mindwave

ok, just took a sec to load toronto on my laptop at work.

so the cript i want for the HD install is draklive-install right?

thanks to anyone who can confirm or deny :)

j

ok, this weekend the AC went out, so I didnt have much time to work. When it's 97 outside its at LEAST 94 inside and I have found that seat and PC's just DONT mix.

however I did get the chance to run through the scripts that I copied over last week, and they are really very nice.

however I am missing something, and I'm sure I'M missing it.

As explained above the goal for me, although multi tiered, involves creating a COMPLETE rescue CD.

In otherwords I have my pc installed exactly the way i want and everything runs JUST the way it should.

Then I install the many neat and cool tricks from MCNLand I have the same abilities that I do ion MCNL, I can boot a LIVECD, install to a USB stick (ok a BIG one, since my image is 1.3GB), but ALSO, in case my primary desktop crashes, or I upgrade the MB/CPU, which I do about every 6 months (looking forward to an AMD 6GHZ X2 next), or in case of a cetstophic failure, be able to boot from the DVD and just reinstall back over the top of WHATEVER is there.

Having followed everything I can find in the HOTO (and I admit I have thus far mised a few things), I APPEAR to be missing the ability to reinstall from my DVD to a HD.

Obviously I havent created the menu entries for the scripts I have copied (that whole TIME thing) but I will, so I guess my question is, was that a customer script that I missed, or is there a switch from one of the ones I have, that I'm missing.

Any ideas would be agreatly appreciated.

Thanks

J

well to paraphrase, "after the bragging comes the fall"

last night I went home, changed my monitor and desktop resolution, moved some of my icons and ran a few updates.

then I went to run my konsole and I got an error (sorry dont remember it), that indicated that it couldnt be found?

So I went back to the menu/systems and NO KONSOLE listed?

so i tried a few more links on my desktop, again indications of "not found", nor were they on the menu any longer.

so just for grins I thought maybe a reboot would help.

NOW in my grub menu I had 4 selections instead of 2.

Mandriva Spring

Mandriva Spring SAFE MODE

LINUX (with 1 specific kernal reference number)

LINUX (with a newer kernal reference number)

and NONE of them would allow me to get into my GUI, in ANY account (I create 3 by defaukt)

Neither could i recreate any accounts without the GUI (again errors not copied)

SO out came the DVD, complete reinstall, then this morning I got the REMASTERING software all installed in about 5 minutes.

So ONE good thing came out of it, I am getting faster at integrating the MCNL goodies.

Hopefully that WONT happen again this ever=ning and I can actually get something productive done.....

They start around $200 and go up according to size of hdd, etc.

WOW

Thats Nice, my WIFE would love one of those.

<off we go a hunting>

yep so far everything you mentioned is in the HOWTO's BUT, and maybe it's just me.

I never made the connection between the size of my '\' paertition and what I was actually trying to accomplish. I know, it SHOULD be a given, but sometimes I need things spelled out.

As for the RPM's, if they were in the howto's I have them along with draklive-install (that one I remember)

as for you being normal, thats a matter of opinion. One of my longest lasting relationships was with a girl who moved over from Sweden in her 10th grade year (we dated for 10 years). And back THEN, the affinity for languages was a given, hers were french,swedish,spanish and english as well as more of an appreciation for Art.

However technically there was a HUGE gap (early 80's), and that I believe is where you excel.

you've found a project that interests you, a need that was looking for a resolution, and jumped in with both feet!

plus theres always the patience factor.

I have complained, several times, about mandrivas lack of a root login in their GUI.

now although you dont approve of it, you make one statement and move on, if you want a laugh read the 3 (maybe more by now) pages that went on the LAST time I made that statement, OY VEY. Instead of saying "thats a bad idea, heres a betteer one" there is line after line after line of just amazing ranting.

THEN someone says "hey why dont you try this!"

I did, it worked, and I may not ever need to ask that question again.

thanks for everything I'll keep everyone updated!

Anyone who has read any of my previous messages knows that i LOVE MCNL and think chris borders on genius for all the work and thought she has put in.

but rarely being satisfied with the status quo, I wanted to take it to another level.

what i wanted was to be able to load MY personalized version of MDV on a specific drive/partition.

put all my data on another drive/partition.

AND have the ability to reroll/remaster my pc into an image that A) I can take anywhere and use like a LIVE Distro and B) if anything happens to my home pc (I have a toddler, THINGS happen) I can pop in a dvd and zap it back in place!

