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I Just Installed Linux and... (VANITY)
July 06, 2004 | ME

Posted on 07/06/2005 4:11:29 PM PDT by SaveTheChief

I thought I would make jump into the open source world today. Linux is supposed to be more stable, robust, and powerful than Windows, and the relatively easy system requirements made it a good choice to load on my older Athlon 1000 PC.

The installation process was simple enough too. I threw in the SUSE disc and waited as the computer did the rest. The new OS is up and running without a hitch.

But for some strange reason, I cannot get the darned thing to make my Sound Blaster Live soundcard to work. In an attempt to Google a solution, I found out that a fix might not be as simple as downloading a driver and running an executable file.

I've read bits of the documentation that came with the OS, and bits from websites concerning the issue, and it is apparent that I might need to do some things with the Kernel as well.

I know there are Linux groupies here. Do any FReepers have any suggestions how I might tackle this challenge? Am I making it a bigger challenge than it really is?

While I am at it, I want to be able to run MythTV. I currently have an ATI TV card but the MythTV site says that ATI cards are not supported. Do any of you run this program? I'd appreciate knowing what you've found works best, especially in terms of hardware.

Thanks!


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: linux; lowqualitycrap
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To: Publius6961
That reminds me, will Linux present special problems on a laptop?

Only problems could be internal wireless or internal "winmodem", strange video. CD/DVD burner should be no problem.

If you are buying from a brick and mortar source, burn the most recent Knoppix and take it in to try on target machine. I use SuSE on desktop and older Gateway. Don't have the url, but found "linux on a laptop" on the net.

21 posted on 07/06/2005 6:34:11 PM PDT by grwcfl537 (Linux Registered User)
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To: SpaceBar; SaveTheChief; Publius6961; Redcloak; Hodar; sigSEGV; Salo; ShadowAce
I am doing a tour of various Linux, unix systems.....Just discovered one called GoboLinux, can run from a CD like Knoppix...but has a different directory scheme,....seems much more logical to me.

Wondering if anyone else has heard of it.

GoboLinux - the alternative Linux distribution

Has a neat Logo:


22 posted on 07/06/2005 6:35:17 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (History is soon Forgotten,)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

That is an awesome logo!! Jedi-Penguin to the rescue.


23 posted on 07/06/2005 6:36:49 PM PDT by Hodar (With Rights, come Responsibilities. Don't assume one, without assuming the other.)
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To: grellis

Done! I'm also going to send him a private FR mail as confirmation.


24 posted on 07/06/2005 6:37:46 PM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: All
Should have included this:

GoboLinux is an alternative Linux distribution which redefines the entire filesystem hierarchy.
In GoboLinux you don't need a package manager because the filesystem is the package manager: each program resides in its own directory, such as /Programs/Xorg/6.7.0/ and /Programs/KDE/3.2.2.

Differences between GoboLinux and a traditional Linux system

I think this can help understand both systems/.

25 posted on 07/06/2005 6:43:03 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (History is soon Forgotten,)
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To: SaveTheChief

The other issue you may have is with the printer....I still don't understand that one.


26 posted on 07/06/2005 6:44:27 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (History is soon Forgotten,)
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To: SaveTheChief; Redcloak
Ran into a similar problem the other day at the home office--fiddling around waiting for new software to install, I had changed my desktop's manual shutdown button to put the computer in standby instead of shutting down the system. But I'd forgotten that the administrator had let me use his username while installing the new software and I didn't have his password, so when the computer went to standby it locked up and wouldn't even let me log in again under my own username! I sheepishly called the admin back to get him to put his password in again...and to make things worse, by the time he got there I'd realized that I could pull out the plug and solve the login problem.

Luckily, I had a few other issues that needed admin access to resolve, so he didn't rag on me for it--heck, after he saw I'd set up Firefox, he called his boss and they even gave me admin permissions so I don't have to bug `em any more, I can do all the installation and customization I want! But I feel for you, cause I hate being the guy that tech support hates, too.

27 posted on 07/06/2005 6:58:35 PM PDT by LibertarianInExile ("Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist." -- John Adams. "F that." -- SCOTUS, in Kelo.)
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To: Mr. K
It would be great to hear from someone who went from windows to Linux

I switched less than a month ago, and am very happy I did. I was using XP, and now I'm using Fedora.

Nothing dramatic made me change. I've used Microsoft software since DOS 3.x, for almost 20 years.

I think MS has done great things, but their OS is a black Model T that looks pretty boring to me alongside the new Cadillacs, Packards, and Chryslers out there.

