Ok recompiling the little "Not Working" list below.

1. Still unable to get my Optical Wheel USB mouse to work, still trying to find more specifics before I modify the /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file.

2. Shutdown command- Using "shutdown -h now" works, but I am unable to use the command if I am not in root

3. Still unable to make desktop appear as root in KDE...

4. Still unsure about the use of my USB ports... I have no easy way of testing it other than the mouse mentioned above or a wireless keyboard

5. Still have quite low sound settings. Is there any way to change the volume outside of the actual sound program? I have button on the notebook but they do not work in linux.

6. Still unable to write to a floppy. Should I attempt umounting and mounting it back on a few times?

Thanks a ton for all the help. Linux is starting to look like a fun challenge after all.


EDIT: Also, one thing i'm missing wildly is old ctrl-alt-dlt.... is there a linux way of doing this without closing KDE?

I still claim that 3) can be fixed by (while kde is running) opening a text window and entering:

nautilus

...don't close the window.

Instead of ctrl-alt-del, try ctrl-alt-F2. You end up at a prompt, where you can login as root and do things such as 'ps -ef' to see procs, 'top' for cpu (memory) hogs, and use 'kill <process ID>' to get rid of specific problems. ctrl-alt-F7 to return to your desktop. It is a full terminal, only w/o the x server, so no mouse.

The shutdown problem is probably a lack of /sbin in the PATH of the regular user. More than likely, the command is world executable, but it just cannot be found. You could try putting:

alias shutdown='/sbin/shutdown'

or

export PATH=$PATH:/sbin/

into the users .bashrc file, or just use 'halt'

I tried the Nautilus command again, the way you said, still no luck.

Haven't had enough time to try to fix the shutdown problem.

I just realized that I have only a "partial ACPI installation"... which is preventing me from working on a lot of my laptop power settings... Is there any way i can fix this and then rebuild the kernel?

Couple New little come up questions:

Should I make a back up of my /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file before I try to edit it to add the mouse?

I found a tutorial to set up my modem drivers, but I am constantly encoutnering the error:

common.mak:11: *** Is the kernel-source package isntalled? KERNELSRC does not point to a proper directory (/lib/modules/2.4.22-10mdk/build). Stop.

It's called Error 2


Also, I can not get ANYTHING up install with rpmdrake. It freezes my system every time i try.

Ran out of ideas and read a few other posts... installed kernel-2.4.21.0.13mdk-1-1mdk.1586.rpm

Not having any luck with it yet, trying to follow up with ltmodem-kernel2.4.21.0.13-8.26a9-2mdk.i586.rpm

Then plan to follow up with my hsflinmodem drivers, but they won't install until i have both of those running. For some reason the updated kernel just seems to have not mattered any


EDIT: The error message when i try to rpm the ltmodem kernel

warning: "filename" V3 DSA signature: NOKEY, key ID 60d204a7
error: Failed dependencies:
ltmodem = 8.26a9 is needed by ltmodem-kernel2.4.21.0.13-8.26a9-2mdk

As for shutting down try halt as a normal user. Mandrake sometimes has a buggy way of giving you the user a shutdown option in a GUI. I think you have to set the machine up to automaticly boot to one user in a GUI. Then it adds the shutdown option to the GUI.

Have you tried turning up the volume in any of the sound apps like aumix or kmix? They controle the master volume and settings for the other apps.

As for the old ctrl-alt-del command yes there is a linux equivalent but no one ever uses it. you probably won't either after a while. try ctrl-alt-bkspce if I remember right.

As for switching to another tty or commandline screen. Linux lets you keep the GUI open on one TTY(screen) and lets you have login as someone else on another. Try ctrl-alt-f1 through f7. Its used if an app freezes you can switch screens, log in and kill the app.

As for the floppy thing make sure you have permitions to write to the device. What errors are you getting about the floppy?

The floppy drive says simply that I do not have permissions to write to the device. I think it may be something I can fix in root but I do not know how to get to it in root as I don't have a desktop

instead typing nautilus try konqueror (in a console), the file manager dafault in kde, i think its konqueror if not type 'kon' then press tab and look what options you have. For your modem look if you have installed the kernel source, a package called like kernel-source-x.x.xmdk.
You can change file permissions whit the command chmod. you can look here for help: http://www.onlamp.com/linux/cmd/

I still am unable to get the modem drivers to install.

I have updated the kernel to 2.4.21-0.13mdk

I have updated my modem kernel (or whatever it's called), ltmodem-kv_2.4.21_0.13mdk-8.26a9-1.i586.rpm

I have newer version of the ltmodem stuff, up to 2.4.22_21mdk-8.26a9-1.i586.rpm... but I thought i was supposed to match it with the kernel version.

I get into the folder with the drivers, enter "make install", but it gives me the same error still:

KERNELSRC does not point to a proper directory (/lib/modules/2.4.21-0.13mdk/build)

I have tried to look in that directory... but there is no /build there.



Also, on the note of the floppy drive... It still says that "Writing to devices is not supported", maybe it's aproblem within konqueror?

I would expect your kernel source to be in /usr/src/linux. This is not installed by default. I cannot remember if it was on the 3 cd set or not.

Well I downloaded them as RPM's... what do I need the CDs for?

you don't need the cds. you have to update following the instructions found here: http://www.mandrakesecure.net/en/kernelupdate.php. and for the modem if it's hsf try the conexant driver

I don't really know where you are but.

On the cdrom issue have you tried the chmod command? That will make it readable and writeable system wide worked for me.This will have to be done as root.

As far as getting to root from normal user just type su as normal user in a terminal window to get into root. then you can shutdown now or whatever.