zenarcher

You have an interesting problem there, which reminds me of something I experienced when I first started with Linux a few months ago. I was trying to install SUSE 9.1 and also use a Motorola Surfboard modem. The main differences in our systems is that I am using the AMD XP3000+ processor and also using a Linksys router with my cable connection, as I have two computers on that network. Anyway, Like your system, everything was recognized, but what would happen is that after anywhere from 5 seconds to a couple of minutes after booting, everything would freeze up. I'd lose the Internet connection, then the computer would freeze, requiring a power off/on to get out of it. The keyboard would be completely frozen, as well. I played with the ACPI settings and all the other recommendations...then finally gave up. I installed Mandrake PowerPack 10.1 and have not had a problem since. Everything works perfectly and never have I lost the connection. I am wondering, since we both are using the Motorola Surfboard modem, if there is some common issue. I'm not proficient enough to figure it out, but just know that when I changed to Mandrake, all my problems went away.

I'd like to set up a pair of Maxtor 80G SATA hard drives in a RAID 0 array on my MSIKT6V motherboard. For RAID, the motherboard uses the VIA VT8237. My processor is an AMD XP3000+ and I'm using 512M of RAM. Currently, with a single hard drive, I'm using Mandrake PowerPack 10.1. I'm considering switching to SUSE Professional 9.2 or maybe the new 9.3. However, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the VT8237 RAID with either the Mandrake or SUSE software I'm considering. I don't want to set up the hard drives, then try to install Mandrake or SUSE, only to find that I can't install it in the RAID array, using the VT8237. If I'm going to encounter problems, I'd rather wait until I change my motherboard and processor over to an AMD64 bit system and try to get a compatible RAID setup. Any help would be appreciated! zenarcher

I am using Evolution 2.0 email with Firefox 1.0.2 for my browser with my Mandrake Powerpack 10.1 Linux system. Both Evolution and Firefox were installed by RPM's. The problem I'm having is when I open an email in Evolution, which displays a clickable link to open in Firefox, I cannot automatically open Firefox by clicking on that link. I have searched for a solution, but have not found one which is clear enough for me to understand how to resolve this issue. I'm guessing I may have to make a symbolic link or something, between Evolution and Firefox, but I'm lost as exactly what to do and how to do it. I'd sure appreciate some assistance with this one. Thanks, zenarcher

Thanks much for the information. Here is something I was told, and it solved the problem, which might be of use to someone with the same issue. I am using KDE, but there is also a way with GNOME. Go to KDE Configuration Center..Select Components...File Association...Text....HTML in the MIME type tree. Select ADD...under "Application Preference Order." Then, write the command "firefox %U" and press OK. Apply and close out of the Configuration Center. After doing this, when I click on a link in an Evolution email, the Firefox browser opens just as it should! zenarcher

I think I posted this one to the wrong forum, under Security, so will repost here. When I installed Mandrake 10.1 PowerPack, through Software Package Installation in RPM Drake, I installed Firefox, which was included, but was an old pre-release version. Now, I downloaded the Firefox RPM for Firefox V1.0.2. I thought the RPM version would be the easiest to install. When I installed the new RPM, I was asked to enter the Root Password, which I did and Firefox V1.0.2 installed just fine. However, when I click on Firefox in Applications or on the desktop icon I have for Firefox, the old pre-release version opens. I went to /usr/bin/ and found an icon for Firefox. Clicking on this (it was marked SH on the icon in /usr/bin/) the new Firefox V1.0.2 opens perfectly. I cannot, however, change the icon to the standard Firefox icon, since it is in Root permissions. So, here is my problem. It seems I now have the old Firefox and the new Firefox, both installed. Also, I don't know how to get the new Firefox into the Application List, or to change to the regular Firefox Icon. I hope someone can help me here....and you'll have to explain as simply as possible, as I'm still trying to learn Linux. Any help would sure be appreciated! If I can get this one worked out, I think I can comfortably work with the RPM installs now! Regards, Stan