I found this article today, and it gives a good overview for those considering the move.
28 posted on 07/06/2005 7:22:17 PM PDT by clyde asbury
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To: Michael Barnes

Purchased 9.3.


29 posted on 07/06/2005 7:41:46 PM PDT by SaveTheChief (There are 10 types of people -- those who understand binary, and those who don't.)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach; Publius6961; SaveTheChief; Redcloak

Sorry for my lack of knowledge of the terminology. I'll learn it though.

In SUSE 9.3 (anyway), there is a tray next to the clock with various system icons. You will want to choose the SUSE Hardware Tool. That will take you to a window that looks a lot like the Windows Device Manager. Choose Sound Device and you will be able to configure all the settings that way.


30 posted on 07/06/2005 7:48:05 PM PDT by SaveTheChief (There are 10 types of people -- those who understand binary, and those who don't.)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
I recall reading about Gobo-linux and its unusual filesystem setup but never went beyond that. Personally slackware is my distribution of choice, but I'm impressed with one called Vector Linux. I installed it on an older IBM Thinkpad and the memory stick and pcmcia wi-fi configured without a hitch. It installs easily and comes with a no-nonsense suite of office style programs appropriate for a college student or small home office. The SOHO edition was the one I installed. Very well done in my humble opinion. The CD boot distributions like Knoppix are convenient in many respects, but nothing beats a good old fashioned dedicated hard disk install on a dedicated machine. On another note, the original story mentions an Athlon 1000 as an underpowered machine just right for linux. I happen to have a 486-DX33 with eight megs of RAM, not a typo, running Slackware 7.0, completely configured and internet ready, in a closet, waiting there if I need an emergency system to read email, freep, download a driver, etc.
31 posted on 07/06/2005 7:49:22 PM PDT by SpaceBar
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To: Mr. K

Right now I am pretty darned happy about the fact that the OS only takes 2 GB on my small 40 GB hard drive. That's pretty nice!


32 posted on 07/06/2005 7:50:12 PM PDT by SaveTheChief (There are 10 types of people -- those who understand binary, and those who don't.)
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To: ShadowAce; All

Well, I've finally downloaded Knoppix, but it's a no-go. I get a black screen with lots of multi colored small text, telling me that various things are going on, and after about 30 seconds the screen starts tearing. It looks like you started fast forwarding a video tape. A couple of seconds later a woman's prerecorded voice says "initiating startup sequence". There's activity lights on the CD and HD, but after a few minutes they stop, but the picture tearing remains. Obviously if there's something I need to do I can't see it.

In mid February I ordered Ubuntu, and it's still a no-show. So much for my forays with Linux so far....


33 posted on 07/06/2005 8:08:33 PM PDT by JoJo Gunn (Help control the Leftist population. Have them spayed or neutered. ©)
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To: SaveTheChief
Linux is supposed to be more stable, robust, and powerful than Windows...

LOL according to who? Some guy that thinks the future will be based on selling service on supposedly free software? Probably.

34 posted on 07/06/2005 8:13:02 PM PDT by Golden Eagle
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To: Publius6961
Should get my new Thinkpad next week.

If you didn't hear, those have been renamed Chinkpads...

35 posted on 07/06/2005 8:15:50 PM PDT by Golden Eagle
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To: Golden Eagle

they were always manufactured overseas, they just switched labels. a minor semantic difference. same product.


36 posted on 07/06/2005 8:22:34 PM PDT by timtoews5292004
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To: timtoews5292004
a minor semantic difference.

Like the profits now go to the Chinese government instead? I'd call that more than a minor semantic difference, myself.

37 posted on 07/06/2005 8:25:07 PM PDT by Golden Eagle
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To: JoJo Gunn
You should study this reference before writing off Knoppix as some crap you downloaded that doesn't pass the disk in, boot up, funky screen, must be garbage... mindset. You have to do at least a minimum of homework.
38 posted on 07/06/2005 8:28:41 PM PDT by SpaceBar
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To: SaveTheChief
I am pretty darned happy about the fact that the OS only takes 2 GB on my small 40 GB hard drive.

That's actually larger than any version of Windows. 2000 Pro only takes about a 1Gb and XP Pro about 1.5...

39 posted on 07/06/2005 8:31:28 PM PDT by Golden Eagle
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To: Golden Eagle

read the latest edition of wired magazine. they have an article about the takeover/partnership in it. its still a fairly even split of the money, actually.


40 posted on 07/06/2005 8:33:58 PM PDT by timtoews5292004
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