puzzling puzzlement

By basd on Dec 5, 2011 | In kde4, linux, opensuse

So the Gateway LT3103u -- part doorstop, part functional computer -- comes back to life yet again and I can't explain why. Cause it went like this:

...

1. I ran my USB lxde on it. Worked fine. Installed it.

2. Video failed in the problematic, everything goes weird manner that I previously decided had something to do with running the computer from the hard drive. But, now it was doing it from the USB install. Which invalidiated all of my prior theories.

3. Decided to re-remember how to make it run on the VESA driver. Went to /etc/X11/config.d or whatever and searched out 50-device.conf. Uncommented radeon AND checked for the monitor per the hint in that, added the option. Except, made a mistake, failed to uncomment the section/end section items.

4. Installed the fglrx proprietary rpm. But ... doesn't matter as this has the RS690M / X1200 series card and there is no fglrx driver. AND I previously had installed AND it was total fail.

5. Logged out, logged back in to restart X.

6. Video working ever since.

7. Installed KDE.

8. Works

9. Turned on effects. Don't know yet if I have any effects (there was a long list of Fail) but not borked.

10.However, could not restart computer because the changes I made to device.conf were Fail apparently. At console login, used Vim to restore device.conf to original. Good thing I had another computer to look up vim commands, can never remember them.

11. Still works ... what?

How long this time? What can I use a computer for that has total fail at random intervals without warning? And that the rest of the time works quite well?

bizarre bizarre bizarre.

Daughter is quite happy with her new Acer Aspire One 722 which is apparently an updated model of the same computer, actually. (Gateway in fact reports in various locations that it is an Acer. Can't remember where, though.

Thanks for playing along.