Less than linux basics

[sanctus]

I'm trying to install linux on my computer, but already before the installation I've got some problems.

 

1)I now run on XP and have a NTFS file system, to install linux is it just enough to make a new partition (I would use partion magic)?

 

2)I read somewhere that if I want to exchange data between the linux partition and XP I need an XP-partition type VFAT.Does that mean I need to create two partitions more than the existing one or is it useless?

 

3)My prof suggested me to use either fedora, opensuse or ubuntu,I chose fedora as I understood there is not a big difference for linux-beginners between the three.Is this right?

 

4)Now on this site: Distribution/Download - Fedora Project Wiki

 

you can download x86,x86_64 and PPC Iso images, how do I know which one I should choose?

 

5)Will the installation be simple?

[Killean]

1)I now run on XP and have a NTFS file system, to install linux is it just enough to make a new partition (I would use partion magic)?

In my past experience, partition magic works wonders trying to install Linux after Windows (just remember, Lin AFTER Win. Windows has some bug up it's butt about being installed second.) Basically strip as much as you can from Windows to free up as much room as you can (if you have external devices, dump all files onto them for safe keeping for now). Make the main Win partition (part1/NTFS) about 10-20 GB. Then make (part2/FAT32) as storage space for both Windows and Linux. After that I would suggest making part3 an Extended partition, then follow the Fedora instructions on how to partition further for Lin (usually, part5/Linux ext3, part6/Swap, part7/Linux ext3).

 

2)I read somewhere that if I want to exchange data between the linux partition and XP I need an XP-partition type VFAT.Does that mean I need to create two partitions more than the existing one or is it useless?

Look up above. There is an alternative however. The open source crowd has been working hard on a way for Linux to read and write to NTFS. I think the program is called "Captive". From what I've tried, they still have a few bugs in it, but it works well enough as any vfat. If you're willing to experiment, try this approach. Just be careful.

 

3)My prof suggested me to use either fedora, opensuse or ubuntu,I chose fedora as I understood there is not a big difference for linux-beginners between the three.Is this right?

Fedora, Ubuntu/Kubuntu, yes, as far as I've heard. If you are looking for something easy to install, then add Suse and Slackware to that list as well.

 

4)Now on this site: Distribution/Download - Fedora Project Wiki

 

you can download x86,x86_64 and PPC Iso images, how do I know which one I should choose?

x86 is for any standard processor. x86_64 is for 64-bit processors, and PPC is for Macintosh processors. Make sure that all your devices are 64-bit compatible (if you are a 64-bit user) before you choose this.

 

5)Will the installation be simple?

See 3. Usually yes. The learning Linux part, now there is the challenge. :hihi:

[sanctus]

thank you very much! Starting the partitioning now, if I won't be online for a while you know something has happenend....

[sanctus]

ok, now linux is installed and is running,but:

 

1)I can't get on internet where is the analogue of a connection assistant?

 

2)How do I access the comand line?

 

3)How do I use the "storage partition" so that it is accessible both by xp and fedora? I made the storage on windows in a fat32 format, as I read somewhere that in that way you can ut there things and then open them with both operatin systems...

 

Thanks in advance

[Tormod]

ok, now linux is installed and is running,but:

 

1)I can't get on internet where is the analogue of a connection assistant?

 

Which linux? Are you using wifi or a cable?

 

2)How do I access the comand line?

 

Look for a program called "Konsole".

 

3) I'm sure someone else can help you with.

[sanctus]

Tormod, I'm using fedora and Iguess wifi as I have no cable.

 

The konsole I should find it (I can't look now as I'm on windows to be able to connect).

[Killean]

1)I can't get on internet where is the analogue of a connection assistant?

Can you give me the name of the WIFI device?

# lspci -v

Basically how you check for WIFI connectivity is by using a command line program called "lwconfig". Depending on the WIFI you have, you might need special drivers to help your kernel run the device. To my knowledge, for AirOne devices you use MadWifi Drivers, for Broadcom you might need the devices Windows driver plus a program called NDisWrapper.

 

2)How do I access the comand line?

