[techtalk] Mandrake install problems
Well, Madrake certainly is easy to install... You just sit there watching it auto-configure everything, and hope that it works. So what happens when it doesn't? Do I dare venture my newbie ass into "expert" install? I guess I'll have to. Here's the deal: I picked up the Mandrake 7.2 retail box. (I was buying a new rolling chair, and feeling really good, so I figured I'd put red hat aside for a while. I ended up with a non-functioning laptop and the realization that my floor is amazingly far from level.) The laptop in question is a Fujitsu Lifebook 280DX, 32MB ram, 3.1GB hard disk. I boot from the CD into the graphical installer. I do a full install, erase the entire disk. I go through all the questions fine. Everything goes as the manual says except it skips the question on installation class and I can't pick what packages to install beyond the precision of "Office" "Internet" "Graphics" "Games" etc. Then after add a user, it skips the create a boot disk step, and doesn't ask me anything about installing a boot loader. (It installs grub, which seems to be fine.) Then it comes to configuring X. It asks for my monitor type. Then it is supposed to test the X settings and ask for confirmation that they are correct. It skips that part entirely and tells me instalation is complete and it will now reboot. I take the CD out, it boots to grub with linux/failsafe/floppy displayed. I pick linux. It gives me a command line login but switches to a solid black cursor-less screen after a second. No X login, no nothing. I can switch back to console 1 and log in without a problem. So I guess that X never got set up. I try to run XF86Setup - not found. ConfigXF86 - not found. more /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/XF86Config - not found. I've got XF86Config-4.eg but I don't think that helps me any. So I'm stuck. I don't think I want to try an expert install at 3am, but I'll probably give it a try tomorrow if I have time. This is not the way to end an already bad weekend. If anyone can give me a nudge in the right direction, I'd be very much appreciative. -- Avery, feeling dumber than usual ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
Re: [techtalk] Re: Write down while you are modifying the system... (was: [techtalk] New here)
On Mon, Apr 30, 2001 at 12:42:30PM +1000, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Recently discovered tagging 'good' versions so I can try things out, although > > most people considering branches my private work a tiny bit obsessive. > > Why should you treat your private work with any less respect than > your paying work? 1) Because my paying work is not, at present, programming, and hence no need for CVS commits, and 2) I don't share my private work with others much, so I don't need to revision track so carefully. Mary. -- Mary Gardiner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> GPG Key ID: 77625870 ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
Re: [techtalk] Re: Write down while you are modifying the system... (was: [techtalk] New here)
Mary Gardiner wrote: > 2) I don't share my private work with others much, so I don't need to revision > track so carefully. Nah.. but CVS acts as a bloody useful backup as well. :) Jenn V. -- "Do you ever wonder if there's a whole section of geek culture you miss out on by being a geek?" - Dancer. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jenn Vesperman http://www.simegen.com/~jenn/ ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
Re: [techtalk] Re: Write down while you are modifying the system... (was: [techtalk] New here)
On Mon, Apr 30, 2001 at 08:02:16PM +1000, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Mary Gardiner wrote: > > > > 2) I don't share my private work with others much, so I don't need to revision > > track so carefully. > > Nah.. but CVS acts as a bloody useful backup as well. :) Yeah. btw can anyone give me a run down on this situation: X outside project (say an open source project) has a cvs tree. I want to be able to import their CVS tree, whilst at the same time maintaining my own tree, probably minor, of changes, and resyncing every so often. Mary. -- Mary Gardiner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> GPG Key ID: 77625870 ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
Re: [techtalk] Re: Write down while you are modifying the system... (was: [techtalk] New here)
