I appologize, I originally had it set up as the wiki guide described and 
changed it a bit. Now I have just finished deleting everything I had and 
followed the guide once again and still have the same issue. Once I hit 
return to boot the install the kernel loads and the screen goes blank. 
And this IS with my system setup according to the guide. I am using a 
ubuntu distro using minicom. If there is other info needed please let me 
know.

Blake

On 11-03-09 11:46 AM, Hal Vaughan wrote:
> On Mar 9, 2011, at 9:42 AM, Blake Hodder wrote:
>
>> Sorry, yes it is still going blank after loading initrd. My default
>> config file now looks like this:
>>
>> # D-I config version 1.0
>> CONSOLE 0
>> SERIAL 0 19200 0
>> DISPLAY boot.txt
>>
>> DEFAULT squeeze_i386_install
>>
>> LABEL squeeze_i386_install
>>      Kernel debian-installer/i386/linux
>>      append initrd=debian-installer/i386/initrd.gz console=ttyS0,19200,8n1
>>      IPAPPEND 1
>> prompt 0
>> timeout 0
> I copied and pasted this file into my config file and it worked fine, so the 
> problem isn't in the config file.
>
> Just to be sure, I used grep and searched that whole directory tree for my 
> tftp boot setup and the only place 19200 is used is in 
> /tftpserv/pxelinux.cfg, so it's not specified in other files anywhere, and, 
> as Simon pointed out, it's the append line that makes it go blank after 
> initrd loads, but that checked out.
>
> I don't want to cast blame, but I do need to make an important point, and 
> this is after spending a few hours working on this and re-attaching my serial 
> cable so I could check on a lot of this.  You said, in your words, 'I did 
> follow the wiki to a "t".'  Yet I've spent time checking on issues that could 
> be typos, interpretation problems in how the code parses the config files 
> (for instance, the SYSLINUX wiki says keywords are case sensitive and is 
> specific about this, so I did boot test with "Kernel" and "kernel" and played 
> around with that) because you are working with your own configuration and 
> setup.
>
> I'm sure, if you're using tftp booting for other systems, you have a setup 
> that is working for all them, but at this point I would suggest setting up a 
> separate configuration, just for this setup, then change the config files 
> you're using to point to that setup, that's EXACTLY like he one in the wiki. 
> That would include using the files specifically from those links, using the 
> config files exactly as copied-and-pasted from there (or from the pages it 
> links to), and matching it perfectly.
>
> It's quite possible the issue is something small, as a typo or misnamed 
> directory, or two files with the same name so one ends up in the wrong 
> directory.
>
> So, please, try a setup exactly as described and see what that does.
>
> Then, once it works, start adding stuff from your normal tftp boot server 
> config and setup until it breaks.  Then you'll find what's not working.
>
>
>
> Hal
>
>
>> Blake
>>
>> On 11-03-09 10:29 AM, Hal Vaughan wrote:
>>> On Mar 9, 2011, at 8:09 AM, Blake Hodder wrote:
>>>
>>>> Ok, So I have modified my default config to match that of the walk
>>>> through and the kernel loads to the point of ready and then still a
>>>> blank screen. This is with using 19200,8n1. I have made sure that all
>>>> the any where in the files are set to use a console speed of 19200,8n1.
>>>>
>>>> If it is a console speed problem, what files would have the speed
>>>> setting in them that I would need to change?
>>> First, what do you mean by "loads to the point of ready"?  Is it still 
>>> going blank after loading initrd?  If so, post the default config file 
>>> you're using -- if you are still using include statements, include all the 
>>> included files as well.
>>>
>>> I'll go back and double check on any other places the speed needs to be 
>>> specified in case I left one out.
>>>
>>>
>>> Hal
>>>
>>>> Blake
>>>>
>>>> On 11-03-09 12:25 AM, Hal Vaughan wrote:
>>>>> On Mar 8, 2011, at 11:09 PM, Blake Hodder wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Here are the contents of my default config:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> # D-I config version 1.0
>>>>>> CONSOLE 0
>>>>>> SERIAL 0 19200 0
>>>>>> include debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/menu.cfg
>>>>>> default debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/vesamenu.c32
>>>>>> prompt 0
>>>>>> timeout 0
>>>>>>
>>>>>> After I hit return on install I get the 2 lines:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Loading debian/squeeze/i386/linux.....
>>>>>> Loading debian/squeeze/i386/initrd.gz.........ready.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> and then a blank screen.
>>>>> Okay, I don't know tftp that well or PXE Linux.  Without looking through 
>>>>> the file you include, I can't be sure what it does -- I'd suggest working 
>>>>> with the default config file as close to the original posted to be sure.  
>>>>> But, for now, post the menu.cfg file and let's see that.
>>>>>
>>>>> Also, one thing I did, and this means I'm no longer working with a stock 
>>>>> install (and I forgot about this until just a moment ago when I was 
>>>>> testing this), so I'm sorry I didn't mention this earlier.  One "trick" I 
>>>>> did to just make sure that<return>    always gave the install I wanted is 
>>>>> to remove or change the name of /tftpserv/boot.txt.  (Actually, I stuffed 
>>>>> it in my pxelinux.cfg directory since that's where the other config files 
>>>>> are.)  By removing it, you don't get a boot menu for PXE Linux and don't 
>>>>> have problems with accidentally hitting arrow keys (even though I'm a 
>>>>> competitive ballroom dancer, you'd be surprised at how clumsy I can be!). 
