Hi I need help regarding Linux's bootup process which normally takes sooo long for me. I would like to ask for suggestions on how to speed it up cause I know damn well that 90% of the services that are being booted at startup are of no use to me at all. I'm using mandrake(which I know sux) and switching to another distro would be no prob to me.Is there a dir which contains all bootup services/progs that I can disable during startup? I am using a desktop computer with no internet connection and am using it only for games. thank you.

"Is there a dir which contains all bootup services/progs that I can disable during startup?"

All of the startup scripts are in /etc/init.d

well, i'd answer your question but not until you tell me why mandrake sucks. mandrake does not hold the latest release for months (and months) ala suse, is easy to install *cough-debian, doesn't assume you need everything to conform to micro$hit (did someone mention lindows?), lets you configure your desktop (redhat blushes here) etc, etc, the list is nearly endless.

did you check the mandrake control center? you might be surprised at how much effort mandrake expended to make things easier for you (greatful that you are).

--cheers

I'm sorry if I somehow offended you dude by saying mdk sux and all. It's really not my opinion that it does suck but im sick of being told it does in other forums, chatrooms, what-have-you.I use it because it's the only one that doesnt try to waste your time by figuring out things that "should" work automatically. neway, about my question...an answer would be very appreciated.

The symlinks to the actuall services in /etc/rc.d/init.d are contained in /etc/rc.d/rcX.d were X signifies the run level - for example /etc/rc.d/rc5.d is the directory that holds the symlinks to the services that would start in run level 5 - To stop services from starting on boot up create a directory first to hold the moved symlinks then move them with the mv command - for example, if your running in graphical mode, which is run level 5 on many distros and you want to stop the random number genrator from starting on boot up then create a directory with mkdir /etc/removed_services, then mv /etc/rc.d/rc5.d/S20random /etc/removed_services - on next boot up, this service wont start as required.

There should be a sysV style of configuration editor in mandrake.

Trying to edit everything manually is a true pain--and in my case a good way to hose everything up. Once you configure the service start-up in the init sections, do the same for your X-window manager/Desktop (KDE or Gnome or whatever.). You want everything to match-up.

Go into configuration in the K menu, then Boot and Init, then Click on SysV init editor.

It'll let you set everything up.