Excerpts from linuxchix: 30-Apr-101 Re: [techtalk] Re: Write do.. by Mary [EMAIL PROTECTED] > X outside project (say an open source project) has a cvs tree. I > want to be able to import their CVS tree, whilst at the same time > maintaining my own tree, probably minor, of changes, and resyncing > every so often. I'm assuming you don't want to commit to their tree. If you do, it would be easier to use branching within their repository. If what you want to do is essentially to keep your personal patch to their stuff in your own repository, what I do is: 1. Start by checking out their repository, 2. Working in your checkout of their repository, make whatever changes you want. 3. Make a patch for it using diff, or cvs diff. using the -u option makes it more readable, and patch likes it more. 4. Put this patch into your cvs. If you want to make a change: 1. Work on your checkout of their repository, and make the change. 2. Make a new patch. 3. Commit the new patch on top of your old patch. 4. Now you have a revision history of your patch. If you want to sync with the repository: 1. Do a cvs update of your checkout of their repository. If it's clean (no conflicts), then you can stop here, since your old patch will probably work, or you can make a new one, if it's changed. (cvs and patch can handle the changed segment moving around) If it's not, resolve the conflict, and then make patch/commit it. Now, if you checkout a new copy of their repository, you should be able to apply your patch to it, and get your modified version. If you want to be fancy, you can tag your patch with the same tags they use. ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
Re: [techtalk] Mandrake install problems
XFree86-4 has a new configuration script, Xconfigurator Try running that. Which package of Mandrake did you get? I stumbled across a "Desktop" version and absolutely hated it; I installed a full version of mdk 8 a week later. If you got the desktop version, it probably wants to go into X when you boot (the installer doesn't ask, it just does thigs for you...). The blinking line cursor in the corner is terminal 7 without X running. To turn X off once you get into the machine, edit the file /etc/inittab. There is a line there, id:5:initdefault: Change the 5 to a 3, and the machine will boot right to text console. HTH Mandi On Mon, 30 Apr 2001, A Kozic wrote: > > Well, Madrake certainly is easy to install... You just sit there watching > it auto-configure everything, and hope that it works. > > So what happens when it doesn't? Do I dare venture my newbie ass into > "expert" install? I guess I'll have to. > > Here's the deal: > > I picked up the Mandrake 7.2 retail box. (I was buying a new rolling > chair, and feeling really good, so I figured I'd put red hat aside for a > while. I ended up with a non-functioning laptop and the realization that > my floor is amazingly far from level.) > > The laptop in question is a Fujitsu Lifebook 280DX, 32MB ram, 3.1GB hard > disk. > > I boot from the CD into the graphical installer. > > I do a full install, erase the entire disk. > > I go through all the questions fine. Everything goes as the manual > says except it skips the question on installation class and I can't pick > what packages to install beyond the precision of "Office" "Internet" > "Graphics" "Games" etc. > > Then after add a user, it skips the create a boot disk step, and doesn't > ask me anything about installing a boot loader. (It installs grub, which > seems to be fine.) > > Then it comes to configuring X. It asks for my monitor type. Then it is > supposed to test the X settings and ask for confirmation that they are > correct. It skips that part entirely and tells me instalation is complete > and it will now reboot. > > I take the CD out, it boots to grub with linux/failsafe/floppy displayed. > I pick linux. It gives me a command line login but switches to a solid > black cursor-less screen after a second. No X login, no nothing. I > can switch back to console 1 and log in without a problem. > > So I guess that X never got set up. I try to run XF86Setup - not found. > ConfigXF86 - not found. more /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/XF86Config - not found. > I've got XF86Config-4.eg but I don't think that helps me any. > > > So I'm stuck. I don't think I want to try an expert install at 3am, but > I'll probably give it a try tomorrow if I have time. This is not the way > to end an already bad weekend. > > > If anyone can give me a nudge in the right direction, I'd be very much > appreciative. > > > -- Avery, feeling dumber than usual > > > ___ > techtalk mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk > ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
RE: [techtalk] Mandrake install problems
