ColinM

Stand alone desktops, home user. Dual boot Celeron box with Mdk 10.1 OE on slave HD and Win98 on master HD. The Mdk OS uses Guarddog firewall, and the Win OS uses ZoneAlarm firewall. Apple Mac Mini Tiger 10.3.4 Mac firewall. I simply want to transfer my data files from the Win HD to my Mac using a crossover Ethernet cable. I will also want to periodically backup the Mac OS and data on the Win or Mdk HD. How do I do it? I tried pluging the crossover ethernet cable in both boxes, no hubs, straight box to box. Then I turned on File Sharing in Win 98, and fiddled with the Mac settings to allow local Win users access, but without success. Anybody ever done this simple thing? Step by step instructions would help me and future visitors. I looked at the relevant Apple and Win help pages, but both are vague on networking Linux users. I also tried numerous times to download and install Netatalk rpms but get the usual Penguin frustrations of bad signatures and failed file dependencies. The main thing I want to do is use the Linux box HDs to backup my Mac OS and data regularly. (Too big for CDs and Flash drives.) Ta!

I think the reason I can't find any Telnet files on my system is that I don't recall selecting any options that would probably use it at installation. IRC, Chat etc. I don't waste my time with those things. I've tested my system at two more places, and passed. So I think the initial scare from 'Shiled's Up' was a false alarm due to scanning my ISP rather than my sytem. Something for others on dial-up to consider. Thank you all for your advice. A great community for Linux learners. Colin PS. Must say I'm looking at the new Mini Mac though...

I looked for any files named telnet* using the find facility and drew a blank. So I don't appear to have any telnet files on my installation. Perhaps Telnet has been dropped from Mdk. 10.1 oe. From what I read it should be extinct anyway, or reserved for those bods who still use newsgroups... Anyway, I tried again today at 'Shields Up' and got the all clear on Win OS and Mdk OS. I also tried the hackerwatch.org/probe and passed that too. (Telnet port closed) Port 80 http was open, which I think has to be open if you want to surf the web. Here's the result of running the command you suggested: [root@localhost colin]# $ nmap -P0 localhost bash: $: command not found [root@localhost colin]# nmap -P0 localhost Starting nmap 3.55 ( http://www.insecure.org/nmap/ ) at 2005-04-27 02:56 BST Interesting ports on localhost (127.0.0.1): (The 1659 ports scanned but not shown below are in state: closed) PORT STATE SERVICE 6000/tcp open X11 Nmap run completed -- 1 IP address (1 host up) scanned in 0.970 seconds [root@localhost colin]# What does that tell you? I checked 127.0.0.1 it is iana.org I appreciate your help. Colin PS. Devries; I'll get that ntp clock synchronized! I wondered why I had to manually reset it so often...

idud: I just had a look in my xinetd.d folder using Nautilus and could not see any file called: /etc/xinetd.d/telnet It only has two files: fam and rsync and neither mentions telnet inside. I looked both with xinetd started, and then stopped via the MCC. Is it a hidden file in Nautilus? I'm using Mdk 10.1 OE Colin