Thanks so much for the assistance. I did not install the new RPM from the command line, but rather just clicked on the icon for the RPM and the new Firefox installed. As such, I'm assuming that I probably did a complete new install. However, I did not lose any of my bookmarks or preferences I set in the old version...as when I open either the old or the new version now, my preferences are still there. Regards, zenarcher

I think I posted this one to the wrong forum, under Security, so will repost here. When I installed Mandrake 10.1 PowerPack, through Software Package Installation in RPM Drake, I installed Firefox, which was included, but was an old pre-release version. Now, I downloaded the Firefox RPM for Firefox V1.0.2. I thought the RPM version would be the easiest to install. When I installed the new RPM, I was asked to enter the Root Password, which I did and Firefox V1.0.2 installed just fine. However, when I click on Firefox in Applications or on the desktop icon I have for Firefox, the old pre-release version opens. I went to /usr/bin/ and found an icon for Firefox. Clicking on this (it was marked SH on the icon in /usr/bin/) the new Firefox V1.0.2 opens perfectly. I cannot, however, change the icon to the standard Firefox icon, since it is in Root permissions. So, here is my problem. It seems I now have the old Firefox and the new Firefox, both installed. Also, I don't know how to get the new Firefox into the Application List, or to change to the regular Firefox Icon. I hope someone can help me here....and you'll have to explain as simply as possible, as I'm still trying to learn Linux. Any help would sure be appreciated! If I can get this one worked out, I think I can comfortably work with the RPM installs now! Regards, Stan

I've now switched from Evolution to Thunderbird and really must say that I like Thunderbird better. The only complaint I have is that I cannot synch addresses between Thunderbird and my PDA...I have to use a separate program, but still with stay with Thunderbird. Either one is good, but I do like the way Thunderbird works much better.

I like Evolution quite well and have experienced no problems with it. I was used to Outlook for email and find it similar to use. Also, I can synch with my Sony PDA.

You can run SOME Windows programs on Linux, using WINE or a similar program. I'm a newbie myself, but I'm sure someone will help you out with ideas there. zenarcher

If I might make a suggestion....try this. Go to the little gold Star...in the lower left of the bar at the bottom of the screen. Click there...then on SYSTEM...then on CONFIGURATION...then on PACKAGING...then on INSTALL SOFTWARE. Bring up your list of available software, after entering your password. Now, in the search at the top, enter GAIM. That should bring up the GAIM install at the bottom of the list. Go ahead and check the GAIM box...and if any libraries and such are required, it will notify you. Let the system install GAIM. When you finish, GAIM will be installed and shown in your list of programs under Internet...Start GAIM, enter your AOL information and you should be in business. At least that works for me with Mandrake 10.1. Hope that helps, zenarcher

Well, it selected MandrakeLinux for me, which is the one I'm using...and seem to have the best success with on my system. -zenarcher

I agree! This is the most helpful Linux forum I've found. I'm quite new to Linux and doing better, but still get in trouble if everything doesn't work perfectly and need help. When I was first starting out with Linux, I tried to get help on several Linux forums. Generally, I ended up with some 13 year old geek telling me to go back to using Windows. Not the case here. I've received nothing but help and courtesy. Thanks to everyone! -zenarcher

Here is a very good, reliable and inexpensive source for Mandrake Linux 10.1. They check all disks before sending and work flawlessly. You can get the entire 6 disk PowerPack for $9.95...or the smaller set...or about any distro you want....for well under $10.00. I'd recommend them to anyone. http://www.linuxonline.biz/ -zenarcher

Personally, I think this is the best deal you will ever find on Linux disks. They have just about all the distros and their disks are very professional in appearance, all are tested before shipping...and about the best price and service I've found, anywhare... http://www.linuxonline.biz/ I would highly recommend them to anyone wanting complete Linux distros. I am using the 6 CD set of Mandrake Linux PowerPack 10.1 which I purchased from them...for $9.95. -zenarcher

I got 6 disks with Mandrake 10.1 PowerPack. Many of the applications I like and use were on Disk 4, which was very frustrating with the downloaded set. I found a place that has just about every distro, including Mandrake 10.1 PowerPack available and very cheap! In fact, the 6 disk set cost me $9.99. They are all tested before shipping, individually packaged and satisfaction is guaranteed. They will even throw in a free disk of your choice with each order. Just about any distro you want is available from about $6.99 to $9.99. They also have a ton of Linux training material and courses very inexpensively, too. I'm not a salesman for them, just a very happy customer. You might check them out at: http://www.linuxonline.biz/ -zenarcher

