[Newtothis]

Hello, My name is Mark. Ijust finished installing Mandrake 9.2. Im having 1 problem so far . After installing then rebooting , It goes through the directory OK section then stops at a line that says LOCALHOST LOGIN: what do I put their .I tried my USERNAME mark , then it asked for a password . I tried my root password then I tried the user name password I didn't work . Whats going on .What Iam I missing here. Thanks Mark. ;(

[Dapper Dan]

So it's not going into kdm, but hangs at the command line asking for username and password? When it gets to this point again, wait a little while and see if kdm comes up, (the graphical thingy that asks for username and password). If it does, type in "root" as your username and root's password. Then after root's desktop environment comes up, check in the Mandrake control center and look for "users." Check and make sure your username and password are correct. If not, change them to what you want.

If you can't get your desktop environment to come up at all, that will necessitate another line of attempted solutions.

[danleff]

[Newtothis]

Hello again. I dont remember reading anything about the type of system to install . As for the installation do you mean graghical or text . I used TEXT. After install then reboot . it scrolls down the directories giving the OK . then it stops at the line that reads- Mandrake Linux release 9.2 (five star) for I586 kernel 2.4.22-10 mdk on an I586/tty1 Localhost login:_ In this spot I typed in the Root and password . Then I get- Last login: Fri. Dec . 12 on VC/1 [root@localhost root]#_ With this (Underscore) cursor flashing. Does everybody get to this point and put something in there or does happen in my installation .Ive used all the user names and passwords and the root name and password . Didnt Work . ;( Mark.

[Newtothis]

Sorry, I forgot to mention its a Desktop install . :x

[Dapper Dan]

Then you are logged in as root. Next type "startx" without the quotes and press enter. Do you get a desktop environment now?

[Newtothis]

No, At the flashing cursor where it says LOGIN: I typed in ROOT, then PASSWORD comes up and I typed in startx . Then it reads Login- incorrect.The cursor at Password does not move when I type in STARTX. Mark. ;(

[Dapper Dan]

Let's make sure we're doing this right. Where it says "login" You are typing "root" and pressing enter. When it asks for root's password, you are then typing in what you have designated as root's password and then press enter. You then get a # sign whereas before it was a $. At the blinking cursor you are then typing:
startx

and pressing enter?

(edit) ...and you are using lower case? (except of course if your root's password has caps in it?)

[Newtothis]

Where it says LOCALHOST Login: I type in root name then password comes up and I enter the password. Then I get Last login: fri. Dec. 12 on VC/1. [root@localhost root]#. but if I type in just Login:root with the password I dont get the # sign . it says login-incorrect.

[Dapper Dan]

Quote:

Where it says LOCALHOST Login: I type in root name then password comes up and I enter the password. Then I get Last login: fri. Dec. 12 on VC/1. [root@localhost root]#

Do what you wrote here again, and only this. Once you get to...Last login: fri. Dec. 12 on VC/1. [root@localhost root]#

type:

startx

and press enter. That should give you the desktop environment you chose at install time. If not, let us know.

[Dapper Dan]

Newtothis, I've really been sick and must go to bed now..I'll check with you in the morning. Don't worry, we'll get it figured out.

[Newtothis]

I tried that and this is what it says-using authority file/root/.xauthority writing authority file/root/.xauthority using authority file/root/.xauthority writing authority file/root/.xauthority execve failed for/ etc/x11/x(errno2 giving up. x init:no such file or directory(errno2)unable to connect to xserver xinit:no such process (errno3):server error.I think its trying to connect to the internet . Iam not going on the internet with that computer at this time. Mark

[Newtothis]

Sorry ,lost all track of time. Hope you feel better . Christmas Turkey just around the corner.

[danleff]

Looks like x-windows and the graphical environment did not get installed. I can't remember the options that you get at a text install, but my guess is that you did a minimal install, without the graphical environment. I will have to look at the Mandrake install process and post back, unless, DapperDan has it tucked away on rote memory. Thanks for posting all the details, this really helps.

[Dapper Dan]

danleff, I think maybe his best option at this point is to do a re-install, this time choosing x windows and graphical login, what do you think?
Newtothis, would you be up for that? How much space is on your HD? If you have a good bit, I would just install everything available, (check everything). You can always uninstall the programs you don't want later. Are you doing a dual boot with Windows? Are you using onboard video or do you have a pci or ddr card installed?

[danleff]

I agree. Good questions about the system, as it may be important to know where Mandrake was installed originally, so that he can choose the correct partition for the new install. Looking at the information that I got so far, my guess is that a text install does a minimal install w/o X, unless you know what you are doing. The graphical install will guide him through the process more fully. This way he can choose workstation as the option, then choose the packages, or default to a full install, as you suggested.

Newtothis, when the graphical install goes to the part where there are packages to select, either make sure that all the choices on the left have an "x" (they are chosen); as well as choosing the boxes on the right side of the screen for a graphical environemnt, such as "KDE" as you graphical environment. If you choose all the options, the install will take more time, but as DapperDan stated, you can remove them later.

This assumes that you have enough disk space alloted for the install available on your hard drive. So, if you have plenty of disk space, say 10 gigs that you can use for Mandrake (this will give you enough space for a good work environment and allow you to download things that you may need later), go for it.

At the least, you should have 5 gigs for a good working system.

[Newtothis]

Morning everyone, Before i reinstall want should the partitioning be . the software did it for me . I have a 13 gig h.d. install set it up with 2 partition 1at 53% the other at 48% . what size do you use . I would like just 1 partition.My video card is voodoo 3 pci.as for the best package the software selected it for me . I read somewhere not to check off every thing ,because of some reason i cant remember why. yes iam up fpr a complete reinstall. ive got lots of time to tame this. oh yeah, when it scroll down the list of command and were OK . one line said -bring up interface ETh0: FAILED. Mark.

[Newtothis]

Its not a dual boot . just Linux.

[danleff]

Actually, this is good. You don't have to worry about the rest, like the partitions and such. I would just go ahead and reinstall. If the CD defaults to a text install, then there may be issues with your hardware compatibility, such as the video card.

Let us know what happens. If you still have problems, let us know what your system specs are, if possible. This is not a Compaq or HP system, is it?

[Newtothis]

Its a pentium 200 mmx. What size partitions should i use or just keep it where the software made it .Ive done 2 installs 1in graphical then the other in text . i had the same problem with the graphical install. and it gave the same package for my kind of computer . . Ok iam going to start reinstall now .