Well, good luck! I hope it works out better for you. You might consider
keeping your other 'puter around just for messing with (if you have time). . .

Hey guys,

I was thinking of re-installing Mandrake 8.1, pasting the XF86Config file here, removing Mandrake, re-installing Slackware 8.1, then copying the text from this website, and pasting it into my XF86Config file for Slackware. I remember having WAY more information in XF86Config for Mandrake and was thinking this could work. Do you know if vi or another text editor would allow for copy and pasting? I've only used vi so far and my knowledge with it is limited. Do you think this could work? If it does, then I'd be set. I've already re-installed Mandrake and found that XF86Config has all the Mode Lines and ALOT more info than my Slack XF86Config. The main difference is that I am using XFree86 v. 3.3.6. I don't the XF86Config file would be any different for XFree86 v. 4.1.x but I'm not sure. Do you think this will work?

The XF86Config file for the XFree86-v3.3.6 has a slight different format than the 4.X versions. So it will not work right of the bat. You can try to ported if you would like, but chances are some of the options from the 3.3.X version may not be available for version 4.X. I would just suggest to just stick with the 3.3.6 version of XFree86, by downloading the packages from the mirror I gave you in one of my earlier posts.

What I would do . . .

When you install Slackware 8.1, install everything except the XFree86 packages (It is the "x" dir under the "slackware" dir in your cd). You can, then, use lynx (the cli browser) to load up the forums, navigate to this thread and then download ALL the packages for XFree86-v3.3.6 from the link I gave you earlier. Or, you can use ncftp to download them as well. Then, install the packages using installpkg or pkgtool. And finally, copy the XF86Config file from your Mandrake, onto your machine (under [/b]/etc/X11[/b].

Then again, you can try to see if the options from the 4.X version, ARE honored, in the 3.3.X version. . .

It is upto you. . .;)

WRT vi. . . you can use vi to edit both files using your console.

Once you are in the screen console, you can call vi with the file you want to edit. Then hit ctrl+w s to split the screen. Once you have the 2 screens, you can switch between the 2 by hitting ctrl+w w. In whichever one you want, you can load the file you need to get the information from. To accomplish this feat you do the following:
1. hit [esc] <- which brings you to command mode
2. type :e <filename> <- loads the file you want (notice ':')

If sucessfull you will have the two files you want in one split screen. Just remember which split screen you are in when trying to paste.

If you would like to use the mouse to copy and paste, then you can call gpm prior to working with vi so that you can have mouse capabilities in your screen. To do that, you call gpm like this:
gpm -t <mouse_protocol>

For more info, do a man on gpm. Sometimes, you may need to add the option -m <device> for your mouse to work, so make sure you read the man page if you have problems loading your mouse.

Hope this helps. . .

GL

edit:// fixed obvious typos for future readers

Hey guys,

I just wanted to thank you both again for all your help. Just an FYI, I ended up buying that box I mentioned earlier. I just got it 2 nights ago. The specs are slightly different than before, but I'll post 'em just for fun:

AMD K-6 266MHz (My first AMD and I love it)
Tekram P5T30-B4E mobo
128MB DIMM RAM
6.5GB Fujitsu HDD
S3 ViRGE/DX 86C375 video card
Opti Sound Card
Generic NIC
Logitech 3 button serial mouse
Crappy keyboard where the | key is right next to the +/= key

So, I switched out the Opti sound card and replaced it with my old SoundBlaster because I know for sure it works, and I switched out the NIC with my modem. I hooked up my normal keyboard too. I now have a fully functional Slackbox!

I haven't tried to get it connected to my ISP, because I'm not too sure what port my modem sits on. I know exactly where on the mobo it is, but it doesn't have any markings indicating if it's /dev/ttys2 or /dev/ttys3 or what. I have 2 serial ports (comm1 and 2 in Winspeak) and 3 ISA slots. On my old board, it was the same but only 2 ISA slots and they were marked comm3 and 4. Any thoughts on how to check for certain where my modem resides on the board?

BTW, I want to thank both of you for all the help you've provided. It is very much appreciated. You guys are both too :cool:

Y.W.

If you want to check which com port your modem is (assuming it is not a winmodem OR you have the appropriate windmodem module running), you can do it the geek way with the echo command like this:

echo "atdt<some_phone_number>" > /dev/cuaN

where N is a number 0-4 and <some_phone_number> is some phone number to dial. Whichever of the devices dials when you send the command to it, then that device has your modem installed in it.

Then, you can create a modem symlink name to that device (i.e. cd /dev; ln -s cuaN modem) so that you won't have to fiddle around with other apps that use the /dev/modem device by default.


GL

That's one way, another is to make sure your /etc/rc.d/rc.serial script is
executable, then run it (or if it is already executable -- default),
dmesg | less
look for Serial. It will probably report more than one device, but it should
be clear which is the modem (I can't give you an example, the serial ports
are turned off in my BIOS, and I can't reboot right now).

You guys both ROCK! I tried both ways and both ways came up with /dev/ttys3 for my modem. This post is proof that it works!

Thanks for everything guys! I owe you both BIGTIME!