Hi I'm trying to get DSL running on an old Dell XPI P133st. I've loaded to hard disc succesfully but when it finishes the boot the display is unreadable. During the boot all is fine until the final shell loads. Any help to solve would be appreciated. Thanks

I've loaded to hard disc

How did it run as a live cd? Did you get a readable screen then? Also give me some specs on your computer. Is this install setup as a frugal install ? hda1 type 83 =55mb DSL image.hda2 type 82 =swap. hda3 type 83=free remaining space.

I have installed Damn Small Linux before and usually test drove it first to make sure that what I needed working worked. My install instructions below

Yet Another Technology Site: Damn Small Linux 4.0 install on Compaq 1540DM

In case you call loaded running as a live cd. Here below are boot cheat codes for varibles when encountering problems booting in live mode.

Cheat Codes - DSL Wiki

I have already printed and tried using your comprehensive build instructions. Problem is the spec of my old laptop is Pentium 133, 40 meg ram, Neomagic NM2070 chipset and floppy drive. There is no cd drive. I've attempted the build by removing laptop hard drive and fitting to my desktop with an ide convertor cable. I folowed your build to the letter which went well on the desktop but when I fitted the hard drive back into the laptop when the boot gets to the point of displaying the desktop screen the display becomes unreadable. I had thought the next step would be to try a fugal build using the same method but when I tried this it came up with various options which I didn't understand so abandoned. What would you suggest my next step should be? I wondered if openSUSE might be more flexible.

You won't have the minimum system requirements for booting up Open Suse even if you installed it with other computer like you did with DSL. Open Suse is just too heavy. For your specs, Damn Small Linux , Tiny Core Linux (the guy who developed Tiny core Linux used to be on Damn Small Linux Team by the way) which runs a new kernel also but requires some skill to setup also. It wasn't out when I was doing minimal distro installs so I have no experience to pass on to you with it. Google and Tiny Core Forums will be your friend with finding answers to questions. I'd recommend Slitaz but I think your Laptop is to old for it also. But nothing ventured. Nothing gained or learned. Up to you whether Slitaz would be worth the effort, but I think you need a P2 for it. Check minimum requirements first before trying.

Another option may be Deli Linux

Now. One last thing. I hate to pop your bubble. But the way you are installing via a ide adapter. What happens is your /etc/x11/xorg.conf file which controls display is being configured for the Desktop instead of your laptop. That is why the screen won't show. I will post some links but it will seem like greek to you. (just a assumption)

DSL Tips and Tricks :: A quick guide on compiling XOrg 7.0 on DSL
X and Fluxbox :: Reconfiguring X on Boot

Finally this is what my search at Distro Watch came up with for Linux Distros that run on old old old Hardware that are active and up to date.http://distrowatch.com/search.php?ca...&status=Active I still think Tiny core or Deli Linux might be your next best bet. Also if you can reinstall your hardrive into your notebook and try a network or hardrive Install instead.Mightydreams: Install Linux from ISO image on hard disk without using a DVD ROM or CD Drive

Thanks for the info I'm goiing to give DSL another go via smart boot master and if that fails I'll try Deli. I'll keep you informed of my progress.

Hi tried loading DSL via smart boot manager but still get corrupted screen.
Tried Deli Linux and Basic Linux 3.5 same problem. The machine works great with Windows 98SE :-)
I can get DSL to load via cd rom no problem on a Fujitsu P2 333 so why not my old Dell. The issue seems to be around the Neomagic 2070 chipset. I've seen posts from others with simialr problems. Some have had success but not me.
One other point how do I get my Fujitsu P2 to log onto the net with Fire Fox and a Belkin usb wireless device.
Any other help with my Dell also appreciated.

Just found this on the web which was never replied to. Seem I'm not the only one to have this issue.
Damn Small Linux works great on my old Dell Latitute LM, except for the fact that the best resolution I can get right out of the box is 640x480 w/ 16 bit color (vga=785). 800x600 w/ 8 bit is no good. I'm sure the Neomagic 2070 is capable of something better --- like 800x600 w/ 15 bit color (we have 896k video memory to play with)? However, "vga=787" doesn't work (it's an "undefined mode number" for some reason). How can I do better? It must be possible, because I'm sure I wasn't stuck like this with Windows. Does something in xfree86 help me? If so, I doubt I'll be able to figure it out on my own.

This link might be of use to you for vga settings

AntLinux Wiki - HowTos/VgaModes

For a experiment, I know that vga=791 is good for 1024x768 resolution.