real newbie question - sorry
 

where can i find the log for the information that scrolls up the screen at startup and shutdown?. i would like to read it but moves too fast for me:D I've wondered about this for a quite a while but never got round to asking

/var/log/messages

BTW, there is a place for your distro(s) in your control panel that will put it/them on the left. I spot it better there than in your sig.

# Use dmesg to view the kernel ring buffer (error messages)
dmesg | less

# Watch error messages as they happen (sysklog needed)
as root, tail -f /var/log/messages (shows last 10 lines, use a number in front of f for more lines)

# 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