Okay im new to this all. and i really want to get Slackware Linux up and running..so i made a parition..it was /dev/hda1
then i made a second one and etc.

So i tried to install this thing like 20 times..not really 20 times that was a hyperbole but anyways i went through the WHOLE installation and when i rebooted my pc said "Could Not Load Operating System" Now its surpoes to say that when theres no Operating System on the pc but didnt i just install one? im a real newb at this and need some help.because i just had to overwrite the parition to put Windows XP back on just to give you this message..

Edit: Also im figuring that i need to activate one of my partitons or somthing? i have no idea..i did format both of the partitions and everything but now if i want to install slackware again i might have to write over this copy of XP again or make a new parition..i dont know im just confused..

You need to install a boot loader to your MBR (Master Boot Record). With Slack the options are LILO and GRUB. There were several recent threads about this topic.

After installing the boot loader you then need to ensure that the boot loader knows about your Windows partition so you can boot into either OS.

Sounds as though you do not want Windows installed. So the next time you install Slack either install LILO when prompted in the setup, or, without rebooting, manually install GRUB from the Extras directory. For Slack 10.2 the Extras directory is on CD 3 or you can download from any Slack mirror.

You also can use the Slack install CD to boot the box if you don't get things right the first attempt. Just follow the instructions when you boot with the CD and instead of installing you read the instructions and use the disk to boot.

Slack also provides you an option to create a boot floppy. A good idea for people new to Slack. Good idea for veterans too!

Linuxpackages has great installation/config. documentation. Bitbenderforums also has a clear install guide if the 'this is how I do it all' at the top of this forum is not help enough. Good luck with slackware.

Yeah thanks guys. i acually seen it and installed it but now i have ANOTHER problem..


Edit: I installed linux but it has no GUI ..it doesnt look like the screenshots
i've seen of Slackware Linux..It acually looks like DOS
Its a black background with white letters..and it scrolls all kinds of booting commands. im starting to think this is because my computer..or is it?

Also i did put Windows XP on another partiton i made and linux on another..so atlease i dont have to keep formatting and reinstalling..but could anyone help me with the GUI problem because i've had the same problem with FreeBSD

You say that it scrolls booting commands. I think thats perfectly normal. But doesn't it stop and ask you to log in?
If it does, then login as root and then type "adduser" and create a normal user. Use small letters in the username.
Then when your done, log out by pressing CTRL + D or by typing "exit" and log in with your new username.

Then type "startx"

Okay and yea it scrolls commands and askes me to login. Thanks ill try the steps. But do you have any idea why this happends? and why did it happend with FreeBSD to?

It's perfectly normal in slackware. Might seem a little strange for a beginner though. I gotta warn you though, Slackware isn't the easiest distro to start with. But when you learn how to use it, it's the best.
I don't know if it's normal in *BSD but it might be the same there as well.

You are going to need to configure X before you start it. I think its "xorgsetup".
then type "init 4" if it gives you a gui then you can change your /etc/inittab file to make it your default runlevel.

If you get a blank screen push "CTRL+ALT+F6" then post again. From here it gets kinda messy.



btw your login will be "root" and whatever password you put in.

You shouldn't have to do that if you installed it correctly. I only have to do the steps i posted.

um yea i didnt have to do that i did what syntax did and set my account up.thanks guys..Linux is kinda weird from windows lol. good thing i got windows on my other parition..
ONE More thing..My mouse's scroll wheel isnt workin? can someone tell me why?

You have to set it up by editing your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. Search google for "slackware x scroll buttons", or even just search this site (it's in the wiki). I would really recommend reading some documentation on Slackware, though - there is the Slack book that you can get to from the slackware site, there is information in the wiki on this site, there is the the Slacker's bible project - these will help you understand things a lot better.

You have to edit your xorg.conf file.
Type "su" to log in as root. Then type "cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup" so you don't mess up.
Type "pico /etc/X11/xorg.conf" to edit the file.
Look for the mouse section.

This is my mouse settings. I use a Logitech MX500 and actually have 10 buttons, but it's working anyway.
It might differ a little from yours.
The important thing is "ZAxisMapping". "4 5" is usually the right buttons on most mice i believe.
So just add that to the section. If it's not working there is a command so you can check what buttons it is, but i have forgot what it is
If you have a USB mouse, change the "Protocol" to "IMPS/2" or "ExplorerPS/2" on some mice.

EDIT: To save the file in pico press CTRL + X and it will ask you to save. Type "y" and press enter twice.
Then press CTRL + ALT + Backspace to kill X.

i do this in temrinal right? or do i do it with linux off

ok.where would i get a firewall,antivirus,anti spyware programs that support linux? or does the OS have these things?