Dev, not found, upgrade packages in Mandrake
 

Fellow Linux users, received Mandrake 9.1 yesterday. It has K3B installed as resident program, however K3B does not see the 56x CDrom. When we put it on the primary cable with the harddrive it sees it, but when it is on the cable with the burner it cannot find it!

The burner is listed a scuzzy and the cdrom is listed as IDE. How do we change the mount position without using the IDE cable?

We are going to add another harddrive and do not want to use the IDE position.

Also on another note, how do we add packages or upgrade packages in Mandrake 9.1? We wish to add Icon Packages but how do we tell which packages to install and where they are located? We have tried to use the search feature but that was not successful!

Can anyone assist?

PS Mandrake is a beautiful operating system!

destry

Re: Dev, not found, upgrade packages in Mandrake
 

First my guess is that you have a ide atapi cdrom.
So you have to follow the following options
First do
dmesg|grep CD
it returns something like
hdb:Samsung CDR/RW etc
if it is hdb
now add
append hdb=ide-scsi
(in lilo.conf if you have lilo)
or
in grub
in your grub.conf file(located in /boot/grub)
add hdb=ide-scsi
after that
in your /etc/modules.conf
add
option ide-cd ignore=hdb
preinstall sr_mod ide-scsi


next
cd /dev/
do
ln -s /dev/scd0 cdrw
ln -s /dev/scd0 cdrom
now do chmod 755 cdrom
and chmod 755 cdrw
now reboot
it should work

re: dev not found, thanks
 

Thanks rch, will give it a try and let you know how it works- that is if I can find the proper files.

destry

rch, re: dev not found
 

Well, rch, unable to find /etc/modules.conf, and it seems when I installed Mdk that somehow I didnt install the search feature. In some ways Mandrake 9.1 is more confusing that any distro we have used except RH 9. The only reason we have kept with it for a year is good people such as yourself.

The other distributions we have been using configured this part of the problem perfectly. I cannot understand why RH and Mandy cannot do the same! This morning I booted into Mandy and the first thing I noticed is that somehow the modem sound is turned off!

Is there any way to reinstall Mandrake and include all the programs available? We cannot figure out how to upgrade, or update or whatever its called, additional packages even though we know its on the cds.

We have tried, Lycoris, LIndows 3.0, Xandros1.0, RH9, Mandrake 9.1 and a couple others. I have read about six books such as "mastering Linux"-yeah right! Is any of this stuff you gave me written down anywhere?

Im starting to think that we are going to have to revert to Windows 2000 because at least when we install it or something on it, just works! I dont think we are cut out for Linux. Sorry

destry

destry,

There's no need to reinstall Mandrake to include more programs. Just go into the Mandrake Control Center->Software Management->RPMDrake to search for and install new packages.

If MCC is not available (I'd be surprised if it's not - it's included as default) then boot with Mandrake CD1 and select the 'upgrade' option instead of 'install' when prompted. Then you will be able to add things to your installation.

modules.conf should be visible to the user, but you will need to be root to change it. Use K->Terminals->Konsole - Super User Mode (it will ask you for the root password) to open a file manager as root. In Konsole, select View->View Mode->Tree View, and hit F9 to Show Navigation Panel. This should put you in a familiar file manager view. Here you should be able to find /etc/modules.conf, right-click->Open With->KWrite (or KEdit) and make your changes as root.

Stick with it: it's worth it.

Geoff.

Re: rch, re: dev not found
 

First thanks!
NExt /etc/modules.conf not found?,very suprising that!?.You can just copy the /etc/modules.conf from your rh9.0 to mandy 9.1.
Do necessary changes there.
In modules.conf
append
option ide-cd ignore=hdb
pre-install sr_mod modprobe ide-scsi
(I made a small mistake in the previous post)
Becoz they are different distros.For example Mandy uses a device management system called devfs but rh uses the traditional /dev/
offering.They are targeted at different people.And Mandrake are easier to use than RH in most cases.
Well I don't think that you need to reinstall Mandrake.I don't have Mandrake but I think that you can do most of the stuffs through
mcc.
Reading books is not enough.You learn when you try.I learnt everything there is about linux using my linux box.(I am in Nepal, and we don't have that many comp books and most books are outside of the common people's range.The Per Capita Income here is $200)
Are you sure? Some guys I know have to call me every now and then becoz they have some problems with their windows xp.The problem with them is that they do not read the manual and the help pages.Similarly if you can just try
http://google.com/linux
and search for your answers I am sure that it would surface.
And I must tell you that all users(windows included) have at least a problem now and then with their computers /Os /programs /et al.

rch re: dev not found
 

rch, thanks for the reply, we have been using Windows 2000 professional in our business and personal computers since it came out. About two months ago I switched my computer over from dual boot to Mandrake 9.1. But so many things on it do not work that I had to switch back to Windows 2000 so I could be productive.

