Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : Kinda weird Lilo behavior..


Tayl
09-20-2003, 09:26 PM
I am trying to install Slack 9 so it dual-boots with Windows XP, and the installation went fine. Then, after I rebooted, Lilo loads up, and it has the Slackware and Windows option, so I select Slackware....it says "Loading Slackware......" and then...blank. Confused, I tried again. Same behavior. Getting kind of scared, I tried the Windows option, and THAT booted, so at least I have something. Also, I tried using my Linux bootdisk, and THAT works. Works great. Just using Lilo doesn't let it boot.

So I did some searching, and found that Lilo has trouble working if the partition is a ways back in the disk...which I did. My main partition is Windows, which takes up 25 gigs of my 40 gig hard drive. Then Slack9 takes up the last 15 gigs. So I tried everything it said on the stuff I found through google, and still nothing. I have version 22.4.1 of Lilo, which is supposed to support the lba32 option and let it work.

I'll add my lilo.conf file at the end, so you can read it. Now, just a few minutes ago, I booted into Slackware, and let it run...I noticed that my CPU light on the front of my case was flashing, like Linux was actually loading. Intrigued, I waited until it stopped and typed "root" and then my root password. It flashes for a second, as if responding to my input. I then tried "reboot", and lo and behold, it rebooted! So I guess that it IS booting correctly, but just not displaying it to my screen? Also, after it rebooted, I selected Slackware again, and this time manually restarted it in the middle of the apparent boot-up process. I then used my bootdisk to get into the Slack partition, and while booting, said that the "partition was uncorrectly unmounted and had to be checked" or whatever that error message is when you don't shut down properly. So...it WAS loading? I don't know. I set the option in lilo to just do normal VGA, none of the extra stuff, so....

Here is my lilo.conf file:

# LILO configuration file
# generated by 'liloconfig'
#
# Start LILO global section
boot = /dev/hda
#compact # faster, but won't work on all systems.
prompt
timeout = 300
lba32
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
#vga = 773
# Normal VGA console
vga = normal
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x64k
# vga=791
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x32k
# vga=790
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
# vga=773
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x64k
# vga=788
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x32k
# vga=787
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x256
# vga=771
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x64k
# vga=785
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x32k
# vga=784
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x256
# vga=769
# ramdisk = 0 # paranoia setting
# End LILO global section
# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /boot/vmlinuz
root = /dev/hda5
label = Slackware
read-only # Non-UMSDOS filesystems should be mounted read-only for checking
# Linux bootable partition config ends
# DOS bootable partition config begins
other = /dev/hda1
label = Windoze
table = /dev/hda
# DOS bootable partition config ends

All of the partition targets are right....any suggestions? I'm stumped. :confused:

mdwatts
09-21-2003, 06:56 AM
Was vga= always set to normal even when the boot messages were not displayed?

Usually when I cannot see the boot messages, I have to change vga= from one of the others (791 etc.) to normal to be able to see the bootup.

Have you tried any of the others and also make sure you run /sbin/lilo (as root) after making any changes to your Lilo config.

Tayl
09-21-2003, 04:19 PM
Yep, what you said worked. I wasn't running /sbin/lilo after messing with the config file. But I have to use vga=normal in order to see it. Why can't I use framebuffers? I KNOW the 2.4.20 supports it, and my software definitely should be able to do it...any ideas on why it doesn't display anything when I use framebuffers? Again, it's Slack9.

sploo22
09-21-2003, 04:24 PM
Which framebuffer drivers do you have enabled in the kernel, and what video card are you using?

Tayl
09-22-2003, 04:10 AM
I'm sorry, I don't know how to check on what framebuffer drivers I have. Little help? :confused:

I am now running a dual monitor system, but my AGP card is a Geforce4 Ti4400. The secondary card is a Geforce2 Mx 440. I have Gnome running perfectly, so my nvidia drivers are working great...so far. :D