Fascinating and very helpful replies! Thank you all. I've not changed anything since my last post, just tested at 'Shields UP' and Telnet Port 23 is now closed!? I got the all clear except failed the ping test. (My computer responded to a ping.) From this I gather that the previously open Port 23 was something to do with the 'Unknown Device' I detected and deleted on the Win98se OS. It must've been at the motherboard or modem level to influence the Mdk system too. It'll be interesting to retest after I PnP that, and retest the Mdk OS at Shields Up. Thank you Devries: I ran those commands you gave whilst connected to this board: The result looks OK to me: [root@localhost colin]# netstat -panu Active Internet connections (servers and established) Proto Recv-Q Send-Q Local Address Foreign Address State PID/Program name [root@localhost colin]# ps aux USER PID %CPU %MEM VSZ RSS TTY STAT START TIME COMMAND root 1 0.2 0.4 1408 480 ? S 02:06 0:01 init [5] root 2 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S 02:06 0:00 [migration/0] root 3 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? SN 02:06 0:00 [ksoftirqd/0] root 4 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S< 02:06 0:00 [events/0] root 5 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S< 02:06 0:00 [khelper] root 6 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S< 02:06 0:00 [kblockd/0] root 32 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S 02:06 0:00 [kapmd] root 34 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S 02:06 0:00 [pdflush] root 35 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S 02:06 0:00 [pdflush] root 37 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S< 02:06 0:00 [aio/0] root 36 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S 02:06 0:00 [kswapd0] root 147 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S 02:06 0:00 [kseriod] root 275 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S 02:06 0:00 [kjournald] root 410 0.0 0.2 1388 284 ? S<s 02:06 0:00 udevd root 807 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S 02:06 0:00 [khubd] root 1050 0.0 0.0 0 0 ? S 02:06 0:00 [kjournald] root 2529 0.0 0.3 1420 420 ? Ss 02:06 0:00 /sbin/ifplugd -w root 2553 0.0 0.4 1460 544 ? Ss 02:06 0:00 syslogd -m 0 root 2561 0.0 0.3 2120 416 ? Ss 02:06 0:00 klogd -2 xfs 2913 0.0 1.2 5288 1328 ? Ss 02:06 0:00 xfs -port -1 -dae 72 2938 0.0 0.5 2052 552 ? Ss 02:06 0:00 dbus-daemon-1 --s root 3023 0.0 0.4 2436 492 ? S 02:06 0:00 /usr/bin/mdkkdm - daemon 3026 0.0 0.3 1524 432 ? Ss 02:06 0:00 /usr/sbin/atd root 3033 2.6 8.3 35876 9064 ? S 02:06 0:14 /etc/X11/X -defer root 3080 0.0 1.0 3356 1112 ? S 02:06 0:00 -:0 root 3085 0.0 0.5 1988 564 ? Ss 02:06 0:00 xinetd -stayalive root 3394 0.0 0.4 1448 532 ? Ss 02:06 0:00 crond root 3496 0.0 0.3 1396 400 tty1 Ss+ 02:06 0:00 /sbin/mingetty tt root 3497 0.0 0.3 1396 400 tty2 Ss+ 02:06 0:00 /sbin/mingetty tt root 3498 0.0 0.3 1396 400 tty3 Ss+ 02:06 0:00 /sbin/mingetty tt root 3499 0.0 0.3 1396 400 tty4 Ss+ 02:06 0:00 /sbin/mingetty tt root 3500 0.0 0.3 1396 400 tty5 Ss+ 02:06 0:00 /sbin/mingetty tt root 3501 0.0 0.3 1396 400 tty6 Ss+ 02:06 0:00 /sbin/mingetty tt colin 3956 0.0 0.8 2860 948 ? S 02:06 0:00 /bin/sh /usr/bin/ colin 4008 0.0 2.2 11108 2472 ? S 02:06 0:00 /usr/bin/bluez-pi colin 4029 0.5 6.6 27620 7236 ? S 02:06 0:02 /usr/bin/perl /us colin 4053 0.0 3.2 14756 3552 ? S 02:06 0:00 magicdev colin 4057 0.0 0.5 2432 576 ? S 02:06 0:00 dbus-launch --sh- colin 4062 0.0 0.5 2052 552 ? Ss 02:06 0:00 dbus-daemon-1 --f colin 4079 0.0 0.5 2636 604 ? Ss 02:06 0:00 s2u --daemon=yes colin 4085 0.0 1.4 3808 1600 ? S 02:06 0:00 /usr/lib/gconfd-2 colin 4086 0.0 5.8 22288 6364 ? Ss 02:06 0:00 kdeinit: Running. colin 4089 0.0 5.9 22148 6536 ? S 02:06 0:00 kdeinit: dcopserv colin 4091 0.0 6.9 23860 7588 ? S 02:06 0:00 kdeinit: klaunche colin 4097 0.2 7.7 25108 8452 ? S 02:07 0:01 kdeinit: kded colin 4109 0.1 2.3 10836 2540 ? S 02:07 0:00 /usr/bin/artsd -F colin 4111 0.0 8.0 30376 8780 ? S 02:07 0:00 kdeinit: knotify colin 4112 0.0 0.2 1400 260 ? S 02:07 0:00 kwrapper ksmserve colin 4114 0.0 7.2 23772 7932 ? S 02:07 0:00 kdeinit: ksmserve colin 4118 0.1 8.9 25032 9792 ? S 02:07 0:00 kdeinit: kwin -se colin 4120 0.3 12.0 31996 13108 ? S 02:07 0:01 kdeinit: kdesktop colin 4122 0.5 10.9 27976 11900 ? S 02:07 0:02 kdeinit: kicker colin 4123 0.0 6.1 23400 6736 ? S 02:07 0:00 kdeinit: kio_file colin 4135 0.0 7.5 24168 8272 ? S 02:07 0:00 kdeinit: khotkeys colin 4137 0.0 7.7 24300 8496 ? S 02:07 0:00 kdeinit: kwrited colin 4138 0.1 7.7 23596 8484 ? S 02:07 0:00 kwikdisk -session colin 4140 0.1 9.9 27620 10816 ? S 02:07 0:00 korgac --miniicon colin 4156 0.2 9.5 24064 10392 ? S 02:07 0:01 kppp -icon kppp.p root 4157 0.0 4.9 21948 5416 ? Ss 02:07 0:00 kppp -icon kppp.p root 4268 0.0 0.6 2364 708 ttyS0 Ss+ 02:09 0:00 pppd 57600 -detac colin 4297 0.0 0.6 2360 720 ? S 02:09 0:00 /bin/sh /home/col colin 4310 0.0 0.8 2908 960 ? S 02:09 0:00 /bin/sh /home/col colin 4315 3.4 20.5 89192 22432 ? Sl 02:09 0:12 /home/colin/firef colin 4336 1.9 27.5 129660 29968 ? Sl 02:09 0:06 kaffeine colin 4525 1.9 12.2 26828 13320 ? S 02:14 0:00 kdeinit: konsole colin 4529 0.0 1.6 3056 1808 pts/1 Ss 02:14 0:00 /bin/bash root 4564 0.0 0.9 2340 1052 pts/1 S 02:14 0:00 su root 4570 0.1 1.4 2544 1548 pts/1 S 02:15 0:00 bash root 4623 0.0 0.6 2248 736 pts/1 R+ 02:15 0:00 ps aux idud: Therima Kasih! Looks like your suggestion is very wise to follow, but do I need xinetd for anything else? What would I lose by turning it off altogether? ibodo eh? :) Michael: That sounds a good suggestion too. But I'll proceed one step at a time, and reboot between switching things off. DragonMage: That is highly likely. I'm in S.E. Asia on dialup, and the national ISP is dodgy by default. I do get different IPs assigned at various times. I've never tried Telnet, it's a closed book to me. But I can seee the point you are making. Colin

