video garbled

[travm]

Hi, I have installed debian 3.1r4 Sarge on my computer, however, i had some problems configuring the video. i have installed xfree86, gnome, and gdm. I dont really understand what the configuration menus are doing. the first time I installed i couldnt select 1024x768 as a resolution, and no matter what i did with dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86 the problem remained, i finally started messing with the XF86Config-4 file, but that just broke my xserver.
my hardware is an old Compaq motherboard, with a duron 900, 128mb pc133 and an old TNT 2 - M64 32mb. Now what i think is happening is that my Xserver is trying to run my TNT 2 in 32bit colour even though when prompted i selected 16bit as opposed to 24(32bit?), which as i recall from using this thing for gaming back in teh day was a big no-no, and generated the same type of distortion (its actually a bunch of pink dots everywhere). I also get some random lock-ups in gnome. when i was prompted in the configuration of XFree86 i selected the driver nv for my video hardware, should i have selected auto? and how do i make changes now without breaking my system? should i try a different xserver? please help, i am new to linux and if i read another manual in nano that doesnt explain anything helpful to me im gonna lose my mind.

[travm]

so i am reinstalling debian AGAIN... i am going to try xorg if i can, or some other window server
i have this computer hooked to the linux box via KVM so speedy replys that would save me alot of time would be appreciated HUGE.
thx

[iwanabeguru]

reinstall will not solve your problem , its not a windows
after installed debian and X run the xserver configuration utility
Xfree86 - xf86config
Xorg - xorgconfig

ansver the questions and when you setting up your video card driver chose "nv"

[antidrugue]

Yes, just run :

dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86

and choose "nv" or "vesa" has the driver.

[travm]

yeah i did all of that stuff already, i think its a hardware problem. I tried to install windows on the system and it happened in that installer too.