Of course I am new at this. I am trying to install Winlinux2001 in my Inspiron 8100. It is installed but I can not get to make X11 work. I only have what I beleive is called the console (ie a unix like prompt). The people of Winlinux are trying to help, they say to download XFree86... a newer version and re try. The thing is I can down load using Windows Me but how does Winlinux will see it? Looks to me that to make the "rpm" files visible to Winlinux I need a working WinLinux. And to run the "rpm" files I need first a working configuration file. Sounds like a catch 22 doesn't it? Can somebody help?

If RPM's are what Winlinux2001 uses and you DO get to the console you should be able to install the RPM for the newer version of X. Unlike Windows, when you are at the console, that IS Linux, like old DOS. Win3.1 used to run as an outside program manager to DOS for a better look, as does X. So to install the new X will be just like installing a new program, just from console. Hope this makes sense. You'll just have to do it without a graphical RPM installer and do it manually in console.

Yes but the rpm files were downloaded from the internet using Windows, the console doesn't "see" them even if they are in the same directory. I guess a solution would be to download the (the rpm files) in a Linux system then copy them to a floppy then using my console cpiying them into my directory in my Ispiron and finaly I will be able to install them. What do you think?

OK, it sounds like you have windows and linux on your computer and that you are able to get a linux prompt. All you have to do is mount your windows partition and copy the files over to your linux partition. Just login as root and these commands might mount your windows partition.

mkdir /win
mount -t vfat /dev/hda1 /win -o ro

The ' hda1 ' should be your windows partition, but it's possible that it's not. If you get no errors, then try ls /win. You should get a listing of the root directory of your windows partition. Then copy your files. After you're done, then unmount the partition by running this command.

umount /win

I hope this works.

Are you trying to install by typing the rpm name?

If so you have two problems.

(1) Linux (by defualt in most distros) does not include the current directory in the $PATH. You have to specify that the program is in the current directory with ./filename

(2) And RPM is not an install program (like setup.exe) its a package (like file.zip - but with lots more info).

Use the "rpm" program to install.

(U = install or upgrade, v = give lots of info, h = give progress meter)

With RPM's you can copy them to your /winlinux/install folder ( C:\linux\winlinux\install ). The next time you reboot into Linux the package will install without prompting for input. You will get a message in your startup logs that the dependencies maynot have been met and you can install them with Package Manager after boot.

I have tried this also with some zipped files and so far all seems to be working.
I first noticed this folder during a re-install and it held kde.tar and pcmcia.rpm for my laptop. It untarred KDE at boot and installed it then starrted in on the pcmcia support rpm.

Best of Luck !

Thanks but I already panic and gave the Winlinux 2001 to my dog. She though it was a nice frebee. From now on I keep my CDs away from her. Specially the red hat 7.2 which I installed in the laptop. Works great.

You will probably find Red Hat to have more tools and additional programs than WinLinux.
The big drawback to winlinux at first (for me) was the lack of kudzu. I couldnt get X to run on mine either. AT first.
Then Ogle and Xmms werent there either.
This is a distribution that will let you get your hands dirty. Without the risk of losing data on a fat16 or fat32 partition , and the ability for both operating systems to read each others files. So far I kinda like this distro it installed on less than 500 megs of free space. And it Runs faster than Win98, WinME, or 2000 ever thought about!.
I have as yet to get a total freezeup or an instant re-boot like NT (ARGH!!!).

Most of what gets done on the computer here is e-mail and web browsing/instant messenger. Sometimes kids games, seldom anything intensive. So this has been a fairly easy transition around the house here.

All in all I like it. Im glad you didnt give up and did get RedHat to work for you. Its about Linux and not just the flavor of it.