Mel

Mandrake 10, disk 2 also is bootable and will boot on machines that disk 1 will not boot on. Try booting with disk 2,that should get you going. I have 3 machines to play with,one will work with disk 1 or disk 2, one will will only boot with disk 1 and one will only boot with disk 2.

This is mainly for noobee's (and some not so noobee's). To get the best help,consider the following. . 1.Start with a discription of your hardware . a.Computer brand and model b.Monitor brand and model c.CPU type (Pentium,AMD athlon,etc.) d.Any added hardware (CD drives/writers,DVD drives/writers,accelerators,sound/game cards,etc.) . If you built your own, what motherboard,processor,sound card,video card,etc.? . !!!IMPORTANT! Did your computer come with RESTORE CDs or are your restore files on harddrive ?!!! . By giving what you can of above information,you will get more useful responses. Not knowing what hardware you have results in more cautious advice because what works fine on my machine may be a nightmare on another.All computers are NOT created equal.(Many problems and solutions are hardware specific.) . 2.Describe the problem. a.What you did or tried to do. b.How far did you get ? c.What happened at that point (Did computer freeze up, exit program, reboot, etc.?) d.Were there any error messages,if so,what were they ? . 3.Users on this site will respond to your questions with solutions that have worked for them but remember, any one problem can be caused by many different things so what solves a problem this time may not help the same problem next time.If a suggestion doesn't work,post another message describing what it did or didn't do.That may ring a bell in someones coconut. . I added the next section because I noticed a few noobees seemed to dissappear when advised to back up data. . 4. "BACK UP YOUR DATA". (If that sounds scary to you, you may not need to.) a."Backing up data" may be as simple as copying files you don't want to lose to CD or other removable media. b.If you are using a word processor, spread sheet, data base, etc. and/or have important files saved to harddisk,then you need to back up your data. c.If you only use your computer for games and internet etc. and your RESTORE program and games came on cd and you don't mind reinstalling them,you may not need to back up data. d.If you have downloaded setup or packed files stored on your computer and want to keep them,then you should save them to removable media (CD, zip drive,etc.).(ie."Back up data".) e.!!!Anytime you add or remove programs or resize,add or modify partitions or OSs, it is possible to lose or corrupt critical files.YOU have to decide what you want to backup.!!! . !!!!! If you do not have RESTORE CDs then there are hidden partitions on your harddrive.Be very careful not to overwrite those partitions when creating Linux partitions.!!!!! . If you DO have restore CDs ,then you can restore the operating system and programs that were on your computer when you took it out of the box from the CDs.It will NOT restore any files you added after you got the computer.This is a worst case scenario. . Remember,no question is considered trivial on this site.All of us started with no more knowledge than you have (probably less).(Some of us antiques remember the "good old days" when, if you wanted to do something with your computer, you had to sit down and write your own program.How 'bout that,Dapper,Danleff? )

'/user/bin/runinstall2 (key word "runinstall2 = install files from disk#2. If you were prompted to install disk2,and did so,that's a bad disk #2 . If that's the case, the installation file on disk#2 is corrupt.I know you booted with disk2 but the boot file has it's own little partition and has nothing to do with the installation files other than to boot the machine. If you were not prompted to insert disk2 then the installation program which is loaded into memory,on startup,from disk 2 is corrupt. BTW,I found that running the install CDs in a DVD drive causes the same problem. Disk 1 is also bootable and has the installation program.Try booting from disk1.Disk 1 and disk 2 have different problems with different hardware.

It does sound like you have a bad disk. However, you can try this in case it's a hardware detection error. Boot up with disk 2. At the prompt type " linux noauto " Hit ENTER and see what happens. . Some hardware just doesn't like linux autodetection.

You need Linux kernal V 2.2.19 or later which I assume you have. For information, go to " http://www.kirchgessner.net/sanehpfaq.html#HPFAQ0AB ".

This is for you,Danleff. Hope it helps. For information on Bittorent go to "http://dessent.net/btfaq/".

Bittorrent is basically a file sharing system for Linux. It is a very interesting way to get Linux distros since you will quite often find you are downloading and uploading at the same time.This is because by, using Bittorrent to download ,you are part of a network consisting of thousands of bittorrent users and someone is downloading a file that is in your bittorent folder.More users connecting actually increases your download speed. Bittorrent is unique and fast because it doesn't usually download from one site.Instead it downloads bits and pieces from many different users and rebuilds the file on your computer. Bittorrent is fast and you are expected to participate by leaving your connection to bittorrent open when you can to increase bandwidth and download speed for other users. When you first start using bittorrent,you will find it fast and effecient. However,depending on you,it may get faster or slower.This is because you have some controll over who may download from your computer.After you use bittorrent for a while users start noticing whether you give and take or just take and respond in kind.If you remain connected often,your downloads will get faster.If you always connect , download and disconnect,your downloads will get slower because many users who stay connected will block you from thier thier computers.