I originally ordered Mandrake 9.1 because K3B was a resident program already loaded on from the manufacturer and we were having so much trouble downloading programs and getting them to work, that we thought this would solve the problem.

Now we find that K3B does not work with Mandrake either. I do not understand why this has to be a problem which continually crops up in Linux distributions. We are not computers geeks and use our computers for producing work at home and in our business. I am the only one left in our company that is trying to figure this operating system out.

We gave up on RH9 because Red Hat support is so bad that even though we purchased our operating system from Red Hat they do not give support so we dumped it early on. In our business if you do not support your product you dont stay in business long. The same thing will happen to Red Hat if they dont get with the program.

Right now I dont have time to continually fight with my operating system to get the simplest programs to work, so I have had to go back to Windows 2000. Just to copy a floppy disk in Linux is a major pain in the rear and I simply dont have the time.

At the moment I am playing with Mandrake when I have the time, but the new has worn off for every one else in the office and at home because its to complicated.

I finally put it on an old clunker and we play games on it but thats about all. I started working on it again yesterday to see if I could get the nominal programs working and mabey put it back on my main machine, but so far it aint going to happen.

I will give you suggestion a try, but if I cant get this to work theres not much chance we will stick with it.

Thanks very much
destry

Re: rch re: dev not found
 

If you switch to linux ,you can potentially save a lot of bucks.Amazon.com saved around $18 million dollar when they shifted from win2k to Linux.There are many stories scattered around.If you are interested you can search the web.
The problems do not continually crops up in linux distros.A problem may surface once and after it is solved you can sit and relax.I am not saying that you may face similiar (or not so similiar) problems again but experience teaches me that it is much better in linux as compared to windows.
It is indeed good that you have at least the patience to give linux a try.I also understand that you are not computer geeks.If you can afford a system admin,s/he will possibly solve all your problems concerning linux.I admit that linux sysadmin are a bit expensive than that of windows but consider the amount of money you can save by switching to linux.Linux uses scsi emulation for CD-Burning.This is becoz in the lowest level it has similiar constructs as ATAPI IDE.Once you do the steps I suggested you ,you will have no problems with your cd burning.
You can also try the documentation of K3B usually located in /usr/share/doc/k3b-blah/.I am sure that they have given the configuration steps for ATAPI drives.
Then you may say ,what about windows-it works there flawlessly and you don't have to do any work.The thing is that most CD burning software in windows are commercial (like Nero) and they configure the CDRW automatically.For a cheaper choice you have to do a little work and then relax.Experience tells that burning CDs in linux is more reliable and efficient as compared to windows(just you have to configure it properly).
I understand that .I don't think RH support is that bad,but I don't know.Maybe you choosed the wrong distro.According to their ad they provide 24x7 support.
Nobody wants to fight with the operating systems.I think that you have already made the mentality that linux sucks and that is one of the reasons why you may find it so difficult to handle.Consider Windows 2k ,to install drivers for a particular device you have to do some work and then the device starts functioning.Remember that it is the same in linux,you have to configure the CDRW and then it will start functioning and you can have a cup of coffee.
Finally you talk about nominal programs -what do you mean by that ?
I would really think that before you judge linux,you must give it a try.Persons like me have switched permamently from windows to linux ,not without reasons.We love the system.
But I hear you say that you are a geek,how can you compare a geek with a normal user?
The answer is -it depends on whom you call geeks.A teenager who knows a lot of stuffs in windows may still be called a geek even though s/he has never tried linux.Using a computer and/or a operating system requires some knowledge of the same be it linux or windows.And the knowledge can be gained both from experience or from a suitable help(such as linuxquestions,google,
your system administrator etc).
Robin

destry,

detecting a CD-ROM is one of the easiest things that Linux has to do, so I'd be surprised if it got that wrong. You say this is an 'old clunker'. If you gave us a few clues as to what hardware (motherboard, CPU, RAM , HD, CD-ROM, CD-RW, etc, the latter two by brand and model) is in the computer, we may be better able to help work out whether this problem is hardware- or software-based.

