A few questions on linux from a linux newbie.

[Mal]

I'm in a little mess right now. I changed my video drivers to the correct one and then increased the resolution from 800x600 to 1024x768. I restarted it and during the reboot, right before it loads x-windows, the screen goes blank. I'm using Mandrake 8.0 with KDE if that helps.

I got a couple of questions about Mandrake's boot screen. How do I extend the timeout before the default os is loaded and how do I change the default os?

I got another question, is it possible to restore win2k's boot information in the mbr after its been replaced without having to reinstall the whole thing?

Thanks in advance.

[t048]

How do I extend the timeout before the default os is loaded and how do I change the default os?

Edit the /etc/lilo.conf and look for a line:

timeout=##

where ## is some number. Change that to what ever time you what (measured in 1/10th seconds).

I restarted it and during the reboot, right before it loads x-windows, the screen goes blank.

Can you change the resolution back?

[Mal]

Thanks for the first one.

Can you change the resolution back? I can't get into it. I think can access the command line, but that as far as I think I can go. If someone can give some file I can edit, it'll be nice.

[t048]

Go to /etc/X11/ and look for XF86config file. There may be an XF86config-4 file, you'll need to edit the one that your x server uses (if you don't know, edit both. It won't hurt). Open the file and look for a line that says Section "Screen". Here is what my section looks like:

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen 1"
Device "nVidia GeForce 2 MX 400"
Monitor "Samsung SyncMaster 955DF"
DefaultDepth 24

Subsection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "800x600" "1024x768" "640x480"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "640x480" "800x600" "1024x768" "1280x1024" "1600x1200"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "800x600"
ViewPort 0 0
EndSubsection
EndSection


Each of the Display subsections define the possible resolutions at a given color depth. The first resolution listed is the default resolution used. In my above example, my default color depth is 24 (see DefaultDepth 24) and 1600x1200 is my default resolution.

Now try to start your x server by typing startx.

hope this helps. Good luck http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by t048 (edited 09-12-2001).]

[Mal]

Thanks alot.

[t048]

Another thought: at the blank screen, try pressing ctrl+alt+minus. This should reduce your resolution, if you are in x windows.

[Mal]

I did followed that and its still gives me a black screen. I guess I'm going to format and start over.

[lynchmob]

Also try ctrl+alt+backspace.This restarts the X server.One of my comps runs Mandrake 7.1 and it doesnt always get along with its Voodoo Banshee card.Doing the above changes a blank screen to X windows.HTMH
lynch

[CMonster]

If you previously had installed the nVidia video drivers and edited your /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file and then used the Mandrake utility to change your screen resolution then it likely overwrote the file: -simply go to a command line (failsafe mode) and use your favorite editor (mcedit, emacs, vim) to re-add the necessary changes for the nVidia driver (e.g. add [Load "glx"] and change Driver "nv" to [Driver "nvidia"].

If you did not install the nVidia acellerated drivers then disregard the above and see below.

Your refresh rate is likely too high:

Boot into "failsafe" mode (get thyself unto a command line) and try the following:


root@yourbox$cd /usr/X11R6/bin <enter>

root@yourbox-bin$xf86config <enter>


Follow the instructions carefully, especially about choosing your monitor (the generic SVGA that does 1024x768 at 60hz should be a safe bet).