- main - earth.li

bye bye boot sector
by BenEBoy 27 Oct '04

27 Oct '04

I turned my computer on today but it stopped whilst trying to load lilo (black screen with 'LI' at the top left. It usually says 'LILO 2.whatever). After discovering the recovery disk section of the debian install CD I managed to get everything working again, but was wondering if someone might be able to suggest why it happened (and what I should do now)? I'm running a reasonably up to date sarge (apt-get upgraded last week) and haven't booted into windows for ages so I don't think it can be anything to do with that). The harddrive is about 8 months old and it isn't making any funny noises). Any suggestions please? cheers, BenE

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Hard disk error
by Richard Lewis 26 Oct '04

26 Oct '04

Hello ALUG, I've just added a GB of RAM to my server. The BIOS found it alright but something strange happened when I booted up (its Debian sarge): it took about 2 or 3 minutes to start the syslogd (no disk activity or anything). Then once it had booted things got even worse! $ free -m indicates that the new RAM is working but it seems that hdb2 (which is my /var mount point) will not mount! In my /etc/fstab I have /dev/hda2 none swap sw 0 0 /dev/hda1 / ext3 defaults,errors=remount-re 0 1 /deb/hdb1 /home ext3 defaults 0 2 /deb/hdb2 /var ext3 defaults 0 2 and when I issue # mount /dev/hdb2 I get: hdb: dma_intr: status=0x51 { DriveReady SeekComplete Error } hdb: dma_intr: error=0x40 { UncorrectableError }, LBAsect=39067264, sector=39067264 end_request: I/O error, dev hdb, sector 39067264 JBD: IO error reading journal superblock EXT3-fs: error loading journal. mount: wring fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/hdb2, or too many mounted file systems and I can't seem to be able to do anything about because the machine hasn't connecting to the network (maybe it needs something from /var...) so I can't install hdparm. (It can't do anything which requires stuff from /var like run its web server, database server, apt, dhcp-client, ...) Any ideas whats wrong with it? Cheers, Richard -- Richard Lewis richardlewis(a)fastmail.co.uk

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FTGH: Various computing bits.
by Jonathan McDowell 26 Oct '04

26 Oct '04

I don't know if any of this is of interest to people, but if it is please take it off my hands! I'll keep a list with fuller details of the bit and what's gone at: http://the.earth.li/~noodles/junk.html Apple Mac LC475 Intel PII-233 + LX motherboard Full tower AT case Intel Celeron 266 Slot 1 Athlon 800Mhz + mobo 32 port 10Mb/s hub HP Colorado T3000 tape drive + FC-20 controller card PC Chips M747 AT style Slot 1 mobo J. -- If it was easy, the hardware people would take care of it.

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The Decline of Civilisation
by Ted.Harding＠nessie.mcc.ac.uk 25 Oct '04

25 Oct '04

Hi Folks, By chance I found myself listening, on Radio 4 yesterday afternoon, to the folllowing gem: Microsoft, Powerpoint and the Decline of Civilisation As the BBC Radio 4 web site puts it: Over 30 million PowerPoint presentations are delivered every day. DJ Taylor asks, "Why?" Well worth listening to. Go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/rams/mon1545.ram before this week is out. (15 minutes). Best wishes to all, Ted. -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 [NB: New number!] Date: 19-Oct-04 Time: 11:32:12 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------

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Weekly IRC reminder
by Neill Newman 25 Oct '04

25 Oct '04

This is the automated ALUG IRC meeting reminder sent to remind you that there is an IRC meeting tonight (Monday) at 8.00pm. The meeting takes place on the irc server irc.alug.org.uk in the #alug channel. Most IRC clients should allow you to get there with the commands "/server irc.alug.org.uk" and "/join #alug". Popular IRC clients include tkirc, bitchx, xchat and EPIC on Unix, and Mirc under windows. Here are some links to help you get started with irc. Unix http://www.xchat.org/ http://freshmeat.net/ http://www.epicsol.org/ Windows http://www.mirc.com (loads of help with irc for newbies!)

