help with boot problem

[Weegie Arab 0]

Hi, I'm a total linux noobie and I've just tried to install redhat v9 on my system, the install seems fine but the system won't boot up.

 

The startup process gets as far as 'INIT: version 2.84 booting' and then stops.

 

system details are;

Athlon AMD 600Mhz

384 MB ram

Geforce 3 graphics card

3 comm 10/100 ethernet card

20GB hard drive

 

The install is as a sole operating platform, not trying to install a dual Os or anything.

 

I have read that the boot failure is likely a hardware conflict but have no idea how to determine what is causing it and fix it. Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

The only hardware not detect by the install routine was my monitor which i selected as a Generic 1024x768 60Hz.

[danleff 0]

Most likely.

 

Was this system working prior to the redhat install?

 

What monitor do you have?

 

Did you happen to make a boot floppy during the install?

 

Is the ram good quality - is each stick the same name/brand and type?

[Weegie Arab 0]

The system was previously working with Win 98. Decided to try Redhat install as I bought new system so the box was spare.

 

The monitor is a 19" Proview, no model number or branding on it (it was a cheap buy). i have tired to install 4 times and have tried the Generic option, the Undefined option and one of the Proview options (but is was a guess as I've no model number).

 

Not sure about the Ram, i think there was 256 org and I added 128 (this was a while ago) so I doubt the brands are the same though I thinkt eh types are. The Ram worked fine with previous operating sytem.

 

I did create a boot floppy as part of the install process.

 

Cheers.

[danleff 0]

Hmm...to many variables.

 

So, will the system boot from the floppy?

 

Will it boot from lilo or grub via tha hard drive (without the floppy)?

 

If no, I'm going out on a limb.

 

Go into the bios and disable PNP OS. This is usually found in the bios menu under PNP/PCI Configuration or something like this. Linux has trouble with this setting in the bios. Save the settings and allow a reboot.

 

See if you can boot and at least get a console screen.

 

The problem may also be the monitor settings, which I doubt. If the monitor settings, which should match your monitor's specs., is incorrect, you should at least be able to get to a console.

 

If you get a consile only, log in to root user and then type halt and allow the system to shutdown. Then report back.

 

Memory. It may have worked before, but if different brands or quality/types are used in a system, Linux can have problems with this also. You could be lucky in this regard, though.

[Weegie Arab 0]

Managed to get the system to boot by using the apm=off parameter.

 

Cheers for help