strange things on console screen

[arobart]

Hi there!
I have some weird symbols on my Unix console screen that look like some ancient form of hieroglyphics or something. Has anyone ever seen this or knows what causes it?? I tried hitting enter to see if I could log in but as your typing, you get the same strange symbols. Any ideas??

Thanks,
Annette

 

[Einstein47]

Try turning the terminal off then back on. Sounds like it glitched, and needs a reboot.

I don't know what causes it. If the reboot doesn't help, then maybe your connection is bad, or worse your terminal has gone bad. Can you login over the network? (telnet, ssh, etc.) Einstein47
(Love is like PI - natural, irrational, endless, and very important.)

 

[arobart]

I can telnet with no problem. If I turn off the console terminal, does it reboot the system?? (sorry, I've never turned it off before)

Thanks

 

[Einstein47]

It shouldn't - mine is a dumb terminal that I float between like 14 boxes.

The difference between Unix and Windows, is that Unix knows how to run even without a terminal connected to it. The system console is just for the administrator's convinience. In fact the original unix only had punch cards as an interface (that is a joke BTW) Einstein47
(Love is like PI - natural, irrational, endless, and very important.)

 

[Yegolev]

The question I have is, was this working before and what changed if it did? If the characters are really weird, perhaps you have some language issues, or ASCII vs EDCBwhaterver.

Punch cards, hehe, you must be thinking of Multics. IBM Certified -- AIX 4.3 Obfuscation

 

[aixmurderer]

If it is a tty (serial port) terminal it could possibly be a baud rate issue, check your terminal's settings and check the tty (tty0?) port settings and sync if needed. Check the cable too for a bad connection, reseat D plugs and see if it helps.

If it's a screen connected to a grahical card check the cable and reseat.

Switching the screen off and on won't reboot the system. IBM Certified Confused - MQSeries
IBM Certified Flabbergasted - AIX 5 pSeries System Administration

 

[arobart]

Well...Don't I feel dumb! I turned off the terminal & turned it back on and what do you know.....It works!!
Thanks!

 

[Martyt3]

Hi Annette,
It sounds like you have a problem with your terminal settings at the console, maybe the wrong emulation or connection speed????
Marty Tucker
mtucker@cn-wood.com

 

[Einstein47]

arobart - it isn't a matter of lack of smarts. Unix is a completely different animal from Personal Computers. Just remember that the console is just a "dumb terminal" and you will be fine.

Glad to know that a hardware reset was all it took. If only all of life's problems could be solved with a reboot. Einstein47
(Love is like PI - natural, irrational, endless, and very important.)