Linux

[4play]

different version of linux have different apps to update their software. Im not really sure what mandrake uses since i have never touched it before but mandrake seems to use rpm (RPM Package Manager)

to install apps just login at a shell as root with the su command then

rpm -ivh packagename -> TO install package

rpm -qip packagename ->To view package information before install

rpm -e packagename ->To uninstall package

rpm -q package ->To view if package is already inastalled

[{I}{K}{E}]

gonna install Mandrake 10.1 now

[4play]

how did the install go.

have you had any problems or annoyances?

[vivitron 15]

lol - from not posting one can only assume badly

/back on topic...
im just dling mandrake myself...been planning on an XP reinstall anyhow, so it seems a good time to try to dual-boot (ive messed it up in the past, unfortunately) so after the DVD finishes, and i get around to backing up my XP data ill be doing the same - will post with my status and questions too

[{I}{K}{E}]

didnt work how I planned it. was not able to install it next to windows somehow

I did a clean install of linux after that I was not able to connect to the net . so I couldnt find any help... so I did a new install of XP, I noticed linux created 3 partition when I installed it. had to remove then all and now its back how I started

Will try again soon, I just need to find out how I am able to connect 2 the internet when using linux.

[4play]

what sort of modem/net connection do you have ?

it created 3 partition because one was windows one was / ( your linux root for its filesystem) and a swap partition for linux.

remember linux treats partitions in the form of /dev/hda1 for the first partition on the first hdd so when you create your linux partition make sure you leave lots of room for this partition which will be windows. Create /dev/hda2 and /dev/hda3 for linux near the end of the disk.

then install the bootloader (i recommend grub) to the master boot record.

[{I}{K}{E}]

I have a cable connection.

no there was no windows partition when I installed Linux, I did a format when using the setup from Mandrake

[4play]

http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/hardware.php3

check your modem is supported, are you trying to dual boot or just use linux on its own. im guessing you never destroyed the ntfs partiotion or your counting your cdrom as a partiton.

[{I}{K}{E}]

my modem must be supported because with Knoppix 3.4 I had internet acces.

well I want to run both linux and windows with a boot menu

[4play]

I would double check your modem works with mandrake still because different distros support different hardware.

give me a min and i will knock you up a little guide to installing mandrake along side windows.

edit: i have had a look through the madrake started guide and it seems like drakx is a pretty simple and powerful installer.

1) defrag your ntfs drive and make sure you have plenty of space on it.

2)whack in your knoppix cd and find an application on there called qtparted.
(you can also use partition magic or other windows based software if you have them installed).

3)resize the ntfs partiton so there is enough room at the end of your drive to install linux. leave the space blank.

4) start the linux install and follow the instructions up until the partioning option.

5) pick the use existing partitions option and make sure you install the 3 new partitons in the spare space and that you leave the windows(ntfs) partition intact. you may need to use the advanced options to do this but i cant find any good documentation to tell you indepth. ext2 or reiser partions for linux will be fine.

6) the rest should be easy after that as long as you place the bootloader in the mbr.

seems the main problem you had is that mandrake cannot resize ntfs partitions which seems absurd for a so called user friendly linux distro since there are plenty of free tools out there that can do it.

also the 3 partitions you were talking about seem to be

/ (root)
/home (your home directory)
/swap (swap space) about 500 megs for this is adequate

I normally dont stick /home on its own partition so you could get away with not having it.

and make sure your modem is supported on the mandrake site otherwise your gonna have a hard time compiling your own kernel to get it working.