alt.os.linux - HELP! Laptop doesn't like RH

Author

HELP! Laptop doesn't like RH

Dr. Strangelove

2002-10-13, 4:24 pm

Help! I am trying to install RH 7.2 on a laptop and it just ain't
happening. I have a Com-crap EVO N115 (It's actually a rental, and I need a
dual-boot for the SANS conference next week). The install seems to go OK,
but the system crashes on boot, giving me a really long and cryptic code and
this comment:
"Unable to handle kernel null pointer deference at virtual address 0000000."

Also I get a keyboard and mouse error.
I have tried installing Linux in various ways, first with Win 2K already
there and partitioning with PM. Then through partitioning with fdisk, then
standard Disk Druid. I have tried installing both Grub and Lilo as boot
loaders. I have tried installing RH fresh, without Windows on the machine. I
have tried installing with and without X window config. I have tried laptop
and server installs. This was originally a pre-fab Win XP machine and it
could be the video drivers are buggy (the win 2k install is ***** also).

Is there any hope? If I have to return the machines are Toshibas any
friendlier to Linux?

Bruce Burhans

2002-10-13, 4:24 pm

What a coincidence! Neither do I.

Bruce<+>

"Dr. Strangelove" <drstrangelove@triad.rr.com> wrote in message
news:HLkq9.19613$rC.758982@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> Help! I am trying to install RH 7.2 on a laptop and it just ain't
> happening. I have a Com-crap EVO N115 (It's actually a rental, and I need
a
> dual-boot for the SANS conference next week). The install seems to go OK,
> but the system crashes on boot, giving me a really long and cryptic code
and
> this comment:
> "Unable to handle kernel null pointer deference at virtual address
0000000."
>
> Also I get a keyboard and mouse error.
> I have tried installing Linux in various ways, first with Win 2K already
> there and partitioning with PM. Then through partitioning with fdisk, then
> standard Disk Druid. I have tried installing both Grub and Lilo as boot
> loaders. I have tried installing RH fresh, without Windows on the machine.
I
> have tried installing with and without X window config. I have tried
laptop
> and server installs. This was originally a pre-fab Win XP machine and it
> could be the video drivers are buggy (the win 2k install is ***** also).
>
> Is there any hope? If I have to return the machines are Toshibas any
> friendlier to Linux?
>
>
>

yinrunning

2002-10-13, 5:24 pm

go to google, look for dual-boot howto's (xp+dual+redhat+7.2). Use LILO,
make sure it gets installed to the MBR and that you remember to label the xp
partition during installation. use lba32 mode, not linear. take all
defaults for hardware settings. You have to do a custom install to do all
of this, not some auto workstation crap. If you have more questions after
that, then post again.

"Dr. Strangelove" <drstrangelove@triad.rr.com> wrote in message
news:HLkq9.19613$rC.758982@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> Help! I am trying to install RH 7.2 on a laptop and it just ain't
> happening. I have a Com-crap EVO N115 (It's actually a rental, and I need
a
> dual-boot for the SANS conference next week). The install seems to go OK,
> but the system crashes on boot, giving me a really long and cryptic code
and
> this comment:
> "Unable to handle kernel null pointer deference at virtual address
0000000."
>
> Also I get a keyboard and mouse error.
> I have tried installing Linux in various ways, first with Win 2K already
> there and partitioning with PM. Then through partitioning with fdisk, then
> standard Disk Druid. I have tried installing both Grub and Lilo as boot
> loaders. I have tried installing RH fresh, without Windows on the machine.
I
> have tried installing with and without X window config. I have tried
laptop
> and server installs. This was originally a pre-fab Win XP machine and it
> could be the video drivers are buggy (the win 2k install is ***** also).
>
> Is there any hope? If I have to return the machines are Toshibas any
> friendlier to Linux?
>
>

Xanadu

2002-10-13, 7:24 pm

On Sun, 13 Oct 2002 20:32:39 +0000, Dr. Strangelove wrote:

> Help! I am trying to install RH 7.2 on a laptop and it just ain't
> happening.

To be honest, I've never had any luck installing any version of RH on a
laptop (mostly Toshibas). MDK has worked perfectly, everytime, even with
same said laptops. Maybe it's just me, but...

Nick Dimiduk

2002-10-13, 9:24 pm

Never had a problem installing RH on my Dell latitude cpi. Just thought
i'd throw that in there...