>>>>>  That'll force a default install.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm not sure that your problem is related to boot.txt, but I thought I 
>>>>> should mention it, just in case.
>>>>>
>>>>> Now, as to your blank screen -- I got that, many times, and was trying to 
>>>>> work at 115200 instead of 19200.  And what fixed it for me was finding 
>>>>> out just how to get the parameters into the file "default."  I suspect 
>>>>> that's the issue here.  Don't use the include directive for now.  That's 
>>>>> where you're varying from the instructions on the page I wrote up and 
>>>>> from the two Debian reference pages I link to.  And it's likely not 
>>>>> coincidence that's where you did something different AND that's where 
>>>>> console speed becomes an issue.
>>>>>
>>>>> Look at this version of "default":
>>>>>
>>>>> SERIAL 0 19200
>>>>> CONSOLE 0
>>>>> DISPLAY boot.txt
>>>>>
>>>>> DEFAULT squeeze_i386_install
>>>>>
>>>>> LABEL squeeze_i386_install
>>>>>        kernel debian/squeeze/i386/linux
>>>>>        append vga=normal console=ttyS0,19200,n8 
>>>>> initrd=debian/squeeze/i386/initrd.gz  --
>>>>> LABEL squeeze_i386_linux
>>>>>        kernel debian/squeeze/i386/linux
>>>>>        append vga=normal console=ttyS0,19200,n8 
>>>>> initrd=debian/squeeze/i386/initrd.gz  --
>>>>> LABEL squeeze_i386_expert
>>>>>        kernel debian/squeeze/i386/linux
>>>>>        append priority=low console=ttyS0,19200,n8 vga=normal 
>>>>> initrd=debian/squeeze/i386/initrd.gz  --
>>>>> LABEL squeeze_i386_rescue
>>>>>        kernel debian/squeeze/i386/linux
>>>>>        append vga=normal console=ttyS0,19200,n8 
>>>>> initrd=debian/squeeze/i386/initrd.gz  rescue/enable=true --
>>>>>
>>>>> PROMPT 1
>>>>> TIMEOUT 0
>>>>>
>>>>> I know some of those lines wrapped (in Apple Mail, they don't), but use 
>>>>> that format and don't include, for now, just cut and paste the text in to 
>>>>> the file default.  Also, be sure the parameters are on a separate line in 
>>>>> each LABEL section.  I've seen a friend forget that and append them (like 
>>>>> the older GRUB, was it?) needed them done and it doesn't work that way.
>>>>>
>>>>> In my previous experience, I found that once initrd loaded and control is 
>>>>> passed to it, unless the speed is specified correctly in the config file 
>>>>> (either the default one or whichever one you're using), console 
>>>>> communication stops.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Hal
>>>>>
>>>>>> Blake
>>>>>> On 11-03-08 11:52 PM, Hal Vaughan wrote:
>>>>>>> On Mar 8, 2011, at 10:10 PM, Blake Hodder wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi there,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My apologies, and when I get to the prompt instead of having a "boot:"
>>>>>>>> prompt I have a text menu that I have to select install by using my
>>>>>>>> arrows and enter. It is almost like is trying to do a graphical install
>>>>>>>> but I am using the netboot files with the console modifications.
>>>>>>> Okay, I hooked up the serial cable and went through this again.  I was 
>>>>>>> trying to remember if there could be another menu later, or if there 
>>>>>>> were more choices, but that I never saw them due to the 15 character 
>>>>>>> width issue.  When I booted to the NIC, I got this (it's edited to show 
>>>>>>> in lines, instead of short 15 column lines):
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Intel UNDI, PXE-2.0 (build 082)
>>>>>>> Copyright (C) 1997,1998,1999  Intel Corporation
>>>>>>> VIA Rhine III Management Adapter v2.43 (2005/12/15)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> CLIENT MAC ADDR: 00 00 24 CD 92 34.
>>>>>>> DHCP.\\||//--\\||//--\\||
>>>>>>> CLIENT IP: 172.16.7.205  MASK: 255.255.0.0  DHCP IP: 172.16.7.1
>>>>>>> GATEWAY IP: 172.16.7.1
>>>>>>> TFTP.
>>>>>>> TFTP.-
>>>>>>> PXELINUX 4.02 debian-20101014  Copyright (C) 1994-2010 H. Peter Anvin 
>>>>>>> et al!
