[Ubuntu] Green lines on the screen
Don Diego
-
Don Diego -
Don Diego -
Good evening! ::-)
My computer is causing me quite a few issues right now, and I'm hoping to get help on this site that was highly recommended by a friend.
Here's my problem, or rather, my configuration: Windows 98 Second Edition, 192 MB of RAM, slow internet connection.
Let’s just say it’s not a PC that is exactly racing at full speed! :)
I want to switch to Linux for security reasons, as well as due to a growing anti-Microsoft sentiment. ;-)
So, I ordered a CD of Ubuntu version 7.04 about a year ago, but I put the "migration" on hold for a bit.
Today, I tried Ubuntu.
The PC booted straight from the CD, and I selected "Start Ubuntu."
Loading OK.
The only small issue on the main screen / the 'desktop': 1/3 of the screen is covered by moving green lines.
It looked like a stream of 0s and 1s racing up the right side of the screen, from bottom to top.
When I move my mouse into the green area, an extra cursor appears.
This has never happened to me before, not even on Windows.
I’m hesitant about switching to Linux.
What can I do to resolve this issue?
Thank you in advance, and I wish you an excellent evening.
Don Diego.
My computer is causing me quite a few issues right now, and I'm hoping to get help on this site that was highly recommended by a friend.
Here's my problem, or rather, my configuration: Windows 98 Second Edition, 192 MB of RAM, slow internet connection.
Let’s just say it’s not a PC that is exactly racing at full speed! :)
I want to switch to Linux for security reasons, as well as due to a growing anti-Microsoft sentiment. ;-)
So, I ordered a CD of Ubuntu version 7.04 about a year ago, but I put the "migration" on hold for a bit.
Today, I tried Ubuntu.
The PC booted straight from the CD, and I selected "Start Ubuntu."
Loading OK.
The only small issue on the main screen / the 'desktop': 1/3 of the screen is covered by moving green lines.
It looked like a stream of 0s and 1s racing up the right side of the screen, from bottom to top.
When I move my mouse into the green area, an extra cursor appears.
This has never happened to me before, not even on Windows.
I’m hesitant about switching to Linux.
What can I do to resolve this issue?
Thank you in advance, and I wish you an excellent evening.
Don Diego.
Configuration: Windows 98 Internet Explorer 6.0
8 réponses
Without getting too far ahead of myself, I think your problem is due to the coexistence of Windows and Linux. Go for it! Switch to Linux, you’ll see it’s great (The version you have always starts in English even if you're asked to choose a language during installation: but it’s not difficult to switch to French, just ask us).
Good evening Bernardm and thank you for replying!
I haven't installed Ubuntu yet: the problem appeared when I tested Ubuntu
using the "without touching the hard disk" method.
Under Windows 98, no screen problem.
1) Should I install Linux over Windows or should I keep both?
2) If I install Linux, will this problem come back anyway?
What surprises me is that one of my friends who switched to Ubuntu didn't have this screen problem, despite having Windows on his computer.
Did he have better luck than me? :-)
Have a good evening.
Don Diego
I haven't installed Ubuntu yet: the problem appeared when I tested Ubuntu
using the "without touching the hard disk" method.
Under Windows 98, no screen problem.
1) Should I install Linux over Windows or should I keep both?
2) If I install Linux, will this problem come back anyway?
What surprises me is that one of my friends who switched to Ubuntu didn't have this screen problem, despite having Windows on his computer.
Did he have better luck than me? :-)
Have a good evening.
Don Diego
If you can, it's better to run your PC with Linux only. I know there's some apprehension about making the leap, but it's worth it...
Hi,
Your problem is probably related to your graphics card, and it may also be due to a lack of memory; remember that a LiveCD loads entirely into memory (RAM).
In the boot options (F4, I think), you can choose a mode similar to Windows Safe Mode, give it a try...
Otherwise, to answer your question "Should I install Linux over Windows or should I keep both?", you can definitely keep both, as Linux manages dual boot perfectly well.
--
$ man woman
There is no manual page for woman.
Your problem is probably related to your graphics card, and it may also be due to a lack of memory; remember that a LiveCD loads entirely into memory (RAM).
In the boot options (F4, I think), you can choose a mode similar to Windows Safe Mode, give it a try...
Otherwise, to answer your question "Should I install Linux over Windows or should I keep both?", you can definitely keep both, as Linux manages dual boot perfectly well.
--
$ man woman
There is no manual page for woman.
Hello Jipicy. Thank you for getting back to me!
There was a small mistake in my first message: it’s Ubuntu 7.10 and not 7.04
My PC is indeed a bit old, it's starting to show its age. My graphics card is a SiS 6326
Good news: I tried Ubuntu again, choosing the safe graphics mode. And oh, miracle, no more green lines, a perfect full screen...
That's great. Thank you for helping me out.
I still have a few little questions if you don’t mind.
1) If I install Ubuntu in dual boot with Windows, will I have the choice between normal boot and safe graphics mode boot, in case the normal one starts giving me green lines again? :-)
2) I have a Free Internet connection with a VERY low bandwidth, I believe with a modem.