It would also help us if you could give some feedback on our suggestions. For example, were you able to locate a file manager (Konqueror) and browse the system files? Also, were you able to find Mandrake Control Center and RPMDrake? With answers to these questions we could then assess whether your installation is OK or whether it is broken in some way.

When we last exchanged ideas on installing, I gave some tips on configuring the BIOS before installing Mandrake 9.1. I have since come across more comprehensive info on installing 9.1 here:

http://www.mandrake.tips.4.free.fr/install.html

If it turns out that your installation is suspect, then it may be better to start again with a clean slate and see if following the above tips improves things.

My hunch is that everything is OK, but that you are finding it difficult to navigate your way around a system that is alien to you - which is natural and only to be expected. I'm sure that if we can help you find /etc/modules.conf (and the other locations rch mentioned) then we will be able to get rch's suggestions implemented and your problem fixed.

Arrgh!! I've just noticed a huge error in my previous post which would have confused you no end. My most profuse apologies... This is what should have appeared:

'modules.conf should be visible to the user, but you will need to be root to change it. Use K->Applications->File Tools->File Manager - Super User Mode (it will ask you for the root password) to open a file manager as root. In Konqueror, select View->View Mode->Tree View, and hit F9 to Show Navigation Panel. This should put you in a familiar file manager view. Here you should be able to find /etc/modules.conf, right-click->Open With->KWrite (or KEdit) and make your changes as root and save it. To issue commands in a console select K->Terminals->Konsole - Super User Mode and enter the root password. Once you get the command prompt you will be able to run the commands suggested by rch.' (Sooo sorry about that)

Geoff.

geoff, re: old clunker
 

Thanks for the reply geoff, the "old clunker" is a intel 815e, pent 3-1.2gig, 256 mem, nvidia graphics and 40 gig hd. , 56x cdrom (sony), LTR 4046 48x burner.

Since I talked to the forum I put Mandy 9.1 on my main box which is, 1st Main board, Pent 4 two gig, 40 gig drive, 512 mem, nvidia graphics card and same cdrom and burner.

I dont think Linux sucks. To say that, to me means that its worthless and that certainly is not the case with Linux. Its potential on the desktop is probably limitless.

I opened my computer case and am going to switch between hard drives for a while because I want Mandrake to have a fair shake as the only operating system on a good box. I am going to print the information you good people have given me and do my best to get this problem solved.

You want to hear the horrible truth Robin, I am the administrator for my company and have been for five years. I thought I knew about operating system administration until Linux-sad huh?

Thank you all for your help, I will let you know what happens.

destry

re: cdrom not showing in mandy9.1/k3b
 

Well, Robin and Geoff, I hosed my system three times attempting to get this problem right.

I did find the correct files. Can the command line changes be made from the terminal of su, or does one have to leave the terminal and enter the root file system to change /etc/modules.conf?

Sorta hate to hose the system and do a fourth install. One thing about it I have been getting plenty of experience at installing Mandrake!

The last time I installed it, I chose everything to install and it still did not install the ppp-k program. It asked for disc 1 when trying to get the modem working!

Thanks for all your time and trouble, I feel like I let you down.

destry

Well your 'old clunker' is not THAT old. I was looking for an old type of CD-ROM that needs special attention before it will work, but your hardware is all relatively recent stuff. That means that you most probably don't have a hardware problem, and that we sort this out by looking at your software settings.