>>>>>>> PXE entry point found (we hope) at 9DEE:0106 via plan A
>>>>>>> UNDI code segment at 9DEE len 1966
>>>>>>> UNDI data segment at 947D len 9710
>>>>>>> Getting cached packet  01 02 03
>>>>>>> My IP address seems to be AC1007CD 172.16.7.205
>>>>>>> ip=172.16.7.205:172.16.7.12:172.16.7.1:255.255.0.0
>>>>>>> BOOTIF=01-00-00-24-cd-92-34
>>>>>>> TFTP prefix:
>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/01-00-00-24-cd-92-34
>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC1007CD
>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC1007C
>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC1007
>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC100
>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC10
>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC1
>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC
>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/A
>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/default
>>>>>>> ok
>>>>>>> XELINUX 4.02 debian-20101014  Copyright (C) 1994-2010 H. Peter Anvin et 
>>>>>>> al
>>>>>>> boot:
>>>>>>> Loading debian/squeeze/i386/linux.....
>>>>>>> Loading debian/squeeze/i386/initrd.gz.........ready.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The "Trying to load:..." lines are the TFTP boot or PXE Linux searching 
>>>>>>> for a config file, then settling on the default config.  After that, 
>>>>>>> the "boot:" is the only prompt I get.  Once I hit<return>, I get the 
>>>>>>> next two lines, followed by some LONG lines, then a chance to pick the 
>>>>>>> language, which is the start of the installer.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> So what you're saying is that you don't get "boot:", you get a choice 
>>>>>>> of which type of install to do instead?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Could you post the contents of your /tftpserv/pxelinux.cfg/default file?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hal
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Blake
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 11-03-08 10:06 PM, Hal Vaughan wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Okay -- remember, please, to respond to the list, since whatever goes 
>>>>>>>>> wrong and whatever fixes it could help a lot of people.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> It also means I'm not the only one helping out, in case someone else 
>>>>>>>>> finds something wrong that I miss.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Okay, then is the prompt where things go wrong the first prompt from 
>>>>>>>>> PXE Linux, after it boots to Linux?  The one where you get "boot:" 
>>>>>>>>> and can just press<enter>?  If so, when you get that prompt, what are 
>>>>>>>>> you doing?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hal
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Mar 8, 2011, at 8:49 PM, Blake Hodder wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>>>> That is the wiki page that I did follow and I did set ConSpeed to 
>>>>>>>>>> 19200 as well as my minicom console.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Blake
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On 11-03-08 09:22 PM, Hal Vaughan wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> I don't know how it'll compare to installing on a Net5501, but I 
>>>>>>>>>>> wrote that up in the Soekris wiki just a few weeks ago.  Here's the 
>>>>>>>>>>> page:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> http://wiki.soekris.info/Debian_Squeeze_On_Soekris
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> (I don't know if that's the page you're talking about or not.)
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I was careful to pay attention to the issue of baudrate, since it 
>>>>>>>>>>> can really mess up your work.  (I honestly feel if it had been 
>>>>>>>>>>> better documented in previous pages on installing Debian, it would 
>>>>>>>>>>> have saved me 5-10 hours of troubleshooting.)
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I'm not 100% clear, from what you're saying, if you mean you get to 
>>>>>>>>>>> the "boot:" prompt and then are having trouble (which is where you 
>>>>>>>>>>> could specify different options for booting), or if it's another 
>>>>>>>>>>> point.  However, it is important to remember you have to specify 
>>>>>>>>>>> the bad rate in the /tftpserv/pxelinux.cfg/default file (where 
>>>>>>>>>>> /tftpserv is your directory path to the tftp/pxe setup).  You will 
>>>>>>>>>>> also have to specify the baud rate at a few other points, as well.  
>>>>>>>>>>> I mention that o the page I linked to above.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> If that's the page you're following, let us know and also please 
>>>>>>>>>>> tell us exactly what the text for the last prompt you see before 
>>>>>>>>>>> things go bad is.  Also, is it at the section where (for some 
>>>>>>>>>>> reason), the output is limited to only 15 characters wide?  (That 
>>>>>>>>>>> could also be a Net5501 thing, so I don't know if you'll see that 
>>>>>>>>>>> on other systems.)
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Also, at the bottom of that wiki page, there's another page to my 
>>>>>>>>>>> blog website, where I have an image I created on a Net5501.  Off 
>>>>>>>>>>> the top of my head, I don't know how similar the hardware is, but I 
>>>>>>>>>>> have info on how you can copy that image and install it on another 
>>>>>>>>>>> Net5501.  It's possible that image may work on a Net4521, but I 
>>>>>>>>>>> don't know. If so, it might save you some trouble and let you start 
>>>>>>>>>>> with a basic Debian Squeeze image you can then modify to your 
>>>>>>>>>>> heart's content.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Scott Newell pointed out the difference between baud and bps.  Just 
>>>>>>>>>>> for clarity, is 19200 what you set ConSpeed to?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Hal
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> On Mar 8, 2011, at 2:04 PM, Blake Hodder wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I have a Soekris net4521 and I am trying to install Debian Squeeze 
>>>>>>>>>>>> on it via tftp boot and serial console. However; I get to where I 
>>>>>>>>>>>> can select install from a menu list and then it sits at a blank 
>>>>>>>>>>>> screen. I am using the buadrate of 19200 8n1 no flow control. Does 
>>>>>>>>>>>> anyone know how to successfully install squeeze. I have tried 
>>>>>>>>>>>> using the wiki guide.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks in advanced,
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Blake
>>>>>>>>>>>> -- 
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