Try this " http://dessent.net/btfaq/\"

I installed Mandrake 10 on the HP551.It seems to have found all the hardware. It even knows how to scan and print with OfficeJet r60 all-in-one. Well,sort of. ..The GIMP can scan images ok but,for some reason ,it can't find the r60 printer. However a file scanned at the default 75 dpi can be saved as *.ps and printed with Kooka but kooka can't handle a 300 dpi file which I consider minimum for a decent photo print. For a 300 dpi file, save as *.jpeg and Konquerer can bring it up and print. (You will only see a fraction of the picture on Konquerer without scrolling.)(I'm referring to full page images.) As soon as I get time I'll try the HP PSC2210 All-In-One. If MDK 10 can handle HP all-in-ones ,then I think some programmers are really doing thier homework. . . Keep up the good work Mandrake. It ain't perfect but it's a h*$$ of a lot closer than anything I've found so far.

OOPS! I should have posted this first. . From desktop,go to System/configuration/packaging/install software. enter password At find, select "In descriptions",enter "hpoj",search. At bottom left,you'll see "Search results". check the two items under "Search results". A box should pop up that lists dependencies. Click "OK" Follow prompts to install correct drivers. Everything will be on your installation discs. Just insert disks as prompted.

From desktop start menu; click on "system' click on "configuration" click on "configure your computer" enter root password click on "select hardware" click on "printers" . "Auto detect printers connected to this machine" should work.If not,try starting over and unselect "Auto detect printers connected to this machine".You'll have a couple choices to make. Do not use "scannerdrake",it's almost as confused as I am with HP drivers. . If this doesn't help,maybe Danleff or Dapper Dan can help.Those guys are great at finding solutions and helpful links.I rate them as genius when I'm looking for linux info.

Hi,Jim4f I've been checking the site when I get a chance but not posting because most recent posts have referred to hardware I'm not very familiar with.I don't want to reply with what works for me then have some noobe discouraged because it doesn't work with his/her hardware.I've also noticed that a lot of first time posters seem to have the ridiculous idea that there is such a thing as a "stupid" question.I know the people on this site don't think that way but a first timer may not.Also ,going to change my byline to reflect this. . I also believe those young people coming to this site are a great part of our country's future.For that reason I believe leaving the advice to those of you who really know what you are doing is, in a way, contributing to our country's future. . I love Mepis but have been using MDK 10 because it works so well with my HP all-in-ones.Going to DL and try the new Mepis you mentioned.If it works with the HPs,I'll be using it quite often.

??? Hello, Danleff What's with holding down shift to download with Netscape ? I downloaded 14 distros with Netscape. I just click on the file, select "Save file to disk" then burn it. I've been using Netscape since 4.7 and use 7.1 now. I don't remember ever holding the shift key. The only problem I had was my first linux burn. (48x, way to fast. didn't come out good at all.) . kevjo_uk, Make sure you burn your ISO's at a low speed, no faster than 8x, I find 4x is best. Any faster can result in errors that will make your disks useless.

For SIS drivers try " HTTP://download.sis.com/index_step1.php ". There are three ways to search. 'Product name' and 'catagory' don't seem to work correctly. Use 'search' but don't type the driver name or you will probably get zero results. Type " audio "FOR AUDIO, "video " FOR VIDEO ,ETC.. You will get a list which includes drivers for windows and for Linux.Go down the list to the driver you need,click on it and the download will begin. They have a lot of SIS drivers for linux.

Defrag tools look for fragmented blocks or files but not necessarily where they are located on the drive. Before resizing,defrag your partitions even if a fragmentation check says it doesn't need to be defraged. Use third party defrag tools with XP. REASON: Most third party defrag tools move all files to beginning of drive. XP defrag (at least the version I have) doesn't always do this. When checking drives after defrag ,I learned the following. From beginning to end; ...Most defrag tools; ......[used blocks..free space]... XP defrag tool. ......[used blocks...free space...used blocks...free space] Sometimes more used blocks near or at end of drive. MY impression; 1.Defrag finds free space and assigns a "work zone" 2.Moves files and fragments to "work zone". 3.Puts fragmented files together in adjacent blocks. 4.Moves defragmented files to beginning of drive. 5.If necessary,will move "work zone" to allow enough space at beginning of drive. 6.Clears 'work zone' and allocates as free space. . . XP defrag seems to; 1.have a 'group' function similar to it's menu 'group' function. 2.move files to beginning of drive in groups after defrag. 3.doesn't always leave enough space at beginning of drive. 4.if running out of space at beginning of drive,instead of moving 'work zone',it simply starts putting files in random area of free space,sometimes near end of drive. 5.allocating 'work zone' as free space then results in free space in middle of used space. . As long as files are not very fragmented,a 'check for fragmentation'will result in a "Defrag not necessary at this time" message even if some files are at end of drive. . It's the files near or at end of drive (partition) that cause problems when shrinking partitions. . My conclusion; Chances of success are much better when using third party defrag program with XP. Remember I'm a noob still very ignorant when it comes to Linux but I have 4 computers to experiment with.(Please, don't confuse ignorance with stupidity.) . Danleff, please post any wrong assumptions I made even if it's the whole post.I learned a long time ago that criticism is one of the best teaching or learning tools known to man.

