Linux Mandrake problem

[Frew]

Ok I just installed Mandrake. I went through the setup (only had 1 CD) and now I am the screen that is black and asks for login name and password. I login and its like as it would be in the command promt for windows. What do I do next?


P.S. Im a complete linux newbie.

 

[Hyperblaze]

x-windows did not come up?

type 'startx'

edit: if x-windows is not installed, you might want to get the other mandrake cds.....

they do contain valuable apps!

 

[Frew]

ok i typed startx and it gave me error and then something about xauthorty

 

[drag]

Well we need to know what the error is. If you have a second machine that you can get into the internet on you can use putty.exe to log into into your linux machine from your windows machine.

That way you can look at the error logs and copy and paste them into your browser (just highlight text in putty.exe is the same as copy) so that we can see them.

The logs are located in /var/log and X's log should be something like xorg.log.0 (not sure on the name exactly.

Most of the informaiton is just configuration and noise, but lines that begin with EE are errors, and those are show shoppers, and lines that begin with WW are warning and indicate things that may or may not require your attention.

you can view text files by going:
less xorg.log.0
or whatnot.

you can try generating a test X configuration (because it's likely that it's just a misconfiguration) if you want.
from the command line you go:
telinit 3
(you may have to hit ctrl-alt-F1 or F2 or F3 to get back to your command line after that. Or just hit enter)
X -configure
see if it does that correctly. you screen should flicker and maybe go blank for a bit.
read what it says, if everything looks good. It should of made a new file called xorg.conf.new to try it out go:
X -config ./xorg.conf.new

See if that works.

 

[Frew]

The EE was somthing about the display. I cant get it to pass the test when I configure it in the setup.

 

[drag]

If the EE was something like:

Error Can't find Display.

that's a generic error it gives out when it can't start. There is something more going on, check out the log file and see if you can give us more information. We need to know if it can't find the mouse, or if it's not using the correct drivers for your video card or anything! There is a lot that can go wrong, and it's probably something simple to fix.

also if you just installed off of one disk and it prompted you for a second disk and you canceled out of it or ignored it, then that's a problem. If it didn't ask for a second disk, then that's ok.

(also it would be nice to know something about your setup)

 

[Frew]

it asked for 3 more disks. I cancelled them. So how do i see the log file if the Mandrake install is on another parition on this computer?

 

[drag]

I'd try to install again with all the disks then. There is a very high chance that you needed software off of the other 3 disks in order to complete it correctly.

Now if it just wanted to test the media, that's ok, you can usually skip that if your 100% sure of your disks, but when performing a install of mandrake it's important to have all your disks you need. If it asks for disk 2 during a install because it needs to copy files you need to have it otherwise you won't have everything you need.

Are you familar with bittorrent? here is some mandrake bittorrents

That is for the official 3 cdrom images of mandrake 10.1
They also have a single disk DVD version. Bittorrent is usually faster then a straight download, but you kindof have to know how to use it correctly to get the higher speeds.

Otherwise there are mirrors and such here if you can find a mirror close to you often the speed will be faster then if you downloaded it from the main site.


For the log file you can mount a MDOS-style-formatted floppy disk and copy the log file to the floppy and then read it in Windows.
mkdir /mnt/floppy
(if it didn't already exist)
mount /dev/fd0 /mnt/floppy
cp /var/log/Xorg.0.log /mnt/floppy
umount /mnt/floppy

 

[Frew]

Ok. I have already started the download of CD 2 and 3 from here..


As for my system.

AMD 64 3400+ S754
Epox 8KDA+
6800GT
gig of Mushkin Basic
120 gig Seagate
530 fortron PSU

 

[drag]

Ah the Nvidia drivers, eh?
And are you installing the 32bit version or the 64bit version?
(probably have a easier time with the 32bit version.)

See here for nvidia 3d accelerated drivers:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux.html

Also be sure to check out the Linux forums at nvidia.com

Also check out the mandrake user forums at mandrakeuser.org, they have many other things their that may be very helpfull for a new mandrake user. In fact they have a whole section of the forum just to work out install issues.

 

[Frew]

so do I install the linux drivers in windows?

 

[drag]

No

Your X windows should work just fine without the propriatory nvidia drivers. In every default setup there is a generic nvidia driver called "nv" and that should get your card functional. It just won't provide 3d acceleration, you need to get the propriatory drivers from Nvidia's website in order to have full function of your video card in Linux.

But 2-d should work just fine without it.

So only worry about nvidia.com after you get your OS installed and X Windows up and running properly.

On nvidia's website on the linux driver page there is a readme file that will carefully explain to you what you need to do to get the 3d drivers running. otherwise don't worry about it right now, just remember that for future referance.

Also remember to definately check out Mandrakeusers.org and other online websites. The more you know, the easier it gets. Usually by using google you can find answers quicker (and better) then you can here.

 

[Frew]

I cant get past the black screen that has the error when I type startx "No devices detected."