*sigh* more OS problems (Mandrake 10-1)

Sorry for the new *problem* threads, as much as I hate to post like this, I don't know where else to go (when Google ain't helpin'.. argh).

Okay, I'm new to Linux and being so used to Windows it's kinda hard for me.

Here are my problems:

1) I can't get eth0 (my ethernet card connected to my cable modem) to start at boot (fails during initialization and won't connect from the wizard in Mandrake KDE without me reconfiguring it every re-boot).

2) Sometimes, (not sure of the reason, no error messages or log) after KDE loads, I'll try to load a program or shell and it'll just sit there (won't load anything).. logging out/back in usually fixes the problem, but I don't think I should have to do that.

3) I was trying to shutdown my PC and it wouldn't shutdown (would kick me out of KDE to login screen), I tried to Halt from login screen but it did the same thing. Eventually I just unplugged it.

4) Some of the software packages didn't install correctly from the CDs, is there a way to install these with a downloaded file or would it work to burn a new CD and install?

5) When I installed Firefox, there was no default directory so i used user/<username>, and now I'm not sure how to install the JRE(java) plugin to Firefox. I downloaded the file, but when I run it, I get a message saying it's already installed. (Also can't install Limewire due to this.)

6) Okay, during this session I manually re-did my eth0 connection, and opened Firefox. For some reason nothing else will open now (not sure why).


Damn, Linux is problematic for me. x_x Thanks again for all the help AO, and sorry for all the trouble. :err:

Seriously, it's Mandrake. It seems to do this for me to which is why I don't use it at all. I can load any other distro on that box and not have a problem, but put Mandrake on, and boom, Eth0 gone. Try SUSE or Slackware and I bet you won't have these problems.

For the other problems you listed like "I don't know where to install" I'm not baby sitting you for that, RTFM.

I would have used Slackware, but it froze during installation every time (tried burning new CDs, restarting, w/e).

The box I am on now is completely stripped (it was free, so I was going to use it as a test server so I don't screw up my regular PC). I installed mandrake by ripping the HDD out and putting it into my main PC and installing, then putting it back in my old box and tweek'n the hardware settings a little.

The only drive I have on this PC is an external DVD+RW drive, which it won't boot from.


And as for the manual, I have been reading parts of it. I need to print a hard-copy or something and read through it. :p I'm just lazy I guess.


If I can find a way to install Slackware I'll probably end up doing that, though.

Quote:

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I installed mandrake by ripping the HDD out and putting it into my main PC and installing, then putting it back in my old box and tweek'n the hardware settings a little.

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Which box are you having problems with? Your main one or the one you are going to use as your server? Why don't you try to install and run it on the box that you are going to use it on.

My alternate PC is the one with the problems, and the only PC I have running Mandrake.

I'm not installing to my main PC atm, because I want to get to know the OS before I transfer over completely (or semi-completely). I want to build this box into a small server, secure it (or attempt to), then slap it around a little with my main PC and see how it goes.. then I'll patch the holes and start over, ect.. until I think I know the system well enough. Then I may or may not switch over to Linux on my main PC.

After boot up run the command "dmesg" without the quotes. See if there are any error messages. This command will show the complete boot up process. Let us know what the errors are.
You will probably want to use the command "dmesg | less" so you can use your arrow keys to scroll up and down.

Did you bother checking if your hardware was supported? From the sounds of it you went in and didn't even look at the manual and then it blew up in your face. And of course Mandrake is ****. I've had so many problems with 10.X and even 9X I don't bother using it.

Nope, didn't check if hardware was supported.

I hadn't looked at the manual much aside from finding a few commands here and there. The box I'm running Mandrake on was completely empty before this, and I burned the install disks myself.. so no loss if I have to shutdown the 'project' and move on to something else.

Guess my n00bly-ness strikes again. :p


Even if it could be a hardware problem, I don't see why it would load and work perfectly one time then crap-out another. x_x

straw that broke the Hardware's back.

Ran 'dmesg', no errors during boot.

"eth0: no IPv6 routers present", would that be what's causing eth0 to not load?

..... The SMALL chance you're using IPV6.... OK, did you set it up to use that?

Nope. Haven't seen it referenced anywhere during setup or configuration.

Not to step on toes..
But what exactly are the specifications of the BOX..

Brand and model of MoBo, CPU, RAM, Video Card, Network card..

could be you trying to load the oS with GUI on an old pentium 166 with 16MB RAM.. but then I am as noob as you when it come to *nix

It's not really an up-to-date box, but it runs smoothly.

1.4 Ghz Intel Celeron
20 Gb HDD
256 Mb RAM
10/100 Ethernet card
Not sure on the video card (the pc came with no documentation), but the PC came with WinXP and ran 3d acceleration graphics pretty smoothly, so I'd guess anywhere from 32-64 Vid-RAM w/ 3d support.
Not sure on the MoBo either, but the PC is a completely stripped box (I'd guess it was made to be a client), it's a Compaq Evo and has no internal drives (no floppy, cd, ect.. everything is external connected to USB).

Knowing is half the battle (TM)

:p Well, I successfully installed Slackware after screwing with it awhile, and read the full manual (most reading I've done in awhile. ^_^)

When I load the KDE using startx, all I get is a bunch of colored lines (great!). lol

The packages that failed to install were:

aspell-en-0.51_0-noarch-1.tgz
(something with ALSA in it, hit the keyboard when I was reaching for paper, lol)
db3-3.3.11-i486-4.tgz
db31-3.1.17-i486-1.tgz
db4-4.2.52-i46-2.tgz
expat-1.95.7-i486-1.tgz
gdbm-1.8.3-i486-3.tgz
gdk-pixbuf-0.22.0-i486-1.tgz
glib2-2.4.2-i486-1.tgz
glibc-2.3.2-i486-6.tgz
glibc-i18n-2.3.2-noarch-6.tgz


I didn't see a 'required' tag attached to any of them, but some got the 'error' popup before I could read the tag.

I swear I'm so n00bly at this, argh! Windows was spoiling me. x_x


EDIT:
And as for the secondary PC, it was a "gift" from a friend (it broke so she was throwing it out) and I have no documentation on it, alot seems to be generic integrated hardware, sadly.

Have you looked in "/var/log/messages". It might have the errors of what is not working correctly. Do you still have windows on this box? If you do, check out what video card you have.

Nope, the box had nothing on it when I got it.. or I formatted before looking anyways.

The box is currently running Slackware 10 smoothly, I had to write some of the xorg.conf file manually and setup eth0.. no problems since. :D

Screwing up is a great learning experience. ^_^


Thanks all for the help, btw Gore and devpon. ;)