ChrisM

Well, I stripped it down, reconnected, and then reinstalled software/drivers etc and it was still giving problems. Then I remembered that some time ago, I installed a memory stick from a PC I'd cannabalised. Took this out and it now boots up OK. Still having to run MS ME (the biggest pile of dog droppings a PC can have installed) for internet access, until I can overcome the speedtouch modem problem for my MDK. I'm Running MDK10 CE at work so desperately waiting for new modem/router to enable the home install and to abandon M$ 4EVA. Thanks for all the advice.

Hey guys thanks for all the responses I've a couple of days off, so I'll work through the responses - think first of all I'll start by disconnecting everything and then reinstall the lot, as suggested, making sure everything is connected OK - though I can't imagine why they shouldn't be, as nothing has been fiddled with. I'll send an update of the progress. Thanks again, much appreciated.

OK, using MDK10CE dual booted with MS ME (temporary measure, until I get a new router, to replace the modem I have - and then the plan is for a mdk 9.2 full install). This combination, whilst not perfect, at least worked. However, I relied upon MS ME to give internet access. Last week the 'entire' system crashed and burned. Opening into ME just took me to a menu option asking if I want to log in as safe mode or normal - whatever I choose, it whirs aroiund for a few seconds and auto shuts down; trying to go into MDK10CE was impossible too - I just had a blurred screen of text. I tried to reinstall MDK10CE but it wouldn't allow. I can't reinstal mdk10CEl ME or Win98. I have knoippix 3.3 and this starts to boot up OK initially but then tells me I have a kernel panic. (I'll try again and get the text string and post up) I cannot access any OS and I am totally unable to install any OS. Whats gone wrong - any ideas?

Hey people thanks for the replies. I've been ill for the past week or so, so I've not really been able to follow the postings. But I'll be catching up with the advice over the coming days. However, one thing that immediately springs to mind is the amount of problems that the Speedtouch presents to the newbie MDK user. I'm unable to get an internet connection using mdk 9.2 ; and though I get a connection using 10CE I now find that it doesn't allow Shorewall. The 330 really has been the stumbling block over the past couple of months and has prevented a smooth installation. I'm getting an all in one adsl/router in a couple weeks and can't wait to send the 330 to the recyclers, maybe it will come back in some form which will enable a mdk hassle connection!

MDK10 CE: using the three discs, on my PC at work, Shorewall has indeed been installed and is running. I am very happy to use mdk10CE as an XP replacement. With the same three CDs on my home PC - Shorewall has not installed, tho i did check the relevant box during install. Also, I have tried to install through mcc. Other than this, it appears that 10CE has installed OK, and I'm happy that I can get an internet connection with speedtouch 330 modem (though it runs quite slow at home and is zippy at work using the old turqouise speedtouch). I tried to upgrade a second home pc from mdk 9.2 to 10CE because we cannot get mdk and speedtouch 9.2 to work together to give me internet access. 9.2 refuses to upgrade (sorry, I'm at work, and cannot recall the warning. However, this is not a huge concern as I guess I could always do a totally fresh install - if I can get shorewall to work OK). I've tried a couple times to install/resinstall 10CE at home, but I cannot get Shorewall runnning - this is bizarre. I am not having the best of it from Mandrake. I'll keep trying with either 9.2 or 10CE but it does get disheartening when all I want to do is get the connection up and running, and to enable firewall.

Went to Konsole as SU I typed the commands as suggested and this is the reply from 'service shorewall start' "Cannot find shorewall service" In Mdk Control Centre, I looked at what services were running, there was no mention of Shorewall, but iptables was checked to start at boot (which it looked like it did during boot up); so I pressed the start button and nothing happend; I rebooted, and I got exactly the same responses to those just mentioned. So it appears that firewall does not run on my home PC - yet it seems to be working OK at work - and I used exactly the same three MDK10CE discs. I've looked in the Start Guide of MDK9.2 and all that says is to either check/uncheck the relevant services required or otherwise - I've done this, not checking anything at all, allowing a full firewall (same with my PC at work). I'll check out the Shorewall web site, but I've just been knocked down with a virus or bug, so can I hardly look at the monitor at the moment, let alone fathom anything out. Any thoughts? Quick suggestions most appreciated! Cheers.