I should have said a "good' defrag utility will move all files to beginning of drive/partition. I use the defrag utility that came with System Suite 5 (Now a V-com product). I have had no problems with it so far. Thanks for the replies.I appreciate critisizm when I'm wrong but get a much better feeling with confirmation.

Did you try booting Mandrake with disc 2 ? When you start install, you'll get a prompt.Just put in disk 1 and hit OK. Swap disks when prompted.

I'm using Mandrake 10 with kernal 2.6.3 It works fine on both the eMachine and the HP. If for some reason it doesn't work on yours, you can install with 2.4.25. If you want to use 3rd party software, you'll need 2.4.25. Otherwise, 2.6.3 seems to be well worked out by the Mandrake folks. I just installed with the defaults. After installing you can run '/system/configuration/packaging/install software' and install from a huge list of files which are on the 3 disks. there is a good selection of desktops and drivers. At this time, I am convinced that the time to DL and burn MDK10 is well spent. I don't think it will be long 'til I can say "Windows ain't nuthin but a game box". (If linux developers keep up the pace,I'll soon delete "but game box".) Speaking as a noob whose opinion hasn't yet been swayed by anything resembling knowledge, I would recommend MDK10 for ease of installation and wide range of device drivers. . . BTW,Danleff "just my opinion" means a lot to me coming from you and a few others posting on this site.

Make my last post a 'maybe'.Turning on the HP all-in-one after bootup works on one machine and doesn't on the other.

Have you tried ibiblio.org or linuxiso.org ?They are both good sites for downloading distros. The only advice I can give is get mandrake 10. Maybe you can install RH 1 and upgrade the kernel. I don't know how to do that but maybe Danleff can tell you. Giving advice can be a little iffy from someone who doesn't have the same kinda box as you.A distro can be a dream on one box and a nightmare on another.

I've been playing with Fedora 2 (1.9) for about a week now. There are warnings in the docs that it is not fit for daily use. The warning should come up when you boot the install disk. The Fedora 1.9 installer thinks windows partition tables are corrupt and tries to 'fix' them. That effectively destroys windows partitions. When you reload XP,XP thinks the linux partitions are corrupt and reformats them for windows.Fedora 2 will destroy windows even when installed in another HD in the same computer. If you want the new kernel ,Mandrake 10 uses it and,as far as I can tell so far is pretty stable.It also has very good drivers for HP periphals. Especially the all-in-ones. Oh,yeah,Fedora 1.9 seems to be ok if you give it the whole HD.(Kinda like XP.) Putting XP and Fedora 1.9 on the same drive is like trying to get two hardheaded five year olds to share a toy.

Well I discovered accidentally that Mandrake 10 isn't bound by the old 'last on first off' rule like the other linux distros I've tried. Mandrake 10 recognizes and utilizes peripheral devices which are turned on after bootup. By turning on the parrallel HP all-in-ones after bootup,the printer doesn't spit out a sheet of paper which I found very annoying.

Mandrake 10 uses the 2.6 kernal.Unlike Fedora,it has the HP all-in-one drivers and they work.

Hello,Soulnothing How did you do with Fedora 1.9 ? I played with it for a couple days but found that on my machines Fedora 1.9 and XP just don't get along on the same box.I even tried on seperate HDs but still no go. Fedora's bootloaders ,both grub and lilo,said XP was corrupt, then ignored it.Claimed the partition tables were bad. They wouldn't even list it as an OS.Just showed Fedora.Does it find your scanner? It couldn't find mine. Have you tried Mandrake 10 ? It works very well with the scanner and printer on my HP 2210 all-in-one.Your 2110 uses the same drivers. Just set up the printer and Xsane will recognize the scanner. Gain and Kooka also work well with it.(1 glitch ,though,set image size at 90% because 100% setting is about 110%.)It also works ok with the OfficeJet r60.

Mandrake 10 handles printing and scanning well with HP all-in-ones. You can scan with Gaim , Kooka or Xsane. Although Kooka has a print function,I haven't gotten it to work with USB.It did ok with parrelell but insists on postscript file. Before scanning you should make a folder to save your images.Save all your images to this folder. I save mine as *.jpeg to print with 'konquerer' or 'Flphoto'. The HP usb all-in-ones work well, at least on my machines. The parralell HP all-in-ones have one small glitch ,which is, it spits out one sheet of paper on bootup.Other than that it works fine. To set up,you will have to do a 'manual' setup which consists of selecting 'Hewlet Packard' from a list then selecting 'Drivers for HP parralell and usb all-in-one devices'. That's it.folks. I just need to find a little better photo program.