While you scratch your heads along with me, here's an update. I logged off Linux, and logged in using my Win HD, then tetsed at Shields Up again, on the Win OS. I got the all clear today! All ports closed or stealthed. It replied to a ping test, so failed overall, but at least the Telnet port is closed on the Win OS. Perhaps this is because I fiddled around in the Win>System>Devices and deleted the ?Unknown Device (I think it was a U-Storage USB device) Now when I restart Win, the PnP notices two devices and asks me to select the driver. I cancelled this request. Next time I'll select the driver so it PnPs, then re-test at Shileds up to see if that has anything to do with opening my Port 23. I'll re-test the Mdk OS at Shield's Up again later on. Your advice and comments appreciated. Colin

Thanks Devries, you've helped me greatly in recent weeks. This site is invaulable. I ran the netstat -pant command, first with my modem switched off... Result not connected with internet: [root@localhost colin]# netstat -pant Active Internet connections (servers and established) Proto Recv-Q Send-Q Local Address Foreign Address State PID/Program name tcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:6000 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3117/X tcp 0 0 :::6000 :::* LISTEN 3117/X [root@localhost colin]# Then I switched the modem on, and dialed up a connection: (Same readout) [root@localhost colin]# netstat -pant Active Internet connections (servers and established) Proto Recv-Q Send-Q Local Address Foreign Address State PID/Program name tcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:6000 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3117/X tcp 0 0 :::6000 :::* LISTEN 3117/X [root@localhost colin]# The I visited this website (MdkUsers) using Firefox browser: (I've edited out the IPs) [root@localhost colin]# netstat -pant Active Internet connections (servers and established) Proto Recv-Q Send-Q Local Address Foreign Address State PID/Program name tcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:6000 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3117/X tcp 0 0 (my dialup IP):1029 (mozilla's IP):80 ESTABLISHED 4572/firefox-bin tcp 0 0 (my dialup IP):1035 (MdkUser's Site host IP):80 ESTABLISHED 4572/firefox-bin tcp 0 0 (my dialup IP):1030 (my RSS feed IP):80 ESTABLISHED 4572/firefox-bin tcp 0 0 (my dialup IP):1031 (Another News Rss feed IP):80 ESTABLISHED 4572/firefox-bin tcp 0 0 :::6000 :::* LISTEN 3117/X [root@localhost colin]# All this looks OK (so far) to my untrained eye. Here's the other data you requested: MCC>System>Services Running: alsa atd bluetooth (I don't need this I could turn it off) crond dm fam (ticked: start when requested) harddrake iptables stopped: but ticked On boot (I'm using Guarddog, is this OK) keytable keyheader messagebus netfs network numlock partmon shorewall stopped (Not ticked) sound syslog udev xfs xinetd Yet when I go to the 'Shields Up' test, it says Port 23 is open Telnet and I'm very vulnerable. (Previously, when I only had the single HD using Linux, I got the all clear at Shields Up. So it is likely something to do with how the Win98se is reinstalled on the master HD) I get the same result from 'Shileds Up' whichever OS I use, so perhaps the 'Telnet vulnerability' is at the motherborad, modem, or ISP level? Is my port 23 really open and vulnerable to remote Telnet access?

New desktop Dual boot Win98se and Mdk 10.1 oe, two hardrives connected on same cable, Win drive is master. External Serial Aztech 56kbs modem, Agnitum firewall on Win98seOS, and Guarddog on Linux: both activated and correctly setup. I've just installed both OS with default settings on a clean new computer and they work fine. (I installed Agnitum Outpost Firewall free version too.) After connecting to the internet using dial-up I went to one of those online security checkers called 'Shields Up', and ran the test. Everything is OK, except it failed the ping test by responding to a ping request, and more alarmingly told me my Port 23 Telnet is open. This occurs using both the Win OS and Mdk: same result. Telnet is open. Though no evidence it is active. Is this anything to be concerned about? I use the desktop for internet access and uploading files to my website by ftp. I suspect it's wise to shut down the Telnet 23 port, but how do I go about doing that. I've checked in the Mdk MCC and there's no Telnet process listed anywhere. It's configured as a desktop workstation, no Samba, or Lan etc. Something odd which may/not be relevant. In the Guarddog Protocol area it lists all the protocols available. (I've only allowed/checked the DNS, ftp, http, and https boxes) But at the bottom of the tree list is a '?User defined' entity. I noticed a similar entity in the Windows sytem devices listings too. Can't get any info about it, and it looks suspicious. I use an external serial modem and the internal winmodem is disabled. This may be a red-herring, but I mention it in case it is important. Ta! PS. I tried enabling Shorewall first, and with that too, Shields Up detected port 23 telnet open, that is why I disabled Shorewall and tried Guarddog: same result.

Thank you all, especially Nate. I did it exactly as you said. Two HDs, Win drive at the end of the cable and set jumper to master. Linux as slave. Works fine. Ta!

*Cough* I'm raring to get on with it, just need advice please...

Whilst we wait for a reply to the above, may I ask a supplimentary? Probably a daft question, but since both hardrives already have working OS installed on them, is it possible to simply hook them both into the computer, fiddle with the jumpers etc and fire it up without reinstalling the Mdk again? Or do I simply have to reinstall the Mdk, after coupling the hardrives to the new system? Ta!

