Problem booting

[rsboehner]

I just completely re-did my Linux box and installed Caldera Workstation 3.1 on it. The installation went fine and so did the first boot, but when I shut it down last night and turned it back on this morning, I am getting a series of errors that I cannot get past.

isapnp: scanning for PNP cards...
isapnp: No plug and play devices found
INIT: Id "gu" respawning too fast. Disabling for 5 minutes

It flashes very quickly on the screen for probably 5 minutes, then the last line starts repeating itself every 5 minutes or so.

Does anyone know what this means or how I can get around it or anything??? I am running off of a 333 Mhz Pentium II.

I have tried booting with the boot disk I created at installation but it does the same thing.

[ 18 July 2001: Message edited by: rsboehner ]

[bdg1983]

Must be a bug that surfaces with certain hardware. I've installed Workstation 3.1 on a couple of pc's now and haven't had a problem.

You should actually report it to Caldera support. I've been in contact with their PR Manager quite a few times the last couple of weeks on a different matter and was asked for feedback on their new version. I had a problem installing VMware, but figured it out and then reported it to Caldera. They posted my fix on their knowledgebase yesterday.

Anyways, a Google search only turned up the following and it's also for Workstation 3.1

Nothing to worry about the isapnp message as it is just scanning to see if you have any PnP isa devices.

> After installing all the packages intended for a standard
> Installation, when its launching orchecking all services
> when it gets to the KDE start it hangs then gives me this
> Error Code.
> INIT: id "gu" respawning too fast disable 5 minutes
> It just repeats its self every 5 minutes.
>

So you where done installing?
And now you reboot and this occurs?
Check /etc/inittab and see what gu is supposed to do.
I would suspect a wrong X configuration is causing this,
so try not ot boot in graphical mode, and start X manually.
(startx) The error messages you get now are more informative.

You can get in non-X mode by supplying the correct runlevel
as a bootoption.
Instead of entering "linux" at the lilo prompt, enter "linux 3"
(This is redhat numbering, calder might have different
runlevels defined)


[ 18 July 2001: Message edited by: mdwatts the 3rd ]

[EyesWideOpen]

Also a Forum Search (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=search) turned up several threads about this including this thread (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=010219) which you may want to mull over.

[rsboehner]

I am rather new to Linux and only know the very bare essentials. Most of the quoted information means nothing to me. I just started up the computer again I have a grub boot loader. How to I get to a non-x mode in grub? When the screen appears to choose what to boot to, the only option I have is linux. There are no fail safe boot options or anything. I pressed something and I have a screen where I can edit the command lines in the boot sequence.

This is actually the third install of Caldera I've done. The first time it seemed to work fine for about 3-4 days, but I couldn't get the screen size to change to change (had it set to 1600x1200 but it appeared to be 640x480), so I reinstalled it and had this problem. Then I reinstalled it again and it still doesn't work.

[bdg1983]

This is from Caldera...

The following instructions explain how to boot to different runlevels using grub:

1. Boot up to the grub menu screen.
2. Highlight the linux os that you would like to boot and press the letter e to edit the entry.
3. Highlight the second line on this next screen and press e to edit it.
4. Cursor over all the way to the end of the line and press the spacebar and enter the runlevel to boot into:

a. 1 = single user mode
b. 2 = Multiuser mode
c. 3 = Full Multiuser mode
d. 5 = X11

5. After you have entered the runlevel desired, press the enter key and then the letter b to boot the linux os.

You will want to select option 3 for Full Multiuser mode.

Login as root and try running xf86cfg and reconfigure X ensuring you have selected everything properly.

After that is done, try startkde to see if X and kde start and run correctly.

I'll be rebooting into Workstation 3.1 soon to do some work and will have a look at /etc/inittab for the 'gu' line and will try to post back.

[bdg1983]

Here is my last line in /etc/inittab

# Run kdm in runlevel 5
gu:5:respawn:/bin/sh -c 'C=/etc/rc.d/rc.gui;[ -x $C ]&&exec $C;init 3'

Check to see if yours is the same.

Did you setup X during the install the same as you did when you originally had it working although not in the correct resolution.

I'm using 3.1 at this moment at 1280x1024x16bit with no problems at all.

[rsboehner]

I just did the steps you gave me up until the xf86cfg. I ran it and it came up with a grey checkered pattern on the screen, just like it normally does when x starts, but that's all it did. I've never messed around with that program before, is there anythign I might need to know that I probably missed doing in order to configure it? I'm rebooting now to try the kde attempt.

[ 18 July 2001: Message edited by: rsboehner ]

[rsboehner]

I checked those last two lines in /etc/inittab and they're identical. I believe I set up all the x settings the same way on all three installs with the only differences being the domain name I gave and the packages I installed. This last time I just installed everything and it's still causing problems.