Title: RE: [techtalk] Mandrake install problems Avery, http://www.wam.umd.edu/~zben/Linux/fuji200.html HTH, Davida -Original Message- From: A Kozic [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 12:10 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [techtalk] Mandrake install problems Well, Madrake certainly is easy to install... You just sit there watching it auto-configure everything, and hope that it works. So what happens when it doesn't? Do I dare venture my newbie ass into "expert" install? I guess I'll have to. Here's the deal: I picked up the Mandrake 7.2 retail box. (I was buying a new rolling chair, and feeling really good, so I figured I'd put red hat aside for a while. I ended up with a non-functioning laptop and the realization that my floor is amazingly far from level.) The laptop in question is a Fujitsu Lifebook 280DX, 32MB ram, 3.1GB hard disk. I boot from the CD into the graphical installer. I do a full install, erase the entire disk. I go through all the questions fine. Everything goes as the manual says except it skips the question on installation class and I can't pick what packages to install beyond the precision of "Office" "Internet" "Graphics" "Games" etc. Then after add a user, it skips the create a boot disk step, and doesn't ask me anything about installing a boot loader. (It installs grub, which seems to be fine.) Then it comes to configuring X. It asks for my monitor type. Then it is supposed to test the X settings and ask for confirmation that they are correct. It skips that part entirely and tells me instalation is complete and it will now reboot. I take the CD out, it boots to grub with linux/failsafe/floppy displayed. I pick linux. It gives me a command line login but switches to a solid black cursor-less screen after a second. No X login, no nothing. I can switch back to console 1 and log in without a problem. So I guess that X never got set up. I try to run XF86Setup - not found. ConfigXF86 - not found. more /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/XF86Config - not found. I've got XF86Config-4.eg but I don't think that helps me any. So I'm stuck. I don't think I want to try an expert install at 3am, but I'll probably give it a try tomorrow if I have time. This is not the way to end an already bad weekend. If anyone can give me a nudge in the right direction, I'd be very much appreciative. -- Avery, feeling dumber than usual ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
Re: [techtalk] Mandrake install problems
On Mon, 30 Apr 2001, Mandi wrote: > XFree86-4 has a new configuration script, Xconfigurator > > Try running that. Damn. I should have know that. I used that with Red Hat. That runs, but I can't seem to give it a configuration that works. I still get the black screen. > Which package of Mandrake did you get? I stumbled across a "Desktop" > version and absolutely hated it; I installed a full version of mdk 8 a > week later. I have 7.2 "Complete". The retail box that goes for ~$30. > Change the 5 to a 3, and the machine will boot right to text console. Yup, that works, but X still doesn't start. I do startx, and terminal 7 goes black. Terminal 1 scrolls a bunch of setting up messages and never returns to a prompt. *sigh* I've got schoolwork to do. I shouldn't be screwing with this now, but I can't help it. I'll have to poke around in Xconfigurator more tonight. -- Avery - A Kozic| "You know, I've been wondering [EMAIL PROTECTED] | all evening... *blush* [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Do you have indoor plumbing?" ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
[techtalk] More problems... and questions about the BSDs
I hope you guys don't get sick of my questions... I have run into a wierd problem - on this box, I'm running debian woody. All of a sudden (no, it probably went along with an apt-get update, apt-get upgrade) sendmail is unable to read or rebuild the aliases database. I get the following error message when I run "newaliases": Cannot open hash database /etc/mail/aliases.db: Invalid argument WARNING: cannot open alias database /etc/mail/aliases Cannot create database for alias file /etc/mail/aliases Also, in /var/log/mail.err, I get: Apr 30 14:08:58 blackbear sendmail[6424]: NAA05536: db_open(/etc/mail/users.db): Invalid argument The strangish thing is that some mail that needs an alias (a simple alias) doesn't go through (makes perfect sense), whereas other mail that needs an alias (in particular mailman mail) seems to go through fine. That's a mystery to me. Mail that doesn't need an alias seems to go through fine (again, makes sense.) So, I'm stuck. I can't rebuild the database, or even open it. I'm not sure exactly what broke it - a new version of something in woody? Any solutions? Workarounds, etc.? I've only got about 2 days before mail starts to bounce. Michelle --- Michelle Murrain, Ph.D. President Norwottuck Technology Resources [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.norwottuck.com ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
[techtalk] oops, forgot the questions about BSDs
I'm interested in learning more about the BSDs - I wondered if anyone had an opinion about what the best of the BSDs is, in terms of hardware and software compatibility and security. I am beginning to explore Darwin (the BSD behind Mac OS X) since I have just installed OS X on a laptop. But I know there are several flavors (NetBSD, FreeBSD, BSDi, others?) Thanks. Michelle -- Michelle Murrain, Ph.D. President Norwottuck Technology Resources [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.norwottuck.com ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
Re: [techtalk] More problems...
