installing Linux

[pquinn34]

In trying to install RH 6.1 or Caldera 2.3, I find it will not install properly with either version. I am using a hard drive which contained win 2000 advanced server on it previously. I now find that converting to NFTS file system is a one-way street. Could that be the reason or does Linux ingnore other partitioning and do its own thing.
I'm running this on the following components.
Asus p5ab MB
AMD K6-3 450 mhz chip
256 megs SDRam
Creative Sound Blaster Live Value #ct4830
Stealth III S540 Video 16 megs
Cirrus logic ISA Modem with jumpers (comp to Linux)
Western Digital Hard Drive 6.5 Gig.
Serial mouse
I/O magic 50x Cd rom
Hard drive is partitioned now with win98 startup disk using fdisk and entire drive for active DOS partition.
Caldera locks up at finish and am unable to sign on.
Red Hat installs to text, no matter what I choose,both systems reject video card. Cannot operate Xconfigurator from command line in Rhat.
I would appreciate any comments on this. I am a recovering open heart surgery patient, so I have plenty of time to tinker. Answer here or drop me an e-mail, thanks again.

[Statica]

Hi pquinn34:


_{>In trying to install RH 6.1 or Caldera 2.3, I find it will >not install properly with either version. I am using a >hard drive which contained win 2000 advanced server on it >previously. I now find that converting to NFTS file system >is a one-way street. Could that be the reason or does >Linux ingnore other partitioning and do its own thing.}


Linux, like all other NIX's is compatible with all other filesystems, It reads through pretty much every filesystem that I have thrown at it. Check out 'fdisk' from Linux and see the partitioning options. NTFS or "New" "Technology" file "system" [3 contradictions in one Acronym ] is only partly supported at the moment. M$ uses proprietary filesystems [very contrary established protocol on what a POSIX OS should run] and proprietary encryption [highly insecure as compared to industry standard cryptography], which makes it difficult to cater to the whims of the whimsical. However, there are working drivers that allow you to load up NTFS5 from Linux in readonly [currently]http://www.informatik.hu-berlin.de/~loewis/ntfs/

Other than that check out documentation to learn about multiOS booting, NT, win98 etc. http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/mini/Linux+WinNT.html

To put it in perspective on how proprietary the new NTFS is .. u cant even fdisk it out using win98/winME fdisk .. how can someone else create a solution for a product that the creator themselves cannot work properly...



> I'm running this on the following components.
> Asus p5ab MB
> AMD K6-3 450 mhz chip
> 256 megs SDRam
> Creative Sound Blaster Live Value #ct4830
> Stealth III S540 Video 16 megs
>Cirrus logic ISA Modem with jumpers (comp to Linux)
>Western Digital Hard Drive 6.5 Gig.
>Serial mouse
>I/O magic 50x Cd rom



Hard drive is partitioned now with win98 startup disk using fdisk and entire drive for active DOS partition.

I am unaware of the nuances of Caldera, my one experience with Caldera had left a bad taste in mouth, so havent picked up another caldera CD in over a year, not even for an evaluation someone wanted me to do .. RedHat 6.1 well here's the thing..

6.1 uses Xfree86 version 3.xx .. this version does not take to S540 cards kindly. The reason only text mode setup works is because to get the GUI working Redhat tries a prelim. detection of the card, which fails.. Your options are to get a newer release of RedHat or simply to download X4.xx packages and install and try it. btw did u install Xconfigurator?


_{Caldera locks up at finish and am unable to sign on.
Red Hat installs to text, no matter what I choose,both systems reject video card. Cannot operate Xconfigurator from command line in Rhat.}


Wishing u a speedy trip back to good health...

_{I would appreciate any comments on this. I am a recovering open heart surgery patient, so I have plenty of time to tinker. Answer here or drop me an e-mail, thanks again.}

[pquinn34]

Yes, all the packages were installed each time I installed a system. I have made a list of compatible video cards and intend to purchase one of those, along with a newer version of linux. Thanks for the come back.

[Statica]

Check out..

http://lhd.datapower.com/

even if u havent got a h/w device that is linux compatible out of the box, u can probably get alternate drivers or info to get it to work.

Again, if u are looking to purchase Linux, I'd suggest you hold out till 2.4.0 kernel based distributions are out. 2.4.0 itself is out, shouldnt be much longer [one would think!]

[lynchmob]

Good link,Ex-Static-Cling.
Pquinn34,check out http://www.lsl.com for inexpensive Linux distros.Rhat 7 ,5 disks,=$6 and change.
lynch