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DSL anyone?
by Ricky Bruce 21 Oct '04

21 Oct '04

I know this topic comes up every few months but what dsl providers would you lot recommend. Id like to find a nice balance between cost (£25 or so a month) freebies, (a router would be a lovely although somewhat unrealistic target) and reasonable speeds. Also i might be moving from Yarmouth to N'arch in a couple of months so the ability to switch to a new property without incurring any penalties or charges would be great. And of course tech support who understood that Linux isnt some kind of Windows program but an OS in its own right. Or even tech support that understood what an OS was :) Cheers in anticipation Rick ps are all ALUGS list messages logged somewhere? LUGs i have been a part of in the past have kept a searchable archive of messages, which has been very useful in looking up past messages for info. _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself with cool new emoticons http://www.msn.co.uk/specials/myemo

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LAST DAY ON EBAY: Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 Linux PDA
by Jamie French 18 Oct '04

18 Oct '04

Hi Guys, Checkout my auction on EBay for my Zaurus SL-5500 with many accessories. It is on its last day, so get in quick :) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5725424664&ssPage… Good luck. Jamie ___________________________________________________________ALL-NEW Yahoo! Messenger - all new features - even more fun! http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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Weekly IRC reminder
by Neill Newman 18 Oct '04

18 Oct '04

This is the automated ALUG IRC meeting reminder sent to remind you that there is an IRC meeting tonight (Monday) at 8.00pm. The meeting takes place on the irc server irc.alug.org.uk in the #alug channel. Most IRC clients should allow you to get there with the commands "/server irc.alug.org.uk" and "/join #alug". Popular IRC clients include tkirc, bitchx, xchat and EPIC on Unix, and Mirc under windows. Here are some links to help you get started with irc. Unix http://www.xchat.org/ http://freshmeat.net/ http://www.epicsol.org/ Windows http://www.mirc.com (loads of help with irc for newbies!)

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Re: querying RAM
by Richard Lewis 16 Oct '04