Hi Firewall / virus defence status - how can I tell anyone know if I am able to get an icon in the system tray (beside the clock) etc to show status of the MDK10CE firewall? On M$ I have a Mcaffee firewall, and there is an icon in the tray which warns of any port attcks etc, I can also confirm if the firewall is running by lookin at the relevant option in the Programme menu. On M$ I also use Mcaffee for virus defence and I have similar options. As I understood it, there were also 2 virus defence packaged within MDK (BitDefender and DrWeb) at work I have installed MDK10CE and have installed BitDefender (I think) through urpmi - again though, how can I find the programme/icon to check that the status is on/off etc? Got to say, MDK10CE is up and running but not without its issues. After failing dozens of times connect to the internet with purchased version of 9.2 with the speedtouch modem, I gave 10CE (stuck to a cheap magazine) a go. First attempt after configuration it didn't work; then girlfriend unwittingley turned on the computa and she got an instant connection! So, I installed an ethernet card/network switch to connect a second PC - connection failed entirely; tried again with a single computa and modem - failed. So, being brave I decided to look at some settings in Konsole, so I booted up and I'm back with a connection - without looking at any settings at all! - it runs slow, but a connection nontheless - well for now anyway. Puzzled newbie who would still prefer his bought mdk to be up and running.

Thanks mtweidmann A combined adsl/router sounds like this might be what I should be looking for. As a newbie, I especially like the idea of no drivers!! Initially my original plan was to have a seperate box to work as a router firewall, however, though it installed mdk9.2 the usb modem was plugged which once switched on, blew the motherboard. I need to get a network up and running at home - short term immediacy required here. This gives me the time then to rescue an old box and do some learning. Are you running your hardware on mandrake?

There have been many postings (and not just here within this board) regarding mandrake 9.1/9.2 being able to easily configure the adsl speedtouch 330 modem, but then failing to make an internet connection. Many (well, at least a good few) have threated to replace it because of the difficulties. Has anyone actually given up and abandoned the speedtouch 330 and replaced it with another adsl modem/hardware? If so, were your initial problems faced with the speedtouch 330 overcome or did you face the same kind of issues again? What did you replace the 330 with and what's been the experience? Or, did you manage to to resolve your 330? Perhaps you could shed some light and enlighten the rest of us who just cannot get the connection?

Hi a shot in the dark, but any thoughts or suggestions (nice, positive ones) will be very welcome. Over the summer, I'm wanting (desperately hoping) to network 2, maybe three home PCs together which need to able to share broadband internet access, preferably without loss of speed etc. The routers I'm thinking of include Linksys BEFSX41/BEFSR41/BEFSR81. Linksys seem to offer some level of support towards Linux. (well, downloadable drivers anyway). My problem is, that I'm having big problems not even being able to get the speedtouch 330 modem to connect using mdk9.2 - currently, it configures Ok, but just will not connect. The original plan was to have a spare box to act as a firewall/ router - initially using the mdk9.2 firewall - with the home PCs linked via a hub. If I invest in a router, I would need to configure the router / modem, then configure the router and link the PCs via ethernet. Has anyone got a speedtouch 330 linked to any of these routers (or any router for that matter). Will it overcome my connection problems, or will I likely be making more problems for myself? Or is my thinking becoming confused? (been trying for 2 days to get connected, my brain is starting to crash - but not as much as the dirty M$!! - I can only connect to the internet at the moment with M$ ME (not dual boot) )

Hi all did any of you people have any success with installation of the 330? Using mdk9.2 I did 'urpmi speedtouch' and installation including the CD install of mgmt.o file appeared to go well (in fact, it went so well I was pleasantly suprised as I've read so much about this particular modem and the associated install problems). However, when I go into drakconnect, though the two lights on the modem are green, I'm not getting a connection. I've tried it with and without the ethernet card installed (once the internet connection is sorted, i want to network to another 1 or 2 PCs); I've had the firewall not set and then set. After using auto detect on the wizard, I then went back and entered the info manually - still nothing. Newbie frustration, but I desperately need to get this licked.

