0 Dream Linux - Fresh Linux For Old Computers

DREAM LINUX - Fresh Linux For Old Computers






Dreamlinux Burn/Boot Tutorial
After download of the Dreamlinux CD/DVD
Verify that the md5sum for the ISO corresponds with the md5sum listed alongside the download link! If it does not, download again and again and again (perhaps from different sources) until you have a valid copy in your download folder.
Make sure that you select "Burn disk from image" or something similar in your burning app - do NOT put the ISO image onto the disk and burn it as a regular data disk.
To get the best result, make sure that the media you use is regular CD-R/DVD+-R. Do NOT use CD-RW/DVD+-RW, those are OK for regular use but NOT for an operating system.
Burn the ISO to disk with the slowest speed that your burning application can provide.
Scenario ATry to boot your burned CD/DVD (boot is halted almost instantly)
Grab a pen and a piece of paper!
As a rule of thumb; have only one CD-ROM connected to the computer when trying to boot - preferably an internal P-ATA/IDE drive (more about this further down).
A second rule of thumb; Unplug any USB storage devices that you do not need right now.
If you are unable to load the Live CD, i.e. it boots but stops the loading process very early with some cryptical error message about kernel panic or unable to mount filesystem:- You did verify the md5sum, right?- And you also burned at the slowest speed possible on regular media, right?
- Take a note of those error messages for future reference, it is much easier to help you sort things out if others can get access to that info - none of the forum users are mindreaders - some may have x-ray specs, but that is a whole different story...
What you could try before asking for help (not that questions aren't welcome, but sorting things out by oneself IS always a small personal victory;)):- If it is an IDE drive, open up your computer and swap the IDE cable for the CD-ROM with the one for the hard drive and try to boot again (this may lead to an already installed Linux/Solaris/BSD system not booting. No worries, you can easily swap back to get to your system - this is only for troubleshooting) As for Windows, its own bootloader happily boots from anywhere as long as Windows is on the first hard drive/partition in the chain. If there is no hard drive on the IDE connector then just plug the CD-ROM into the other (or third) IDE slot - make sure the CD-ROM is attached to the end of the cable, not to middle contact. Make a note of the changes you made and start up the computer.
- If it is an IDE or SATA drive, enter bios by holding down the [Del] key while booting (some computers uses the [F2] key, there should be a message in the lower part of the POST screen that indicates what key to use). Inside the BIOS you change the boot order for removable/optical/fixed disks. There may also be settings for SATA that can be switched between IDE mode/Compatible mode/Enhanced mode, you could try out these different settings too (changing these settings will make the BIOS hand over info to the bootloader in different ways - sda could become hda etc...). Make a note of what the initial settings are, you may want to switch back to them later. Save and exit, the computer will reboot.
- If it is a SATA drive, check to see if there is another controller on the motherboard that can be used - You will usually get this info from the manual that came with the board, or you could search the net for the model name and number of the board. Switching cables around on the same controller usually has no effect, but that depends on how well behaved the BIOS is - Some BIOSes hands over their info to the bootloader in a peculiar way so you could try this approach as well. Make a note of the changes you made and start up the computer.
- If it is an external USB drive, you may be out of luck. You could try to borrow an internal IDE drive from a friend/family member/neighbour just to get the system installed.
- Please note; any and all of the above modifications can be made to test this out - they are not mutually exclusive. Just remember to take notes so you can get your system back if anything breaks!
If none of the above made any difference, or you don't really feel like performing surgery on your computer, start a new thread inside "Live CD Boot Up Support" http://dreamlinuxforums.org/index.php/board,31.0.html and supply relevant info about your setup (if possible; motherboard make and model, type of internal/external peripherials connected to the system, amount of RAM etc). Someone may have a solution for you involving installing Dreamlinux on a USB stick on another computer and use that stick to boot yours - or something completely different, what do I know. Just remember; when posting, start a new thread even though you see a thread with the exact same questions as you want to ask.
Scenario BThe system fully boots but you cannot get to the desktop (Xserver error)
Grab a pen and a piece of paper!
This is when you only get a black screen with lots of text, some of it saying something about not being able to load the Xserver. Or maybe no error message at all, it just hangs there with a line stating that it is starting the Xserver. Take a note of those last lines.
You may also get a blue background with an error note, if that is the case just hit enter to see the message log and take a note of what the problem is (usually you will find the essentials in the last three or four lines) Continue hitting the enter key till there are no more messages.
This is caused by Dreamlinux not recognizing your graphics card/chip or/and the placement of the card/chip on the PCI bus.
- Hit [Ctrl][Alt][F1] or [F2] to get a fresh console.Login with:user: dreamerpassword: dream
- FYI: Linux is cAsE sensitive. i.e. x11 is NOT the same as X11
First of all, identify the PCI bus listing of the card/chip:issue the following command:Code:
lspci
look for a line containing "VGA compatible controller"make a note of the numbers in front of that linee.g. if the numbers are 02:00:0 that will translate to 2:0:0 inside xorg.conf
Next, edit the xorg.conf file:
- Solution #1 (edit xorg.conf with Midnight Commander):issue the following command:Code:
sudo mc
navigate to /etc/X11/xorg.confhit [F4] to edit the fileChange the statement with Driver "name_of_driver_here"to Driver "vesa"If the PCI statement is different from what you translated out of the lspci command, change it to the proper BUS ID - e.g. PCI:2:0:0If there is no BusID PCI:x:x:x statement, leave it at that for nowplease take a note of what it says before you change ithit [F2] to save the file and [F10] to exitissue the following command:Code:
startx
Hopefully this will bring you to the desktop
- Solution #2 (edit xorg.conf with Nano):issue the following command:Code:
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Change the statement with Driver "name_of_driver_here"to Driver "vesa"If the PCI statement is different from what you translated out of the lspci command, change it to the proper BUS ID - e.g. PCI:2:0:0If there is no BusID PCI:x:x:x statement, leave it at that for nowplease take a note of what it says before you change ithit [Ctrl] X and then y to save and exitissue the following command:Code:
startx
Hopefully this will bring you to the desktop
- Solution #3 (reconfigure the Xserver):(does not give you the choice of editing the PCI statement, may be done automagically?)issue the following command:Code:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
select whatever is default except for the graphics driver - here you select VESAcontinue with defaults until you are back at the command lineissue the following command:Code:
startx
Hopefully this will... yadda yadda yadda
- If none of the above helps, you could try Solution #1 or #2 again, but this time add this inside Section "Device"BusID "PCI:x:x:x"where x:x:x would be the numbers translated from the lspci command
- If still no go, I am sure you are glad that you acquired that pen and pencil. Now you can easily transfer your scribbling to "Live CD Boot Up Support" http://dreamlinuxforums.org/index.php/board,31.0.html Just remember; when posting, start a new thread even though you see a thread with the exact same questions as you want to ask.
Scenario CYou make it to the desktop (hooraay!!!)
- Please do post about any error messages even if you manage to successfully boot going via scenario B - the info you provide can come in handy for the developers.

Remember, the forum has an excellent search function - use it from the front page and you will be amazed/enlightened/puzzled/or_just_plain_frustrated!
For more Go To:http://www.dreamlinux.com.br/tutorials.html