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Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

Ask for help with issues regarding the Installations of the Debian O/S.
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hellvetica
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Joined: 2017-03-12 16:35

Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#1 Post by hellvetica »

Ok so i made a bootable sd card of the debian based parrot os and i can boot from it fine. I get prompted to a menu where i can select Live boot, persistence, installer etc.
The live boot works fine and i cant find anything wrong with the system so far. However, when i try to install the os to a partition i made on my hdd by selecting the Installer or GTK installer, i do get a menu, but the gui is so messed up i can't read anything. It's diagonally offset as if the gpu is out of sync with the display or something. I've never seen it before. Pressing the arrow keys works fine and i can see the selection moving but as i said i can't read anything.

Image

Also, i tried running the text installer but it says that i'm missing an initrd.gz file and stops.

I have a HP Probook 450 G1 with a discrete AMD Radeon HD 8750M

Any help would be appreciated.
Last edited by hellvetica on 2017-03-12 17:51, edited 3 times in total.

Segfault
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up,. GPU error?

#2 Post by Segfault »

You got a little lost? These are the Debian forums.
https://community.parrotsec.org/

hellvetica
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up,. GPU error?

#3 Post by hellvetica »

Yes, i realise that, but the parrot OS forums weren't of help.
Since the OS is Debian at its core and the issue seems very low level i figured that someone in this community could help me.

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stevepusser
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#4 Post by stevepusser »

Appreciate the acknowledgement that "the light is better over here", but your car keys may not be under this streetlamp.

Some of us might be able to suggest things to try, but since we aren't familiar with how ParrotOS implements a LiveUSB, what desktop it uses, what drivers you're using for your hardware, or even what Debian version ParrotOS is based on, we'd basically be helping to look for your keys blindfolded and with oven mitts on our hands.
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GarryRicketson
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#5 Post by GarryRicketson »

Is there some reason you don't just use Debian instead ?
It is well documented, usually there is no problems like this with the installer.

I see this "Parrot" does not even have install instructions:
https://docs.parrotsec.org/doku.php/ins ... l-the-disk
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They may have messed something up in the installer it's self, who knows ?
Since they don't have any documentation, it is hard to say,

I think I would try it using a real Debian version, and see if it works better,
if you get the same problems, some people here may be able to help, then
after you get the real Debian working, if you still want to try using Parrot,
you can, and maybe the same solution would work.

I do agree you will probably get better support and help here, but it
needs to be the real Debian, you are using. It does not look like "parrot" offers any support, Debian does.
====== edited =========
This is another form of "Kali", the funniest part, you do not
even really need a different distribution, you can install Debian,
add the packages and tools you need for what ever kinds of things
you want to do,..programming , etc.
What is Parrot

Parrot is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian and focused on Penetration Testing, Digital Forensics, Programming and Privacy protection.
At least "Kali" has pretty good documentation, but in any event, any body
advance enough to be using these kind of tools, should know how to do the installation, make a boo-table installation device, etc,...

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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#6 Post by Segfault »

Actually, Kali has kernel patches for injection, so it won't be exactly the same with Debian kernel. Not sure about Parrot OS kernel.

hellvetica
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#7 Post by hellvetica »

I've installed, used, messed around with different versions and distributions of Debian and haven't had a major issue until now.
I appreciate your input and apologise for posting posting here. I thought maybe this was a known issue with other distributions in general.

This seemed like an enviroment that had everything set up for what i want to do so i don't have to go thought the hassle of installing all these packages (which i will end up doing now).

hellvetica
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#8 Post by hellvetica »

Segfault wrote:Actually, Kali has kernel patches for injection, so it won't be exactly the same with Debian kernel. Not sure about Parrot OS kernel.
And yes, i wanted a distro that had some of those patches and that i can use it day to day. Kali obviously isn't the way to go in my case.

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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#9 Post by stevepusser »

Wikipedia says Parrot OS is based on Debian testing with a custom patched kernel, MATE desktop, and is intended for penetration testing, or users that wish to browse the Net anonymously. It's meant to be run from a Live medium.

So, if your notebook has only the AMD graphics and not a hybrid system, I'd check the Debian wiki for that setup. Parrot OS may not install the firmware for your hardware by default (firmware-amd-graphics). Without it, you may see a GUI with the open driver, but performance is crippled and glitchy.
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dasein
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up,. GPU error?

