Re: install problems with Suse 11.0

anon wrote:
For a server why even use a video card. You could of used a remote or network installer without the need for a video card or even a keyboard/mouse. That's the way we build Linux Beowulf clusters farms.

Now, SuSE, some where between version 6.3 and 7 (pre-Novell), started to adopted a new hardware policy. That is, SuSE will no longer support older hardware. Even if that means altering the software such as the kernel to remove that hardware support. In your case, version 10.3 has the FrameBuffer module for the "Riva TNT graphics card" and in version 11.0 it seams that the module has be removed.

As for 10.3. You might have tried to find the Framebuffer module in 10.3 and tried to load it manual using "modprobe" in version 11.0. It may have worked if version 11 does not verify the module version, but with some people pushing for GPL-only modules, the verification may be active in version 11.


In <48864fc7$0$735$3a628fcd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Joost van der Waa <Joost.vander.waa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
In <4883088c$0$743$3a628fcd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Joost van der Waa <Joost.vander.waa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
Hi there,

I am having some problems installing Suse 11.0 32-bit on a pc which currently runs 10.3.
The problem is that the graphic mode is not properly supported, either by my video card (nvidia riva tnt) or by Suse.
When I start the dvd the grub bootloader screen comes up OK, but whatever install option I choose, I end up in a unusable install screen:
1. In graphical mode (in any resolution from 640x480 to whatever higher) I end up in a lot of green squares, or some rubbish on the screen, typically in EGA-mode resolution (looks familiar as a first time pc-user);
2. In text mode I end up in the screen being addressed in a very low resolution (again something like EGA), where half of the information falls of the screen, making any navigation impossible.

Does anybody have a clue how to solve this (beside replacing the video card)?

Joost
anon wrote:
Also,
Since you say you are currently running 10.3 why not copy the "vga="
value
from the 10.3 grub boot line and inserted this value into the SuSE 10.0
boot line.

Now, if this value says "vga=normal" then you system boot up into
text-mode.
Then depending upon your startup options aka X11 or command-line, the
system
switches the graphical mode. Use "sax2" in either case will give you
access
to alter the video modes.

Plus, in order for your see any Graphic mode your card must fully
support it
or an extra video driver has to be installed to simulate the special
mode.
So, what is this special Graphic mode? This way we can give you the
video number or may be we can give you the location where you can find
the driver.
I copied the VGA-modes from the current 10.3 installation but any option will bring the same result: the install starting up in CGA text or graphics mode.
BTW it is a normal Riva TNT graphics card. Nothing special, just a good old fashioned 2-d card, typically ideal for a server....

Joost


anon wrote:
> For a server why even use a video card. You could of used a remote
> or network installer without the need for a video card or even a
> keyboard/mouse. That's the way we build Linux Beowulf clusters
> farms.
>
> Now, SuSE, some where between version 6.3 and 7 (pre-Novell), started
> to adopted a new hardware policy. That is, SuSE will no longer support
> older hardware. Even if that means altering the software such as the
> kernel to remove that hardware support. In your case, version 10.3 has
> the FrameBuffer module for the "Riva TNT graphics card" and in version
> 11.0 it seams that the module has be removed.
>
> As for 10.3. You might have tried to find the Framebuffer module in
> 10.3 and tried to load it manual using "modprobe" in version 11.0. It
> may have worked if version 11 does not verify the module version, but
> with some people pushing for GPL-only modules, the verification may be
> active in version 11.
>
>
As for the remote installer: I did try to get that sort of things up and running (VNC and the like), but I always found it too slow and thus irritating. I have a nice KVM which enables me to switch between my for pc's: my current server, my test server (that's the one with the problems), my normal pc and my laptop. Works great.

Joost
.

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