Topic: [SOLVED] No Gui and some question.

[whitetiger]

I've downloaded yesterday the ISO image of the SME 9 and and I've tried to install it.
During the process, it asked me only about keyboard, time server and password.
With the reboot I see only a confused grey bitmap.

The motherboard is an ASRock FM2A85-ITX con CPU AMD A4-5300.
I'able to install Ubuntu and Debian Desktop, Servers and derivates.
So the problem cannot be the hardware.

I've then tried the last SME version 8 and now I've the server installed.
So I ask you if the 9.x has some problem.


About the installation I need some information.

1) I wish install only a disk of 500GB. How this is partitioned for email, webserver, proxy and above all user disk space? Can I manage these partitions?

2) I wish install now only one disk of 500GB and later a second of 500GB (in RAID1), 2 or 3 disks of 1TB disks (with or without RAID) and another disk of 3TB for internal backup.
In the wiki I read that SME chooses the type of RAID automatically. Can I manage the type of RAID and for which disks?

3) What kind of filesystem is created? EXT4? LVM?

4) In the wiki I read about backup from/to desktop, tape and USB.
I wish to do a backup/snapshot of the server and of the users files towards the internal disk of 3GB and in a second step, if it is need, from this towards an external device.
It is possible? What I have to do?

5) Installing the "add-on" / Contribs, then I can manage these from the Server Manager?

Thank in advance

[TerryF]

Hardware compatibility may be an issue SME9. Check the compatibility with your hardware.  Or look to use options that are available at install time.

Just let the install do its thing, no manual partitioning needed.

Read this re adding Hard Drives there are also other links in there to other sections that will anser your question.

Re filesystem, SME8 default ext3 option to select ext4, SME9 ext4

Re Backup I don't think you can do what you describe

Re contribs are installed from the cli

Some time spent on the wiki would be of benefit.

[Stefano]

The motherboard is an ASRock FM2A85-ITX con CPU AMD A4-5300.
I'able to install Ubuntu and Debian Desktop, Servers and derivates.
So the problem cannot be the hardware.

if your HW is not RH certified hw can be the problem.. and no, the fact ubuntu/debian/whatever runs on it is not a proof of linux compatibility..

[CharlieBrady]

and no, the fact ubuntu/debian/whatever runs on it is not a proof of linux compatibility..

Well, it *is* proof of linux compatibility - but not proof of universal linux compatibility.

[marsa_matruh]

I've downloaded yesterday the ISO image of the SME 9 and and I've tried to install it.
[...]
I'able to install Ubuntu and Debian Desktop, Servers and derivates.

Try installing CentOS 6.5, as it is used as base for Sme Server 9. You will know if the issue is in SME parts or in the underlying distro.

[Stefano]

Well, it *is* proof of linux compatibility - but not proof of universal linux compatibility.

well said
my bad

[whitetiger]

I'm able to install the last version of CentOS. So In my opinion this is not a problem of hardware compatibility.

With the CD of version 9, first start the text tool of the installation and then a confused bitmap image.
With CentOS the installation tool is a graphical tool.
With the DVD of SME 8 the tool is a text tool.

So, doesn't start the graphical component of the installation tool about SME 9, while start the graphical tool di CentOS and the text tool di SME8.

If there is a hardware compatibility problem is about the graphical installation component of SME 9.

[CharlieBrady]

If there is a hardware compatibility problem is about the graphical installation component of SME 9.

Please report your install/display issue via the bug tracker.

[idp_qbn]

whitetiger,

Try installing on another PC with your current SME9 disk to see if you get the same problem.
This will verify that your download is OK (or Not).

Good luck
Ian

[Stefano]

Ian, whitetiger already check the md5 hash and it is ok (he's italian and wrote also in italian language forum)

http://forums.contribs.org/index.php/topic,50944.msg257442.html#msg257442

it seems there's something wrong with SME installer..
I suggest him to check video card's settings.. and he should file a bug, following Charlie's advice..

[JohnG]

Just an FYI, I also got the "confused grey bitmap" upon the first reboot after install. The machine has a fairly recent Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-HD2 motherboard. I haven't checked if it's on the compatibility list. I downloaded Centos 6.5 and will try it later tonight.

[whitetiger]

I solved the issue using in the CD "Installation with VESA drivers".
However I've already installed another server in my ESXi without problem.

So I'm investigating to try to understand what the problem is, because a this point is clear that is a my hardware problem. 

I'm sorry for the misunderstanding and thank you all for your help and patience.

[Stefano]

ok..

I'l wait for you to come in italian language forum.. we have much to discuss

[whitetiger]

ok..

I'l wait for you to come in italian language forum.. we have much to discuss

Sure!

[JohnG]

I solved the issue using in the CD "Installation with VESA drivers".
However I've already installed another server in my ESXi without problem.

So I'm investigating to try to understand what the problem is, because a this point is clear that is a my hardware problem. 

I'm sorry for the misunderstanding and thank you all for your help and patience.

It's not solved for me but you gave me a hint for a workaround. Upon rebooting after installation I added the kernel options of "xdriver=vesa nomodeset" which brought up the old-fashioned text mode. The install then continued without a problem. Earlier I was able to install plain vanilla Centos 6.5 webserver without a problem using the graphical install.

To me it looks like it's defaulting to a resolution that's beyond my monitor's capability which I believe wasn't the case with beta4.

Was a bug opened for this?

[JohnG]

Bug entered: http://bugs.contribs.org/show_bug.cgi?id=8488

[whitetiger]

Hi,
No, I've not opened a bug because I'm not sure if there is a bug.

I've noted a strange behavior of installation tools starting from a CD.
Sometime it reads the CD, asks about its test, but then doesn't find a image.
Some other times it asks only few question in text environment and then starts a confused bitmap.

I've also thinked about a some problems with USB ports (No the DVD device because I'm using this with other PC without problem).

Is not a problem related the mainboard because with this I'm able to install CentOS.
Instead I've noted that after the installation of Centos I'was not able to install SME 8 nor SME 9 because I've some exception error.

Furthermore, using the ISO image with my ESXi server I'm able to install SME 9 without problem.

So I've formatted disk with Win8.1 and then started a new SME installation.

This time I chose in the installation menu of CD the item "Installing with VESA drivers" and I finally saw the end.
I've not added anything to the kernel, only chose a item in the menu.

I hope I was helpful.

[whitetiger]

Bug entered: http://bugs.contribs.org/show_bug.cgi?id=8488

So, after I saw your screenshot,  now I think that there is a bug and none problem with my USB ports.