This is what I get on updating:

# urpmi.update --all
unable to take medium "updates" into account as no list file [/var/lib/urpmi/list.updates] exists retrieving description file of "plf"... retrieving source hdlist (or synthesis) of "plf"... [/I]

urpmi then proceeds to do quite a lot of downloading and configuring.

The message is correct as there is no /var/lib/urpmi/list.updates (but there are hdlist.updates.cz and synthesis.hdlist.updates.cz)

My urpmi.cfg reads as follows:

plf ftp://plf.time4t.net/pub/plf/9.1 {
hdlist: hdlist.plf.cz
with_hdlist: hdlist.cz
list: list.plf
}

contrib ftp://ftp.snt.utwente.nl/pub/linux/mandrake/9.1/contrib/RPMS {
hdlist: hdlist.contrib.cz
with_hdlist: ../../i586/Mandrake/base/hdlist2.cz
}

downloads file://home/zaphod {
hdlist: hdlist.downloads.cz
list: list.downloads
}

roland_main ftp://ftp.snt.utwente.nl/pub/linux/mandrake/9.1/i586/Mandrake/RPMS {
hdlist: hdlist.roland_main.cz
with_hdlist: ../base/hdlist.cz

The above urpmi.cfg was compiled by http://plf.zarb.org/~nanardon/

What can I do to ensure that my installation is updated properly?

Hi zaphod_es. In fact there is no "updates" medium in your urpmi.cfg you find all others: plf, contrib, a path to your downloaded rpm's and, finally, a ftp source named roland_main. So go to http://plf.zarb.org/~nanardon/ again and add ONLY updates. By the way, one question: why did you choose ftp sources located in Holland? It makes more sense to pick ones the closer the better, let's say the fantastic ftp://ftp.rediris.es hosted by CSIC. Give it a try!. Hasta la vista!

Thanks for the response. In fact I had already done what you suggest and was given this:

rpmi.addmedia --update updates ftp://ftp.snt.utwente.nl/pub/linux/mandrake/updates/9.1/RPMS/ with ../base/hdlist.cz

I have not worked out the finer points of urpmi but did not think that the line offered would do what the error message asked for. Probably a rather stupid assumption. I will try it and report back.

Do you work for Rediris? What a recommendation! In fact I find I can rarely get much more than half of my ADSL 256k download speed from them. It is a while since I tried. It makes a big difference when there is a new Mandrake distro.

I have experimented and found that I rarely have any problem with the Dutch servers. You are, of course, quite correct that it is sensible to use the nearet server and I will try a brand new config file using Rediris.

Where does the IP address show?

ZB

I think I have missed something very obvious. I added the new line and now get this:

# urpmi.update --all
unable to find hdlist file for "urpmi.addmedia", medium ignored
unable to take medium "updates" into account as no list file [/var/lib/urpmi/list.updates] exists

It then started the usual downloads.

There is still no list.updates file. How is that file generated? Presumably I have to do something to create the missing file?

ZB

Take a look, is excellent: http://mandrake.vmlinuz.ca/bin/view/Main/UsingUrpmi
OOpss I'm in Dial Up and in this case rediris works outstanding, simply I imaginated the same for greater bandwidths. Regards

I fiddled about for hours without much success and finally deleted everthing and started from scratch. I even configured it for Rediris which worked very well until the update files which it would not download. Eventually I went back to Holland and it came immediately.

The update is running away at the moment with no problems. Thanks for the help.

Are you anywhere near the Costa del Sol? We are struggling to keep a LUG alive there and are looking for members.

ZB

I'm very happy you were succesful configurating your ftp sources. Regarding your new question I found this: http://www.linux-malaga.org/index.php

I went to a meeting with the LIMA group once, they were very nice guys but my Spanish is just not good enough to follow several Andalucian accents talking at once, especially when there is a lot of hack3r slang.

we are http://fuengirola.lug.org.uk