Yes, I did download and install Firefox. I had been using it with the old Windows XP system and like it very well. I am also using a Linksys router...BEEFW1154. I am using a cable connection and just did a speed check...which is a Saturday afternoon, so a lot of connections, I'm sure...Here are the results. Communications 2.1 megabits per second Storage 257.3 kilobytes per second 1MB file download 4 seconds Subjective rating Great -zenarcher

I'd guess maybe a setting somewhere, too. I run essentially the same system as you have described...512M RAM, but with an AMD XP3000 processor. I'm also using Mandrake 10.1 PowerPack and the Firefox browser. It runs like a rocket, as far as loading webpages. I'm on a broadband connection. I find it much faster than IE was with Windows XP on the same box. -zenarcher

I am quite new to Linux, myself, but have had wonderful success with Mandrake 10.1. I started out trying SUSE but every time I installed it, my system would freeze up after a few seconds and require a restart. I then tried Mandrake 10.0, which worked perfectly. I purchased Mandrake 10.1 PowerPack and could not be happier. Overall, I did not have a single driver problem. I merely let Mandrake install as it wished to do. Of course, I am only running Mandrake Linux on this computer. I removed Windows completely. I had worked with MS operating systems since DOS 5.0 and was using Windows XP Pro when I made the switch. I would not go back. Prepare yourself for some frustration as you learn how a different file system works, different terminology and such, but with a good group as we have on this forum, you'll get all the help you need. Just ask and someone will sure help! I've not found anything I can't run on Linux that I ran on Windows. Different programs, different names....but I can do the same things. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask for help here. -zenarcher

I seem to have created a little problem for myself and need some help. Everything has been working wonderfully with Mandrake Linux PowerPack 10.1 until now. I just installed StarOffice7 and have it working great. Since it is working, I went into RPMDRAKE and removed OpenOffice, since I no longer require it, with StarOffice. Since doing so, when I restart the computer, I do not get the graphical startup....but end up forced to type in username, password...then enter startx to get the graphical KDE desktop. When I attempt to shutdown the system, I only have the option to logoff...not the graphical option to Logout, Restart or Shut Down. Could someone please walk me through, step by step, how to get my graphical KDE start, so I do not have to go through the logon, password, etc. I must have accidentally changed something here, but not sure what or how to fix it. I am using the KDE desktop. Thanks, zenarcher

Well, I figured out how to fix this problem. I went to /etc/ and opened inittab to edit. I had noted it was starting at level 3 instead of level 5. Changed the entry from 3 to 5, saved and restarted. I am now happily back to where I was originally, starting the system and automatically going to the KDE desktop. Guess I'm learning little by little! zenarcher

I tried switchdesk kde but nothing was found. I went into etc/sysconfig/ but don't see desktop under sysconfig. [root@localhost zenarcher]# cd /etc/ [root@localhost etc]# cd /sysconfig/ [root@localhost etc]# cd sysconfig [root@localhost sysconfig]# dir alsa dund i18n network rawdevices xinetd autofsck firstboot init networking syslog bluetooth harddisks installkernel network-scripts system bootsplash harddrake2 keyboard pand udev clock hidd mouse pcmcia usb console hotplug msec printing userdrake When I watch during the bootup, it appears to only go through Level 3 and not Level 5....any more suggestions?? zenarcher

It must be dumb luck in my case. I have run Firefox 0.8, 0.9, 1.0PR and now the released 1.0 and have never had a problem...not posting here or any other problem. It has run flawlessly. Same on my wife's Windows machine.

I had a continual problem with SUSE 9.1 and the FX5200 video card. Every time I restarted the computer, I'd have a message and have to set the positioning on the monitor. Well, SUSE would also freeze the system every few seconds, as well. Once I changed to Makdrake 10.0 and now 10.1, I've had no problem with anything.

I like KDE! zenarcher