Hello everyone. I'm having trouble wondering why I cannot get past the login (password etc) screen in Mandrake 9.1 . I purchased the CDs from Edmunds.

The install went well and it is installed. I somehow managed to get in and set up my desktop etc. But, I had trouble logging in. Then a screen popped up and had my real name on there and it was for user(s) listed which is just myself. But, today I will boot my Windows 98se and Linux will come on and ask me to choose between, (6) I think boot labels (ie. linux-secure, linux, default, old linux, windows). When I choose Linux, it boots up and the password screen comes on. I know my passwords and login word but it just shakes the screen like one of those ' etch-a-sketches' from the 70's. Yes I'm sort of in my 30's!

Anyway, does any one out there know if I have installed and set everything up right on my machine. The program looked great. Also, I do not have a key number for these disks (3) should I need these ??

Please help, and thanks to all who reply. I'm sure I'll have many questions to come !!

hi

if you setup root user and other users. try logging with one of them. if you are not able to login with any user at all then you can reset the root password. when grub(boot loader) loads up the menu which shows linux and other option

press control e
add 1 to the end of line that comes up and press b to boot

it will dumb you into the command line

type passwd and enter a new one twice
type init 5 and you will be back into the login screen

go in and delete all other users and recreate them

Thanks Rah. I don't know a thing about this Linux OS yet. I just loaded it up and ........... I'm sure I recorded the password somewhere.

Before I do what you said. How do I stop or see where to put this new password into working order. My machine loads up everything and says [ ok ] many times to all those files. And I do have a option when the boot screen wants me to choose a system user like boot to windows or linux or secure linux etc. there is a old linux choice which is when I seem to have done something and ended up reinstalling over the first install.

Do you know what OS of Linux I should buy. I'm going to need detailed info. in order to get into this one. Linux is intimidating to me already.

I have been warned it wasn't going to be easy but I like to learn, and I wish to support the underdog sort of speak, cuz I'm tired of paying high prices for software that is controlled by a billionaires dream come true.

I heard SuSE 8.2 might be good or RedHat 9.0 ? Mandrake 9.1 power pack is my choice unless you know by experience which may be easy to learn the fundamentals ?!

Thanks Rah

hi

let me clear something first

there is only Linux OS. mandrake suse redhat and others bundle the same base stuff and add some applications or intergrate them in a different way

mandrake is really a very good choice. stick with it. ya i know Linux can be intimidating at first. its not the same as windows which is probably what you got used to. the interface(kde) looks very similar but you do have a learning curve. you said you liked to learn so this should work for you. since you started asking in the forums you should get a good amount of support.

in the prompt where it asks you which os to load do the stuff i asked you to and you should be able to get into linux. if not post back your issues here and let me sort it out

regards
rahul sundaram

i reccomend mandrake .. for one its very simple to use. my first ever computer had win ME and i used it for a few years but then i got fed up so one night i downloaded linux and installed it [mandrake..] it was much easier than windows.. with all the blue screens and the constant rebooting/freezing/anxiety... IMHO linux is much EASIER than windows considering all of windows problems... Mandrake's installer is very easy to use. By the way if rahul didnt answer your ?/you didnt understand, the shaking screen when you enter your password = invalid password ... but you probably know that. Just so that you know.. theres a root user thats like a super user and the reason why linux is so safe. If some1 gets into your computer [i think] they cant do much harm because all important/harmful things need root password.... and linux passwords are much harder/impossibler to crack than 13 second windows.... but anyways dont log on as root.. [you kinda cant unless you enable it in the login screen] because you can easily screwup your system.. i did in just one use.. had to overinstall all the linux files.. But i reccomend running KDE first and just reading all the online tutorials / guides you can find on linux, especially all the commands ... g'luck!

Ok Rahggii. I know the learning is intense.

That said, thank you for the nice input the onion56, glad to here I made the right choice!

I did manager to reload the whole Man 9.1 and got it working. My mistake was I didn't write down the password and I set the security way to high!

KDE is my choice. I now will persue my local library and find some reading material.

Onion56 do you subscribe to any mags on Linux OS? If so ..... fill me in.

Talk to ya later Bud.

hi

linux journal is worth checking out. a root password is the basic line of security that linux provides you. kde is a good choice. in case you find it slow there are other stuff like icewm and fluxbox that mandrake provides for you. if you want to appreciate mandrake;s work join the club and get some special benefits too

disclaimer: i dont work for mandrake nor use it.

Umm i dont subscribe to anything because if i dont check my email for a day.. i get totally overwhelmed and i fall behind on checking my email and never get it done... i normally just go to websites to keepmyself up to date and stuff... if you go to 1 or 2 every day or every once in a while you get a good jist of whats going on... i like going to os news... checking the forums here for stuff i would like to learn and can help in but thats basically it...

This is what i would reccomend to any noob [including me..] ... run KDE for a while and learn stuff in linux... also whenever your gonna mess with settings and stuff or experiment.. like make a new account.. thats what i did i have like 6 different accounts.. cuz once you spend a lotta time setting all the settings right and then you mess it up its kinda bad ... also keep a boot disk.. when i got onto root one time and ruined my system so no1 had file permissions to reboot ... i thought i was officially scrwed till i put in my bootdisk and overwrited everything ... except my files and accounts and passwords! However after you understand linux... switch to blackbox or at least try it out... first time i turned it on i got so freaked out... NO START MENU!!?! heck this isnt for me... lol... but now i love it and i think every1 who learns how to use it will.... Good luck !

Here's one!

I'm tired of klinging to the coat of Bill Gts, and asking him why he needs a billion dollar account!?

So, I looked up as Bill was dragging me across the floor, and there it was Mr.Mandrake! A penguin with a Red Hat. I said, excuse me, how much is your program Linux, the penguin said, FREE.

So, I say, " if it's FREE why not ME " !!!!

Just a little humour people. I think it's Linux for a long while !

Bye for now.

lol haha.. nice one Ice ... yeah no problem ... !! feel free to ask me if you got any more questions ...

Onion. What does the affero do? I have no money, if thats what it does ! Bill Gts took all my money. I have to take a loan out in order to shop for groceries : because of him.

haha yeah ! no its just support.. you CAN donate stuff but you can also just ... say im good ! Its supposed to be like a place where you can donate and help people and basically feedback on people who helped you.. you dont Have to pay but if you do then it goes to LQ and to good causes ... you can make the payment like 0.00 and put your comments and stuff...

Onion . I woke up this morning and my damn computer wouldn't boot norton security. I had to reload Bamboo then update some files. and I got rid of norton trial version. as soon as i loaded zone alarm then norton came back on!

I bet Bill has something to do with this, that little fu....er.

He shouldn't be so jellous of my beautiful system.

Anyway, I have to now try to find out if my internet service guys made some changes to their servers too.

I'll try to affero you . No promises.

Talk to you ' l - 8 - t - r '

why do you need norton security?? lol you too ice!! Give bill a good kick up the @#$ from mua! Chao! or Ciao or ... however you spell it :-p :-D