#10 Post by dasein »

hellvetica wrote:Yes, i realise that, but the parrot OS forums weren't of help.
Then maybe just give up. If the folks who should know don't, then you're kinda screwed.

hellvetica
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#11 Post by hellvetica »

Hey, so i tried installing stock standard debian via SD card. Exactly the same issue.
I get menu screen, i select install i get a completely diagonally distorted menu. Unreadable, but still "functional" as in not frozen.
It looks like the display is looping from left to right or something. Seems like parrot wasn't the issue.

hellvetica
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#12 Post by hellvetica »

GarryRicketson wrote: I think I would try it using a real Debian version, and see if it works better,
if you get the same problems, some people here may be able to help, then
after you get the real Debian working, if you still want to try using Parrot,
you can, and maybe the same solution would work.
Tried stock Debian. Same issue.

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bw123
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#13 Post by bw123 »

Also, i tried running the text installer but it says that i'm missing an initrd.gz file and stops.
same issue with missing initrd.gz ? which iso is 'stock debian'
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#14 Post by stevepusser »

Is firmware-amd-graphics installed? By design, Debian will not install any nonfree firmware by default--that's the policy, even if some hardware really needs it.
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hellvetica
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#15 Post by hellvetica »

bw123 wrote:
Also, i tried running the text installer but it says that i'm missing an initrd.gz file and stops.
same issue with missing initrd.gz ? which iso is 'stock debian'
oh no, that was just some very stupid error that the parrot team made.
I opened the "install via text" command to look at it. It ran /nstaller/initrd.gz instead of /installer/initrd.gz
I changed it and it ran fine. (I still got the display issue though)

They actually left a typo in their released version. horrible

hellvetica
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#16 Post by hellvetica »

stevepusser wrote:Is firmware-amd-graphics installed? By design, Debian will not install any nonfree firmware by default--that's the policy, even if some hardware really needs it.
I didn't install anything additionaly i just used the default ISO form the Debian site. Shouldn't it run my integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics for this sort of stuff?
If not how and what do i do?

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GarryRicketson
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#17 Post by GarryRicketson »

Post by hellvetica » Tried stock Debian. Same issue.
Ok, thanks,...

I see some others posted while I was writing,...
now they will still need some additional details,
Starting with the specific version, / image you have installed.
example:
Was it ?

Code: Select all

 debian-8.7.1-amd64-CD-1.iso 
or maybe:

Code: Select all

debian-live-8.7.1-amd64-mate-desktop.iso   
by stevepusser » So, if your notebook has only the AMD graphics and not a hybrid system, I'd check the Debian wiki for that setup. Parrot OS may not install the firmware for your hardware by default (firmware-amd-graphics). Without it, you may see a GUI with the open driver, but performance is crippled and glitchy.
I am not at all familiar with trying to install Debian, or any OS to a
bootable sd card , but hopefully some of the others have some experience
with this. Please try to give all /any details they ask for,..
, stevepusser » what desktop it uses, what drivers you're using for your hardware, or even what Debian version
The debian wiki, steve mentions does go into how to get this information
if you don't know how,...I have some chores I need to do , so need to cut this short,...maybe later if need be I can give some more details.
thanks

hellvetica
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Joined: 2017-03-12 16:35

Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#18 Post by hellvetica »

GarryRicketson wrote: Was it ?

Code: Select all

 debian-8.7.1-amd64-CD-1.iso 
or maybe:

Code: Select all

debian-live-8.7.1-amd64-mate-desktop.iso   
As i said, i downloaded the default net install version from the Debian site.

Code: Select all

debian-8.7.1-amd64-netinst
Shouldn't matter if it's a web install or not since i'm stuck at what i presume is the language selection menu.

hellvetica
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#19 Post by hellvetica »

stevepusser wrote: So, if your notebook has only the AMD graphics and not a hybrid system, I'd check the Debian wiki for that setup.
I have the basic Intel HD 4600 Graphics and a discrete AMD Radeon HD 8750M card.

hellvetica
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Re: Installer menu GUI messed up. GPU error?

#20 Post by hellvetica »

bw123 wrote: which iso is 'stock debian'
The first one you get when you go to the Debian site's download page.
https://www.debian.org/distrib/

Code: Select all

debian-8.7.1-amd64-netinst

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