[SOLVED] Mandriva Linux 2010.0 hanging

rolf · 12-20-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Removing the -i from the installation instruction did the trick thanks, I'll run it tonight.

There is no installation instruction in this thread that uses the -i switch. Much misunderstanding can be avoided with an exact copy/paste of what has been executed and what are the results.

pauljam20 · 12-20-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

There is no installation instruction in this thread that uses the -i switch. Much misunderstanding can be avoided with an exact copy/paste of what has been executed and what are the results.

I assumed this was the instruction to install the memtest:

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolf

The thing is, with disappearing parts of the filesystem, it could be something hardware-related.

Code:

$ urpmq -i memtest86+
   
Name        : memtest86+
Version     : 4.00
Release     : 1mdv2010.0
Group       : System/Kernel and hardware
Size        : 176251                       Architecture: x86_64
Source RPM  : memtest86+-4.00-1mdv2010.0.src.rpm
URL         : http://www.memtest.org
Summary     : A stand alone memory test for i386 architecture systems
Description :
Memtest86 is thorough, stand alone memory test for i386 architecture
systems.  BIOS based memory tests are only a quick check and often
missfailures that are detected by Memtest86.

When you install this program, it puts an entry in your bootloader menu to launch memtest when you choose it. Usually, a bad chip shows up pretty soon but you can start it and let it run overnight for a thorough look-see.

Never mind, it has installed now!

rolf · 12-20-2009, 01:20 PM

At some point, you will need to look at the manuals:

man urpmi

displays the page for the installation command. Use page and arrow keys to navigate up/down. Type 'q' to quit. At the bottom of this and other man pages, you can find related commands that have their own manual page. For example,

Code:

[rolf@localhost ~]$ man urpmi
[..]
SEE ALSO
       urpmi.addmedia(8), urpmi.update(8), urpmi.removemedia(8), urpme(8), urpmf(8), urpmq(8),
       urpmi.cfg(5), urpmi.files(5), urpmi.recover(8).

For example,

Code:

[rolf@localhost ~]$ man urpmq
[..]
DESCRIPTION
       urpmq is a tool to access and query the urpmi database. It can be used to list available
       packages in the various urpmi media, or to list the full dependencies of a package, or to list
       the packages that will be installed if you start urpmi.
[..]
-i  Prints useful information in human readable form, as for rpm -qi.
[..]

In konqueror (perhaps other file browsers), you can view an html man page by placing the relevant command in the address bar in this format:

man:urpmi

There is comprehensive online information about this family of commands: http://wiki.mandriva.com/en/Tools/urpmi

widda · 12-21-2009, 04:39 AM

In case it's of any interest, I have exactly the same mouse behaviour I think. In an hour or less, sometimes straight after boot, inevitable hang (mandriva 2009.1, KDE, Gnome.) usually mouse moves but no click response. And someone, Glenn maybe, gave me the shortcut key for opening cli for clean shutdown, as I was pushing the offbutton every hour!

Now I'm running only on a new Ubuntu disk,(because I messed up GRUB loader trying to instal Ubuntu beside my Mandriva) and suddenly no more hangs! So it's definitely in the Mandriva, not hardware failure of my geriatric laptop.

When I get access to installed mandriva again, I'll run rpm --rebuilddb etc and see what happens. Meantime I'd better go seeking GRUB repair advice so I can open the hanging mandriva and access my files again.
But I'm impressed with ubuntu.

GlennsPref · 12-21-2009, 08:00 AM

So sad, ubuntu is an os for lx newbies.

You can do better, I have found Mandriva to be the easiest and most hackable system since win98. and ME

It takes patiences and a lot of reading to use Linux effectively.

You can do what you want, it just takes time.

Regards Glenn

pauljam20 · 12-21-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widda

In case it's of any interest, I have exactly the same mouse behaviour I think...

Thanks Widda - I'm rapidly moving towards your view that Ubuntu is more suitable for my sort of user.

pauljam20 · 12-21-2009, 02:06 PM

Rant warning!

I think I need to emphasise that I am a Linux newbie! My interest in it is as a user, not for a hobby, so I'm not intending to become an expert at using the shell any more than someone buying a car wants to become a mechanic. There are plenty of GUI interfaces for setting up the system, they are easier to use than shell commands and I've found that using shell commands sometimes causes more problems than they solve - possibly because they require more expertise than I have. For example the memory check made my computer unusable - it didn't recognise the hard drives afterwards.

I started with Fedora and switched to Mandriva because Fedora needed a lot of work to get working - perhaps it is aimed at professionals rather than home users. The only problem I'm having with Mandriva is the hanging, but it is infuriating as I want to be using the system not fixing it. If Ubuntu is aimed clearly at newbies I'm all for it!

Rant over!

I wouldn't be able to use Linux without the help I get on this site - thanks.

ernie · 12-21-2009, 11:42 PM

Another rant:

This is a Mandriva help forum. It is inappropriate to suggest the use of other distributions here. A user has asked a question, and we should be presenting helpful information intended to solve the problem. If any one wants to suggest using a different distribution, such communication should be sent privately, not in this forum. A private message can be sent by clicking the users name (link) located near the top-left of any posted reply. By so doing, no one will be offended, and you still get your message sent to whom it is intended.

pauljam20 · 01-26-2010, 08:56 AM

It looks like my inexperience of Linux led me to choose the wrong distribution for me - my aim is to use Linux for Web browsing, emails and to process music files. I switched to Ubuntu at the beginning of the year, it installed without problems and has worked perfectly ever since!

One of the great things about Linux is that you can try different software until you find what suits you, and you don't waste money on things which don't.

Thanks to everyone who tried to help.

rolf · 01-26-2010, 09:04 AM

People are different. Computing machines are different. The synthesis of these and many other differences, how the complex new phenomenon is experienced, the order of steps advised and tried, all make for an unpredictable path. Good that you found a solution!