On Mon, 30 Apr 2001, Michelle Murrain wrote: > I hope you guys don't get sick of my questions... Hey, that's what the list's for! > I have run into a wierd problem - on this box, I'm running debian woody. All > of a sudden (no, it probably went along with an apt-get update, apt-get > upgrade) sendmail is unable to read or rebuild the aliases database. I get > the following error message when I run "newaliases": > > Cannot open hash database /etc/mail/aliases.db: Invalid argument > WARNING: cannot open alias database /etc/mail/aliases > Cannot create database for alias file /etc/mail/aliases OK - something wrong in /etc/mail, then. Try "ls -ld /etc/mail", and "ls -l /etc/mail", and mail the output here - it looks as if the permissions on those files or that directory are wrong? (Either that, or the directory has been deleted.) Don't panic, anyway - it's probably just a permissions problem. (You are running these commands as root??) James. ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
Re: [techtalk] More problems... and questions about the BSDs
On Mon, Apr 30, 2001 at 02:13:15PM -0400, Michelle Murrain wrote: > So, I'm stuck. I can't rebuild the database, or even open it. I'm not sure > exactly what broke it - a new version of something in woody? > > Any solutions? Workarounds, etc.? I've only got about 2 days before mail > starts to bounce. When running Debian, the Bug Tracking System is your friend. :) http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=94103&repeatmerged=yes Looks like this is related to the libdb2 -> libdb3 upgrade path. Try updating your sources and upgrade to the latest version, there should be a new one in place on the FTP server. -- Aaron Malone ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) System Administrator"We learn from history that we learn Poplar Bluff Internet, Inc.nothing from history." http://www.semo.net -- George Bernard Shaw ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
Re: [techtalk] oops, forgot the questions about BSDs
On Mon, Apr 30, 2001 at 02:18:50PM -0400, Michelle Murrain wrote: > I'm interested in learning more about the BSDs - I wondered if anyone had an > opinion about what the best of the BSDs is, in terms of hardware and software > compatibility and security. I am beginning to explore Darwin (the BSD behind > Mac OS X) since I have just installed OS X on a laptop. But I know there are > several flavors (NetBSD, FreeBSD, BSDi, others?) The standard answer: FreeBSD for performance on x86, OpenBSD for security, NetBSD for portability. Some more details: yes, OpenBSD tends to be very secure by default. But in the default configuration, it's not really all that useful for most tasks. Thus, you need to be careful what you install or enable, and definitely subscribe to the security-announce list, as with any OS. Personally, OpenBSD is my favourite operating system in terms of design philosophy and actual usage. I use it on my new personal servers. FreeBSD is also quite good, and does seem to outperform Open. As well, it has SMP (multiple processor) support, which OpenBSD lacks. FreeBSD has a more extensive ports collection, as well, which is a definite win for desktop situations. I use FreeBSD on my laptop because the Super Nintendo emulator I use was in the FreeBSD ports tree, while not in OpenBSD, and I didn't want to have to port it myself. ;) Free tends to be the "friendlier" of the two, and probably has the biggest installed base of the freely-available BSDs. Incidentally, I've been very happy with FreeBSD on my laptop, a Compaq Presario 1200-series. I particularly like that USB support Just Works. :) NetBSD, I've never used. I have an ISO here that I keep meaning to burn and install on a spare box, but I never seem to get around to it. BSDi's BSD/OS is non-free, and thus out of the picture for my hobbyist use, as well as distasteful. By all means, download or buy them, install on spare test boxes, and learn all you can. I'm a convert from Linux to BSD (I still love linux, no flamewars here, please), and have all sorts of fun just exploring the systems and learning clever ways to do things. But then, I'm a geek. ;) -- Aaron Malone ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) System Administrator"We learn from history that we learn Poplar Bluff Internet, Inc.nothing from history." http://www.semo.net -- George Bernard Shaw ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
Re: [techtalk] More problems...
On Monday 30 April 2001 02:28 pm, James Sutherland wrote: > On Mon, 30 Apr 2001, Michelle Murrain wrote: > > I hope you guys don't get sick of my questions... > > Hey, that's what the list's for! > > > I have run into a wierd problem - on this box, I'm running debian woody. > > All of a sudden (no, it probably went along with an apt-get update, > > apt-get upgrade) sendmail is unable to read or rebuild the aliases > > database. I get the following error message when I run "newaliases": > > > > Cannot open hash database /etc/mail/aliases.db: Invalid argument > > WARNING: cannot open alias database /etc/mail/aliases > > Cannot create database for alias file /etc/mail/aliases > > OK - something wrong in /etc/mail, then. > > Try "ls -ld /etc/mail", and "ls -l /etc/mail", and mail the output here - > it looks as if the permissions on those files or that directory are wrong? > (Either that, or the directory has been deleted.) > > Don't panic, anyway - it's probably just a permissions problem. (You are > running these commands as root??) Wish it were simply a permissions issue. All of the files in /etc/mail are there, and thier permissions haven't changed (they are all owned by root, and chmod 744) It's a much wierder problem. I think that it has to do with somehow, the system in general can't read or deal with DB files. I tried to do a "makemap hash" in a different situation, and it barfed on me. Michelle -- -- Michelle Murrain, Ph.D. President Norwottuck Technology Resources [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.norwottuck.com ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
[techtalk] MS Frontpage Extensions?
