possible at this moment because of the video problem. I an not a Linux newbie but this problem has me perplexed. I have a Toshiba 32 bit machine and Suse works fine. Had no problem installing SUSE there. Please help.
Shouldn’t be a problem, buddy. Are you able to boot up and INTO the system?
I figure you just need the appropriate drivers (which are obviously not installed yet).
Please answer the first question, the I’ll help ya’.
TheMask.
When you say “boot up into the system” I’m guessing you mean in the terminal mode or command line?
Well I have not got to that point. DidI miss something at the beginning of the install?
You mean you don’t even get a command line? Now THAT can’t be at all. 
By “booting into the system” I mean booting into a graphical interface - thus seeing the desktop and it’s background…
TheMask.
linuxman09 adjusted his/her AFB on Sunday 10 May 2009 00:56 to write:
>
> When you say “boot up into the system” I’m guessing you mean in the
> terminal mode or command line?
> Well I have not got to that point. DidI miss something at the beginning
> of the install?
>
>
What happens if you press the Esc key during the cd boot cab you get to the
text based installer?
If so use that.
IIRC some Nvidia`s used to have a prob when using the graphic installs, but
that may be an old prob and what is left of the grey cells are playing
tricks on me 
HTH
Mark
Nullus in verba
Nil illigitimi carborundum
No, I never get there. Just the green screen
that shows the loading and then the mish-mash
desktop.
I am having the same issue.
But the NET cd is the way around. Got this from some search though.
ALSO, no guarantee that your system will boot and work OKAY, after boot.
you have to risk by this installation. DO BACKUP ALL DATA FIRST.
My self I have been unable to use the LiveCD, but if your works, I will give it a shot. Do post your results.
Hi Everyone,
I did a text load and of course I am now at the command line and entered “root” as password.
I am not sure how to enter a new NVIDIA driver from here if that’s what I need to do.
Please help. Tks.
linuxman09 adjusted his/her AFB on Sunday 10 May 2009 03:56 to write:
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I did a text load and of course I am now at the command line and
> entered “root” as password.
>
> I am not sure how to enter a new NVIDIA driver from here if that’s what
> I need to do.
>
> Please help. Tks.
>
>
First off just try running:
sax2
on the command-line and see if SuSE will configure a basic driver so you at
least have some sort of GUI, it is not totally needed but might be more
pleasing on the for you.
Mark
Nullus in verba
Nil illigitimi carborundum
Hi Mark,
Entered “sax2” and ended with a black, grey and white flashing screen with no text at all. It appeared it was trying.
Then it just hung up in terminal mode after I hit rtn or escape.
So I needed to reboot again to get to working command line.
Sorry that I’m not more helpful. Tks.
. It appeared it was trying b
linuxman09 adjusted his/her AFB on Sunday 10 May 2009 13:46 to write:
>
> Hi Mark,
>
> Entered “sax2” and ended with a black, grey and white flashing screen
> with no text at all. It appeared it was trying.
> Then it just hung up in terminal mode after I hit rtn or escape.
> So I needed to reboot again to get to working command line.
> Sorry that I’m not more helpful. Tks.
>
>
> . It appeared it was trying b
>
>
next move is to try this one:
sax2 -r -m 0=nv
that is a zero not an Oh
This is telling sax2 to
-r
re-probe the hardware
-m 0=nv
to use the nv, open-source Nvidia module which is just a modified vesa one.
see if you get any further
If you get weird screens or anything first try to kill the X server by :
hold down Ctrl+Alt and press the Backspace you might have to hit the
Backspace twice
If you get back to the text screen see if there has been any errors printed
and paste them here they might give us a better insight of what is going on.
If not then on your next boot I will tell you how to have a look at the log
files ( Oh what fun )
I still have a nagging feeling that this used to happen with that graphics
card in a much older version of SuSE and other distro`s
Unfortunately I have visitors here so cannot give 100% attention to the
computer, I have to keep popping back in to my comp room
HTH
HTH
–
Mark
Nullus in verba
Nil illigitimi carborundum
Hi Mark,
Thanks for all your help.Here is long story/short. My laptop screen was bad
and I was using external monitor. I disconnected monitor and laptop screen began working beautifully. Tried Suse 11.1 and it now works as a live CD.
A couple of minor problems—I think.
I really appreciate your help and concern and want to thank you very much.
Didn’t mean to interfere on your Sunday. Suse 11.1 looks very nice and cant wait to tune her up. Ciao, Bill
linuxman09 adjusted his/her AFB on Sunday 10 May 2009 16:36 to write:
>
> Hi Mark,
> Thanks for all your help.Here is long story/short. My laptop screen
> was bad
> and I was using external monitor. I disconnected monitor and laptop
> screen began working beautifully.
Great stuff.
> Tried Suse 11.1 and it now works as a
> live CD.
> A couple of minor problems—I think.
well if ya get stuck you know where we are
> I really appreciate your help and concern and want to thank you very
> much.
No probs.
> Didn’t mean to interfere on your Sunday.
Nah it was the visitors disturbing my computer.
> Suse 11.1 looks very nice
> and cant wait to tune her up. Ciao, Bill
>
>
Glad you got it sorted ow is the time for you to enjoy.
Cheers.
–
Mark
Nullus in verba
Nil illigitimi carborundum