Dell Inspiron 2600 Laptop Install

Nathan G. · n00b Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 37

Hey guys, how's it going?

I've got an old Inspiron 2600 on which I'm attempting to install Gentoo. I've successfully installed Gentoo several times on different desktops, so I know how to follow the helpful handbook. Nevertheless, laptop woes plague me. Here's the system specs:

P3 1066 GHz
256MB PC100
CD Drive
3.5 Floppy drive
6BG HD

I've tried pretty much everything for this system. I tried Ubuntu 8.04, Suse 11.1, Gentoo 2007.0 LiveCD (not the lastest I know, but it has worked well for me), and I even tried the Gentoo 2008.0 Install CD. Suse 11 will boot, come to install screen, go through selected install process, but will hang upon entering into the X configuration. Ubuntu gets a bit further, but locks up with CD constantly spinning once it loads Gnome halfway. Gentoo LiveCD 2007.0 is the same, though with it, I can get into Gnome and even use a PS2 plug in mouse--but only sporadically, and clicking on applications or system or any options renders the system unresponsive.

I've tried multiple boots using various video modes, since I am always greeted with the "you have passed an undefined mode number" or some such.

I even tried booting with knoppix, but the system hangs immediately after I enter the desired mode number. Nothing happens. Reboot. (Perhaps I burned it incorrectly, but I don't really think so....)

I seem to have the most promise with the 2008.0 LiveCD. However, I have the same trouble this fellow had:

https://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-692290-highlight-scanning+ultrastor.html

But the solution there doesn't really apply since it goes without saying that I don't have raid....

I get to Loading Modules.... and then "Scanning for ultrastor..." Then lock.

Any ideas? What am I doing wrong?

Thanks much and best,
Nathan
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Nathan G.
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A Slightly Python Gentoo n00b Enthusiast....
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noob advice:
run this experiment on a machine that you can afford to lose completely

Gankfest · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:56 am Post subject:

Hardware requirements:

http://www.gentoo.org/main/en/support.xml

Your system seems old, you didn't state the graphics card which could be a problem, you should check if your system is up to par. If your system meets the requirements then it most likely a kernel problem.
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Gankfest™ (>")> ~*

Everyone has to start somewhere, it depends on where you end up that counts! (>")>

Nathan G. · n00b Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 37

Hi paradox,

Graphics: Intel onboard i830. I've worked extensively with the i810 and i815 on some desktops, so my current understanding (which is subject to change

) is that the driver for the i810 is used for the i815 and i830 family as well.

Install Progress: I fired up DSL on this Inspiron, entered the command line environment, partitioned my hard drive, and downloaded my tarball, contents, and digests. I ran the md5 checksum and received a message that 16 out of 18 checksums did NOT match. I got this idea of using DSL from here: http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/altinstall.xml#doc_chap5.

Should I be worried about the unmatched checksums? I thought about untaring the tarball and taking a chance.... I've downloaded the tarball (stage3-i686-2008.0.tar.bz2) several times checking it each time, with all files in the same directory, but I always get the "16 out of 18" response.

Comments, thoughts? Thanks much!

Nathan
_________________
Nathan G.
------------------------------------------------
A Slightly Python Gentoo n00b Enthusiast....
------------------------------------------------
noob advice:
run this experiment on a machine that you can afford to lose completely

Gankfest · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:24 am Post subject:

tetris11 · n00b Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 51

Hi, I have the exact same machine as you, and experienced the exact same problems with trying to get linux.
Gentoo 2008 live was the only one that worked for me too.

I bipassed the ulrastor module, by

gentoo noload=ultrastor

from the initial cd boot screen.

After that I used the GTK installer on the desktop to do a routine install. REMEMBER TO EDIT /boot/grub/grub.conf to include the noload=ultrastor command after the kernel line, in order to get past that module after reboot.

After reboot, you will experience more problems with the graphics card, which though having been detected very easily by the LiveCD, seems to run into a lot of trouble in the real installation.

At the moment the only working configuration I've got for xorg.conf is if I change the driver from i810 to vga, and use an 8-bit 600x400 resolution.

The fact that the graphics card worked fine for the LiveCD is proof that the problem is not my hardware. I blame the kernel, and hope severly that support for i830 are included in the next releases.

pappy_mcfae · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:07 am Post subject:

tetris11 · n00b Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 51

Solved.

Downgraded my BIOS driver from version A11 to A08, and everything just worked.
Bizarre.

pappy_mcfae · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject:

Now that's a new one on me. Glad you got it working.

Blessed be!
Pappy
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tetris11 · n00b Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 51

Be careful though; downgrading your BIOS is dangerous and is severely frowned upon.