Dr. Strangelove wrote:
> Help! I am trying to install RH 7.2 on a laptop and it just ain't
> happening. I have a Com-crap EVO N115 (It's actually a rental, and I need a
> dual-boot for the SANS conference next week). The install seems to go OK,
> but the system crashes on boot, giving me a really long and cryptic code and
> this comment:
> "Unable to handle kernel null pointer deference at virtual address 0000000."
>
> Also I get a keyboard and mouse error.
> I have tried installing Linux in various ways, first with Win 2K already
> there and partitioning with PM. Then through partitioning with fdisk, then
> standard Disk Druid. I have tried installing both Grub and Lilo as boot
> loaders. I have tried installing RH fresh, without Windows on the machine. I
> have tried installing with and without X window config. I have tried laptop
> and server installs. This was originally a pre-fab Win XP machine and it
> could be the video drivers are buggy (the win 2k install is ***** also).
>
> Is there any hope? If I have to return the machines are Toshibas any
> friendlier to Linux?
>
>

Dr. Strangelove

2002-10-13, 11:25 pm

I admit I'm a linux newbie, but I don't think it's the dual-boot that is the
problem, as I tried installing it clean after deleting all partitions and
formatting. I think it's a hardware issue, I just don't know if there are
any workarounds! Haven't found anything on the Red Hat site.

"yinrunning" <pdemarco@kc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:Hnlq9.79268$WI5.1086410@twister.kc.rr.com...
> go to google, look for dual-boot howto's (xp+dual+redhat+7.2). Use LILO,
> make sure it gets installed to the MBR and that you remember to label the
xp
> partition during installation. use lba32 mode, not linear. take all
> defaults for hardware settings. You have to do a custom install to do all
> of this, not some auto workstation crap. If you have more questions after
> that, then post again.
>
> "Dr. Strangelove" <drstrangelove@triad.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:HLkq9.19613$rC.758982@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> > Help! I am trying to install RH 7.2 on a laptop and it just ain't
> > happening. I have a Com-crap EVO N115 (It's actually a rental, and I
need
> a
> > dual-boot for the SANS conference next week). The install seems to go
OK,
> > but the system crashes on boot, giving me a really long and cryptic code
> and
> > this comment:
> > "Unable to handle kernel null pointer deference at virtual address
> 0000000."
> >
> > Also I get a keyboard and mouse error.
> > I have tried installing Linux in various ways, first with Win 2K already
> > there and partitioning with PM. Then through partitioning with fdisk,
then
> > standard Disk Druid. I have tried installing both Grub and Lilo as boot
> > loaders. I have tried installing RH fresh, without Windows on the
machine.
> I
> > have tried installing with and without X window config. I have tried
> laptop
> > and server installs. This was originally a pre-fab Win XP machine and it
> > could be the video drivers are buggy (the win 2k install is ***** also).
> >
> > Is there any hope? If I have to return the machines are Toshibas any
> > friendlier to Linux?
> >
> >
>
>

Sybren

2002-10-13, 11:25 pm

Dr. Strangelove wrote:

> I admit I'm a linux newbie, but I don't think it's the dual-boot that is
> the problem.

First step being a non-newbie (is there a word for that?): don't top-post.
Just post like me: I strip out all lines that are irrelevant to my reply,
and then reply below them. Especially removing the irrelevant lines is
important: once you have reduced the original post to 1-6 lines, nobody
really cares if you post below or above it.

Second step being a non-newbie: do not crosspost! Although it might be
tempting to get as many people muching on your problems, trying to find a
solution for you, it's actually quite insulting. You're saying "I don't
think you'll find the answer for me, so I'll ask someone else in the mean
time" by doing this. Just post to a single group. If they can't answer your
question, move to the next one.

Back to your problem: if I remember correctly, a default RH installation
boots with the frame buffer turned on (some sort of mix between text mode
and graphics). Try to find a boot option to turn it off, maybe it's this
framebuffer that is giving you trouble. Google should be able to tell you
this option.

Keep us posted,
Sybren
--
Do you think I'm rude, or don't you understand my answers? Read this page
[http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/faqs/sma...ions.html#intro] and you'll
understand. You'll also see that I'm not rude in this
(http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/faqs/sma...tions.html#rtfm) section.

yinrunning

2002-10-14, 2:24 am

Are you leaving all the hardare settings default? RH doesn't always use the
driver for the actual part you have. Sometimes it likes to use something
completely different.

Dr. Strangelove

2002-10-14, 8:24 am

The monitor and video chipset both remain unprobed. Although I don't know
the amount of video memory I have tried default (I think 1 MB), 16 and 32
MB. I figure better to underestimate than over estimate.I have also tried
picking out a similar video chipset in the install, but, alas ... nothing!

