Debian "no screen"

[tech4rce]

Hello people,
I need some information on a problem that I'm having with Debian "woody".
I've installed Debian, selected my video card (ATI rage 128), monitor (IBM P201 19-20 inch). I've also selected a GDM as the default display.

Now when I reboot, it comes up with a problem saying that the default display manager is NOT configured right. I've run the config program (over and over again)- same problem "no screen".

I've even installed Debian numerouse times (selecting different settings) but nothing I do seems to work.

Anybody have an idea as to what is wrong?

I've tried RedHat 9 already seems ok, but I want to try Debian for now.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Chacalinc]

apt-get install metacity

 

[tech4rce]

Chacalinc, thanks for your reply.
Tried this (apt-get install metacity), but same problem "no screen".

Anything else?

 

[AP81]

I believe you need to update xfree86. It is a common problem with Debian.




------------------------------------
There's no place like 127.0.0.1
------------------------------------

 

[AP81]

Sorry, I guess I left that a little vague. The problem with Debian is that the software is usually too old. The amount of times it has caused me headaches I cannot count. However once you have it running, it is pretty damn good.

I no longer use Debian to install as:

1. Woody is 7 discs, Sarge is 13 discs,
2. If you don't have broadband it may be a bit of a hassle getting it working (straight after install)
3. A lot of the program versions are out of date.

What I do is install Knoppix to hard drive. It is one disk, takes under half an hour to install, and is Debian once it is installed to your hard drive. It has better hardware detection and is more up to date.








------------------------------------
There's no place like 127.0.0.1
------------------------------------

 

[jwenting]

Debian install when you have broadband takes only a single CD to bootstrap the installer which then goes online to get the rest (a few floppies will also serve).

The numbers you mention include the source distribution which is about half the CDs (but I agree they include too much).

I installed Ubuntu this week which works quite well. It adresses the problem with Debian often having old versions of software without loosing compatibility with Debian releases (just use apt).