Successful install on Dell optiplex GX270
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:14 am
Had to battle somewhat to get to the desktop. It is a desktop PC Pentium IV 2.8 GHz, 1.5 Gb DDR, HDD 40 Gb with integrated Intel 865G graphics. Installed the current stable release from a CD-RW. I found previous messages stating the problems with Intel graphics but none suggesting a working solution, so I decided to explain my experiences.
The setup process runs perfectly until first reboot when the ReactOS logo shows up and it is loading the first time. A BSOD follows that nice picture. I attached a null-modem serial cable to a working PC and reboot in debug mode which revealed someting on the lines of VESA Set Mode 14h failure (sorry don't remember the exact wording but gave me enough info to start looking at the video driver).
A past message in this forum suggested to delete vbemp.sys which I tried and resulted in a black screen instead of the previous BSOD (the same as selecting VGA mode in F8 startup menu). BTW to delete the file had to use a MS-DOS floppy, the startup option Safe mode with command line appears to try to load the video driver causing again a BSOD.
Reinstalled from the beginning but this time selected VESA 640x480x4 (instead of the default 800x600x16) and that finally produced a working desktop. Nice!!
Now I was using a serial mouse on COM1 and it didn't work, tried an USB mouse and still no joy, finally a PS2 mouse worked. During that no mouse time I found you cannot do almost anything from the keyboard ?! Ctrl-Esc to open the Start menu does not work. Alt-Tab or Tab to attempt to open some icon or button, nothing. Alt-F4 to shut down, nothing. Tried all keys and nothing. Only Ctrl-Alt-Delete brings a window and then Tab works as expected, and Print Screen produces a BSOD.
The funny thing is the first time asked for drivers for a Multimedia device and an Ethernet controller. I don't know if I can provide the manufacturer drivers and expect them to install and work, but found I cannot have it ask for these drivers again. The device manager does not list these items and the add hardware wizard for the ethernet controller says the device is working properly.
Thank you for the great project. I navigated through the apps it comes with and it is nice to see that there is a lot of work done.
The setup process runs perfectly until first reboot when the ReactOS logo shows up and it is loading the first time. A BSOD follows that nice picture. I attached a null-modem serial cable to a working PC and reboot in debug mode which revealed someting on the lines of VESA Set Mode 14h failure (sorry don't remember the exact wording but gave me enough info to start looking at the video driver).
A past message in this forum suggested to delete vbemp.sys which I tried and resulted in a black screen instead of the previous BSOD (the same as selecting VGA mode in F8 startup menu). BTW to delete the file had to use a MS-DOS floppy, the startup option Safe mode with command line appears to try to load the video driver causing again a BSOD.
Reinstalled from the beginning but this time selected VESA 640x480x4 (instead of the default 800x600x16) and that finally produced a working desktop. Nice!!
Now I was using a serial mouse on COM1 and it didn't work, tried an USB mouse and still no joy, finally a PS2 mouse worked. During that no mouse time I found you cannot do almost anything from the keyboard ?! Ctrl-Esc to open the Start menu does not work. Alt-Tab or Tab to attempt to open some icon or button, nothing. Alt-F4 to shut down, nothing. Tried all keys and nothing. Only Ctrl-Alt-Delete brings a window and then Tab works as expected, and Print Screen produces a BSOD.
The funny thing is the first time asked for drivers for a Multimedia device and an Ethernet controller. I don't know if I can provide the manufacturer drivers and expect them to install and work, but found I cannot have it ask for these drivers again. The device manager does not list these items and the add hardware wizard for the ethernet controller says the device is working properly.
Thank you for the great project. I navigated through the apps it comes with and it is nice to see that there is a lot of work done.