Thank you Nate. In fact all I needed to do, was rebbot and run updatedb in a console. Then when I used 'Find' it showed me where the Arachnophilia folders were /home/colin/.wine etc... Simply clicking on the arach.exe got it to run, and up popped my favourite HTML editor. Similarly with WSftp. However... Under Wine Archnophilia is very unstable, it crashes completely simply trying to open a file. So rather than spend frustrating time getting it to work, I'd prefer to either add my 2nd. hard drive (with Win98 OS on it), or try to install the contents of my old Win HD onto the new computer's HD, then reinstall Mdk. on the single HD. Reading your outline Nate, you seem to be saying you would make my old Win HD the Master drive, and have my new HD as the second HD, even though it will be the most used HD. Before I dive in, I'd like the opinions of others, and have a good study of the relevant tutorials, so I at least have a whiff of an idea what I'm doing. I don't even know how to physically hook up a second HD. So first things first: Which is the best plan: 2 HDs or one with dual boot? Next where's the step-by-step guide please. I appreciate your help. Colin

Well, I used the rpm, so I assume Wine configured itself when it installed. It handled the arachnophilia and wsftp installs smoothly, so now I come to this.... RUNNING PROGRAMS 149 150 When invoking Wine, you may specify the entire path to the executable, 151 or a filename only. 152 153 For example: to run Solitaire: 154 155 wine sol (using the search Path as specified in 156 wine sol.exe the config file to locate the file) 157 158 wine c:\\windows\\sol.exe (using DOS filename syntax) 159 160 wine /usr/windows/sol.exe (using Unix filename syntax) 161 162 wine sol.exe /parameter1 -parameter2 parameter3 163 (calling program with parameters) 164 165 Note: the path of the file will also be added to the path when 166 a full name is supplied on the commandline. I've tried each of those options, substituting the sol with archnophilia and just get errors. [colin@localhost colin]$ wine arachnophilia wine: cannot find 'arachnophilia' [colin@localhost colin]$ wine arachnophila.exe wine: cannot find 'arachnophila.exe' [colin@localhost colin]$ Same if I do it as root too. Anybody help me find the programmes Wine has installed?

Thanks. I've downloaded Arach and wsftp to my Linux machine, and used Wine from the RPM to install them both. During the install process, I noticed even though this is a Linux machine, I was asked where to install it and offered C:/Programs which I opted for! (I suppose that is the idea of Wine.) Wine seemed happy, and the whole install process was just like on Windows. But now how do I start those programs? I search for an icon on the toolbars in vein. And when I use Nautilus to look in my /home folder or even /usr/bin I can't find arach or wsftp. If I type arachnophilia in a console or run command, I get the bash error message. When I use the 'Find' option it either draws a blank or stalls. How do I find and run the apps now they are installed? Ta!

OK I'm downloading HTML-Kit to try, but it's really Arach 4 I want to use. I've have great confidence in it after years of use. Where do I get the 'Wine': is it in the MCC rpm on Mdk 10.1 OE? 'Quanta Plus' is awful: I want to go the other way... simpler, but with a rock-solid batch search and replace. Think Ox Blood Brogues and you'll get the picture.

No they are not Office apps. Paul Lutus' excellent rock-solid OLD Arachnophilia 4 (Not the new Java engine version which is, ...) I've tried over a dozen Linux editors, (including Bluefish etc.) and none has the search and replace feature equivalent to Arch 4. And I need it daily to work without error. Yes, they have 'search and replace', but NOT like Arach 4. It does hundreds of files at a time, and counts every replacement. Never makes a mistake. The rest ... cough. And no offence to Brian Massey, but gFTP has done several alarming things to files on my site, so I prefer to stick with WSftpLE95. It's like an old sharp hoofknife in my knapsac. So will Wine be able to allow me to use those two Windows based programmes on Linux? If so point me to the info...

