Red Hat Linux 8 for Dummies. . .something's missing!! [Archive]

s0ldier93

02-12-2003, 09:53 AM

OK. I know trying Linux (as with other select thing in my life) for the first time with no sucess would have made me go into a corner and cry like a. . . um. . . I would have gotten frustrated.

<doing this operation on a Win 98 machine. P1 - 233MHz, 96MB RAM>

So I get this book. Hell I even read the intro/history part. I get to the "Creating a Red Hat Linux Boot Disk with Winpows or MS-DOS" part. Page 20. Instructions are to go open the DOS promt box, type "cd \dosutils" then enter. Type "rawrite" then enter. (I didn't type the " " 's by the way) The instructions go on, but it basically starts the rawrite.exe that maybe continues to create the boot disk.

It seems that there is not a dosutils directory, or an rawrite.exe file on either of the two included disks in any folders. The dosutiles thing makes me think that I am either doing something wrong, or forgetting something that anyone trying to do this should know.

Anyway, since I'd really like to learn this (and have already stooped to a "for dummies" book) . . . .lay it on me. What am I missing????

je_fro

02-12-2003, 09:58 AM

THIS!!! (http://distro.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/distributions/debian/tools/)

s0ldier93

02-12-2003, 10:16 AM

!!! :eek: !!!

Wow. That was fast and it looks like exactly what I am looking for. Man I wish I weren't at work. :(

I will give this whirl and post my results here as soon as I get home. Thanks je_fro.

Umm. . . . while I'm here (since the boss hasn't come this way yet), what do you think my initial goals should be. I've always used Windows. I don't actually fear change, just get a bit frustrated trying to do it. The "for dummies" book makes it look too easy. I was thinking general use and familiarization to start with. Then maybe a file server/firewall boxe later. I eventually want to cluster a few boxes together. Any thoughts??

Raoul_Duke

02-12-2003, 10:34 AM

Just start with some modest tasks until you get a feel for linux. It's very different from windows but once you've grasped the basics you'll gain the confidence to move on to more *****ious projects :)

s0ldier93

02-12-2003, 10:49 AM

But I want it all now. :)

J/K. I hope to gain allot from trying this out. I'd really like to have a supercomuter ( ;) ) in my nerd room to brag about.

My Network (http://members.cox.net/burrellzone/my_network)

je_fro

02-12-2003, 10:53 AM

That "For Dummies" book is going to last about a week until you've outgrown it. Might be good for reference, though. Goals? I'd say a good goal to work towards is finding the right distro for YOU. If you're coming off windows I'd suggest redHat. Break it a few times and fix it again. Then move on to something else. Maybe shoot for LFS (linuxFromScratch) once you understand what's going on. Build the perfect computer for yourself.

s0ldier93

02-12-2003, 05:16 PM

OK. Now I'm almost sure I'm doing something wrong.

I got the rawrite file from the site je_fro gave me, put it on the floppy, and tried to proceed. No joy.

The "d: " then "cd \dosutils" then "rawrite" thing is still bugging me. There is no dosutils directory or rawrite.exe file anywhere on the disk. Further instructions say to type "d:\images\boot.img" when rawrite asks for an image source. . . . . not there. I just learned how to take screen shots if that might help me get help.

sharth

02-12-2003, 05:24 PM

points about red hat before you ask :)

no mp3 support out of the box. see www.xmms.org
no ntfs support out of the box (running it on win98 box so it doesn't matter tho)

je_fro

02-12-2003, 06:04 PM

rawrite is a utility used to create bootable iso images. Do you have those images? I have used those tools off that very site, and while it took a few minutes to read the instructions, everything came together nicely. As I recall, I put an .exe (rawrite) on my winsystem and just clicked it to start it up. Then I gave it the location of my iso.
Are we on the same page here? I hope you don't think I'm being condescending or whatever...
I'm trying to understand what you're trying to do...

hlrguy

02-12-2003, 06:28 PM

You are looking at the
\dosutils

on the first CD of the Redhat install disk aren't you? Typically, this is 'D:' drive in windows.

Attached the directory listing to this post. Note: linux doesn't use letters, so /dev/cdrom1 ~= D:

hlrguy

s0ldier93

02-12-2003, 06:30 PM

Don't mind your tone at all doc. I actually got used to being laughed at on this other evil site before finding [H]ardforum (which led me here). [H]ardforum (http://www.hardforum.com) Is pretty cool BTW.

I'm pretty sure we're at least close to the same page. I understand that rawrite.exe basically makes a boot disk. I think my problem is that my CD does not have rawrite (which i got from the site you gave me), dosutils, or images. I keep saying that that doesn't seem right, but it looks like it's the case. The only directories on this are isolinux and RedHat. If the bootable image I'm looking for is "boot.img," it's not on the disk.

