Status Update, or How my instalation goes

[Mr.Nonesense]

Hi again.

First off i would like to say a BIG thank you for anyone who took there time to help me yesterday when i had a load of problems instaling LInux Mandrake 9.1. This is how it look right now:

I have installed 3 times.

1st time i got to the log on section, but couldn't get the Startx or xf86congif (or something) command to work.

2nd time it would even get there, as it kept writing 99 on my screen and then telling me to put a boot disk in.

3rd time same as 1st time.

The thing is. I cant get it to instal in Graphical mode, even in the Low res Vgalo. I've also tried to ad the noauto after to no avail.

SO i am stuck with The text veresion, which doesn't make things easier.

Well, i'm off for school now. Thinking i might try another Linux Distrubiution. Still, Mandrake was supposed to be the "easiest" one. Any suggestions or help to my problems are highly welcome.

Anders.

[andycrofts]

It really is a straightforward distribution....unusual to have so many errors.
Do 2 things:
1) Try the idea of a Knoppix disk. May report other errors that could be useful for us. ( www.knoppix.net )
2) Post full details of your hardware - might give someone a clue here...

-Cheers
-Andy

[dalek]

I have installed Mandrake about two dozen times. I'll help if you can give details about what your system is doing. How much memory do you have? If you have 1Gb or more, you need a patch. You may want to look at this link: http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/errata.php3 . There are a few bugs. They don't happen often. I haven't had to use one yet. I guess they will be fixed in 9.2 which I hear is coming soon.
I also have a how to on this site here: http://www.justlinux.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=108583
It's Kind of long but it works. You'll probably install a more professional and experienced after you run a while and get used to Linux.

Hang in there, we'll get you through.

:D :D :D

[Mr.Nonesense]

Thanks both of you.

This is my Hardware:

AMD AThlon XP 2400+
2,00 GHz
896 MB of RAM (SDRAM)
30 GB HD
Soundblaster Live
Daytona GeForce4 4200 128 MB
Realtek Ethernetadapter


That's about it...

That guide you linked to is helpful, but aimed at the graphical instalation, which seems MUCh easier.

something i have problems with is what components to instal. Like workstations and such.

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by Mr.Nonesense

something i have problems with is what components to instal. Like workstations and such.

If you have the disk space, install everything and then after the install is complete and you've booted into KDE/Gnome, use the gui rpm manager such as KPackage and uninstall those rpm packages you know you will not need.

That is what I usually do.

[JamminJoeyB]

I wonder if the problem with this install is something as simple as setting the bios to non pnp?

I ran mandarake 8.1, 8.2, 9 and 9.1. Never encountered a problem with the graphical install.

[Mr.Nonesense]

Do you mean i SHOULD set it it to pnp or NOT? :)

[JamminJoeyB]

Your bios should be set to non pnp os.

Linux has a hard time identifying devices when the bios is set to pnp os.

I know I ran into a problem with my sound not working when I first installed linux and changing the bios to non pnp and a reinstall fixed it right up.

Changing this setting will not affect and MS operating systems you have installed.

[Mr.Nonesense]

It is off... :(

Thanks anyways.

Anders

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by Mr.Nonesense
It is off... :(

Thanks anyways.

Anders

So have you had a look around Mandrake's support/knowledgebase/bugzilla and installation documentation to see if there is anything on 9.1 and your particular hardware. Install options you can try?

[JohnT]

1st time i got to the log on section, but couldn't get the Startx or xf86congif (or something) command to work.

Did you log-on sucessfully as root? That is, with your name (root) and password?

[Mr.Nonesense]

Originally posted by JohnT
Did you log-on sucessfully as root? That is, with your name (root) and password?

Yes, and i got to anders@localuser something. Typed startx and it didn't work. Also did the config

[o0zi]

Try typing XFree86 -configure and running the command it tells you to - it automatically configures your XF86Config file.

[JamminJoeyB]

Originally posted by Mr.Nonesense
Thanks both of you.

This is my Hardware:

AMD AThlon XP 2400+
2,00 GHz
896 MB of RAM (SDRAM)
30 GB HD
Soundblaster Live
Daytona GeForce4 4200 128 MB
Realtek Ethernetadapter


That's about it...

That guide you linked to is helpful, but aimed at the graphical instalation, which seems MUCh easier.

something i have problems with is what components to instal. Like workstations and such.

This is not exotic hardware. The only thing not listed is make and model of mother board. MD has a really good hardware list check to see if it's listed.

There is more then enough power here to install MD9.1 using the graphical. IMHO I don't think MD9.1 is having a problem with your hardware. I could be wrong.

If it is a hardware problem, maybe it's not mobo/cpu type. Could be the CD drive going bad or a cable.

I think someone else suggested to try one of the live CD versions of linux to see if it chokes on something. Have you tried Knoppix to see if it will run? I think Gentoo also has a live cd version.

Could this be a bad media problem? If you down loaded the iso can you verify it? I think MD has MD5sums available to check the integrity.

Using the machine gun approach here. Maybe this will spark some ideas among the rest of the JLC community.

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Mr.Nonesense
Yes, and i got to anders@localuser something. Typed startx and it didn't work. Also did the config

When you say "didn't work"...what error messages are you encountering?

[AussieJohn]

I can assure you of one thing that is quite definate. If you cannot install Mandrake9.1 without difficulties then you definately will not be able to install any other Linux Os without difficulties.

Mandrake has the deserved and well earned reputation of being the MOST USER FRIENDLY LINUX OS of all the OSs, both in installation and use.

The fact you are having troubles with Mandrake9.1 is NOT because Man9.1 is at fault.

[Mr.Nonesense]

Yes! I made it! I am now surfing via Linux :)
I read around on a few webpages and found the solution! I typed:

linux vga=0 and the graphical instalation started (very ugly, but still!) and i could do all the proper configuration. And now here i am! :D

I want to thank everyone here who gave up their time to help a stranger out :) Keep up the good work to make he world better!

Anders.

[JamminJoeyB]

Well you are only getting started. Good to hear you didn't give up.

Now you need to get the NVidia drivers loaded. www.nvidia.com

BTW lots of fourm threads on nvidia drivers, so remember to search for them as most problems have already been covered.

[dalek]

I have a how to for newbies on nvidia install too. Click forum and then the how to section. It's in there. I get a lot of pm's on that one.
I see the memory was the problem. I suspected that. I guess you can have trouble even if it's less than 1Gb huh.

:D :D :D :D

[Mr.Nonesense]

Originally posted by dalek
I have a how to for newbies on nvidia install too. Click forum and then the how to section. It's in there. I get a lot of pm's on that one.
I see the memory was the problem. I suspected that. I guess you can have trouble even if it's less than 1Gb huh.

:D :D :D :D

I was just reading your howto :)

You made me afraid... YOu have to do all THAT to instal a driver? :confused:

[JamminJoeyB]

I haven't looked at the how to, but Nvidia cards are easy to configure. If you want an easy way out I have the 4363 drivers in rpm format for mandrake.

It's as easy as bringing up kpackage to install it and then edit the XF86Config or in Mandrake's case the XF86Config-4 file.

It's not as tough as you think. Besides whats the worst that could happen. You have to reinstall.

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by JamminJoeyB

It's not as tough as you think. Besides whats the worst that could happen. You have to reinstall.

99.99% of Linux problems are fixable without the need to reinstall.

Get rid of the MS mindset!!! :)