I am running Mandrake/Mandriva 10.1. The online update system tray applet shows an orange question mark adn displays service configuration problem when the cursor is placed over it. The log shows: Wrong action or host or login. When I right click on the applet to configure the service it gets stuck in a loop after I enter my password. The machine name is automatically filled in. It doesn't seem to recognize the machine name when I click next. A page comes up saying the the machine name must contain 1 to 40 alphanumerical characters and goes back to the password entry screen when I click on next. I have been able to verify my host name and machine name and I know the password is correct. I can connect to the internet just fine. The update applet will not configure. When I had the orignal free thirty day update that came with my boxed version, I had no problems. Since I purchased the 1 year subscription it hasn't worked. Since then I have added a Netgear WGR614v6 wireless modem and another computer to my system. However it is Window based. The Netger is set up like a bridge so it should not be a problem. The config tool in the MCC is set to DHCP and should recognize everything just like it did during the original free 30 day service. If I can access the internet without a problem I can't seen why the update applet will not configure. I have searched until I am cross-eyed trying to find some information to help me with this. I figure I have least 5 hours of search time looking for a solution in different areas of Linux, Google, forums etc. I can't get a response from Mandriva online support. Surely I am not the only one to have had a problem with this applet configuration problem?

That particular option, as you rightly pointed out, is the "paid for" subscription. I had a little bit of supprt with my boxed set of 2006 (a powerpack dvd version). I never did work out how the hell I was supposed to use it. Thoug thats similar to when I had an earlier boxed set/limited support via "mandrake expert" - if they did reply it seemed to take forever.

Personally, if you can get online ok, then I'd suggest a visit to the easy urpmi site (if you haven't already done so and configured some sources).

Go to the easy urpmi site as linked above. Then open a konsole/terminal box (from the taskbar). You'll have to be "root" so type the command: su and hit enter, then put in your root password. If you haven't already updated your system/packages in this way, in the same konsole/terminal window type in this command urpmi.removemedia -a that will delete any sources already in the system - which would only be the CD sources if you haven't done this before.

Then minimise the terminal window.

Read through the page at easy urpmi and follow the instructions. I always just select the version of mandriva as per section 1, then I never check the "show specific sources" box. I always check all 6 sources, and using the drop downs, select mirror addresses close to me (that would be main, contrib, updates, jpackage, plf-free and plf-non free) - I don't use the same source address twice (or just the UK ones) I spread them about a bit ( I tend to do 1 or 2 UK ones, plus netherlands, france, norway and sweden - my experience is that those have proven to be the quickest for me). You should have enough between the US and Canada etc to do the same.

Then just click the "proceed to stage 3" button.

The out put is in the box below that - you will need to highlight it, right click and copy (or highlight and ctrl+c). Then bring up the terminal window again, put the cursor by the # and then either right click and paste or put the cursor by the # and ctrl+v (both keys at the same time).

It should start doing some stuff. Let it finish (should it stop after putting one of the lines that you copied/pasted from easy urpmi, then I just tend to hit enter once).

Once you're back at the # prompt and it's finished - you can close the terminal and bring up the software manager window again.

Click the "updates" facility, you then have to click yes (once or maybe twice) and it should do some stuff and then open the updates window with a nice big fat list of packages that need updating/upgrading.

check a couple of them and then hit install - if you haven't upgraded/updated since you installed your system then theres probably gonna be quite a few - mandriva/mandrake 10.1 is getting on a bit - 2005 was the renamed 10.2 and 2006 is the current edition.

The only proviso, is that if your graphics are nvidia based, if you see a package called something like "kernel-sources-2.6.12-14.mdk" (or a similar name, but it will start with kernel-sources), don't upgrade/update that until last. That means that theres a newer kernel available as well, but the actual new kernel will be listed in the "Look at installable software and install software" section - the nvidia comment is pertinent. You will need both the kernel and kernel-sources to install the nvidia driver. Theres lots of info here at LQ, plus theres some distro specific advice here.

Oh and I just did right click on the icon you mentioned in your first post and told it to quit and not to start at boot time - hell it might work, but I couldn't make it do anything (I was too lazy to try as I already knew how to update my system).

Hopefully that helps some.

regards

John

I think your problem is that Mandriva has changed their servers and you have to upgrade your system with the new 'Mandriva Online client updates'.

You can find them at this side:

h_t_t_p_s__//w_w_w_.mandrivaonline_com/page.php (sorry I'm not allowed to link to the right place when I new here...)

where you log in to Mandriva Online- and to the right,

chose the one for your system Mandriva Linux 10.1


Hope this will help you, if you havn't already tried bigjohn's "total upgrade".
.

funny you should mention that, after I posted my "total upgrade" as you call it (an excellent description by the way), I found a bit in the MCC that seems to be about setting up that facility - I've just looked again, but can't find the elusive little bugger! It's there somewhere which means that it must be in the docs somewhere - Ah well, I suppose that I'll just stick to my method - it's worked before, it'll work again.

And just incase RNT wants to try that I'll link it properly https://www.mandrivaonline.com/page.php

regards

John

bigjohn,
thanks for your help with the link and a good description about 'easy-urpmi'.

To add a couple of things, as I think it works:

The difference between 'easy-urpmi' and Mandriva-online is that you have to check for upgrades for yourself and with Mandriva-online you can see on your screen when there is new upgrades- a help just to remind you.

The 'easy-urpmi' is also a tool with possibilities to add more programs to your dist. if you choose them all: "main, contrib, updates, jpackage, plf-free and plf-non free".

.

Big John and Mickel,

Thank you for your timely responses. I did Big John's "total upgrade. I guess it worked OK. I am still playing with it. Don't get to spend as much time on the computer as I used to. So far I like Linux but I am disappointed with the online update farce. I won't be sending them another $20+ dollars. Live and learn. Mickel, I had done your suggestion early on, didn't work, nothing has worked regarding that applet, but it was a good suggestion anyway. Thank you. Thanks again guys. Hope to converse with you again in the future.

RNT