Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : I messed up my Linux! :(
shawnmos
05-24-2001, 04:48 PM
I tried installing Netscape 6 on my computer and it froze before it was done. I tried to log out but it wouldn't close out of the netscape 6 installer so i tried restart and shuting down and same thing so i pressed reset and now I can't get into Linux. It starts up but then when it tries to go into the GUI the screen goes blank then it shows the logintext then it goes blank and it flashes back and forth. I can't get out of it. All I can do is press CTRL-ALT-DEL and Linux shuts down and restarts. I am using Linux Mandrake 7.1.
recluse
05-24-2001, 05:34 PM
I have had similar probs messing w/linux on numerous occasions. Since your description was somewhat brief I can only tell you what I did to fix this lack of gui problem when it happened to me.
Since I have a NVIDIA card I would just recompile the drivers and then proceed to fix my XF86Config file in /etc/X11/ to load the nvidia drivers.
Have you tried "startx" (w/o quotes) after logining in at the text login?
Good luck. -geordan
shawnmos
05-24-2001, 05:50 PM
It won't let me log in or do anything. I am using an ATI Radeon 32MB DDR. I am using the default drivers.
You may want to boot from your install CD and select the repair (or resucue) option to fix your system. I know 'Drake 7.2 has such an option, so I'll bet 7.1 does too.
shawnmos
05-24-2001, 06:15 PM
i don't think my cd has that...
bugfix
05-24-2001, 06:27 PM
Have you tried getting to another terminal?
Ctrl-Alt-[Function key]
Try function keys between 1 and 4, I can't remember which terminals are active and which display boot messages etc in 'drake.
If you can get to the CLI (text based prompt)then maybe you'll have a chance of sorting this out.
shawnmos
05-24-2001, 06:47 PM
Doesn't work.... It seems like it's trying to get into the GUI but can't and doesn't want to give up.
GonzoJohn
05-24-2001, 06:53 PM
Ok, try this.
When the screen starts flashing, hit Ctrl+Alt+Backspace. This should stop X from trying to load and then give you a login prompt. Log in and try running your favorite X configuration tool. It sounds like Netscape hosed X.
Best of luck.
GonzoJohn www.linuxorbit.com (http://www.linuxorbit.com)
Linux on the desktop? You bet!
shawnmos
05-24-2001, 07:07 PM
Still doesn't work. The numlock flashes on for a sec everytime the screen flashes if that means anything.
thmleo
05-24-2001, 07:13 PM
Try just waiting it out. The same thing happened to me once when I misconfig'd X and after around 5 minutes, it gave up and went to command line. g'luck
bugfix
05-24-2001, 07:15 PM
OK, at the LILO prompt force it to run at a different run-level. Try
linux 2
I don't have 'drake but that should stop X kicking in and you should be able to do something from there.
shawnmos
05-24-2001, 07:24 PM
It doesn't use LILO. i forget what it's called. think it starts with a G?
shawnmos
05-24-2001, 07:37 PM
sigh, i guess i'll format.... :(
bugfix
05-24-2001, 07:42 PM
'G'? you mean GRUB? You must be able to achieve a similar thing from that, I've never used it but I would be very suprised if you couldn't boot to a different run-level.
BTW. NEVER hit the reset button. If X has crashed use CTRL-ALT-Backspace or if that fails go to another terminal and kill it manually.
fancypiper
05-24-2001, 07:59 PM
Never use the GUI login because that happens. Ususlly the fontserver fails which causex x to fail.
Get a CLUE (Command Line User Environment) and you will always have Linux available.
Boot up linux single or (check your distro's docs) linux 3 (RedHat). Change the number of your runlevel to what your distro uses.
Now see the Command Line Survival Guide for an easier transition to finding the real power of Linux.
Try booting from the CD and the pressing F1 to enter the "other options" menu. Then you should be able to select the rescue option, or type "rescue" at the prompt. Also, do you have a boot floppy? One should have come with the CD.
As others have said, this is a good lesson as to why you should not have X start at boot time. I always boot to CLI, and start X with startx, if I need a GUI for that session.
GonzoJohn
05-24-2001, 08:56 PM
Don't reformat, just reinstall. You should be able to do that without losing anything. I've done it with Red Hat before.
Word to the wise, make a boot disk.
shawnmos
05-25-2001, 04:59 PM
Reinstalled Linux and it works now. Tried to install Netscape 6 and it froze. Luckly i managed to shut it down without reseting it. It still works thankfully. Does anyone know how to get this installer to work properly?
wtsamatta
05-25-2001, 06:46 PM
Get drake 8, use kde and use konqueror to browse the web. Wayyy better than...ahem->NutScrape su**
irlandes
05-26-2001, 03:24 PM
The correct way to enter via GRUB to runlevel whatever is, when it puts up the choice box (Win or linux, etc) select linux with the arrow. Immediately hit the letter e. This will give you a bootup message. Select the last line (there may be only one) with the arrows, then hit e again.
This will give you the same line but in edit mode. Add a space at the end with the space bar, then the number of the runlevel, such as 2 or 3 (I always use 3).
Hit enter, then b for boot, and it will enter the command prompt. And, this is a one-shot method, so GRUB is just bypassed one time, and it will work as specified next time you boot.
I had a number of problems like this with 7.2 (junk) and was able to fix most of them. Some of them were file not found errors. I went to rpmfind.net and found the package name, then reinstalled that package from CD, using the command prompt and rpm and it worked.