GRUB fail after boot option splash screen

[di98jgu]

Hey

I have a issue after install of VectorLinux 7.0 STD GOLD and hope
that you can help me.

The computer will not start from hard drive after completing the
the GUI installer. GRUB launch the boot options menu but then fail.
The screen is blank.

Manually starting the computer using the installer do work. The boot
command is "linux root=/dev/sda1 ro".  I installed VL 7.0 from USB-
stick.

My knowledge of GRUB is very limited. Since the boot splash with
its boot options turns up I presume the problem is in section
10_linux in /etc/grub.d.

The grub.cfg file

Code:

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry "VectorLinux GNU/Linux, Linux 3.0.8" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root efc8e945-7a30-4bbd-8fbd-b9144eb71610
linux16 /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.8 root=/dev/sda1 ro splash=silent vga=791 
initrd16 /boot/initrd
}
menuentry "VectorLinux GNU/Linux, Linux 3.0.8 (TUI)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root efc8e945-7a30-4bbd-8fbd-b9144eb71610
linux16 /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.8 root=/dev/sda1 ro splash=silent vga=791 2
initrd16 /boot/initrd
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

So what do I do to make this laptop run without need for start cables. ;-)

My system is a HP pavilion dv6700. Many linux dists out there have
problem with it. Xorg for example crash then I try to set the
the proper resolution  (1280x800 - 16x10) using xrandr. It do accept
1024x768 thankfully.

Thanks...

[overthere]

Perhaps this does not apply but did you wait looking at blank screen for the complete boot process. I have units that do not scroll text or show the boot screen or anything untill near the end of the boot then startx or not. often a resolution issue and as you mention sometimes 1024x768 is all you get to work. sometimes worth the wait

[di98jgu]

- Yeah, I think I understand what you mean, nothing until Xorg kicks
in, just before the login screen.

- No, I run VL on my main computer and thus can compare.

Some dists may take a lot of time during the first boot. So I
always wait an very extended coffe break when something like this
happens. Here GRUB just gives up and leave me with a empty screen.
Nothing, no messages or panic or anything.

Let me ask a more precise question. If I modify the 10_linux file
under /etc/grub.d do I need to run any commands in order to update
the grub.cfg under /boot/grub? I would like to remove the vga option
to see if this make any difference. Is this a good idea?

[retired1af]

Before you start modifying files, you can set boot options by editing the boot options at the grub menu. When you see the menu during bootup, press the letter e to edit your menu options.

[di98jgu]

Hey

Thanks retired1af

I have tried the e option during boot.

Happy about that, saved a lot of time. The argument vga is not
the problem. Mode 791 apparently means 1024x768x16 which work
on this computer.

Enter e during the boot to get to the edit mode followed by
ctr-x will start the laptop normally. No modifications needed at all.
Normal start, selecting GUI or TUI in the boot menu do not work.

So the problem seems to be in the difference between starting the
computer with option e followed by ctr-x and starting it normally by
selecting a boot option in the boot menu.

Any idea ?