eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (blank screen)

[danb]

I'm still having trouble installing Linux (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?p=417934#post417934) onto one of my old P2s (an IBM 300GL and an HP Vectra). Since the IBM was having problems, I moved the hard drive to the Vectra and tried both of the Linux installer disks (Zenwalk 2.6 & 5.2), so far without either of them finishing the whole process correctly.

At first the Vectra (which has been on the shelf for at least a year) said the date and time were lost. Then after I reset them, the machine started emitting a constant high-pitched tone like a "beep" that never ends. Does that sound like a bad battery? Something else?

Also, both installation attempts have ended in blank screens. One of them (ironically, the newer one) goes to a completely blank screen immediately after I start the installation process from the installer's boot screen. The older one (2.6) installs the OS as far as I can tell, tells me to reboot and then prompts me for sound configuration and new users after the reboot, but then goes to a blank screen with nothing except a single underline character in the upper-left-hand corner. Rebooting brings up the sound and new-user menus again. Does this sound familiar? Do any of these things sound related? Is there a more appropriate forum to ask about the blank screens?

[mjc]

Replace the battery in the Vectra, then reset the BIOS to default values. After that, make sure that any warnings (temperature, intrusion, etc) are reset.

Then, use the manufacturer's utilities to completely wipe (zero fill) the hard drive.

Then, disable on-board audio and network card (you can enable one at a time and add them in later).

During the install, select the most basic options for video you can. Also let the installer auto-configure as much as possible.

[danb]

Replace the battery in the Vectra
Why? Are you sure it's bad based on the sound I described?

Then, use the manufacturer's utilities to completely wipe (zero fill) the hard drive.
You mean there's something on the machine itself that can clear a HDD? I've been using whatever is on the installation CDs.

[mjc]

The machine is older than 3 yrs, right?

Replace the battery...they have around a 3 yr lifespan.

The clue was, the 'lost date/time' when first powered up...

No, not the computer...the hard drive manufacturer.