Tormod's method: "Konsole", or back out to your login manager and press Ctrl + Alt + Backspace. This will stop the login manager and boot you back into command line.

 

3)How do I use the "storage partition" so that it is accessible both by xp and fedora? I made the storage on windows in a fat32 format, as I read somewhere that in that way you can ut there things and then open them with both operatin systems...

Windows should automatically recognize the FAT32 Partition. In linux, you might need a program called dosfstools. Then create a folder where you want to mount the partition.

To manually mount:

# mount -t vfat /dev/hd## /location/to/mountpoint

To have it automatically mount, you must edit /etc/fstab. Here is an example from Wikipedia:

/dev/hda7               /mnt/shared             vfat    umask=000       0 0

umask... I can only assume that causes the partition to be universally accessible. Normally (if that is the case), vfat partitions can only be written to and read by root. Only read permission by those of the root group.

[sanctus]

Well, it seem like you said killean, now the problems start. I describe hereon what I do and have:

 

1. When I log on I can choose a gnome session or a kde (as well as one called safe terminal).

 

2. One easily finds a program called terminal which looks like the "comand line", eventually I found also the konsole.

 

3. in mykonsole every line starts with [[email protected]]$

 

4. if I write lspci -v it says comand not found, but if I write man lspci it gives me the description of the comand and if I write #lspci -v nothing happens (=jumps just to the next line).

 

About the partition I crated it in windows running only on windows so it is recognized by windows. But what does exactly mount (a partition) mean?

 

Can you suggest me a good downloadable manual so that I can print it out and not having to ask for every detail?

[Tormod]

4. if I write lspci -v it says comand not found, but if I write man lspci it gives me the description of the comand and if I write #lspci -v nothing happens (=jumps just to the next line).

 

The # sign is to denote that the command is to be run as root. The $ sign is your regular user sign.

 

On my Linux box (CentOS) the lspci command is located at /sbin/lspci - try this command: /sbin/lcpci -v

 

To locate a program, try whereis <program>, for example: whereis lspci

[sanctus]

thanks tormod it worked, but the list is very long and as I haven't got a connection on linux I can't copy it here...

 

Is there a way to figure it out on windows?

[Killean]

1. When I log on I can choose a gnome session or a kde (as well as one called safe terminal).

Okay, interesting. Fedora installs more than just one Window Manager. Safe terminal is what you will expect it to be. A pretty much blank screen with or more console terminals available to work with. Gnome is a good lightweight window manager with tons of features available to it. Acts a lot like older Mac OS'. KDE has to be the most bloated, having over 40-50+ programs made specifically for it. KDE can act almost any way you want it to, not too bad on the Windows feel. My suggestion for you? If you want to still feel at home with a window manager that has tons of bells and whistles, go with KDE. If you just want something plain for you to customize later on, go with Gnome. If you were to choose safe console I would just suggest you shut down the X Server and go with the computers console. Just as good.

 

2. One easily finds a program called terminal which looks like the "comand line", eventually I found also the konsole.

Gnome - Gnome Terminal

KDE - Konsole (remember, 40-50+ programs built for it. Just look for the K in front of the name)

You can use both from any window manager though. The programs have been built so you can use them any time you like. My preference is Konsole. While Gnome Terminal is pretty much the same, I like the way Konsole is layed out.

 

3. in mykonsole every line starts with [[email protected]]$

Yup. That is for a user, as Tormod explained. When you login as root it should say [[email protected]]# . You can change this later by editing the file /etc/bash/bashrc or by changing the global variable named PS1.

eg:

# PS1="u@h [W] >"

 

4. if I write lspci -v it says comand not found, but if I write man lspci it gives me the description of the comand and if I write #lspci -v nothing happens (=jumps just to the next line).

Yeah. Run as root mate.

 

About the partition I crated it in windows running only on windows so it is recognized by windows. But what does exactly mount (a partition) mean?

Mounting a partition means to have the disk readable at a certain location on your directory tree. To find out more about mount you can, a) type: man mount, or search for tutorials via google or some such engine. Mount is fairly simple however. Only when you try to mount network folder and the such does it get a little more difficult. Just need to remember:

-t - Mount partition of this type. So to mount other linux types, you might type: -t ext2 or -t reiserfs or -t jfs etc...