I had to flash my BIOS just a few days ago in order that I could install mdk9.2. I went to Award (http://www.award-bios.com/) - sorry, don't know how to make a link to the site without saying who it is. For $25.00 (about £14.00 UK sterling) I was able to flash my BIOS and it took just a few of minutes: Confirm the BIOS idstring details on web site (they have an 'easy' how to); you then receive an email within 24 hours to confirm your spec as provided. On payment, you'll further receive 2 emails - one with a zip file, the other with easy to follow instructions. You unzip onto a boot disk (if you don't know how to make a boot disk, the instructions explain). stick the disk into PC. Turn on, it boots up and does some jiggerypokery to the BIOS, press a key or two. Done in less than 5 minutes. Easy.

It wouldn't install, Me mate who has some Linux experience tried everything, and followed your advice but we've had to abandon - well at least for now. And we've tried for hours and hours today. I'm a newbie to Linux and havn't yet grabbed the command lines, so it seems I have get up to speed, otherwise the only PC I'll eb ablen to access the net will be from using M$ ME -

After almost 3 weeks, success The Penguin has landed - well, partly. Following the horrors as outlined in this thread, Mdk 9.2 has finally been installed smoothly after getting the BIOS upgrade. It went on like a dream. :P So, being a newbie newbie, as you might be able to imagine I was well pleased this morning. Though, this Linux conversion is still proving to be somewhat of a rollercoaster ride. I wanted to start a network - using 2 pc's and an old brick of a pc with a 1 gig HDD to act as a router - which installed first time with mdk! Owning a speedtouch 330, I anticipated problems with the install. However, I didn't expect on switch on that the USB would billow with smoke from the USB socket, the modem cable went really hot suffering some damage also to the USB connection; the motherboard went dead - so, no more router. Instead we tried to install the speedtouch the 17gig machine; a friend who has some Linux experience, just could not get the Speedtouch to install, so I've temporarily had to abandon hope of accessing the WWW through MDK - unless there is an automated/V easy process of installation somewhere. Sorry, I'm still used to the handholding that M$ does, and admit that I'd prefer the CD install option here. My own PC currently runs on dirty M$ ME - a truly awful bit of kit. Backing up vital email last night also ended in disaster as I managed to lose the .pst file and now need to try recovering this lost file. So, whilst a big victory was made with installing on a machine which originally looked like it was never gonna accept mdk, this has been set back with a mini disaster, and worse - still being stuck with running M$ until I'm able to find a way to a pain free modem install. ah well, onwards and forwards.

Thanks for this informative response. I'll be spending the first day (and hopefully no longer!) of my easter break on this; I'll be following your advise and give updates to the board as and when. Thanks again. Chris.

Hey all I've noted across the bulletin boards that the speedtouch 330modem can be problematic to install with mdk 9.2 and that also, firmware needs to be installed additionally from the Thompson site. For a complete newbie, can anybody recommend a site that will allow me to install the 330 without any complications. I'm not yet up with the command line stuff and for now at least, just want to get access to the net. From what I've read, there doesn't seem to be an all in one install process and it seems life doesn't get much more complicated than installing this bit of kit!

Well I've now tried all these options and there is no way that I can install Mandrake 9.2 (I've also tried Knoppix and Lindows - and nothing!). Thanks though to bvc and Pzatch's last messages, I'm hoping that I've identified the problem and am kicking myself for not picking this up earlier. I went into BIOS and guess what - there is NO option to shut down PnP - I looked in the manual and it clearly shows screenshots in the PnP menu allowing enable/disable. I'm onto Soyo about this (also, their .COM website shows that the motherboard model I have is only supported by Windows. However, the exact same model, on their Taiwan site shows that Linux is supported - Mad or what ?) I'm also looking at getting a BIOS upgrade from Award. Geez, this has been a long run , but hopefully getting there soon.

