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Re: Debian Install, 3rd attempt
by John Seago 16 Jun '04

16 Jun '04

This time I gave it the name debian.test and got a different set of screens and questions and got further than before, the log-in screen did not appear and as it failed I was asked if I wanted to configure X myself. I've done this X Server before so I know I got it right, however if returned a fault telling me "host name lookup failed" and would not start the X server. I do not understand why a failure in networking, particularly as there is no network, is so important. However i got further this time, and its keeping me busy, the challenge continues onwards and upwards. (When I get this right I've got the CD's for the HURD somewhere, so I won't get bored). -- John Seago Linux User #219566 (http://counter.li.org)

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Re: [ALUG] Re: Debian Install, 3rd attempt
by John Seago 16 Jun '04

16 Jun '04

I tried the Ctrl + Alt +F1 and that does work, so one symptom is down to not paying attention when Mark and Adam told me how to do it. I have set /etc/hosts to the same format as my Slackware partitions but still I can get to gdm, log in and then the system hangs at "initializing system services" and after a time goes back to grey with the cursor, although I did get the KDE start-up tones whilst altering /etc/hosts from root. I also re-checked and reset xf86config, although I have set it exactly the same as the same version of X which runs my Slackware the screen image is just a tad squashed. Note please do not assume that because I can work VI enough to rewrite /etc/hosts that I can do much else from the command line. -- John Seago Linux User #219566 (http://counter.li.org)

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Re: [ALUG] Re: Debian Install, 3rd attempt
by John Seago 16 Jun '04

16 Jun '04

On Wednesday 16 June 2004 15:32, you wrote: > John, > > Try logging in via one of the virtual terminal screens: ALT+F1. If that > works, This has been the problem, both with 'Woody and 'Sarge' will not respond to ALT+F1! > it proves that there's nothing wrong with the actual > installation, only with the configuration of the window system or the > particular window manager you're using. It looks to me suspiciously as > though it's your X server, though I guess you've realized that already. As far as the Xserver goes, on one of my attempts the installer set it up properly, and on one of the others I did, the login screen is perfect beautifully sharp, and KDE went so far as to give me the set-up wizard before the login box on initial start up. KDE gets as far as the second Icon, (28% in the progress bar), and then stops and goes back to the grey screen with the cursor, Gnome tells me that it could not look up the internet address of the name, and to add the name to /etc/hosts. The names, I left the first as debian, not knowing what was expected, the second I made debian.experiment, the third I used the series of english philosphers.enlightenment .net, in this case thomashobbes.enlightenment.net. wwwofle also shows as failing in the, scroll past at opening. As far as I and my son-in-law can diagnose, its down to ineptitude on my part, I just can't get the hostname, networking bit right and it wont start fully. > > HTH. (Hope that helps?) > On another matter, I see that there are members/a member in the Ipswich area seeking start meetings. The next nearest LUG South, is Southend-on-Sea, and to the west Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. There must be more than just yourself in Colchester, and I can't believe there's no-one in Chelmsford. Then there's the rest of Essex and the whole of South-West Suffolk apparently a dessert for ALUG or any kind of LUG members. What's your assessment of the need/demand for LUG activities in that area, would it be worth a recruitment notice in uk.comp.os.linux? -- John Seago Linux User #219566 (http://counter.li.org)

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Backup software
by Chris Green 16 Jun '04

16 Jun '04

I am thinking around the problem of improving my backups having had a near disaster a couple of months ago (some disk recovery software saved my bacon). The home network consists of a Linux (slackware) server machine that is on all the time and two or three Win2k desktop machines. I have an old DAT tape drive on the Linux box but I'm leaning towards using the DVD writer on my Win2k desktop machine instead. Backing up the home directories on the Linux box is easy[ish] as they are all simply below the /home directory. However trying to gather the Win2k files I need to backup as well is more messy. I can map drives either way across the network and I could quite easily move the DVD writer to the Linux box. Does anyone here have any recommendations for backup programs for this sort of scenario. What I'm particularly after is something that will have a reasonably good shot at selecting files to be backed up without me having to specify every single folder. I'm quite happy to add a few 'rogue' ones as I find them (e.g. my Palm files) but there must be soemthing that will make a half reasonable shot at finding most 'user' files. -- Chris Green (chris(a)areti.co.uk)

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x86-64
by BenEBoy 15 Jun '04

15 Jun '04

As mentioned before (unless the post has been eaten somewhere along the line), I am the proud owner of an AMD64. I installed debian on it and, as usual, compiled the kernel from source (it took 10 minutes, rather than the 40-50 mins it used to take). The only problem was that the bzImage was in the i386 directory and not, as I would expect, in the x86-64 directory. *slap* I just checked my .config file and I selected the wrong option on the processor type...onto my second question... I've googled for an answer to this with no luck, but how do I install the 64 bit versions of software for debian? Will apt-get automagically detect I have a 64bit processor and do it for me? Is it not as simple as that? Thanks, BenE