When I launched Ubuntu, an icon at the top right indicated 'no network connection'
And there was no window prompting me to connect when I launched Firefox. Will this problem be solved once Ubuntu is installed, or will I have to go through Windows to get online?
I thank you a thousand times for taking care of my problem!
Wishing you all a great weekend.
DON DIEGO.
There was a small mistake in my first message: it’s Ubuntu 7.10 and not 7.04
My PC is indeed a bit old, it's starting to show its age. My graphics card is a SiS 6326
Good news: I tried Ubuntu again, choosing the safe graphics mode. And oh, miracle, no more green lines, a perfect full screen...
That's great. Thank you for helping me out.
I still have a few little questions if you don’t mind.
1) If I install Ubuntu in dual boot with Windows, will I have the choice between normal boot and safe graphics mode boot, in case the normal one starts giving me green lines again? :-)
2) I have a Free Internet connection with a VERY low bandwidth, I believe with a modem.
When I launched Ubuntu, an icon at the top right indicated 'no network connection'
And there was no window prompting me to connect when I launched Firefox. Will this problem be solved once Ubuntu is installed, or will I have to go through Windows to get online?
I thank you a thousand times for taking care of my problem!
Wishing you all a great weekend.
DON DIEGO.
1) If I install Ubuntu in dual boot with Windows, will I have the choice between normal boot and booting in safe graphical mode, if the normal one starts giving me green lines? :-)
There is indeed a safe mode, but it's a text mode (no graphical interface), however you should be able to adjust your display during the installation...
When installing, it's better to take the so-called "Alternate CD" version which is actually a semi-graphical mode, less demanding on RAM compared to the LiveCD version.
2) I have a VERY low bandwidth Free internet connection, with, I believe, a modem.
When I launched Ubuntu, an icon at the top right indicated 'no network connection'
You should be able to configure your connection via "System => Administration => Network" (or something like that)
And no window offering me to connect when I launched Firefox. Will this problem be solved once Ubuntu is installed, or will I have to go through Windows to access the internet?
Normally yes, but it might not be a sure thing ;-(
See: http://doc.ubuntu-fr.org/tutoriels_imprimes/reseau#cas_2_configuration_du_modem_usb
--
$ man woman
There is no manual page for woman.
There is indeed a safe mode, but it's a text mode (no graphical interface), however you should be able to adjust your display during the installation...
When installing, it's better to take the so-called "Alternate CD" version which is actually a semi-graphical mode, less demanding on RAM compared to the LiveCD version.
2) I have a VERY low bandwidth Free internet connection, with, I believe, a modem.
When I launched Ubuntu, an icon at the top right indicated 'no network connection'
You should be able to configure your connection via "System => Administration => Network" (or something like that)
And no window offering me to connect when I launched Firefox. Will this problem be solved once Ubuntu is installed, or will I have to go through Windows to access the internet?
Normally yes, but it might not be a sure thing ;-(
See: http://doc.ubuntu-fr.org/tutoriels_imprimes/reseau#cas_2_configuration_du_modem_usb
--
$ man woman
There is no manual page for woman.
Good evening,
It strongly looks like a problem of unsupported frequency by your screen.
When starting the live CD and the menu appears, you should try a resolution of 800x600 (fully supported by VESA mode and the hardware of the Windows 98 era).
Changing the resolution affects the graphics card's ability to handle the required frequency (the less you ask of it, the better it performs), furthermore, most screens are more tolerant (in terms of frequencies) at lower resolutions.
Best regards.
It strongly looks like a problem of unsupported frequency by your screen.
When starting the live CD and the menu appears, you should try a resolution of 800x600 (fully supported by VESA mode and the hardware of the Windows 98 era).
Changing the resolution affects the graphics card's ability to handle the required frequency (the less you ask of it, the better it performs), furthermore, most screens are more tolerant (in terms of frequencies) at lower resolutions.
Best regards.
Hello everyone!
Please excuse my absence over the past few days. I have received all your messages.
I haven't tried Ubuntu again since Saturday; I will try everything you mentioned above.
1) I couldn't find the name of the modem among the list provided on the Jipicy site.
In my control panel, I have two modems:
OLITEC PCI V92 Ready V2 Data, Fax Modem
U.S. Robotics V.92 PCI Modem
Which category should I take? And how can I tell if my modem has an ethernet interface?
2) I will try to change the resolution at the startup of the live CD.
Best regards.
Don Diego.
Please excuse my absence over the past few days. I have received all your messages.
I haven't tried Ubuntu again since Saturday; I will try everything you mentioned above.
1) I couldn't find the name of the modem among the list provided on the Jipicy site.
In my control panel, I have two modems:
OLITEC PCI V92 Ready V2 Data, Fax Modem
U.S. Robotics V.92 PCI Modem
Which category should I take? And how can I tell if my modem has an ethernet interface?
2) I will try to change the resolution at the startup of the live CD.
Best regards.
Don Diego.