Installed Mandrake Linux, now what? Please help!
 

I just finished the installation of Mandrake Linux and rebooted the computer. It came up with a screen saying Linux something about a floppy and something else. I let it run out of time and then it asked me for my login and password. It gave me the prompt [liesl@localhost liesl]$ Now what do I do?? Please help me as I am new to all of this. Thanks!

type:
startx
and you will be put into X windows if you have it installed.

Type startx and see what happens. If you get errors, see if running XFdrake can get you going.

# Mandrake links
Mandrake home page
Mandrake Users website
Easy urpmi config for Mandrake
urpmi mini-HOWTO
Easy software management: Red Carpet
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
You didn't install the developmental packages? As root, command:
urpmi gcc
An Introduction to the Midnight Commander. You can install it by commanding:
urpmi mc
Midnight Commander home page

# Configuring X
Linux Hardware Compatibility HOWTO - video cards
The Linux XFree86 HOWTO
Common X configuring tools:
Debian - dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86
Mandrake - XFdrake
Redhat 7.3 down - the setup utility leads to several config tools
Redhat 7.3 up - redhat-config-xfree86
You may have these tools:
XF86Setup
XFree86 -configure
Xconfigurator
xf86cfg
xf86config
xconf
ATI Linux drivers
If you need the nVidia driver, most likely, you want the Linux IA32 driver

well i installed KDE & GNOME so I don't know if it startx will work but I'll try it

Nope, didn't work...I got an error.

XFdrake didn't work either :(

KDE and Gnome are Integrated Desktop Environments that run on top of the X server. So startx starts X and whichever IDE or window manager you've chosen as default then loads. Depending on how fast stuff goes, you'll see a speckled gray background with an X in it. That's X. Then comes the snazzy graphics. That's your IDE. :)

When you say "error" and "didn't work", tell us what error and how it didn't work.

What is your video card? Do you need a driver?

Also, you have to log in as root for XFdrake or any of the other tools I mentioned to work. If you logged into your user account, give this command first:

su -

and give root's password and then try it. If XFdrake can't configure it, try xf86cfg

No such luck. I typed in startx and received some errors:

Fatal server error: could not open default font 'fixed'
X:10 fatal IO error 104 (Connection reset by peer) on X server ":0.0" after 0 requests (0 known processed) with 0 events remaining.

Also tried xf86cfg and got error message:
failed to run x-configure

Any other ideas? Does anyone know what the error messages mean?

Alright I was able to login under su and I typed in XFdrake and tested it. I got a message saying:

Shutting down X Font server: Failed
Starting X FontServer: Ok

So I guess it's ok now...but how do I get into GNOME or KDE?

I just restarted my computer and now it's displaying something about a stack and a call trace and a code. I guess I'll leave it alone for a few minutes but something doesn't seem right. :(

Ok, did one more reboot. Still received the error:

Fatal server error: could not open default font 'fixed'

X:10 fatal IO error 104 (Connection reset by peer) on X server ":0.0" after 0 requests (0 known processed) with 0 events remaining.

Also received a new message:
Xauth:error in locking authority file /home/liesl/.Xauthority

HELLLLPP, I don't know what to do!

For someone with little experience (I am such a person), sometimes it may be easier to redo the install. I installed Mandrake 9.00 3 times before it all worked. During the install you should come to a point where you can test the X installation (to make sure it is using parameters your hardware can meet). If it fails that test, it is not going to work, so it is not good to ignore that test. Also, some older video boards may be mis identified. If you have an older computer (or a really new one), you may want to try different video drivers.

Tony

Well I turned on my computer first thing this morning and it worked! But...I went to change the time. I logged in under root & changed the time. Then it asked something about reboot under my id so I did and now I've got the same problem again. Ahhhh! Does anyone know of any good books or links for beginners using Mandrake Linux?

In India - SAMs publishing makes nice books. Try techmedia otherwise