Slackware install
 

I've installed slackware according to this tutorial http://www.bitbenderforums.com/vb22/...?postid=311808
and tried to edit the lilo file the way it told me. I got the file open and edited it the way i was supposed to...but then i couldn't figure out how to exit out and save the changes (yes, i know, i'm stupid). so i shut down my computer without saving the changes and when i started back up...linux wouldn't start. So i reinstalled linux once again according to the tutorial only this time i put the lilo file in the Master Boot Record whereas the first time i messed up and installed it to Root. Now I can't seem to even open the lilo file (i type in "emacs /etc/lilo" and it makes a new, blank file).

Help me please...

its lilo.conf

check for the complete name of the file by going into the etc directory: cd /etc then do: ls

you should see it in there as lilo.conf

then just: emacs lilo.conf

Thanks...how do i close out and save the changes that i make?

and one more question...everytime i start up it says something like "/dev/hda2 was not cleanly unmounted, checked forced"
what does that mean and how do i fix it...thank you for your time

Worked for me
 

I've installed slackware 9.1 several times, and yes, it's best to use the MBR for the boot loader.
I'm not sure whether you meant /etc/lilo.conf in your post, but that is the correct file.

If you are sure you cannot find it (do ls /etc to check) then you could always make your own. Lilo complains if it can't find something so it shouldn't ruin anything.

For starters, use this:

boot=/dev/hda
root=/dev/hda1 (Use your real root partition here. Check your /etc/fstab)
vga=normal
install=menu

image=/boot/vmlinuz (Check this is the link to your kernel: ls -l /boot/vmlinuz)
label=Slackware
read-only

Read man 5 lilo.conf for more information.

Hope this helps!

To save a file in Emacs use the key combination CTRL-x CTRL-s. To exit Emacs use CTRL-x CTRL-c.

About the unmounting, how are you shutting down your system? Are you simply powering it off when you are done or do you use a command as root to shutdown? To properly shutdown your machine enter, as root at a command prompt, init 0.

ok, thank you, both responses are a huge help...i'm reinstalling slackware now...could you possibly tell me how to get to the desktop? thanks

Just log into your machine and type startx. To change what window manager/desktop you get when you run startx run xwmconfig and select the desired option.

thank you

i typed in "startx" and it didn't work. it said "startx not found" so i tried "start x" it said "star not found"

I assume you did a full install.

At a command prompt type in sta and then press the tab key a couple of times. I'm also assuming you are using the bash shell which is the default. What items show up? When I type sta and press tab I see this:

user@hostname:~$ sta
startkde startx startxfce4 stat states