I hope this is the right place to ask.

First, a basic question: Where can I put an executable script so that it will run at the start of ANY runlevel?

You can add commands to /etc/rc.local and they will run at the very end of the boot process, right? What if I want to run it towards the beginning of the boot sequence? Do I have to add a "S##name" link in each rc#.d folder or is there another place it looks for these files?

Second question: How can I get Samba to startup when the system boots so that I can add Samba shares to /etc/fstab (suggested by a couple websites)?

I tried adding a script that starts Samba ('/etc/rc.d/init.d/smb start') to the rc#.d folder and giving it a name that makes it start (I think) before fstab is read and executed upon, but the services failed to start. Since Samba's not running, the commands in fstab obviously fail.

I guess my end goal is to have Samba start when the sytem boots, and to have it mount a couple shares as soon as possible. What's the best way to do this?

Sorry for the "n00bish" post, but a newbie is what I am

Well, it looks like I got it to work.

I added both the lines to start Samba as well as to mount the drives to /etc/rc.d/rc.local. Seems to have done the trick.

Is there a better way to do it? Also, any answers to my previous questions would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Can you post your answer here ?

Thanks.

Not sure exactly what you want to know, but here's what I ended up doing:

First, I tried doing it all with the /etc/rc.d/rc.local file by adding the lines:

But then I found the Services Manager and decided to do it that way instead. If while in X, as root run 'system-config-services' from the console, you should see a dialog that let's you choose what services start up for a given runlevel. Choose the runlevel you want (5 is the default and is what runs when start normally, as you probably know). Samba is listed as "smb" in the services list. Check that box.

Then, I went ahead and left the commands to map the network drives in rc.local, but removed the line to start Samba. I don't know if this is the best way, but it works, and from what I've seen in Linux so far that's what matters most

Was that what you were looking for or was there something else? I've been playing around with starting things automatically when booting to Linux (I'm setting up a standalone Freevo PVR) so maybe I've come across what you're trying do.

now this will be a pretty noobie-ish post as well...

I like what you're doing with the automounting of samba shares, do i need to add code in a script anywhere that unmounts the remote folders? Or is that done automatically when smb is shutdown?

Thanks,

Jacob

I think its done automatically. Else you can do it in the halt file.