"yinrunning" <pdemarco@kc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:%wtq9.79965$WI5.1110059@twister.kc.rr.com...
> Are you leaving all the hardare settings default? RH doesn't always use
the
> driver for the actual part you have. Sometimes it likes to use something
> completely different.
>
>

Andrew Gideon

2002-10-14, 11:24 am

Nick Dimiduk wrote:

> Never had a problem installing RH on my Dell latitude cpi. Just thought
> i'd throw that in there...

For another two cents...

I've RH 7.3 working well on my Viao. But I told the kernel to
use only 64M. When I leave that out, or tell it to use the full
128M of RAM, it runs for a while but things die at random.

I've never tried 96M or other numbers, FWIW.

This machine used to run an earlier RH (perhaps 7.1...I don't
recall), and this problem didn't exist.

- Andrew

Nick Dimiduk

2002-10-14, 11:24 am

Well, i must specify: I've installed RH 7.3 on my laptop w/o a problem.
My buddy just tryed a RH 8.0 install last night and i'll hear how
it goes here in a bit.
-n

Nick Dimiduk wrote:
> Never had a problem installing RH on my Dell latitude cpi. Just thought
> i'd throw that in there...
>
> Dr. Strangelove wrote:
>
>> Help! I am trying to install RH 7.2 on a laptop and it just ain't
>> happening. I have a Com-crap EVO N115 (It's actually a rental, and I
>> need a
>> dual-boot for the SANS conference next week). The install seems to go OK,
>> but the system crashes on boot, giving me a really long and cryptic
>> code and
>> this comment:
>> "Unable to handle kernel null pointer deference at virtual address
>> 0000000."
>>
>> Also I get a keyboard and mouse error.
>> I have tried installing Linux in various ways, first with Win 2K already
>> there and partitioning with PM. Then through partitioning with fdisk,
>> then
>> standard Disk Druid. I have tried installing both Grub and Lilo as boot
>> loaders. I have tried installing RH fresh, without Windows on the
>> machine. I
>> have tried installing with and without X window config. I have tried
>> laptop
>> and server installs. This was originally a pre-fab Win XP machine and it
>> could be the video drivers are buggy (the win 2k install is ***** also).
>>
>> Is there any hope? If I have to return the machines are Toshibas any
>> friendlier to Linux?
>>
>>
>

Timothy Murphy

2002-10-14, 12:24 pm

"Dr. Strangelove" <drstrangelove@triad.rr.com> writes:

> Help! I am trying to install RH 7.2 on a laptop and it just ain't
>happening. I have a Com-crap EVO N115 (It's actually a rental, and I need a
>dual-boot for the SANS conference next week). The install seems to go OK,
>but the system crashes on boot, giving me a really long and cryptic code and
>this comment:
>"Unable to handle kernel null pointer deference at virtual address 0000000."

It seems to me that if the system has actually been installed
(ie the files have been transferred to the hard disk)
then it must be possible to run Linux on this machine.
In fact some version of Linux must have been running on the machine
during the installation.

What is the processor?

If I had this problem I would start by getting tomsrtbt --
linux on a floppy --
and see if that runs.
Assuming it does, I would mount the root partition on your hard disk,
and see if things there seem to be in place.
If there is a separate /boot partition I would mount and check that too,
particularly /etc/lilo.conf (or /etc/grub.conf if you are using grub).
If you are using lilo, I would try running lilo, something like
lilo -C /mnt/hd/etc/lilo.conf

--
Timothy Murphy
e-mail: tim@maths.tcd.ie
tel: 086-233 6090
s-mail: School of Mathematics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

Joachim Feise

2002-10-14, 1:24 pm

On Mon, 14 Oct 2002, Andrew Gideon wrote:

> Nick Dimiduk wrote:
>
> > Never had a problem installing RH on my Dell latitude cpi. Just thought
> > i'd throw that in there...
>
> For another two cents...
>
> I've RH 7.3 working well on my Viao. But I told the kernel to
> use only 64M. When I leave that out, or tell it to use the full
> 128M of RAM, it runs for a while but things die at random.

FWIW, I have Slackware running on my Vaio with support for the full
memory (originall 128MB, now upgraded to 256MB).
Never had any problems.

