That is about as specific as I can make the subject.

That having been said, I am having various Mandrake difficulties. First off, I can't write to any folder except my home folder. I keep getting the error that says I don't have permission, and I can't seem to actually edit any of the permissions.

Second, I am trying to compile MPlayer, but I keep getting the error, "no such file or directory." This is the command I am giving it:

./configure --with-codecsdir=DIR

where DIR=the path and directory containing the codecs. This worked in Knoppix. Why won't it work in Mandrake?

its saying that DIR doesnt exist, does it?

also, its normal to not be able to write to anywhere but your home folder. the system administrator should be the only one that can modify files in all other folders, and normal users should only be able to edit the files in their home folder. use the 'su' command with your root password to switch user to root temporarily.

further more ...
you have to be root in order to be able to install the mplayer ...!

aaaa , give the ./configure command the -enablegui so that you can run the grafical mplayer ...(recommended) ,

m-s ,

You are trying to compile mplayer for Mandrake/Mandriva??
No need to bother if you use urpmi. Please search this site for "Easy urpmi" and you'll get lots of simple advice, and urpmi makes installing software a breeze.

HTH