I have managed to install mdk10.1 on my DX740 hdd which is configured as an external usb device using the icybox bl series.

the installation has gone fine except for a few issues.

when it wanted to format my usb drive it says that it didn't understand the format 'ext2: vfat' so changed the type to linux swap (sda5) and linux (sda6) - the rest of installation went fine, i entered a root password and setup a single user with the same password.

initially i was getting errors on starting kde 3.2 saying /home directory missing - not able to write - so swapped to text logon for root (as noticed no option to login as root under gui), and edited /etc/fstab

i removed the supermount options and replaced with the following

/dev/sda1 / ext3 rw,user,auto,exec,defaults 0 0
/dev/sda5 / swap auto
/dev/sda6 / ext3 rw,auto,user,exec 0 0

when run as normal user under kde sda5 & 6 are still not mounted - if try to mount it says must be superuser - but everytime i enter the password for root it says incorrect, yet I can log on via the text console to root without a problem

Also while under kde I am unable to access the internet etc, ye using gnome it lets me??

The other problem is that I can't also run configuration settings as not an administrator (under both kde and gnome)

I would be grateful if any one can help

thanks

You can log on as Root under KDE, you just have to un-hide root in your config settings.

Click "Star"->System->Configuration->KDE->System->Login Manager

You will be asked for your root password, and if everything goes to plan, you'll put it in and it will allow you into the login manager settings. If it works, click on the "Users" tab, and under "Hidden Users", uncheck "root". Then, go

"Star"->logout->End Session Only

and you should be presented with your user name, and "Root" at the graphical login. Assuming everything's still going according to plan, you'll click on the "Root" profile, put in your password, and you'll be logged in as root.

thanks,

tried that and had other problems

in the end i edited the /etc/passwd file and set user info to 0 instead of 501 - this let me login as normal but with root priviledges. after making the changes i was still unable to login as root under the gui interface, but was using my own username.

i ran the updates option in control centre and rebooted, but this then totally stuffed up the installation.

unsure of why it won't set the /home on sda6 for normal users - is this because its a usb drive - if so i've got to reinstall my windows setup so will redo the partitioning and use the usb drive for my mp3.

which way would be best to install on 200gb

windows xp first taking up 150gb or first partiton and then linux on the 2nd partition?

thanks in advance

Hmm, yeah, that's strange. I'm no linux expert by any means (just about 4 weeks into my first install myself, actually), but if it were me I'd just reinstall on your internal 200gb, like you said. Doesn't matter what partition you put either OS on (obviously the one that you use most often you'll probably want the most space for), but make sure you install XP first, then linux (apparently installing xp after linux toasts your boot loader with the xp one. Not a huge problem as you can use a live CD like Knoppix and go in and fix it, but easier just to do it right to begin with).

thanks again

i tried the installation from scratch again and same problem

finally rebuilt my main O/S on my 160gb drive - given it 3 partitions and setup and extended with 80gb of space, this should be more than enough.

let's hope it will work this time.

also if got usb keyboard/mouse like me, don't try the Fedora Core 3 installation - after selecting installation it won't accept anything from usb so unable to make any options...

i'll let you know how i get on - may not get it done till tomorrow