Next in line of the command is mounting which device. Usually starts with /dev/. Then you just need to recognize the linux way of describing hard disks.

Here was my servers hardware config and corresponding device node back in the day:

Prim IDE:

20 GB HD Master /dev/hda1-3

19 GB HD Slave /dev/hdb1-4

Sec IDE:

60 GB HD Master /dev/hdc1-8

CD-RW Slave /dev/hdd

USB:

60 GB HD External /dev/sda1

Last line in the mount command is the location of the folder you want the data of a partition to be read from. Just don't mount over any base system folders, or those "disappear" until you unmount the partition from that location. Better to just create a root folder /winshare and mount there each time.

 

Can you suggest me a good downloadable manual so that I can print it out and not having to ask for every detail?

To be honest, Linux already comes with a great manual. "man". Other places you can look are at Fedora. They might have a wiki available. Going to any number of support forums will get you an answer slowly. linuxquestions.org is one such place. Hypography.com could potentially be another. ;)

 

thanks tormod it worked, but the list is very long and as I haven't got a connection on linux I can't copy it here...

 

Is there a way to figure it out on windows?

Yes. There is. But only if the Linux was on a different running machine. Or so I would assume. If you have the FAT32 partition mounted after my instructions above, type this in the console:

# lspci -v > /winshare/lspci.txt

The screen will go blank for about a second or so, then pop back up. The > is a BASH command that writes to a file the contents of a command. >> appends to a file if you are curious. In each instance, it will create the file for you, so no need to worry about creating it before you output to.

[sanctus]

Ok now the sharing files works what makes me quite happy!

 

So here is what I get writing lspci:

 

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/PM/GMS/910GML Express Processor to DRAM Controller (rev 03)

00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/PM Express PCI Express Root Port (rev 03)

00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 03)

00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #1 (rev 03)

00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #2 (rev 03)

00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #3 (rev 03)

00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #4 (rev 03)

00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 03)

00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev d3)

00:1e.2 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 03)

00:1e.3 Modem: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) AC'97 Modem Controller (rev 03)

00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801FBM (ICH6M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 03)

00:1f.2 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801FBM (ICH6M) SATA Controller (rev 03)

01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc M24 1P [Radeon Mobility X600]

02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5751 Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express (rev 01)

03:01.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCI6515 Cardbus Controller

03:01.5 Communication controller: Texas Instruments PCI6515 SmartCard Controller

03:03.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection (rev 05)

 

 

Hope you understand something from it.

[Tormod]

Good going, mate. Now what was the question again?

[Killean]

03:03.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection (rev 05)

 

Hope you understand something from it.

 

Thanks. Just in case, I'll need the full info on the card. So here is what you need to type next:

# lspci -v | grep -A 6 2915ABG > /winshare/wirelesscard.txt

The | is a pipe command. With it I am forcing lspci to go through a filter for your wireless cards information, and print the next 6 lines from where it finds that string, and then, finally, output to a file.

[sanctus]

Tormod, see post #7, killean said to tell what that comand says to help how to connect to the internet as so far I don't get any access to the web on linux.

[sanctus]

here you go Killean:

 

03:03.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection (rev 05)

Subsystem: Intel Corporation Unknown device 1021

Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 209

Memory at dfbff000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [disabled]

Capabilities: [dc] Power Management version 2

[Killean]

Lucky man. Apparently Intel supports this device for linux. They have kernel drivers available (it might already built into the kernel meaning less headaches for you).

 

Wireless LAN Products Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Driver for Linux* 1.0.0 [ipw2200_linux_1_0_0.tgz]

http://ipw2200.sourceforge.net/README.ipw2200

 

To start off, check to see if the kernel is already patched:

# find /* -iname ipw2200

 

After a few minutes, if nothing shows up, then you need to follow those links to download and patch your kernel. Let us hope it's already there. If it is, the latter link will tell you how to activate it by using modprobe.