I do not think this is the same as the "gray screen white X cursor" problem. After I get through the first part of the install (boot from CD, do autoinstall, reboot) all I get when X starts is a black screen with a cursor. I can move it with my mouse. It is one of those cursors you see when in a text area (looks kinda like a capital "I") but if I move it to the right 1/4th or bottom 1/4th of the screen it turns to a pointer.

I am trying this install on a hp de100c (http://www.k0lee.com/de100c/default.htm) with the stock networking card removed. In it's place is a 3c905c. I also have a pvr350 card installed (i've not gotten to configuring/trying to actually use that...just have monitor plugged into VGA port now). I'm installing R5A9.

I used to have not even a pointer (just blank black screen) when X started, but I fixed that by modifying XF86Config-4. That is also fixed if the install is started with "knoppmyth screen=800x600."

Any suggestions? I searched the forum quite a but and couldn't find any related info.

Thanks.

Might help if you told us what exactly you did to XF86Config-4

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Have a question search the forum and have a look at the KnoppMythWiki.

Xsecrets

The previous install time I edited it to get the horizontal and vertical sync values in range (30-50/60) and remove all of the modes with resolutions above 800x600.

The most-recent time I simply installed using "knoppmyth screen=800x600" at boot and have not made any modifications except for that. This is the state it's in now. (I've done nothing to XF86Config-4).

I've done other things (tried installing without monitor hooked up - only TV...as the built-in video card has an RCA tv-out...tried without TV hooked up - only monitor...tried swapping the cards between the two slots, etc). Generally after making x number of changes without getting anywhere I start from scratch and reinstall...trying different things the next time. These two cases initially produced SOME result...but not enough...and I ran out of things to try.

Thanks.