Hi

I originally had mandrake 8.2 and just recently upgraded (fresh install mind you) to MD9.1

Now, I have found a couple of issues with the package update manager, which somebody may already have found a cure for.

1. If I select all the Security fixes, for example(I actually selected all the updates available), it may run into about 100M. I am on a dialup, but unlimited everything, so this is no probs. The problem is, I want it to download like the old 8.2 version did, which is get the damm things and install them. This 9.1 version, everytime, it asks me, "an error occurred getting that package, etc etc etc". My answer to that is, "yes, retry the connection" and I will have to click the button up to 5 times, sometimes more, some less, but it WILL connect and start downloading. What I want to be able to do is set it up to collect all the packages I have selected, automatically retrying the connection(until the preset limit is reached(user adjustable)) and then skipping to the next package. I don't want to babysit the damm thing for nearly two days and click that button, because all it does is sit there doing nothing until you do, I need sleep!!!!

2. OK, I have been awake for nearly 2 days, I have downloaded every update available and everything is installed. Now, I want to burn all those updated packages to CD so that next time I do an Install, I won't have to go through this procedure. Damm again, where have they gone?? I did a search and managed to find 28M of packages in /var/cache/urpmi/rpms while the end of the install process was going on. But, as I was watching, they all disappeared. Before my eyes they went, which means if for any reason I have to do a fresh install, because my HDD died, then I have to go through ANOTHER 2 days of no sleep just to make it up to date. How is it possible to have the automatic installer NOT DELETE all installed packages?

I seriously hope I can find the answer to the above problems, because it is driving me nuts.

Asif

Solution to both problems:
Go to the MandrakeSecure site, and find an ftp mirror of the update RPMS nearest you. Then man wget and learn how to set it to gather all files in the /RPM directory, and to continue if it's cut off. Then you'll have all the packages, ready to back up, and you can leave it to do its thing.

If you can, find a friend or employer with a really fast internet connection, and just copy the whole contents of the FTP 9.1 update directory to a CD (or 2). Then add the CD as a source in Software sources manager.
AkBrian

Hi

Thank you both for your replies. I obviously would prefer mandrake to go back to their earlier method of managing updates, but maybe that will not happen. I have heard of wget, but not used it, so I will do some reading up when I get back from out of town. As for the broadband idea, hmmm, my mate is trying to get that on, but it is taking ages, but I will certainly keep that idea in mind as well because he also is learning mandrake and redhat.

In fact, even on dial up, as I am going out of town, I could probably set it up to get all the updates while I was away. I will look into that idea as well. How do I get into the mandrakesecure ftp site please? At the moment it is telling me 403-forbidden. I have not joined mandrakesoft club, so is it open to all users? I purchased a distro.

Cheers
Asif