I started with MCNL and was loving life, and then found out that i couldnt easily upgrade to spring.

So then I started the laborius process of building my own, and Chris has been VERY patiently trying to get me to understand how the magic happens, but here is something that I missed, even though it was pointed out to me.

When you allow MDV to do a standard install, it creates a '\' partition of about 3 GB.

Which for me, just BARELY has enough room for my base OS, plus all my crap.

So that when I roll my own, if I DONT redirect the resulting image, I DONT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM.

Regardless of how much room I may have AVAILABLE, if theres no room on '\' the defaults arent going to work!

So I reinstalled, gave my '\' 50GB (out of 320gb), and did a pretty basic setup.

WHOO HOO IT WORKS!!!!! I now have a 1GB live dvd of my home PC!!!!!

NOW comes the fun part. building the PC into what, for me, is a usable pc.

THAT WILL take some time, however in Chris's instructions for rolling your own, she says that if you want the MCNL custom scripts you need to 'just copy them over'

HUH? ok so I'm a little dense, I ran each menu item, and they all seemed to be pointing to \usr\local\bin

So what I have done so far is copy EVERYTHING from that DIR onto my handy dandy USB stick and tonite I plan on copying them BACK to my master system.

HWEVER, before I do that I would like to verify that I'm doing something useful. Here is what I have copied from Toronto:

BACKUP-RESTORE

MBR.BIN

MKMCNLIVE

MKMCNLIVE-LOOP

MKREMASTER-ADVANCED

MKREMASTER-SIMPLE

SPLASH.MSG

SYSLINUX.CFG

(please ignore the caps, thats just so they stand out)

The majority of these are pretty straight forward, but if anyone would like to point out any fallacy in my idea i would GREATLY appreciate it.

I have used a LOT of different distros, but I must say the help available for MDV, and MCNL specifrically really is top notch.

thanks to everyone who responds, or even takes a minute (or 3 ) to read this.

I like the Asus EEE PC concept, but I'll wait for the "large" 10-inch screen version, early next year.

that IS nice, reminds me ov something else from a few years ago (petium 1 days), anynoe have a pricetag on that bad boy?

Well obviously if you want to add your own apps it's not for you. They designed it for people who need a simple computing service - not power users who want to hack their boxes.

 

So if you don't need it, don't buy it - but that doesn't make it a bad solution.

I've never said it was a bad solution.

i was just trying to see how FLEXIBLE their hardware could be?

they could send it w/o an OS for all I need

Now I WILL admit I DID miss the --verbose.

I have just been using the mklivecd MY.ISO command.

But like I said tonite I'm going to flatten it all out and start from new and KNOWN good.

One of the smartest techs I've ever known always used to say "when all else fails, go back to a KNOWN good zero, and build from there"

ok, after a VERY loong and frustrating weekend I finally got a chance to sitdown last night and start again,

unfortunatky w. the same results. as a matter if fact, just for grins (prepare for the horror ) I even tried it logged in as root,and got:

[root@localhost ~]# mklivecd my.iso

mklivecd, version 0.5.9-20060630, http://livecd.berlios.de/ Copyright © 2002-2004, Jaco Greeff <jaco@puxedo.org>

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

Creating initrd: [ 19.72% 00:00:00/00:00:00]cp : cannot stat `//etc/dev.d': No such file or directory ]

DIE

FATAL: Execution of 'cp -a //etc/dev.d /tmp/mklivecd.5334/initrd.dir/etc' failed [root@localhost ~]# mklivecd my.iso mklivecd, version 0.5.9-20060630, http://livecd.berlios.de/ Copyright © 2002-2004, Jaco Greeff <jaco@puxedo.org>

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

Creating initrd: [ 19.72% 00:00:00/00:00:00]cp: cannot stat `//etc/dev.d': No such file or directory ]

DIE

FATAL: Execution of 'cp -a //etc/dev.d /tmp/mklivecd.5371/initrd.dir/etc' failed [root@localhost ~]#

same results in the same spot - SIGH

SO tonight, because I havent done anything to terribly permenant yet, I'm going to flatten the system and start over, brand new fresh reinstall, new partitions, new formatiing, new user accounts new everything.

