help! I can only go into X but not the text mode

[tuesdaysky]

This is newbian for debian
I recently loaded on my machine: ibm T40 + ati radeon mobility the linux destribution of Debian

1. install debian 3.0r4, with kernel 2.2
2. update Xfree86
3. update the kernel to 2.6.11.3

after that I can not go into the text mode
when the system is startup with the new kernel,
there is nothing on the screen but the cursor flashing and moving
until the X start,
Then try ctrl+alt+f1 the screen just stuck there
even I can see nothing, I tried to login with root
and shutdown -h now,
The machine amazingly shut down
i believe the problem maybe the screen, enven though X works
Thank you for your help

Try old kernel, just fine.
............................

[Grommet - Space Cadet]

so to clarify the issue a little....


With the new kernel you dont get asked to login or anything it just goes strait to your default Xfree session?


Or

you have a desktop manager (KDM,GDM,XDM) that wont drop back to text login?...

[tuesdaysky]

Thanks for the reply

yes I have a GDM working
the X works good
the screen can not display the text mode.
as I said I can login after I type ctrl+alt+f1
I mean I could not see my login. but when i type
shutdown -h now, the machine just shutdown
so I guess

[sprucio]

Running that command would mean that the shell is running. After you press CTRL+ALT+F1, what do you do? Do you type the command right away or do you try to login first?

What did you to update XFree86? Did you patch it or did you simply update it with your hardware settings?

Last thing you can try is adding an 's' on the GRUB option with the line that has "kernel." This will make it boot into text mode.