16 Oct '04

Hello ALUG, A couple of days ago I asked about checking out RAM info on a running machine and was pointed to the dmidecode program. I know its a little OT but.... I've been able to work that new modules should be: max module size: 512MB; voltage: 3.3V; single-bit ECC error correction. But I wonder if anyone knows if its possible, given the information below, to work out what size (in pins) and speed (PCnnn) will be compatible? Cheers, Richard ================================================== Handle 0x0007 DMI type 5, 24 bytes. Memory Controller Information Error Detecting Method: 32-bit ECC Error Correcting Capabilities: Single-bit Error Correcting Supported Interleave: One-way Interleave Current Interleave: One-way Interleave Maximum Memory Module Size: 512 MB Maximum Total Memory Size: 2048 MB Supported Speeds: Other 50 ns Supported Memory Types: Other ECC Memory Module Voltage: 3.3 V Associated Memory Slots: 4 0x0008 0x0009 0x000A 0x000B Enabled Error Correcting Capabilities: Single-bit Error Correcting Handle 0x0008 DMI type 6, 12 bytes. Memory Module Information Socket Designation: J7J1 Bank Connections: 0 0 Current Speed: Unknown Type: Other Installed Size: 128 MB (Single-bank Connection) Enabled Size: 128 MB (Single-bank Connection) Error Status: OK Handle 0x0009 DMI type 6, 12 bytes. Memory Module Information Socket Designation: J7J2 Bank Connections: 0 0 Current Speed: Unknown Type: Other Installed Size: 128 MB (Single-bank Connection) Enabled Size: 128 MB (Single-bank Connection) Error Status: OK Handle 0x000A DMI type 6, 12 bytes. Memory Module Information Socket Designation: J8J1 Bank Connections: 0 Current Speed: Unknown Type: Other Installed Size: Not Installed (Single-bank Connection) Enabled Size: Not Installed (Single-bank Connection) Error Status: OK Handle 0x000B DMI type 6, 12 bytes. Memory Module Information Socket Designation: J8J2 Bank Connections: 0 Current Speed: Unknown Type: Other Installed Size: Not Installed (Single-bank Connection) Enabled Size: Not Installed (Single-bank Connection) Error Status: OK Handle 0x000C DMI type 9, 13 bytes. System Slot Information Designation: J4E1 Type: 32-bit PCI Current Usage: In Use Length: Long ID: 1 Characteristics: 3.3 V is provided PME signal is supported Handle 0x002F DMI type 18, 23 bytes. 32-bit Memory Error Information Type: Unknown Granularity: Unknown Operation: Unknown Vendor Syndrome: Unknown Memory Array Address: Unknown Device Address: Unknown Resolution: Unknown Handle 0x0030 DMI type 16, 15 bytes. Physical Memory Array Location: System Board Or Motherboard Use: System Memory Error Correction Type: Single-bit ECC Maximum Capacity: 2 GB Error Information Handle: 0x0031 Number Of Devices: 4 Handle 0x0031 DMI type 19, 15 bytes. Memory Array Mapped Address Starting Address: 0x00000000000 Ending Address: 0x0000FFFFFFF Range Size: 256 MB Physical Array Handle: 0x0030 Partition Width: 0 Handle 0x0032 DMI type 17, 23 bytes. Memory Device Array Handle: 0x0030 Error Information Handle: 0x002F Total Width: 16 bits Data Width: 16 bits Size: 128 MB Form Factor: RIMM Set: 3 Locator: J7J1 Bank Locator: RIMM1 Type: Other Type Detail: RAMBus Speed: 400 MHz (2.5 ns) Handle 0x0033 DMI type 20, 19 bytes. Memory Device Mapped Address Starting Address: 0x00000000000 Ending Address: 0x00007FFFFFF Range Size: 128 MB Physical Device Handle: 0x0032 Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x0031 Partition Row Position: 1 Handle 0x0034 DMI type 17, 23 bytes. Memory Device Array Handle: 0x0030 Error Information Handle: 0x002F Total Width: 16 bits Data Width: 16 bits Size: 128 MB Form Factor: RIMM Set: 3 Locator: J7J2 Bank Locator: RIMM2 Type: Other Type Detail: RAMBus Speed: 400 MHz (2.5 ns) Handle 0x0035 DMI type 20, 19 bytes. Memory Device Mapped Address Starting Address: 0x00008000000 Ending Address: 0x0000FFFFFFF Range Size: 128 MB Physical Device Handle: 0x0034 Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x0031 Partition Row Position: 1 Handle 0x0036 DMI type 17, 23 bytes. Memory Device Array Handle: 0x0030 Error Information Handle: 0x002F Total Width: Unknown Data Width: Unknown Size: No Module Installed Form Factor: Other Set: None Locator: J8J1 Bank Locator: RIMM3 Type: Other Type Detail: None Speed: Unknown Handle 0x0037 DMI type 126, 19 bytes. Inactive Handle 0x0038 DMI type 17, 23 bytes. Memory Device Array Handle: 0x0030 Error Information Handle: 0x002F Total Width: Unknown Data Width: Unknown Size: No Module Installed Form Factor: Other Set: None Locator: J8J2 Bank Locator: RIMM4 Type: Other Type Detail: None Speed: Unknown

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I've added a few more bits for sale/free
by Chris Green 14 Oct '04

14 Oct '04

I've added a few items to my list of bits for sale/free at:- http://www.isbd.net/computerbits.html A complete system or two may be coming soon, I've just got to decide which ones to get rid of! -- Chris Green (chris(a)areti.co.uk) "Never ascribe to malice, that which can be explained by incompetence."