-Joe

Nick Dimiduk

2002-10-14, 2:24 pm

Another thing to consider is that laptop CD-ROM drives tend to be a bit
more flakey when it comed to the quality of media. You might try
installing from a set of purchased-from-redhat ptamped CDs rather than
burns. Alternatly, you could try a network install if you have that option.
-N

Dr. Strangelove wrote:
> Help! I am trying to install RH 7.2 on a laptop and it just ain't
> happening. I have a Com-crap EVO N115 (It's actually a rental, and I need a
> dual-boot for the SANS conference next week). The install seems to go OK,
> but the system crashes on boot, giving me a really long and cryptic code and
> this comment:
> "Unable to handle kernel null pointer deference at virtual address 0000000."
>
> Also I get a keyboard and mouse error.
> I have tried installing Linux in various ways, first with Win 2K already
> there and partitioning with PM. Then through partitioning with fdisk, then
> standard Disk Druid. I have tried installing both Grub and Lilo as boot
> loaders. I have tried installing RH fresh, without Windows on the machine. I
> have tried installing with and without X window config. I have tried laptop
> and server installs. This was originally a pre-fab Win XP machine and it
> could be the video drivers are buggy (the win 2k install is ***** also).
>
> Is there any hope? If I have to return the machines are Toshibas any
> friendlier to Linux?
>
>

Dr. Strangelove

2002-10-14, 6:24 pm

Thanks for the help. Here's an update, and I will attempt to address some
issues/questions:

Today I managed to re-install and get the video chipset confuigured (I don't
remember exactly, but I think I used the Savage 4 generic driver and
configured for 16mb of memory -- system specs). This actually got me into X
windows.

Alas, the eutopia did not last. Just moments later, the system bombed, and I
never was able to get it to restart. Specifically, everytime I boot, I
always get to the part where it asks for interactive setup, and goes through
a series of checks, noting all [OK]. But somewhere along the way (not sure
which one, sometimes it varies) the system crashes. I usually get something
to effect of nothing in inetd or along those lines -- as if it's running out
of things to do. Then it Codes on me and gives me lots of binary addresses.
On one reboot, it flat out filled the screen with an endless grid of memory
addresses

I have tried custom install and laptop install with a minimum amount of
services. No luck on anything!

So now I've all but given up. Would it work? Well, if I wasn't a newbie and
was a RHCE, then I could probably figure it out. But I am a newbie, and have
wasted enough time.

I am still up for suggestions, but I will hopefully be trading this in
tomorrow morning for another (HP?, Toshiba?). In addition, I've requested a
slightly older model that had native Win 2K on it. Perhaps there will be
less issues since this is RH 7.2.

As for media, I used burned CDs on one install and "publishers edition" on
another. The latter came out of a Unix/Linux textbook from Prentice Hall. So
I honestly don't think it's the media.

"Dr. Strangelove" <drstrangelove@triad.rr.com> wrote in message
news:HLkq9.19613$rC.758982@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> Help! I am trying to install RH 7.2 on a laptop and it just ain't
> happening. I have a Com-crap EVO N115 (It's actually a rental, and I need
a
> dual-boot for the SANS conference next week). The install seems to go OK,
> but the system crashes on boot, giving me a really long and cryptic code
and
> this comment:
> "Unable to handle kernel null pointer deference at virtual address
0000000."
>
> Also I get a keyboard and mouse error.
> I have tried installing Linux in various ways, first with Win 2K already
> there and partitioning with PM. Then through partitioning with fdisk, then
> standard Disk Druid. I have tried installing both Grub and Lilo as boot
> loaders. I have tried installing RH fresh, without Windows on the machine.
I
> have tried installing with and without X window config. I have tried
laptop
> and server installs. This was originally a pre-fab Win XP machine and it
> could be the video drivers are buggy (the win 2k install is ***** also).
>
> Is there any hope? If I have to return the machines are Toshibas any
> friendlier to Linux?
>
>

Sean McHenry

2002-10-15, 8:24 pm

What Viao are you using? I am really trying to find a distro that will
not only install but make use of things like the 802.11b builtin card and
all on my PCG-SRX87.

Sean

On Mon, 14 Oct 2002 11:46:38 +0000, Andrew Gideon wrote:

> Nick Dimiduk wrote:
>
>> Never had a problem installing RH on my Dell latitude cpi. Just thought
>> i'd throw that in there...
>
> For another two cents...
>
> I've RH 7.3 working well on my Viao. But I told the kernel to
> use only 64M. When I leave that out, or tell it to use the full
> 128M of RAM, it runs for a while but things die at random.
>
> I've never tried 96M or other numbers, FWIW.
>
> This machine used to run an earlier RH (perhaps 7.1...I don't
> recall), and this problem didn't exist.
>
> - Andrew

Sponsored Links