[bdg1983]

What type of video card are you using and have you checked to see if it is supported with the version of X that 3.1 includes? 4.0.3 I believe.

I'm quite sure the problem is due to X not being configured properly. Did it have a selection for your video card and monitor?

I always install using the expert mode as it gives me more control. Did you try expert mode?

[ 19 July 2001: Message edited by: mdwatts the 3rd ]

[rsboehner]

This last install I used expert mode. The vid card is an ATI Rage Pro Turbo. The video probe I ran came up with a Rage 3D Pro which I figured if it wasn't the same thing it probably close enough.

I just checked Caldera's website and it says my vid card is supported

I just ran startkde and it didn't work either. Here's what it said:


xsetroot: unable to open display ''
xset: unable to open display ""
xset: unable to open display ""
xset: unable to open display ""
ksplash: cannot connect to x server ""
Aborting: $DISPLAY is not set
Aborting: $DISPLAY is not set
ERROR: KUniqueApplication: Pipe closed unexpectedly
KSMServer: Cannot connect to X server

[ 19 July 2001: Message edited by: rsboehner ]

[bdg1983]

X is not configured correctly. Are you sure the Rage Pro Turbo is supported in the newer version of X included with 3.1?

There are documents (including ATI) in /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/doc and you can check www.xfree86.org (http://www.xfree86.org) to verify.

Sometimes it is necessary to either install an older version of X or upgrade to a newer to get it to work.

All I could find to reconfigure is to use either xf86cfg or xf86config.

Try this ls -al /usr/X11R6/bin/X to see what Xserver is being used. Mine right now is XF86_SVGA since I still need to update X to 4.1 for my Matrox G450.

[rsboehner]

Ok, I redid my search on Caldera's website and it actually said that my vid card WASN'T found as being supported. I'm going to try to download and install the new x software and see if that helps. Any suggestions here?

If this doesn't work, I'm afraid I'm going to be told to scratch Linux and go with Win 2000 :eek: as I'm needing to set up a relay before Monday. My deadline basically has been set as the end of the work day today to get it working.

[bdg1983]

If you are going to try X 4.1, then I would suggest you download, compile and install the source. You'll have better results than from the X binaries.

Actually on my 2nd work pc I believe I have the Rage Pro Turbo and it works fine with 3.1. I'm quite sure eDesktop 2.4 with X3.3.6 supports the Rage as I had it installed on that pc for around 6 months before I installed 3.1 a week ago.

Here are some notes I typed up for myself for the X4.1 install. I'm working on a script with error checking to do all the steps though I haven't finished it yet. Just got the kernel compile script finished.

Download

X410src-1.tgz
X410src-2.tgz
X410src-3.tgz
doctools-1.2.tgz

from www.xfree86.org (http://www.xfree86.org)
to i.e.
/download/xsource-4.1

Backup existing installation of XFree

cd /
mkdir xbackup
cp /usr/X11R6 /xbackup -Rr
cp /etc/X11 /xbackup -Rr

cd /download/xsource-4.1

tar xvzf X410src-1.tgz
tar xvzf X410src-2.tgz
tar xvzf X410src-3.tgz
tar xvzf doctools-1.2.tgz

cd xc

Compile XFree86 4.1

make World >& world.log

This will take quite a while

tail -f world.log

If no errors, then continue

make install >& install.log

tail -f install.log

Check for completion

make install.man >& man.log

tail -f man.log

Check to see if link exists

cd /usr/X11R6/bin

ls -l X

If not linked to XFree86, then create link

ln -sf /usr/X11R6/bin/XFree86 ./X

XFree86 -configure

Run the configuration program that will probe and/or guess all your settings.
This will create a new conf in the root directory.
To test this new configuration, run this command:

XFree86 -xf86config /root/XF86Config.new

This will display a grey hatch with an 'X' for the mouse cursor.
If this works fine, hit CTRL-ALT-BACKSPACE to return to the commandline.
Copy this file to the /etc/X11/ directory using this command:

cp /root/XF86Config.new /etc/X11/XF86Config

This may not work correctly as further configuration will need to be done.

xf86cfg

If errors such as library not found when running xf86cfg, then do the following

ldconfig

as it should fix the library not found errors. Hopefully...

xf86cfg

This creates the same XF86Config.new file, so to test it, follow the same steps as before.

XFree86 -xf86config /root/XF86Config.new

cp /root/XF86Config.new /etc/X11/XF86Config

[rsboehner]

This will display a grey hatch with an 'X' for the mouse cursor.
If this works fine, hit CTRL-ALT-BACKSPACE to return to the commandline.


This is exactly what happens when I run xf86cfg as of right now (before making any changes to the x version. Does this mean that X is working properly?

[ 19 July 2001: Message edited by: rsboehner ]

[bdg1983]

I believe it is.

You tried startkde before?

