[CentOS] Initial Boot from 6.3 minimal halts with strange video display

[m.roth at 5-cent.us]

James B. Byrne wrote:
> I am using a Leveno M58 (model CTO7483 from 2008) for C6/7 experimentation
> purposes.  The thing has a dual core and ~4Gb RAM with a (newly installed)
> 500GB HDD.  I successfully installed CentOS-6.5-minimal from a freshly
> burned, and verified, DVD from and ISO image whose SHA has been checked and
> passed.everything about the display was normal throughout that process.
>
> When the system boots from disk then I get the normal display up to the
> point that the kernel is selected (whether by hand or automatically).  I
can
> edit the kernel command line and otherwise use the pre-boot selector
facility.
> After that point the monitor, a BenQ 17" LCD, immediate goes into what I
> can only describe as a psychedelic snow field with two narrow black bands
> surrounding a broader white band displayed at the top of the screen and a
> single narrower black band at the bottom.
>
> I have tried booting into RL3 by appending a 3 to the end of the kernel
> command but this has not apparent effect on the outcome.
>
> Any suggestions on how to proceed?

1. What video manufacturer? Nvidia? Ati?...?
2. Bring it up in runlevel 3, and see if that happens. If so, create or
modify /etc/X11/xorg.conf by hand, and try to force it to use either the
VESA driver, or whichever goolging tells you supports your video.
Remember, startx is your friend....
3. You might want to add nomodeset on your kernel command line in grub.conf.

      mark