Knoppix 3.7 no boot on Compaq

**opmvz** · 12-21-2004, 04:13 PM

On both Compaq Deskpro and Compaq Notebook Evo 115 no successful boot from CD.
However same CD boots on non-Compaq PC's. Apparently Compaq uses a disk partition in stead of Bios for bootup.
Any suggestions to get the Compaqs to co-operate?

**UnderScore** · 12-21-2004, 04:42 PM

Are there any error messages? I have used Knoppix successfully on Compaq deskpro Intel Pentium 133Mhz and also on deskpro Pentium-3 833MHz.

**snarkfinder** · 12-23-2004, 01:33 PM

Hi folks
I've just been asked to get Knoppix 3.7 to run on a Compaq Presario S4020WM, specifically to run Scribus. Later this AM I'll try to solve why it hangs (just goes blank, stalls until pwr removed) right after X blanks the boot view. I'll try a tohd this time, and then maybe with the DSL unhooked, and in cmd line mode. I'm particularly interested in getting this to run, as 3.7 is the first release which boots on all my odd old boxes unattended (woohoo!)

In this case, it will be a great opportunity to demonstrate real Knoppix usefullness (this is a business client--) how a single, free disk can solve a large problem for a lot of people. Many thanks to Klaus K and all!

**billp** · 12-23-2004, 07:46 PM

Ok, I had the same problem and messed about for a bit and finally got it figured out. The problem is with the ACPI system, so to get things to boot you need to turn it off and weeeee ... off ya go.

For Knoppix, at the boot prompt just type 'knoppix acpi=off' (no quotes and hit return obviously).

Turns out you will have the same problem with Mandarke 10.1 (but not 9.1) and for that just hit the 'more options' (I think it is f1) at the installer, then type 'linux acpi=off' at the boot prompt.

bill

**snarkfinder** · 12-23-2004, 08:43 PM

Hi BillP et. al.
Just returned from a couple hours on that Presario. Figured out that it must be something with the acpi, seeing that the boot process stopped shortly after the display went into hibernation a minute or so into the process. However, turning off acpi with the cheatcode didn't help. Tried using all the bios cheats, upping the display right about the time, etc. but no change. I noticed that even with the cheatcode, I still get a "starting acpi, interacting with apm" or such boot line. So, tried to fish around in the BIOS. Couldn't find a way to turn apm off there. So I flashed the BIOS, since on the Compaq/HP site I found one which applied, and in fact which was to resolve a resume from suspend issue with Audigy sound subsystem.

But still no luck. So any more ideas?

I had also wondered whether it was a different issue, maybe one with the hidden FAT32 partition at the front of the drive (hides Compaq diagnostics) but that doesn't seem likely. It's something to do with that pwr management. Can't seem to kill it (I hate that feature. Always mucking things up.)

Thanks; more tomorrow

**billp** · 12-23-2004, 10:32 PM

Well I don't think it has anything to do with the hidden partition, I have the same on this machine and it is fine. I guess if you wanted to eliminate this you could disconnect the hd by opening, but I expect his is a waste of time.

Have you really tuned everthing off? I'd try booting with 'knoppix failsafe 2' and see if you can get into command mode without hardware detection (this didn't work on my machine until I turned off acpi). Might try an older version of Knoppix, I found the knoppix-v3.3-en-2003-11-19 booted on this machine without trouble.

bill

**billp** · 12-23-2004, 10:34 PM

Actually I meant to say 'knoppix acpi=off failsafe 2' and see what happens?

Bill

**snarkfinder** · 12-24-2004, 02:33 AM

Boots just fine with "knoppix 2". Same problem for v3.4, but will try 3.3, 3.2, 3.1 tomorrow to backtrace it a bit more. From 2, and after finding nothing unusual in the /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 (seems the hardware is all detected and it looks pretty ok there, though I could've missed something) init 5 leaves me hanging once again.

Variations on failsafe with acpi=off gave the same hang. I think I'll snag that ...Config-4 and take a closer look tomorrow.
Off to bake cookies!

**billp** · 12-24-2004, 03:27 AM

Well if 'knoppix 2' does it then it looks like you are dealing with an XFree problem. Have you tried hitting 'control-+' a few times to switch resolutions? If it has picked the wrong setting you could be in trouble, especially if it an LCD since they support fewer settings than a tube. Try the 'control-+' trick to change (during the boot log you should set what settings you got proably about 4 total.

Otherwise why not try a 'knoppix vga=normal' to cut out some othter suff, then next I'd try particular settings. If you can boot windows you can find out what the monotor settings are there, or just try something like 'knoppix screen=800x600' or add a 'vsync=60', or even a 'depth=16'?

Bill

**snarkfinder** · 12-24-2004, 05:13 AM

All good suggestions; will try them all in the morning. Did try some fb modes, with no luck before I had to quit today. But I still want to find out how to NOT sleep the display (Compaq 7500 crt) during boot. Might be some way in its settings. It does get sensed properly, I can tell. Just goes to sleep, like me