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Wiki / Alug Homepage
by Dave Briggs 13 Oct '04

13 Oct '04

Can any of the Alug web team let me know what wiki system they use for the site - or is it one of their own devising? I could do with something along those lines for a little project I am working on, and any other recommendations would be much appreciated. Cheers -- Dave Briggs http://www.palimpsest.org.uk - The Home of Informed Debate on the Web

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FOR SALE: Compaq 18.2 GB SCSI Disks
by Jamie French 13 Oct '04

13 Oct '04

Hi Guys, Hope you don't mind me selling items through here, just having a clear out and would prefer to be sold through here first :) I have two Compaq 18.2GB 7200 RPM Wide Ultra2 SCSI model no. BB01811C9C Drive CPN 104922 - 001 for sale. Make me an offer! I live in Stowmarket if that helps. Take Care, Jamie ___________________________________________________________ALL-NEW Yahoo! Messenger - all new features - even more fun! http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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Subscription cancel
by Denis Shaul 13 Oct '04

13 Oct '04

Please cancel my subscription to ALUG list Denis Shaul -- Denis Shaul denis(a)felmingham.me.uk

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why i like linux
by the shadow 12 Oct '04

12 Oct '04

i have been using linux for about 7 months. i have tried using knoppix, gentoo(didnt finish install), mandrake. i now use redhat which i have been using for about 2 months. the main reason i use linux is because i am a programmer and i use my box as a webserver. i also like being able to use an os that is open source because of the amount of programs released. _________________________________________________________________ It's fast, it's easy and it's free. Get MSN Messenger today! http://www.msn.co.uk/messenger

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[ALUG Announce]Reminder: Norwich City Gate meeting this Thursday night.
by Jonathan McDowell 12 Oct '04

12 Oct '04

ALUG Announce Please send announcements to Announce(a)lists.alug.org.uk Unsub, change settings via http://lists.alug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/announce ----- As per usual, this Thursday (14th October) we'll be congregating in the City Gate from around 8pm. At least myself, Brett, Kirsten and Adam should be there, and Eli might also make it. Full details can be found at: http://www.alug.org.uk/meetings/2004/all-NorThu.html Directions at: http://www.alug.org.uk/venues/citygate.html Pictures from August of people so you know who to look out for: http://www.earth.li/~noodles/Photos/2004-08-ALUG/ J. -- /-\ | Don't be a stranger. |@/ Debian GNU/Linux Developer | \- | ----- Send discussion replies to main(a)lists.alug.org.uk (Reply-To set) Unsub, change settings via http://lists.alug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/announce

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querying RAM
by Richard Lewis 12 Oct '04

12 Oct '04

Hello ALUG, I'm running Debian on my server. Does anyone know if there's a way of established what my RAM upgrade options are (i.e. slots and speeds, rather than $ free -m) without switching the machine off? Cheers, Richard

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And another thing...
by Anthony Anson 12 Oct '04

12 Oct '04

Where can I find a pretty comprehensive list of commands for the Debian command line? TIA -- Tony http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ God sends the meat, the Devil sends the cooks.

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FOR SALE: Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 Linux PDA
by Jamie French 12 Oct '04

12 Oct '04

Hi Guys, Hope all is well! I have not been in the scene lately as I purely don't have the time. Hence my lack of time and in need of money I am selling my Zaurus on ebay @ http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5725424664&ssPage… with all accessories. The reserve price is very resonable, so have a bid and see what happens :) Take Care, Jamie ___________________________________________________________ALL-NEW Yahoo! Messenger - all new features - even more fun! http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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Re: [ALUG] querying RAM
by Richard Lewis 12 Oct '04

12 Oct '04

On Tuesday, October 12, 2004, at 10:55 AM, adam(a)thebowery.co.uk wrote: > On Tue, Oct 12, 2004 at 09:34:32AM +0100, Richard Lewis wrote: >> Hello ALUG, >> >> I'm running Debian on my server. >> >> Does anyone know if there's a way of established what my RAM upgrade >> options are (i.e. slots and speeds, rather than $ free -m) without >> switching the machine off? > > We were just kicking around a few ideas on IRC, you can try > > apt-get install dmidecode > > and then looking at the output of dmidecode, homepage here > http://www.nongnu.org/dmidecode/ > Hey, thats really cool! I never knew there was so much to a computer :-) Richard