I'm thinking these disks are quikly becoming a lost cause. I'm considering putting everything from the site you gave me onto this cool 2GB PCMCIA hard drive I have, and going from there.

hlrguy

02-12-2003, 06:32 PM

Another thought...the complete install guide is on your documentation CD. Assuming you bought the distro. If not, it is available at redhat.com

hlrguy

s0ldier93

02-12-2003, 06:43 PM

I am currently using the 2 disks that came with the RH8 for Dummies book. That'll probably be changing soon.

hlrguy

02-12-2003, 06:51 PM

Ahhh, I guess it was assuming that dosutils would be on the hard drive.

You can download what you need to the windows computer from this site, probably create your own dosutils directory to put them in. :)

http://distro.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/distributions/redhat/8.0/emea/os/i386/dosutils/

hlrguy

JohnT

02-12-2003, 06:51 PM

If you plan on dual-booting with 98, you might want to peruse the library link above for "Booting your OS". Plan ahead.

s0ldier93

02-12-2003, 09:11 PM

AAAhhhhh. . . . . . I see. . .I knew I was missing something. . . .

Should I start downloading all everything on that page?
Maybe put them in a directory named dosutils?

BTW, I appreciate all of the help and tips I've gotten so far. A friend at work (another window-head like me) has been thumbing through my dummies book and watching me post here. Yesterday he told me to give up on the idea. After seeing the help I've was getting at work, he went home to size up the P2 in his closet. ;)

hlrguy

02-12-2003, 10:29 PM

I don't know what all you need cause I never had to contend with windows. If you got the bandwidth, all wouldn't hurt. If not, scan the intro guide and download just what you might need. No reason you can't start/stop, then restart again.

hlrguy

je_fro

02-13-2003, 04:16 AM

You've got isolinux on it!!!
That's the first song on ALL my favorite CD's

s0ldier93

02-13-2003, 07:17 AM

Are you saying put the dosutils on a cd?

je_fro

02-13-2003, 07:41 AM

I'm saying that CD should be bootable! You can boot from CD right? That isolinux is a bootloader. You shouldn't need to make a floppy. (I don't think...)

je_fro

02-13-2003, 07:46 AM

hi
i installed rh 7.3 on my old compaq p1 .Put in the first cd of rh 7.3 while using windows
there is the folder of dosutils go into it and there is the utility of RAwrite of come thing like its name run it
it iwll ask u the path of the boot image most probable its /images/boot.img
also tell the path to copy the image a:
there its. u had made the bootable floopy if ur system dont suport the booting from cd under dos
there u can install loinux after booting from cd or there is alother file in the dosutils folder in the cd while makes an image so that u can install from the network using lan card
surely dont forget to test the midea first before installing
good luck

s0ldier93

02-13-2003, 08:31 AM

Roger that. I hate being at work sometimes.

I can boot from a CD. the Dummies book has you run a test prior to the point where I got stuck. It boots up into an instalation screen when the included CD is in there.

It goes on to say that you should only install that way if you don't care about the info on the hard drive . . . . . . I'd like to keep that info (that is, make it a dual boot/keep 98). . . . but it's getting tempting to take this easy way out.

je_fro

02-13-2003, 09:07 AM

You're going to HAVE to have a partition to put linux on. Are you going to use another drive? How were you planning to dual boot? Have you got the partition already set up? If so, I wouldn't worry about trashing info. Just know the way linux refers to your drives. c:=hda1, d:= hda2, e:=hdb1, etc...

So are you in the Navy?

s0ldier93

02-13-2003, 09:29 AM

The machine I'm putting this on is a laptop. Only one hard drive. The original plan was to use the FIPs tool (i think) to partition the drive. That was following the dummies book instuctions that is.

Sounds like this would be easier if I used partician magic or some such tool to do that first. Is that about right?

I usually say that I'm "kinda" in the Navy. I was active duty serving aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Now I'm an active reservist (weekend warrior. . . until the phone rings). The fun part is my civilian job. I do exactly what I did when I was fully active duty, working on a Navy base, with sailors. Gotta love it. Anyway, I'm finishing up college now. Hopefully they'll let me fly something. We'll see.

Edit: - - - - - >http://members.cox.net/burrellzone/navy.htm

JohnT

02-13-2003, 10:06 AM

Originally posted by je_fro
, Just know the way linux refers to your drives. c:=hda1, d:= hda2, e:=hdb1, etc...

Primary Master=/dev/hda
Primary Slave =/dev/hdb
Secondary Master=/dev/hdc
Secondary Slave =/dev/hdd

/dev/hda1=1st partition on /dev/hda
/dev/hda2= 2nd partition on /dev/hda
/dev/hdb1= 1st partition on /dev/hdb;)

hlrguy

02-13-2003, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by s0ldier93
The machine I'm putting this on is a laptop. Only one hard drive. The original plan was to use the FIPs tool [/url]

If you can boot from CD, you don't need the boot floppy. :-)

1) defrag your windows partition.
2) download fips. Use fips to resize your windows partition down. For example, if you have 20 gig disk, 8 is used by windows, resize to, oh, 12 gig (4 gig for expansion).
3) Reboot with CD in, use the 8 gigs NOT used anymore by windows, install linux there.

hlrguy

s0ldier93

02-14-2003, 06:36 PM

Rolling. . . . I think. . . .

