For my first Linux install experience, I chose Debian 3.1 (sarge) because I thought it would be easy for a novice to install and more likely to be compatible with my hardware, a Dell Dimension 4600 P4 2.66GHz BIOS Ver. A07, purchased about a year ago. Installing from CDs, on the first attempt, I selected the "linux26" install method and allowed the install program to choose the default "kernel-image-2.6.8-2-k7-smp." I think I did the config okay, but in the end, the kernel failed to load. Thinking the problem might be the kernel, on the second attempt, I went with the default install method and allowed the install program to install the default 2.4 kernel. This also failed to load. The third time, I chose install method "expert26" and when the time came to manually choose the kernel to load, I selected the second line on the kernel list "kernel-image-2.6.8-2-k7." Completing the basic install, the kernel did load and everything seemed to be okay. So, I proceeded to installation of X-windows, using command: "apt-get install gnome-desktop-environment x-window-system gdm." During the config process, I got some warning screens along the way that said something like "Unavailable modules and devices that need them: - i810-tco (Intel Corp. 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) LPC Bridge - e100 (Intel Corp. 82562EZ 10/100 Ethernet controller), - ide-mod (Linux IDE driver) - ide-detect (Linux IDE detection) - ide-floppy (Linux IDE floppy) - ide-scsi (Linux IDE SCSI emulation layer) Nevertheless, I completed the config process. However, when it came time to start X-Windows, it did not start and I got an error screen saying X-Windows was probably not configured correctly. (I don't doubt it!) Finding myself back at the command line, I reviewed the log file /var/log/XFree86.0.log and noticed the following significant warnings and errors: WW Open APM failed. WW I810(0) Extended BIOS function 0x5f11 not supported. EE I810(0): No video BIOS modes for chosen depth. EE Screens found, but none have a usable configuration. and finally: Fatal Server Error: No screens found. At this point, I followed someone's suggestion to try yet another kernel. I chose kernel-2.6.8-2-386. That kernel loaded okay and so I attempted the install of gnome and x-window system. When I completed the loading and config and rebooted, I did not get the same error screen, but nevertheless x did not start and when I checked log file /var/log/XFree86.0.log I found the same warnings and errors: WW Open APM failed (dev/apm_bios) WW I810(0) Extended BIOS function 0x5f11 not supported. EE I810(0): No video BIOS modes for chosen depth. EE Screens found, but none have a usable configuration. Fatal Server Error: No screens found. It does look like I am missing the right driver for my video controller, but I am at a loss as to where to look for a solution. I expected a Dell Intel machine to be pretty standard, with a good chance of Linux-compatibility, but I guess I was wrong. At this point, I don't know whether I made config errors, whether I am using the wrong kernel, or whether my hardware is incompatible with Debian 3.1 (sarge) and I need to try the stable Debian 3.0 (woody). But will even woody be compatible with my computer? At this point, I think I need the help of an expert, so I invite suggestions to help me move forward getting the X-Window systems to run. Thx in advance. Tom Tom (my email: tmsomers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) _______________________________________________ XFree86 mailing list XFree86@xxxxxxxxxxx http://XFree86.Org/mailman/listinfo/xfree86