No need to do a fourth install. Best plan of attack would be to open up a console as root (doesn't matter which way: a normal console and su to root, or K->Terminals->Konsole - Super User Mode, as these are equivalents) and run robin's suggested commands. They are, in order of his description of what to do:

dmesg|grep CD

# the bits about lilo.conf and /etc/modules.conf are best done by opening Konqueror in super user mode and editing with a text editor (Konqueror uses KWrite by default)

cd /dev/

ln -s /dev/scd0 cdrw
ln -s /dev/scd0 cdrom

chmod 755 cdrom
chmod 755 cdrw

If you're using Lilo, then you will probably already have an append statement in lilo.conf. If so, just add robin's text to the line. For example if the existing line says:

append = "quiet devfs=mount hdc=ide-scsi acpi=off"

then amend it to read:

append = "quiet devfs=mount hdc=ide-scsi hdd=ide-scse acpi=off"

The actual text (and the contents of the existing lilo.conf) will depend on what you find with the 'dmesg | grep CD' command, which will also depend on how your burner and DVD-ROM are connected. If they're on the secondary channel, the unit set as master will appear as hdc, the one set as slave will appear as hdd.

re: dev not found
 

OK Geoff, the following is the output from the grepxx command:

[root@localhost paul]# dmesg|grep CD
hdc: ATAPI-CD ROM-DRIVE-56MAX, ATAPI CD/DVD-ROM drive
hdd: LITE-ON LTR-48125W, ATAPI CD/DVD-ROM drive
Type: CD-ROM ANSI SCSI revision: 02
hdc: ATAPI 56X CD-ROM drive, 128kB Cache, UDMA(33)
Uniform CD-ROM driver Revision: 3.12
Attached scsi CD-ROM sr0 at scsi0, channel 0, id 0, lun 0
sr0: CDROM not ready. Make sure there is a disc in the drive.
[root@localhost paul]#

Now, can you tell me how to be root when I open the K-Write editor
and what to write so I dont destroy everything again?

Thanks, destry

First, you should make backups of your lilo.conf and modules.conf files before editing them. Use the following instructions to open Konqueror and, before editing the files, copy them to a directory in your /home directory for safekeeping (call the directory TmpBackup or something similar). You can use drag n drop just as in Windows.

For opening a file manager as root, similar to my previous post:

Use K->Applications->File Tools->File Manager - Super User Mode (it will ask you for the root password) to open a file manager (Konqueror) as root. In Konqueror, select View->View Mode->Tree View, and hit F9 to Show Navigation Panel. This should put you in a familiar file manager view. In the left panel, there should be a vertical row of icons. Hover the mouse over them to see what they point to. We want the Root icon - It should be selected by default. The left panel should have a list of directories in the Root Directory. Click on 'etc'. The right panel will now show the directories and files under /etc. Scroll down in the right pane past the directories and look for a file called 'lilo.conf'. [Backup first] Right-click the file and select Open With->KWrite from the context menu. Having done this from a file manager as root, KWrite will open the file with root permissions, so you will be able to make your changes and save the file.

Inside lilo.conf you will find a line beginning with 'append ='. Since your burner is hdd, and Linux emulates the scsi device to make CD burners work (that's what the messages about scsi in your dmesg output are about) then you should find something like this in lilo.conf:

append = "quiet noapic devfs=mount hdd=ide-scsi acpi=off"

Change this to:

append = "quiet noapic devfs=mount hdc=ide-scsi hdd=ide-scsi acpi=off"

It doesn't matter if your 'append =' line is not exactly the same as my example. The idea is not to make it exactly the same as my example; the idea is simply to add 'hdc=ide-scsi' to the line that you have. Then save and exit.

From within Konqueror again, use the same method to find /etc/modules.conf and open it with KWrite [but backup first]. Go to the end of modules.conf and add these new lines after the existing ones:

option ide-cd ignore=hdc
pre-install sr_mod modprobe ide-scsi

then save and exit.

Close Konqueror, then open a Konsole in Super User Mode, as you did for running 'dmesg |grep CD'. Within Konsole (su mode), run the following commands:

ln -s /dev/scd0 cdrw
ln -s /dev/scd0 cdrom
chmod 755 cdrom
chmod 755 cdrw

(the 'l' in 'ln' is a lower-case 'L', not an 'I' as in 'Igloo'. I mention that because some fonts don't make that very clear)

then reboot. Your DVD-ROM should now work in K3b.

Geoff, got your script
 

Geoff, got your script on the config.xx files. Will give it a try. If I can get just one console editing job to take I may have a chance at this Linux thing. Thank you very much for your time and Robins.

Do you know of any place these command procedures are written down. If I get this to work, I still wont know exactly what I did and why and thats part of the learning curve. I dont think you are anyone else is going to want to hold my hand every time something doesnt work!

Thanks - destry