Defragged it. I partitioned with FIPS. Argued with windows a bit more. And now there's a Red Hat install screen up. Put in names and passwords and such. I choose the workstation setup. That's the good (big) one right?

Now the install screen is just sitting there. Good thing there's a message on the screen that says "this may take a while." I might have reset it 20 minutes ago. . . . . it's supposed to take a long time right?

je_fro

02-14-2003, 08:37 PM

Is it showing you progress? Like packages it's installing?

s0ldier93

02-15-2003, 12:58 AM

went to a buddies house. partied, came back several hours later.

same screen, no progress. the total progress bar didn't even move.

i've heard this process can take a long time. but i figured i was blocked with the lack of cd action and hard drive noises/lights/anything. using the graphical instation, the mouse pointer still moves.

seeing as how i've had a few too many to be productive (tolerant) with the process, i'll leave it like it is until i wake up tomorrow. . . . . just in case.

bosox79

02-15-2003, 01:17 AM

Originally posted by s0ldier93
went to a buddies house. partied, came back several hours later.

same screen, no progress. the total progress bar didn't even move.

i've heard this process can take a long time. but i figured i was blocked with the lack of cd action and hard drive noises/lights/anything. using the graphical instation, the mouse pointer still moves.

seeing as how i've had a few too many to be productive (tolerant) with the process, i'll leave it like it is until i wake up tomorrow. . . . . just in case. :D

I would check to make sure that the CD you are using to do the install is a good media(CD) to check your cd at the first prompt that comes up when you boot from the CD type linuxmediacheck ( then press enter) the media check tool will help verify that the CD you are using is not damaged. I wouldn't think that it would be bad if you purchased the Dummies book with an official RH CD, but you never know!

keep us posted on your progress & post back if you need further help

bosox79

s0ldier93

02-15-2003, 10:21 AM

Next morning, no change in the screen.

The linuxmediacheck command did not work. The promt I got was boot: by the way.
edit: trying the mediacheck thing now.

Trying again.

yee_har

02-15-2003, 12:14 PM

Hmmmmm.....this is very familiar......

http://www.justlinux.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=89293

In the end I gave up and downloaded VectorLinux.
All OK - except I cant get my serial mouse to work!

je_fro

02-15-2003, 05:11 PM

I've heard of several "book" cd's being bad. You may want to download the first three iso's from here (ftp://mirror.hiwaay.net/redhat/redhat/linux/8.0/en/iso/i386/).

yee_har

02-15-2003, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by yee_har

In the end I gave up and downloaded VectorLinux.
All OK - except I cant get my serial mouse to work!

Oh dear oh dear oh dear.... :rolleyes:

Rather than just me disappear .....and for the benefit of anybody as stupid as me in future (unlikely I know :D ).....

I discovered that the mouse - whilst attached to COM1 according to the back of the computer case - was actually on COM2. :eek:

Rearranged the motherboard to case cabling to avoid such a problem in future and now I am "good to go" on VL!

bosox79

02-15-2003, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by yee_har
Oh dear oh dear oh dear.... :rolleyes:

Rather than just me disappear .....and for the benefit of anybody as stupid as me in future (unlikely I know :D ).....

I discovered that the mouse - whilst attached to COM1 according to the back of the computer case - was actually on COM2. :eek:

Rearranged the motherboard to case cabling to avoid such a problem in future and now I am "good to go" on VL!

I am glad that you found a linux distro that works for you:cool:

s0ldier93

02-15-2003, 09:00 PM

!!!!! :eek: !!!!!

possible bad disks with the dummies book eh?? roger that.

let's see how well the disks that come with this "Red Hat Linux 8 Bible" work. it come with 3. one of them is bound to work right? ;)

if nothing else, i now have a high level and low level referances. i even resisted the urge to get the bigger (8 in 1) dummies RH book.

BTW. i haven't been lost on the fact that Linux is free and i could've downloaded it about 12 times by now. i just happened to be in barnes and noble's today and know (have read here) that this book is good stuff.

je_fro

02-16-2003, 01:32 AM

I've got it myself. However, I hate to say it, but the % of bad CD's out of those books is rather high. Mine worked, and were identical to the iso's available online. Let me know how it goes...

s0ldier93

02-17-2003, 09:22 AM

2 Linux and 5 CD's later (2 dummies & 3 bible) . . . .success!!!

In the end I reviewed this enitre thread to get it right. Thanks for all your help.

Please look for my many many newbie posts (after good searches of coarse) in other topics here.

Thanks again to everyone who helped me.