THEN before I try and add ANYTHING, I start adding in the MCNL components1.

remember guys, my goal with all of this is to be able to teach it, so if starting with that end in mind i really want to get it right and clean the 1st time!

i'll post my results, and hopefully my successes!

ditto what chris said.

besides why pay a monthly fee forever if you can own it outright.

but as suggested earlier, i think i'm going to pass on the pre made boxes and build my own C7 based ystem, then we will ALL know whether MCNBL likes it or not :)

It looks like it's already running Linux. They made their own stripped down version. I think you could buy the device, and install it to the flash HD with a preformatted MCNLive stick. At least, I hope this works.

right thats my hope to.

for YERS these "bookshelf" pc's have been around, butuntil recently no one has been willing to sell the components or a true barebones, for less than $600, now it looks like I can get the mb/cpu for $70, or a true barebones for $250.

Has anyone ever tried to install MCNL on a CF card?

Chris,

thanks for the reply.

I KNEW I had gotten those instrictions from SOEMWHERE here locally, but couldnt locate them again.

I'll try again tonite and post my progress.

j

I have spring installed and running quite nicely on my desktop at home, in an effort to try and "roll my own" from scratch I followed the directions step by step for using toronto and 2007.1 (the origin of which I cant find now that I want to point to them).

and only had tw issues in setting things up, that I could find:

1) the flash.jpg mentioned in the docs wast found in the DIR that it was pointed to, so i pulled the .jpg I DID find.

2) the syslinux package that was able to download, did have a slightly different naming scheme than those listed in the DOC, but it installed fine.

BUT then I get down to SU and run mklivecd my.iso i get:

[mindwavex@localhost ~]$ su

Password:

[root@localhost mindwavex]# mklivecd my.iso mklivecd, version 0.5.9-20060630, http://livecd.berlios.de/ Copyright © 2002-2004, Jaco Greeff <jaco@puxedo.org>

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

Creating initrd: [ 19.72% 00:00:00/00:00:00]cp : cannot stat `//etc/dev.d': No such file or directory ]

DIE

FATAL: Execution of 'cp -a //etc/dev.d /tmp/mklivecd.5482/initrd.dir/etc' failed [root@localhost mindwavex]#

and then it halts. I did try a few times, and the SUB DIRS for the builds are begininig to be built under the /tmp directory, with the numeric schema noted but it keeps stopping.

Not being ANYWHERE like an expert it looks like it's telling me that there is an issue actually copying files over.

but i ws hoping someone here could help/

the system is an Intel Duo Core3.6GHZ ,1.5GB ram ,(1) 320gb HD(sata), NVIDIA GEFORCE Video card.

the system supports 2007.1 and MCNL independently just fine.

any ideas appreciated.

thanks

j

yeah those jetaway boards are what zonbu is using however i found PCCHIPS has their own clone version, NOT quite as fancy (you have a CPU fan for ex) BUT w/ a TON of expandability options, such as 1 GB of ram!

i just sent back my 8gb usb stick AGAIN and demanded a refund, so when that comes in i think i'll pick up the pcchips mb and start from there.

i know i USED to have TONS of issues w/ them ion the old K7 days, but since about 2003 ive been using them w/ no issues.

they are NOT speed demons by ANY means, but for what i want 1ghz or highr will dinately do!

ok so maybe the linup is a little pricey $380 usd plus shipping, but good ol PCCHIPS makes a C7 version and their stuff works with almost ANYTHING.

root for my next bonus next month and we may get to see it happen!

CHRIS

you become more godlike all the time.

so for $120 + $44 (shipping to usa) I can get the basics and for ANOTHER $60 I get a 2GB CF unit?

WOW, and NO fan, as I said about the zonbu, that would make a PERFECT car pc, slide a 2.5" HD in there and WHAMMO.

now about that VESA lcd screen?

anyone know anything about THOSE? I have a friend here who mounted a slimline AMD system in HIS car, and used the TV out on that MB to connect to his dashboard dvd player.

wow, and its all only about money that stops me!

If you saw my Zonbu post earlier you know that one of my HUGE fascinations has always been how to get a PC into my car and have it done discreetly.

AS WELL as how to build a similarly discreet PVR for my entertainment center.

well the Zonbu idea looks perfect, but that $250 proice tag is a tough nut to crack.

however the core of the zonbu is the Via C7 processor on a Jetway MB.

Several years ago you couldnt buy those components ANYWHERE seperately , everyone just wanted to sell you their $600 barbones version.

well no for $79 you can get the cpu and a MB, thus allowing you to build of of that.

now in theory the C7 is a pentium III class low powered clone.