Back again I'm beginning to thinks that I'll never get Linux on board. Ok, so I got me a copy of Knoppix 3.3 Live CD when it loads to the page with the boot prompt, I hit ENTER; I'm then informed that: You passed an undefined mode number. Press <RETURN> to see video modes available, <SPACE> to continue or wait 30 secs If I hit return I'm given 7 options: 0-6 If I wait minutes...nothing happens Hitting space gives me the same as choosing an option between 0-6 which is: Accessing KNOPPIX CDROM at /dev/scd0... Total memory found: 125600 kB Creating /ramdisk (dynamic size=96716k) on shared memory...Done Creating directories and symlinks on ramdisk...Done. Starting init process. INIT: version 2.78-Knoppix booting and then it just hangs (Note: the HDD is just at 1gig as a 'test' - in a previous machine it was able to load MDK - I just wanted to rule out that the 17gig drive wasn't the problem.) So, the machine can't/won't boot MDK 9.2 (see thread for details) and it won't boot Knoppix. And I thought that these were the newbie favourites for *easy install* My machine is in pieces, the motherboard is supposed to be Linux compatible (see previous message in this thread) and I absolutely cannot get Linux to install. Any idea's how I can at least use the Knoppix to troubleshoot the hardware? I'm having lots o late nights, I dream constantly about this and i'm starting to go ga-ga !!!! Whilst I really would love to have the mdk I fear the worst , the stuff of nightmare, and my XP loving mate will be watching like a vulture for a return to W$ is it a config issue? as a newbie I'm totally lost and starting to feel exhausted. Please, somebody help!

Here goes Well, still reporting exactly the same problem as I've been facing solidly for a week now. My PC has an Intel Celeron 500 MHz processor; a 17GB Hard drive (and not 40 as mentioned previously - don't know how I came to that assumption earlier) and has a PS2 wheel mouse. The motherboard is a Soyo SY-71WM/L1.0 which is apparently Linux compatible (confirmed on Soyo web site - though it mentions nothing of Linux that I can see/find on the support CD) Seems to have graphics card built integrated AGP VGA, using Intel 810 chipset. I've reinstalled MDK 9.2 so many times its unbelievable. I'm setting security as standard; on the summary screen of installation, I've tried zillions of re configuration around the graphics card, including vesa, SVGA, various intel options... - I've even installed an additional card and still I get exactly the same screen where it hangs in the same place (see first message of this thread). During one of the re configuration sessions, I CTRL+ Alt+F1 and got the following text: uninstall2: Fatal IO error 104 (connection reset by peer) on X server:9.0. If I reboot, and CTRL+C when it initially hangs up, I'm eventually prompted for a user name and password and I end up with the following text: Authentication failed - cannot start X server. Perhaps you do not have console ownership? giving up. xinit: no such file or directory (errno2): unable to conenct to X server xinit: No such process (errno3): server error. xauth: creating new authority file/home/user/.Xauthority it prompts me for a user name and password which it then does not recognise (although they are DEFINITELY the correct one's). I'm staring to pin my hopes on my iminent arrival of Knoppix, though I have absolutely no idea on how to use it as a hardware config tool though I would prefer to overcome this problem without Knoppix if possible. This has been a very very long 8 or 9 days of tried installation.

OK I'll get some of the hardware info and post later on when I get home. In the meantime, I've read lots of wonderful things about using Knoppix as a recovery system, or one which is able to configure hardware issues. I've ordered a copy on its way to me in the next day or so (hopefully) trouble is, there is no user manaul and it doesn't appear there is one available to download or buy online? Does anyone know how to use Knoppix to dtect and repair configuration issues? Step by Step process appreciated - as a complete know nothing newbie I've been a little flustered these past few days. I want Linux not windoz but I've got to be able to start gently. Thanks in advance.

thanks for the replies however, after almost a week, the problem still persists after an install and config it refuses to reboot to let me get to the desktop. I've checked the graphics settings (it was always on Intel 810 as default) anyway, have altered it to the nearest I have and still it refuses. I've installed at least six times; I've used 4 different cdroms in case it wasn't reading properly; I've taken out the ethernet card in case of config issues; I've installed and taken out a new graphics card for the same reason. I always end up with exactly the same result :unsure: I looked in BIOS - could it be due to not setting an IRQ to the VGA? (I know its not the disks cos I've installed mdk on another 2 machines (though the install procedure was a little different with the wizard missing on one of them - however, on both machines I can get to the desktop.)