Can you help me to decide which is the most stable/efficient solution? I've got a new computer with a 40GB HD on which I'm running Mdk 10.1 OE and love it. However there are a couple of programmes that I prefer on my old windows box. I've tried all the Linux alternatives but none matches the two I like that only run under Win. So every day, I want to use these two programmes to work on my website, whilst still using Linux for almost everything else. As a Linux novice I see I have a choice: 1) Partition the new computer drive, transfer all my Win98 OS and Win data from the older drive to the new one, and then install Mdk afterwards. (No I don't want to use Win XP) This I think you call Dual Boot. 2) Take the old HD out and put it into the new computer and configure it somehow to use both drives, allowing me to switch at will between drives and OSs. Which would be best/simplest, and where do I start learning how to do it safely? I don't mind re-installing Mdk, because I rodgered it whilst trying to sort out my monitor woes (see another thread). Since then several programmes are very buggy. Ta!

*Chuckle* Reminds me of a wonderful hot-blooded girlfriend I had. Gorgeous and great fun, but watch out when that hot blood rushes to her head. I had to travel over five hours through tropical heat to replace the monitor twice. I will not be buying another LG. Incidentally, when I took the second one back, I asked the shop to plug it in to show them it too was, broken. Imagine how I felt when, for the first time, it showed red colour! Utterly, perverse: so I assumed it was something to do with my home power supply. Nevertheless, the shop did replace it again. So far OK...

Just for completeness: The shop replaced the monitor again without batting an eyelid. Got it home and it works fine. Nice to see some red in this thread at last! So for those considering buying an LG monitor, note that this is my third new LG in six months. The previous two had the same fault off the production line. Nuff sed.

My apologies to you Sir. I just took the new LG monitor to my friends cybercafe, a mile away, (so not microwave interference, or duff power supply) and, you were right. No red. It IS the monitor! Two LG Studioworks 700s' with the exact same fault. One worked for 6 months, the other for half a day: then no red colour. New out of the box: Pathetic. I'm just about to email the Computer Manufacturer to ask the MD to arrange for me to swap it yet again. If he doesn't believe me, I'll point him to this thread. My mate in the cybercafe, was not surprised, he'd had trouble with his LG, and avoids buying them. Thank you for your help again.

Forgot to add: I ran Knoppix, it loads and runs fine....but no red shows.

Thank you Adam, I appreciate your reply, but I really don't think it is the monitor itself. I tested the new LG in the shop on the exact same computer system as mine, (except the shop used WinXP, and I use Mdk). It showed red in the shop, but not at home plugged into my box. The chances of getting two faulty monitors with exactly the same fault are remote. It's a round trip of 4 hours by bus to the shop, not a quick trot to the Mall. And I don't think the shop folks will accept the problem is the new monitor when they plug it into their similar computer, and it shows red. (I jus' 'know' it would.) The original LG monitor worked fine on my Mdk box for months. I didn't touch the setup, and over two days, the red flipped out. Not had it back since. Could it be more to do with the particular power requirements of this monitor? My old 15" Fujitsu may not be so demanding. Yes the Signal cable is sealed to the new monitor, so all that is new. New plug and pins. I suspect it's the video board, but I don't know how to test it. And when I pugged the old Fujitsu monitor into the Mdk. box it did show red, though refused to boot up fully. Magnetic radiation: This is interesting. When I moved in to my house, I put the 'puter desk near the mains power fuse box and auto-cut out, which is high up on my wall. The Monitor had a blue shadow, so I moved my desk a few feet away, and the monitor image was fine. Just in case that had anything to do with it. I've sited my new monitor even further away from the house power input. It has no effect on the Fujitsu monitor. I also live about 80-100 metres from a large Microwave pylon used for telecommunications. Easy to blame that for everything from headaches, to the cat having fits etc... If it is that, why has it worked fine for months, and why is my Fujitsu still working OK? Another thought: We do have blackouts about once a week when they shut the grid down because of thunderstorms. It's possible the recent quality of the power supply is insufficient to keep the LG monitor happy. I could test this by taking the new monitor to a friends, and trying it on his Win set up. But how do I use the Mdk diagnostic tools to test the Videocard built into the motherboard. In HardDrake, I see the SiS card listed, and after highlighting it, click 'run config', and that seems OK. Is there any other diagnostic test I can run, so we can specifically locate the source of the problem? I appreciate your help greatly. I've had to revert to my old Win Box to keep updating my site. Colin