So I'm just wondering if anyone has tried loading MCNL or FREEVO or one of the varients on THAT kind of system.

thanks, all opinions cheerfully accepted! :D

http://www.zonbu.com/home/index.htm

It's being billed as the first GREEN pc, apparently it uses a VIA chipset/cpu, has NO internal storage other than 4gb or ram, and the OS (i think its gentoo),

it has 6 USB ports as well as RJ45 and mouse/keyb etc.

BUT since the via is a low power setup, NO FAN is required, making it ultra quiet. and it uses 25 or 75 watts? I cant rememebr

MY thought is that this would make a STELLER MCNL candidate.

Imagine, at THAT size with that little power, you could put that bad boy under the front seat of your car, plug into your portable dvd screen, plug in a portable 60GB had and BOOM an instant CAR pc!

now I just need to "find" an extra $250 to try one.

the deal is that its $99 plus $13-20 a month, for THEIR online storage solution.

or $250 to buy one outright.

if anyone knows of anywhere ELSE that these things (w/o the OS in ROM) can be bought PLEASE let me know.

and if you can think of other MCNL applications......

just an update.

the seller sent me another "8gb stick", got it yesterday.

plugged it in, it showed 8.6GB (?)

So i copied 8 GB of files over, wehn i went to open them up, 27 of the 28 directeries were EMPTY and the one that DID have files the files were corrupt.

So since she suggested I reformat last time, I figured I'd try it again this time.

it formatted out to 8GB, so I copied 7.6GB of iles over, same results

24 of 25 folders were empty and the 25th had corrupt files.

In doing some searches on the net for this particular chip, and its support, I am finding LOTS of folks having similar issues with similar schips.

it LOOKS like the controller in these devices is programable to the point that they can be setup to DIsPLAY 8 Giga BYTES, when in actuality you have a total of 8 Giga BITS of storage.

So I've asked for a refund of the price plus all my shipping charges, but I guess the moral is, watch out for USB Keys using the ALCOR MP_6980 chipset.

They acn easily be turned into fakes.

now my question would be, could this have something to do with either his MB, some other hardware or the dual VISTA boot?

The reason I ask is that I have a "white box" version of that card and I never even considered that it wouldnt work, and son of a gun, it has worked seemlessly ever since.

But then in that PC I run a pretty generic setup with a fairly easy going MB with MANY of its internal specialtries tuened off.

I mention VISTA, because i know in some distros, a dual boot w/ VISTA is very much not recommended.

Thanks, I THOUGHT it was automatically set, but since I havent gotten a successful format and setup through MCC, that may be why its not showing.

As I said earlier the stick is going back today, and hopefully I'll have a new one by the begining of next week.

The funny thing is that I have a good working copy of Toronto on a stick now. I was just using some docs that I had written for a class to start working on remastering my own full install of MDV Spring on my master pc.

Glad I tested it, intsead of just setting it aside until I was ready to use it....

Thanks for all your input.

Have you or anyone else seen the latest distro head to head in this months Linux Format?

j

Is this really '/dev/sda 1' or '/dev/sda1'

 

1. /dev/sda can't work, this is not a partition

 

2. The boot flag is missing

 

Is the livecd.sqfs file the orginal of Toronto or a remastered one?

... hm, there is something wrong with the device, it seems.

actually it looks like there IS something wrong w/ the device. I was able to find the manufacturers website (looking for something like U3uninstall) and came across a suite of utils that show this is a 256megabyte 8 giga BIT memory chip.

so I have an RMA from the seller for a trade in.

but thanks for your effort, hopefully in a week, i'll be able to post that all is well.

but in answer to your questions

1) it is SDA1 (bad typing)

2) you are correct it IS a remater, I thouht it was clean, but I had added PAN

3) Tell me about the boot flag again? I know I've seen the how to on this, but cant remember where or how.

j

Ok, Tried a different pc, no go :(

then I tried formatting the other 7.5GB etx3 to see if that would resolve it , no go.

bow I've done a low level format of the key (using the makers sw) and IT says its 256MB

so I MAY have a bad key.

that would stink.

I', going to try once more then contact the seller.

3. Did you try to boot it on a different PC?

Did you try to boot from CD with inserted stick with the bootcode: livecd fromusb

I havent tried a different PC, but will do so as soon as I comeback from lunch.

however using the bootcode livecd fromusb shoots me back to the toronto boot menu.

so then i tried to let use the menu command to boot from USB, and received the same error code that I get when i attempt to boot straight from the USB