What's urpmi and how would I/di use it. Using 9.2 disks I can install and configure, but when it goes to reboot it just hangs; using ctrl-c resets it but gets me nowhere and I'm eventually informed (after trying to use user/password and even root|) that: Authentication failed - cannot start X server. Perhaps you do not have console ownership? Would urpmi start X server? Why don't I have ownership?

Chrisdicko This probably won't be much help, but I'm also a newbie and been going through hell trying to install MDK9.2 all week on a machine without any luck at all. Although I get through the install/config process, it won't reboot to the desk top and hangs up almost immediately. I have also been advised it may be to do with the graphics/vid card - but can't find the issue. Funny thing is, I've tried to install, using the same disks on three machines - one to absolutely no avail, and the other two have been succesful - though they have been through different install processes - i.e. one installed the wizard, the other didn't. It's got me beat. The one which won't install I've had the machine in bits, installing on minimum hardware spec and it's had 4 cd roms to install ...and still no joy. But the disks obvioulsy work so it must be either a hardware/config issue somewhere, but it puzzles me as to how the install process hasn't been generic. Hang in there, and search the other boards and hopefully soon you'll be up and running.

Very new, stressed, know-nothing Mandrake newbie here! I'm not getting very far with other boards - maybe its me and the way I've compliled my problem, but would really really appreciate some kinda advice, because I really really want to give Microsoft Windows the boot and install my boxed Mandrake 9.2. From the reviews, Mandrake 9.2 was the distro for the inexperienced, with easy installation. From what I'm reading again, there seems to be a fair mix of those who found the install easy and those who have problems. I have problems, and have no idea how to overcome - and I have no linux command line experience. The problem - I've had a week of very late nights so far this week! I install following the auto process on the install disks. I don't want to partition and dual boot with Windows so I followed the disk (and followed the Starter Guide book) autoselection/default settings process - though I did make the option to 'erase entire disk' - to erase data/partitions and replace with Mandrake. My PC has an Intel Celeron 500 MHz processor; a 40GB Hard drive and has a PS2 wheel mouse. Installation and configuration seemed to run very smoothly and at the end of the process, as requested, I removed the CD and went to reboot. This is where i am facing problems - it never allows me to login in order to get to the desktop, in fact I don't think it properly reboots. The reboot starts with a lot of script quickly filling the screen. he following script follows : Mounting proc filesystem [OK] Setting default font (lat0-16) [OK] Welcome to Mandrake Linux 9.2 Press 'I' to enter interactive startup Running DevFs daemon [OK] Unmounting initrd: [OK] Configuring kernel parameters: [OK] ***Hangs up so Here I press CTRL-C*** INIT: Entering runlevel: 5 /etc/rc.d/rc: line 73: /var/run/runlevel.dir: Read-only file system Starting iptables: [OK] Checking for new hardware [FAILED] Touch: cannot touch 'var/lock/subsys/harddrake': Read-only file system Setting network parameters: [OK] Bringing up loopback interface: [OK] Bringing up interface eth0: [OK] Touch: cannot touch 'var/lock subsys/network': Read-only file system Starting partmapper: [OK] Touch: cannot touch 'var/lock/subsys/partmap': Readonly file system Starting system logger ***Here, just a few seconds later, it hangs up again, CTRL-C is no use. If Left alone, approx 5 minutes later then the following prompt on a fresh black screen follows*** (none) login: ***here, user name is entered and a request for a password is then made which is followed by the following text (a lot of text suddenly appears and I'm certain this is the first two lines*** Authentication failed - cannot start X server. Perhaps you do not have console ownership? *** A whole bunch of text appears and using root brings about similar results (the screen has just blanked so I cannot copy the text) Is there enough info here to show why I cannot get to the graphical interface? If so, is there an easy way to resolve this? I'm brand new to Linux/Mandrake and have only had the misfortune of using MS Windows. If any assistance can be offered in order to let me get to the desktop, I'll be forever grateful - I really want to get to use Linux*** [/b]