Hi everyone!

I installed Mandrake 9 yesterday; this is my first Linux experience. I am dual-booting Windows ME and Mandrake, using KDE. I have a few questions I would like to ask, please don't lough if the answers are obvious.

1. How do I get to access my Windows partition from Linux? The only way I found so far is through Location->open menu< but it only opens one file, and Windows partition is shown under removable media, next to CD ROM. I have the following string in my etc/mtab /dev/hda1/mnt/windows vfat rw, iocharset=iso8859-15, codepage=850, umask=0 0 0

Is it possible to have links somewhere like in My Computer in Windoiws, with all the drives and CD ROMs that I need in one place?

2. I have an NTL Ambit broadband cable modem on USB. It is detected and shown in Control center - USB. But I am not sure how to make an Internet connection. I read the thread on NTL broadband but did not find the answer I need. Do I need to install another driver for ethernet or something like that? I find this very confusing because the modem is USB.

thanks for your help.

As for the windows partition, it is mounted under /mnt/windows . Just go to that directory and you should be able to use/view all files (if you have permission).
Now the broadband modem. You probably have a static IP right? It should be configured by DHCP, so go to /sbin and look for dhcp.conf or dhcp.config ( I cant remember the right name). If they are not there you will need to install them, either from one of the CD`s or using a ppp connection ( although I am fairly sure Mandrake should have it).
Just run them and configure your connection, this should do it

Log in as root under KDE. Look for the icon thingy on desktop called Internet Setup/Connection. Or it's in the K menu. It's very easy to set up Internet access.

YESSSSSSSS!!!

it lives!

First, I logged on as root (it wouldn't let me do this from regular login), ran Network Configurator and specified Network device as eth0 and kernel mode as ne. Then I found Mandrake Control Center and clicked Network and Internet, then chose Connection. The wizard at the bottom of the page is brilliant! the only thing I had to specify there is something like CDC ethernet to USB (I can't remember exactly). It guided me through everything, autodetected all the settings; and I was able to get on the Net straight away.

I guess NTL is satisfied with all the information on my account so I did not need to specify my MAC address (it's attached to a physical device, so it doesn't matter under what OS it is used if it's already registered).

Thank you for your help, this has definitely made my day! I'm off to set up a firewall. Wish me luck.

Taz

oh well, it didn't last long. When I rebooted in Mandrake after posting previous message the connection failed. I founf the following in the log:
Mar 7 17:17:25 localhost kernel: Shorewall:OUTPUT:REJECT:IN= OUT=eth0 SRC=(my IP address) DST=194.168.4.100 LEN=74 TOS=0x00 PREC=0x00 TTL=64 ID=28673 DF PROTO=UDP SPT=32770 DPT=53 LEN=54

could someone pls explain to me, what's gone on?

I read eslewhere on this forum that NTL cable connection drops from time to time. Wai provided this script to fix it
How exactly do I use it?

I think I've sussed it, the connection is OK, it was the firewall. sorry for flapping

I got a NIC, connected it, Mandrake picked it up OK. when I ran Mandrake Control Center. But every time I reboot or even logon as another user the connection is not there. I have to run Control center to detect it again. Is there a way to tell OS to connect on bootup? Or maybe it just doesn't keep the settings?

Go into the Mandrake Control Center (you will have to give the root password when it asks), and select "System" and then "Services." There you'll find a long list of services you can select or deselect to be run at boot time. Among them is "ADSL" and if you select that one I think your connection will be made at boot time.

johnr,

I've done what you said but couldn't find an option for adsl. There is one called Internet services, is this what you meant?

When I access Mandrake Control Center, and then System, and then Services, "adsl" (lower case, not upper as I wrote earlier) is the first item on my list. It shows its status as "running" and also shows the "on boot" box selected.

I wonder why it doesn't show up in your list.

I also have an entry "Internet" and it also shows "running" and "on boot."

When I installed Mandrake 9.0 (the most recent time--another story...), I used "expert" mode in order to get more options, and among them was the ability to specify if I wanted the connection to be made at bootup time. I don't remember if I was given this choice in the first installation, for which I used the default, few-options, method. Maybe if you reinstalled Mandrake using the "update" method and the "expert" mode...? But surely there's some other way to get the connection turned on when booting.

I hope some more accomplished Mandrake user may have a suggestion.