Thanks Devries (brave chap, after my last query here...) I went to the shop and replaced the first LG monitor (still under warranty), I tried a brand new one (same model) in the shop before I brought it home, and that worked fine in the shop, so I'm certain the monitor is not the cause of the loss of red colour. As well as my brand new LG monitor, I have an old 15" Fujitsu which shows red colour fine on my Win box. I've just plugged my Linux box into it and fired it up. It begins to boot, and you can tell the red componant IS present, the OKs are green instead of a kind of yellow , and the failed ethonet word is bright red. BUT... it won't boot completely and stalls with a black screen. If I then press Ctrl, Alt, Del, I get some text which I can't copy and paste here because it won't boot, but it basically says, a user lib file wouldn't load, and I then type shutdown now, and it shuts down. Tried three times. But the interesting point is there's clearly red colour showing of the Fujitsu monitor with the Linux box. While waiting for your help, I've tried fiddling in the Bios Setup: PNP/PCI Config, I tried enabling 'Reset Configuration Data' and re-started the system. (Still no red) That should've cleared out any erroneous Plug and Play settings stored in the Bios memory. Then I disabled Reset Config Data' and restarted hoping the hardware would be detected afresh. But still no red. Previously, I also tried enabling both the 'Load Fail Safe Defaults' options and restarted. Still no joy. So I've painstakingly reset everything in the Bios Setup according to the manual to defaults. and restarted. Still no red. The Videocard is incorperated on the ECS Motherboard L4S5MG3 microATX and it is listed as: SiS650/651/740 GUI 2d/ 3d Accelerator in HardDrake. My particular monitor LG Studioworks 700s is not specifically listed in HardDrake's selection. I tried the nearest LG Studioworks55, but reverted to the Generic 1028 X 75Hz setting which I have been using successfully for months. I've triple checked cables and connections, and plug fuse. All OK. I'd like to nail this logically, if you could help... Ta! Colin

Great, I need serious help and I get a loopie. Well, at least the startx command got rid of the console, and brought up the GUI. Please could somebody help me sort through this logically. Why did the red colour disappear, and how do I get it back? The basic recap. Mdk 10.1 OE working fine for weeks, sole OS. New desktop. Red colour vanishes from the monitor, I assume it's a monitor fault because when I hook it to my Win 98 box, it has no red there either. So I get a brand new monitor, and that too has no red on the linux box, and no red on the Win box. (The monitor is fine, it showed red in the shop, so it must be something weird on both my Win and Mdk boxes. Now, when I dig out my ancient 15: Fujitsu monitor, and plug it into my Win box, it shows red OK. So the Win box VGA card is not the problem. Help please... Ta!

Mdk 10.1 OE, sole OS, on a new desktop, default settings. Monitor is a 17@ LG Studioworks 700s CRT. I've had Mdk installed and working fine for weeks, then all of a sudden all the red disappears from my monitor. Switch the system off for an hour, and the red came back, only to vanish after 30 minutes. Now there's no red at all from boot up. Tapping the box makes no difference. As a test, I plugged the monitor into my win98 machine and it was the same, no red. So I assumed it was a dodgy monitor. Still under warranty, so I returned it, and got a *brand new one*. I tested the new one in the shop, it was fine. Return home, connect it up to the Linux machine, and NO red colour! Agghh! Tried the new monitor on the Win box: no red colour, there either. Weird. Double checked cables, and connections, all seem OK. No broken pins etc. Somebody thought it might be my local electricity supply dipping, but this seems unlikely since I can use another Fujitsu monitor on the Win box and it HAS red colour. So I tried fiddling the Linux bios settings to get the failsafe defaults, and now I can't even boot the Linux machine, half way through the boot I get the black console screen asking for my local host login, but what do I type to get it to the GUI? I'm new to Linux. The VGA card hasn't failed in the Win machine because it shows red with my old Fujitsu monitor. And it seems very unlikely that my new Linux machine would also have a damaged VGA card at the same time. Can anyone help me: A) Get past the Linux console display at boot. (I can feintly see the blue mdk.10.1 desktop beneath the console interface.) B) Get the red colour to display on my new monitor on both my Linux and my Win machine. Ta! Colin