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good info.. I've been thinking of taking one of my kids computers and throwing a second drive
in to set it up for linux..
I'd kinda like my son to learn a bit about *nix .. he's 10 and knows windows pretty well.
so like Deb.. it's timely for me too... thanks
khakisrule good tutorial. I took that step many many years ago but wanted to see how you wrote up the directions. Another thing you want to know is the video card you have installed. For me that has been the biggest problem when installing Linux is a video card that isn't "Linux Compatible". Try finding your card at http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO/video.html to see the xfree86 driver to use. This list may not contain the newer cards but it is a start. You can also go to http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO/ for all the hardware compatibility issues. It is dated 2002-03-28 so keep that in mind for newer hardware.
Good Luck
Yup, X-Windows is a big problem. First time I installed it, it was fine, using mandrake, I switched to red hat, and then it crashed a few times, until I got the right settings.Quote:
Another thing you want to know is the video card you have installed. For me that has been the biggest problem when installing Linux is a video card that isn't "Linux Compatible".
Geez thats young. I didn't even have a computer when I was 10. :) Got one when I was 11.Quote:
I'd kinda like my son to learn a bit about *nix .. he's 10 and knows windows pretty well
Nice tute khakisrule. I've finally installed LINUX (my first time) last Wednesday, but I'me having a problem with my mouse. I'm using a serial mouse connected on COM1. I can't configure it. I'm a newbie on LINUX.
First thing you need to do is log in to a console as root. Then, open up your XF86Config in an editor of your choice. This may be found in /etc/XF86Config, /etc/X11/XF86Config or somewhere else depending on which distro you are running.Quote:
Originally posted here by politroyx
I'me having a problem with my mouse. I'm using a serial mouse connected on COM1. I can't configure it. I'm a newbie on LINUX.
**Caution** Backup your config before making changes **Caution**
If you have no clue what editors are available to you, try some of these commands:
vim /path/to/XF86Config
vi /path/to/XF86Config
pico /path/to/XF86Config
joe /path/to/XF86Config
emacs /path/to/XF86Config
*Each of those editors are somewhat unique, and usage differs slightly. IMO, vi/vim are the best two choices, but also the hardest to learn. If you have never used vi/vim before, then I suggest you try the last three first.
Ok, now that you have opened your configuration file, sroll down to the part for your mouse. On XFree86 4.x, the section will look something like this:
Identifier "Mouse1"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "Auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/mouse"
Yours will probally look a little different. After you find the mouse section in your config, make sure the device is /dev/mouse and protocol set to Auto (I hope Auto works because I am unsure of the proper protocol, please reply if you do.) Save and exit your editor.
Now you must link your serial device to the /dev/mouse.
On Linux:
COM1 = /dev/ttyS0
COM2 = /dev/ttyS1
Assuming that your mouse is on COM1, type this command (as root):
rm /dev/mouse; ln -s /dev/ttyS0 /dev/mouse
If you want to test the link, try this command:
**Caution** This may temporarily screw up your console **Caution**
cat /dev/mouse
Move your mouse around, you should see some weird characters getting spewed out to the console. press Ctrl+C to end this. If the console is all messed up, type "reset"
Now, type "startx" Your mouse should now work.
I hope that helped you. I might have missed some important details that aern't so obvious to novice users. If you see anything I missed, please let me know. Thanks.
--Sudo