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cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:18 pm
by phoenix63
Hi !

I recently tried to install ReactOS 0.4.7 with boot CD ; however the installation "freezes" once the CD loads the drivers and I have an endless black screen.
I guess this has something to do with my video driver ?
So I was wondering what I could do ?
I wanted to install on a Sony VAIO PCG-FR215S laptop (with an ATI Radeon IGP 345M graphic driver)
Many thanks for your help and advice.

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:36 pm
by mrmajik45
Does the LiveCD work? If it doesn't try screen mode. Don't forget it's in alpha so you might not have a happy ReactOS. ;)

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:34 am
by middings
The fault phoenix63 described is not always caused by the video driver. But the fault probably involves a software driver.

Additional debug information is required.
This post describes a crude but simple way to obtain ReactOS debug information:
[ReadThis]ReactOS doesn't work in my computer!!
The additional debug information will help identify the cause and a possible resolution. If no solution is known, the debug information will be used in a bug report. Bug reports are filed in ReactOS's JIRA issue tracking software.

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 7:46 am
by phoenix63
mrmajik45 wrote:Does the LiveCD work? If it doesn't try screen mode. Don't forget it's in alpha so you might not have a happy ReactOS. ;)
hi !
I haven't tried live CD because I wanted a new light OS ;) And yes I'am aware it's an alpha version ;)

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:18 am
by phoenix63
middings wrote:The fault phoenix63 described is not always caused by the video driver. But the fault probably involves a software driver.

Additional debug information is required.
This post describes a crude but simple way to obtain ReactOS debug information:
[ReadThis]ReactOS doesn't work in my computer!!
The additional debug information will help identify the cause and a possible resolution. If no solution is known, the debug information will be used in a bug report. Bug reports are filed in ReactOS's JIRA issue tracking software.
hi !
I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's the video driver as it is the case 90% of the time ; having previously installed linux distributions (with success), the video driver caused the linux OS to malfunction until I found a way to correct the problem.
I had of course read the the page at the link you have shown prior to posting my message, unfortunately I do not know how to do this operation :
2) A Debug log:
- Pretty easy. Run ReactOS, it will ask you how you want to boot ReactOS: Using NORMAL MODE or REACTOS (SCREEN) Mode.
- Select REACTOS (SCREEN) and hit Enter.
How do I run ReactOS ? I cannot install it... Do I do it in live mode ? Which would give bad info because live modes generally work as not physically installed on the HDD
I can however give a bit more info on my PC (unfortunately it's an old discontinued model and I cannot yet find all the technical specs) :

model : Sony Vaio PCG-FR215S (laptop)
graphic driver : ATI Radeon IGP 345M
processor : Intel Pentium P4 2.66GHz
IDE HDD
1024x768 XGA screen
1GB RAM (2 x 512MB) : DDR SODIMM PC2100
PS/2 mouse/touchpad

Thanks for your help.

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 10:27 am
by oldman
How many times have you tried to install? I found that some times when ReactOS failed to install the first time, if I tried again, it would succeed. So I would suggest that you do not give up until you have tried three times. You could try with a livecd, as already suggested, and see if that is able to run.

Does this laptop have a serial port? if so you could buy a null modem cable (serial to serial) and capture debug info via another computer, but that will depend on how for ReactOS gets.

I wonder if the problem is with the touchscreen!

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:10 pm
by phoenix63
Hi !
tried many times with no success !
I've just tried the live CD ans amazingly that doesn't work either !!!!! Now this is really strange, it's the 1st time a live CD doesn't work !
I'll try other live CD modes (didn't get the chance the 1st time, the CD was to quick to react lol)

[edit] live CD seems to work as long as I enable VGA mode in the F8 advanced settings...

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:20 pm
by oldman
phoenix63 wrote: I'll try other live CD modes
I would try the bootcd in other modes also, you may get it to succeed in a debug mode where it failed in normal mode.

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:23 pm
by phoenix63
oh, great you mentioned that 'cos I was wondering if it were possible with the boot CD ? I didn't seen any mention about extended options like a VGA mode or other...

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 3:58 pm
by oldman
I must admit that I am a little rusty now, not having done any testing for a long time.

There are three stages to the installation of ReactOS.

1. It first loads itself into memory, then it installs the base system to hard drive.
2. Re-boots (this is where you get the options window) and installs hardware etc.
3. Re-boots again, this time into the desktop.

So if you are not able to complete the first stage, then the boot options are not available to you. So then you only have the livecd to try.

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 4:07 pm
by phoenix63
Well no it doesn't get passed 1st stage, as I mentioned earlier on.
I don't want to try live CD : even if it works (and it seems like it), it won't help me install ReactOS.
Maybe this OS is too modern for old configurations ? It seems that the screen/graphic driver is an issue for the installation ; I'd need to boot with the drivers still there ; however, I currently have a linux OS and the drivers are maybe not recognized by ReactOS boot CD ?

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 5:41 pm
by mrmajik45
ReactOS uses its own drivers. It doesn't look or use the drivers on the HDD. ReactOS only has basic drivers so it works or it doesn't. And if it did work then you can install the drivers from the driver installer for that device. If not then you'll have to wait for later releases. Actually try this: https://iso.reactos.org/bootcd/reactos- ... lin-dbg.7z this is one of the Nightly builds. Unzip it and put the iso on your cd and try again.

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 5:45 pm
by phoenix63
Oh a new version ;)
I'll try it then :) Not too unstable I hope though ?
Yes it does seem the basic video driver of ReactOS doesn't work on my GC :/

[edit] Uh uh :( Same problem with v0.4.9 too :( After the drivers have been loaded : black screen and nothing happens :(

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 6:08 pm
by phoenix63
Just wondering (this is a question for the developers) : is there any possible way to include a specific driver in the ReactOS launch program ? You know, instead of using the one provided by the OS (which seems troublesome on my PC) ?
Thanks !

Re: cannot install ReactOS with boot CD

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 7:02 pm
by mrmajik45
I really think ReactOS just doesn't like the touchscreen. We don't really have our basic drivers all setup. The "basic" drivers are just made so the pc works just enough that you can install the actual drivers for your hardware without much pain. Also, are you using any usb devices? Mouse? Keyboard?