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Re: Debian Install
by John Seago 15 Jun '04

15 Jun '04

I have been out to my son-in law, both of us Slackware users, to discuss this problem. He tells me that as Slackware users we have been spoilt as Slackware comes with its Gateway, Name Server, Host Name, Hosts Allow, Domain name etc., etc., all ready set up. I just edit the file to alter the computer and domain names, before doing xf86config. (My computer is a stand alone machine with a modem to connect, very, very slowly to the internet). It would appear that its a problem with all, one or some of the above and I need to know the right answers when the installer asks me for decisions, it also explains the failure to get very far with its start up. I've been given some background reading homework and he advised me to ask what answers I might need. As before all suggestions welcome for the next attempt to install! -- John Seago Linux User #219566 (http://counter.li.org)

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Debian Install
by John Seago 15 Jun '04

15 Jun '04

Those at the last meeting at Syleham will remember that I had problems installing Debian 'Woody' amongst which was the fact that some of my hardware is too modern for the version of 'X'. Today I received Debian 'Sarge' the installer seems to have changed considerably and the whole process is much simpler, however I have arrived at the graphical log-in and then having given my user name and password both KDE and Gnome go as far as, in the case of KDE the second Icon 28% and then stall. Gnome tells me that as it cannot find Debian org it can go no further and stalls. It seems that this has something to do with the hostname and the connection to the outside world. CntlF1 or CntlF2 do not get me into root, this must be something I am getting wrong on the install/configuration, any suggestions please? -- John Seago Linux User #219566 (http://counter.li.org)

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Re: [ALUG] Am I still subscribed
by Chris Green 15 Jun '04

15 Jun '04

On Mon, Jun 14, 2004 at 03:56:35PM +0100, Graham Trott wrote: > On Monday 14 June 2004 15:43, Chris Green wrote: > > I am having a serious probelm with my mail here at chris(a)areti.co.uk, > > I seem to have suddenly lost all mailing list mail whereas everything > > else seems basically OK. > > > > If this gets to the list I'd very much appreciate some confirmation > > E-Mails to any/all of the following addresses:- > > > > chris(a)isbd.co.uk > > chris.green(a)vidus.com > > cgreeen(a)x-1.net > > All, as requested... > OK, thanks all, I have enough responses now to see that I can read 'normal' E-Mail and I can send messages to the list. For some reason though since about midday I'm no longer receiving any mail from any of the lists I'm subscribed to. -- Chris Green (chris(a)areti.co.uk)

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Introduction
by Stuart Bailey 15 Jun '04

15 Jun '04

Hello, I wanted to introduce myself to the ALUG. I am currently unemployed (having been made redundant from my old job) and planning to start my own business. My objective in my venture is to promote and support the use of Linux in the small to medium sized business, particularly in east Norfolk. I have been working in IT for about 15 years, initially working in the air traffic control industry, and later in the oil pipeline survey industry. I am qualified and experience in software development, mainly C++, on Unix platforms, and more recently Win32. I have been using Linux at home and work for around 6 years (my first taste coming in the form of RedHat v3.2). Academically, I have a 1st class honours degree in computer science and have gained chartered engineer status through the BCS. In recent years I have become increasingly frustrated with company decision makers, who repeatedly ignore the benefits of Linux over other operating systems. I have found this due mainly to two things: lack of knowledge, and fear of change. I have now found myself in a position where I can do something about this problem - to actively promote Linux and increase awareness amongst local businesses, and to offer support and maintenance in order to alleviate the fear of change. My reason for contacting the ALUG in this way, really is to ensure that I am supporting the ALUG in its activities and ideas, rather than 'stepping on anyones toes'. I look forward to meeting you at a future ALUG meeting. Regards, Stuart Bailey LinuSoft (01953) 601294 email: stuart(a)linusoft.co.uk.

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Very strange mail problem
by Chris Green 15 Jun '04

15 Jun '04

I'm still having this very odd mail problem. I'm subscribed to this list (and several others) from my habitual mail address of chris(a)areti.co.uk. Since about midday yesterday mailing list mail has dried up completely, I know some of the lists have had mail since then so where's it going? Other mail to chris(a)areti.co.uk is arriving OK. I'm wondering if a spam filter somewhere has become over zealous. This mail is really just a test from my new subscription to generate some traffic that I can try copying to chris(a)areti.co.uk to see if it can arrive. So, sorry for the 'noise'. -- Chris Green (cgreen(a)x-1.net)

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