Get Compiz Running onboot from USB HDD install

[drwalter]

This tutorial assumes one has installed the USB to HDD, however these steps may just as easily be followed during the install process (I realized afterwards that compiz didn't work so I figured most others experiencing the same problem would have too).

First make sure you boot into the usb bt3 final.

You'll need to move the lzm2dir file over from cd to you hdd install.
open terminal and...

#cp /usr/bin/lzm2dir /mnt/yourbt3partitionhere/usr/bin/

Now to configure the bootloader. I use grub however lilo shouldn't be much different Someone please post lilo equivalent to help consolidate posts

#nano /mnt/partitionwithbootloader/etc/grub.conf

now add(or edit) a bt3 section to look like this

title Backtrack 3 KDE Compiz
rootnoverify (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz vga=791 root=/dev/sda3 ro autoexec=xconf;cubez;kdm
boot

Remembering of course (hd[or sd]0,2) refers to the 3rd not 2nd partition. So change accordingly to the proper BT3 Final partition.

ctrl+x and save

Now reboot and select Backtrack 3 KDE Compiz

[««EDocTooR»»]

I'll try it,, just because I want to see the cube thingy.

title Backtrack 3 KDE Compiz
rootnoverify (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz vga=791 root=/dev/sda3 ro autoexec=xconf;cubez;kdm
boot

Will this start the NVidia KDE Compiz, if not what changes do you think would be helpful?

[ShadowKill]

The lilo.conf would look as follows:

lba32
boot = /dev/sda
prompt
timeout = 1200
change-rules
reset
vga = 791
 
#Linux Bootable Partition Config begins
image = /boot/vmlinuz
root = /dev/sda4
label = Back|Track
read-only
 
#Windows Bootable Partition Config begins
other = /dev/sda1
lable = Winblowz|Vista
table = /dev/sda

Then

 
Ctrl+X
Y
'Enter'
lilo -v
exit
reboot

Also the syslinux.cfg settings would be as follows, changing where needed:

KERNEL /boot/vmlinuz APPEND vga=0x317 initrd=/boot/initrd.gz ramdisk_size=6666
root=/dev/ram0 rw chexpand=256 load=nvidia,cubez autoexec=xconf;cubez;startx

This is driving me crazy

I've tried just about everything I can think of besides trying different driver releases, and cannot get an X session started at all.

I'm getting this:

NVIDIA: could not open the device file /dev/nvidia0 (Input/output error).
(EE) NVIDIA(GPU-1): Failed to initialize the NVIDIA graphics device PCI:2:0:0.
(EE) NVIDIA(GPU-1): Please see the COMMON PROBLEMS section in the README for
(EE) NVIDIA(GPU-1): additional information.
 
ShadowKill:~# ls -la /dev/nv*
crw-rw-rw- 1 root root 195, 0 2008-06-20 00:42 /dev/nvidia0
crw-rw-rw- 1 root root 195, 255 2008-06-20 00:42 /dev/nvidiactl

Also, I just checked dmesg and got an nvidia taints kernel.....

Lack of sleep + console bashing + frustration = clouded thinking....

Help?!

[drwalter]

Did it work when booting from the usb? If so you might be able to pick up some ideas from the bootup.

[ShadowKill]

Did it work when booting from the usb? If so you might be able to pick up some ideas from the bootup.

No it didn't. The only way I've gotten GUI was by booting from USB via the VESA KDE option.......

Tried recompiling kernel with a different driver build, 9629 -vs- 9639, and got a "no devices found" error instead......

I'm so lost right now....

[drwalter]

I'm so lost right now....

I believe muts mentioned fixvesa for those problems. That might help get you started. Maybe compare your bt3 setup to bt2 or bt3b.

[ShadowKill]

I believe muts mentioned fixvesa for those problems. That might help get you started. Maybe compare your bt3 setup to bt2 or bt3b.

I'll look into fixvesa. I've compared my BT3b build to BT3-F and as far as xorg, syslinux, preloaded modules, and respective dependancies go, they match. I had this problem initially with BT3b, but a simple driver update and the steps in my tutorial fixed my problems.

I've tried asking around on the nVidia forums but no one there seems too keen on assisting based on the fact that I'm using SLAX (BT3-F).......

Do you think it would be more or less likely to solve my problems if I simply removed every trace of nVidia drivers from my system, and used the compiz/nVidia LZMs/settings from my BT3b install on my BT3-F install?

If so, what would I have to do to get a complete rm of those drivers? I already know I will have to rebild the kernel with the drivers from my BT3b install, but I'm not too keen on the distribution of config files and such. Would sudo rm /etc/init.d/nv* be all I need?

[drwalter]

It's worth a shot but it could go either way. Just make sure you find / -name nv* before you rm them so you know exactly what and where to replace.

[ShadowKill]

I fugured it out. Tutorial incoming

[drwalter]

I fugured it out. Tutorial incoming

Nice Congrats!