I'm just about ready to start to compile 4.1 myself as my G450 isn't supported in 4.0.3.

My Xserver is linked to the SVGA, so I guess that's incorrect, but there is a XF86Config-4 in /etc/X11 that has glx and the G400. The XF86Config in /etc is just the default one which I think mine is using. I renamed that one and then created a symlink from /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 to /etc, rebooted and it stuck at the login manager.

I then switched to the console (CTRL-ALT-F1) and tried to logon as root and before I could type the password, I got the same error as you (gu - respawn etc.). I did logon and then renamed /etc/XF86Config.mdw back to /etc/XF86Config and a couple of seconds later I heard my monitor switch resolutions and there was the login manager. How's that?

Anyways, I'm going to follow my own instructions and install 4.1. The last time I tried was for eDesktop 2.4 which wouldn't work on my new hardware so I decided to upgrade the kernel, X and KDE. Didn't get all the way when Workstation 3.1 was released to the public and I thought it easier to start with something closer. At least X/KDE works although probably not as good as it should for the G450. I am running at 1280x1024x16bit.

I can ramble on sometimes. Hopefully you can benefit from it though.

Let me know what you decide to do and either way, if successful. I'll be starting in a couple of minutes. Shutdown X/KDE of course for the compiling and installation.

[bdg1983]

I got X4.1 up and running. Had a few problems here and there after the compile, but ldconfig and a reboot seems to have fixed them.

The fonts look a lot better now, though I still don't think my G450 is being detected properly. Still will work on the newest kernel (2.4.6) which has support for the G450 plus the drivers from Matrox including PowerDesk. For now I'm satisfied.

After that will be the latest stable KDE.

Did you have any luck?

I know that make World takes a long time even on this PIII-733 with 512MB. Should be a little faster on my TBird 1.13/640MB but with a Radeon. Perhaps your still compiling.

[bdg1983]

rsboehner ... Actually there is a amazing difference. Wish I had a week of vacation earlier to get the upgrade done.

Seems to be faster and the fonts are crystal clear.

[rsboehner]

Ok, sorry it took so long to get back. I got stuck on another project at work for the rest of the day. I did get the boss to OK it for me to grab another 333 computer we had lying around so I could do the relay with Win2k, so I'm still going to be tinkering with that Linux box.

When I ran the xf86cfg the first time, it came up with that grey hash screen with the big x as a cursor, apparently there weren't any problems there. I couldn't figure out how to get out of that screen so I assumed it wasn't working and did a hard reboot. Then I ran startkde and got the errors I gave above.

I downloaded both the eDesktop 2.4 and Workstation 3.1 versions the other day. I didn't get a chance to do the recompile today, but I'm starting to wonder if the problem really is with X as that grey hash screen did seem to work fine. I'm considering using the eDesktop install instead and seeing if that makes a bit of difference.

[ 19 July 2001: Message edited by: rsboehner ]

[rsboehner]

As I'm sitting here at my home computer, I'm considering adding Linux to it as well. I used to run a triple boot with 98/2000/Mandrake 7.2, but I scratched that as I couldn't get booted into Mandrake. Worked for several weeks and then X would fail to load every time. I might try one of Caldera's builds or I might go download the Slackware one. Any suggestions?

Also, at work we're running a Novell environment (which is the reason I started with Caldera in the first place as I heard they had the best Novell integration), but now I hear that they got rid of their Novell support with the 3.1 release. Whatever I figure out is what we're going to replace our Windows 2000 computers with in the future. Are there any suggestions on a distribution and release for there? Perhaps I'm in the wrong vicinity with the Workstation 3.1

[bdg1983]

Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. After 15 hours of LNO yesterday, I needed a break and some sleep.

If X starts by itself with the grey screen and large cursor, then it should be configured correctly. CTRL-ALT-BACKSPACE to exit.

I also started with Caldera due to the Novell support. Novell Network at the office and I have Intranetware 4.11 at home (soon to be 5.1).

That Rage Pro should be supported as I posted before. Did you upgrade to 4.1?

What a difference with the upgrade from 4.0.3 to 4.1. Everything is better. If I could only get the 2.4.6 kernel to boot. I think I need to create a new initrd for that version.

It's entirely up to you what distro you decide to use. I've used eDesktop 2.4 on 2 of my main pc's at my workstation for 9 months now. My main one (Deskpro PIII-650, 384MB, CDRW, DVD, Matrox G400 & Compaq Trinitron 19") has never once had a problem. I use it for everything except Groupwise access (have to use the web access) and never once had to fix something that broke. Installed once, all hardware was detected except I had to manually setup the CDRW and that was it.

If you do stick with Caldera, you know you have someone to help you with anything.

Let me know what you have done with getting X to work and we'll see if we can get it all working. Did you try 4.1 using the procedures I typed up? Worked for me.