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Re: nostalgia clearout
by phil 12 Oct '04

12 Oct '04

> > Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 22:04:01 +0100 > From: Big Dave <digbave(a)gmail.com> > Reply-To: Big Dave <digbave(a)gmail.com> > To: main(a)lists.alug.org.uk > Subject: Re: [ALUG] nostalgia clearout > > i might be interested in some of them, but for my father, he has a > strange liking of the beige beasts... > OK - let me know, I'm working thru them one by one, taking off all the "stuff" off... Don't think they'll be allowed in the dining room for long! Most of them have ethernet cards in, except the LC475.

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nostalgia clearout
by phil 12 Oct '04

12 Oct '04

Evening - just having a clearout of all my old beige Mac stuff. We have a LC475 (beautiful beige pizza box), Performa 630, Quadra 650, Quadra 960, Powermac 7100, and a 9600. Unbelievably they all still work (well, I'm working through the pile now...) - except the newest which is the 9600 with a dead video card. Robbed it for my YDL Linux machine. I guess Linux could be put on the last two... There's appletalk boxes & network cables - thought about setting up a quick network game of Spectre Supreme for nostalgia's sake, but just haven't got the room! The Quadra 650 boots in 30 seconds, and has run word 5.0 like everybody wishes it would run now! My 76 year old father-in-law used it for years, without a single crash. Can't bring myself to scrap this stuff cos it all just works like the day it was bought - anyone know anybody that might be interested? Phil www.figureone.co.uk

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Lots of hardware, mostly free to good homes
by Chris Green 12 Oct '04

12 Oct '04

I have decided I really need to clear out some of my old hardware and systems, to avoid cluttering up this list I've put what's available on my web pages at http://www.isbd.net/computerbits.html The list won't be complete so if you have a desperate need for some sort of ISA card drop me a mail, you'd be suprised what I have lying about! Among other things there will be a Brother 1060 dual bin laser printer and one or two complete systems with processors around the 300MHz mark which would probably make good ipCop forewalls for example. -- Chris Green (chris(a)areti.co.uk) "Never ascribe to malice, that which can be explained by incompetence."

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RE: [ALUG] DSL anyone?
by e154 11 Oct '04

11 Oct '04

>===== Original Message From chris.green(a)isbd.co.uk ===== >On Sat, Oct 09, 2004 at 11:26:08PM +0100, Wayne Stallwood wrote: >> > >> This is a habit I really want to get into. I currently never turn my home >> machine off, I don't care about the electricity costs but worry about the >> environmental impact of everybody doing this. install climateprediction.net and then your PC will do something useful to help climate science whilst it is on.

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Weekly IRC reminder
by Neill Newman 11 Oct '04

11 Oct '04

This is the automated ALUG IRC meeting reminder sent to remind you that there is an IRC meeting tonight (Monday) at 8.00pm. The meeting takes place on the irc server irc.alug.org.uk in the #alug channel. Most IRC clients should allow you to get there with the commands "/server irc.alug.org.uk" and "/join #alug". Popular IRC clients include tkirc, bitchx, xchat and EPIC on Unix, and Mirc under windows. Here are some links to help you get started with irc. Unix http://www.xchat.org/ http://freshmeat.net/ http://www.epicsol.org/ Windows http://www.mirc.com (loads of help with irc for newbies!)

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A connection conundrum - can it be done?
by Barry Samuels 08 Oct '04

08 Oct '04

I have a laptop which I take on holiday and would like to use it to connect to my machine at home. My machine at home is on ADSL and my ISP also gives me a dial-up number. I can connect via the dial-up number but my IP address is exactly the same as the fixed IP address of my home machine on ADSL. Having connected via dial-up is there any way I can connect to my home machine as both machines then have the same IP address? Am I missing anything obvious here? Barry Samuels http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk The Unofficial Guide to Great Britain

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