Hey there,

I am new to linux. Fedora 4 is what I have and though during the installation (specifically during 'copying files'), it hung up a couple times, it was finally installed.

My problem now is that every once in a while, the computer would just freeze on me. It happened once when I was using the web browser and then another time when I just let the system idle by itself; it never came back on.

Also, I have three partitions on my hard disk. One has windows, the other has fedora and the third one has my downloaded media files(from the time I was using windows). Is it possible to access that third partition through fedora? i have tried and failed.

Also I dont understand what dev, udev or hdev means? Please elucidate.

thanks

Anant

P.S:- My hardware:
AMD64 sempron 2800+
80 GB hdd with 10,10, 60 partition
256 ddr ram
msi k8mm-v(7142) motherboard with onboard video and sound cards
ADSL2+ modem which connects through USB to my computer

Start out with your initial problem of the computer locking up before trying to configure additional disks + filesystems. The first point of call would be to run a memory test for at least 10-12 hours to check through your RAM. This is often a major cause of lockups and easily fixed by replacing the memory module.

Thanks for the reply
"The first point of call would be to run a memory test for at least 10-12 hours to check through your RAM." - how do I do that? I am guessing the answer to that lies in the links you provided me. However,recently I ran a microsoft utility for checking ram and it passed the tests.

"Learning to read at school seems to have come in useful!" - reading is over-rated...school is over-rated too...

Anant

Maybe if you read more you could find some links to memtest86 then

Which I did(the reading) and I ran it(memtest86). I have a few questions though. Should I run it for a day as has been recommended on several sites, or should I be contend with the 10 minutes it took to declare my ram error-free? Also, the test shows the memory as being 192 MB while on the ram itself, it says 256 MB. Is that normal or should I bomb my vendor's shop?... Oh yeah, out here in India its no big deal...but I'd hate to waste a bomb if indeed 256 is s'pposed to show up as 192.
Do tell

Anant

My ram was full of errors and I got it changed today.
Also, the vendor insists that my AMD processor is 'borrowing' 64Mb from the ram. Is that true?

Anant

why would a processor be borrowing ram?
I think he has no clue what he is selling.
I say destroy his shop..Then pillage his goods...
No Process of AMD will be borrowing ram if not turned on in its bios function.

I use the integrated display card- is it possible that it is using 64 mb of my ram? I did an 'everest' report of my system and it has some conflicting analysi of the memory:
Motherboard:
CPU Type AMD Sempron, 1400 MHz (7 x 200)
Motherboard Name MSI K8MM-V (MS-7142) (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DDR DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8380 K8M800, AMD Hammer
System Memory 192 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Award (02/16/05)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)


But then it says
[ DIMM1: 256 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM ]

Memory Module Properties:
Serial Number None
Module Size 256 MB (1 rank, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC3200 (200 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh

Anybody?

Anant

It's your BIOS and not the CPU, the shared video memory is set at 64-MB...

256-64=192

Also MSI warnings about using certain memory with your motherboard;

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p...8MM-V&class=mb

bad/poor memory can lead to problems like you have described.

Thanks lenard. It says 'Shared VGA memory = 64mb' in the bios. Also, I checked out the link - thanks again. The sticker on my ram has the following information:
Dynet
DDR400(3), 256 MX4
DNKM5U256136TE-A4

I am guessing my ram should run at 400 Mhz but it is running at 200 due to BIOS configuration. You think it'll be a good idea to change those?
My system has not crashed since I changed the ram, but there was a system error in windows xp. It took me to a link about 'error reading storage media'- that happened for the first time.
I googled dynet and nothing concrete was found. Please advise.

Anant

Windows XP does not like partitions and/or hard drives (the storage media) with partitions it does not know about. Just tell Windows XP to ignore these partitions via/hardrive(s) the Administration System Tools (look in the Control Panel).

I went into the 'computer management' in 'administration system tools'. I am lost after that. How do I tell it to ignore the linux partition?

Anant

First sorry for the delay, I was busy doing other stuff.....

Conrol Panel--> Administration System Tools-->Computer Management

Storage-->Disk Management

If it reports all your drives/partitions as Healthy then you do not have to do anything (no right-click option available)). If it reports any Linux partitions as un-healthy then tell Windows XP to ignore (you should be given the option) when right clicking on the drive/partition. If it reports any Windows partitions as un-Healthy then repair them (right-clicking again for option).

thanks
it shows all my drives as being healthy. no issues ever since i changed the ram 'xcept its runnin at 200 instead of 400 mhz, which is not that big a deal.

Anant