How secure actually is Microsoft FP Extensions? I had my co-admin install it on the server so it is easier for him or others to update via Frontpage 2000, but I'm worried about the security ramifications. I mean, I don't want to end up on attrition.org with a picture of someones grandma replacing my website (or worse). I've heard stories, but I was wondering about pure facts on FP security. - Kath
Re: [techtalk] More problems...
On Mon, 30 Apr 2001, Michelle Murrain wrote: > Wish it were simply a permissions issue. All of the files in /etc/mail are > there, and thier permissions haven't changed (they are all owned by root, and > chmod 744) > > It's a much wierder problem. I think that it has to do with somehow, the > system in general can't read or deal with DB files. I tried to do a "makemap > hash" in a different situation, and it barfed on me. Looks like you're being bitten by Debian bug 94103, as someone else said: they've changed the db libraries, and sendmail broke as a result. Not entirely sure of a workaround yet - have you tried renaming the current /etc/mail/aliases.db to another name, and rebuilding from the text file? James. ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
Re: [techtalk] Re: Write down while you are modifying the system... (was: [techtalk] New here)
On Mon, Apr 30, 2001 at 11:10:42AM -0400, Laurel Fan wrote: > Excerpts from linuxchix: 30-Apr-101 Re: [techtalk] Re: Write do.. by > Mary [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > X outside project (say an open source project) has a cvs tree. I > > want to be able to import their CVS tree, whilst at the same time > > maintaining my own tree, probably minor, of changes, and resyncing > > every so often. > > I'm assuming you don't want to commit to their tree. If you do, it > would be easier to use branching within their repository. Thanks Laurel. I guess I would want to commit eventually, but I'm thinking this for either private modifications that aren't either bugfixes or most peoples desired fixes, or for 'playing' with a project. Or for a project that doesn't necessarily give write access to their repository easily. Mary. -- Mary Gardiner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> GPG Key ID: 77625870 ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
Re: [techtalk] Re: Write down while you are modifying the system... (was: [techtalk] New here)
Mary Gardiner wrote: > btw can anyone give me a run down on this situation: > > X outside project (say an open source project) has a cvs tree. I want to be able > to import their CVS tree, whilst at the same time maintaining my own tree, probably > minor, of changes, and resyncing every so often. mkdir x-outside-project cvs checkout - I'm not sure what the option is, but I maintained both Sourceforge and Netizen CVS trees under my CVS directory by having $CVSROOT as the Netizen one, and using the option (it's in Sourceforge's 'cvs help' page, if nothing else) when first checking out the Sourceforge tree. You only need it when first populating that directory, it's stored in that directories' CVS data file. Jenn V. -- "Do you ever wonder if there's a whole section of geek culture you miss out on by being a geek?" - Dancer. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jenn Vesperman http://www.simegen.com/~jenn/ ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
RE: [techtalk] MS Frontpage Extensions?
Very insecure. Just go look at any security site and do a search for FrontPage Extensions. I won't let them on any server that I expose to the outside world. Jason -Original Message-From: Kath [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 4:05 PMTo: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: [techtalk] MS Frontpage Extensions? How secure actually is Microsoft FP Extensions? I had my co-admin install it on the server so it is easier for him or others to update via Frontpage 2000, but I'm worried about the security ramifications. I mean, I don't want to end up on attrition.org with a picture of someones grandma replacing my website (or worse). I've heard stories, but I was wondering about pure facts on FP security. - Kath
Re: [techtalk] Mandrake install problems
On Mon, 30 Apr 2001, Kriselda Jarnsaxa wrote: > I'm > not familiar with the Mandrake 7.2 configuration/setup sequence, but it > sounds a LOT like the "Recommended" mode on Mandrake 8. I've found that > using the "Expert" setting gives me a LOT more control, and it still offers > warnings if you're about to do something really stupid. I was really hoping that would do it, but when I try to run it in expert mode, it does the *exact* same install process as "normal" mode. There is alos this funny bug (in any mode) that if you type in mismatched passwords while setting up an account in the installer, it will continue to tell you they are mismatched no matter how many times you type correctly matched passwords in. You have to pick "no password" to get past it. Now I'm really stumped. If I can't run in expert mode what I I supposed to do? -- Avery - A Kozic| "You know, I've been wondering [EMAIL PROTECTED] | all evening... *blush* [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Do you have indoor plumbing?" ___ techtalk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linux.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/techtalk
