SimplyMEPIS problems
 

I LOVE SimplyMEPIS, but I'm having troubles with it recognizing some of my hardware. I'm really not in the mood to mess with it. Specifically, it messes up my monitor (my on-screen controlls get all scroll-y, and my printer only works sometimes). Also, I keep getting these random errors. I like that it recognizes my sata hd and installing programs is so easy. I like the progs it comes with and the intuitive layout. My question is - does anyone know another distro that works similarly, but with more driver recognition right out of the box?

-- Jen

Hi jdriller,

Could you provide a few more details regarding the problems you're having?

• Which version of Mepis are you running...is it the most recent, 6.0?
• What exactly do you mean by 'the on-screen controls get all scrolly'?
• As for the printer, are you sure you're using the recommended driver? You can check out LinuxPrinting.org and look up your make/model of printer to be sure.
• You can also check out MepisLovers.com for Mepis-specific help/advice

I would like to try and help you get these issues fixed before recommending another distro. I have been a Mepis user since the 2004.06 release and don't want you to leave the distro on a bad note. ;)


sleepy

monitor and printer problems
 

I'm using the newest version of MEPIS.

When I say my monitor onscreen controls get scrolly, I mean that when I hit the button on my monitor to correct horizontal, contrast, etc. then pop-up menu is unreadable. And the picture is all screwed up. The parallel settings are messed up each time I reboot. It is fine when I use my other OS to boot.

I have reset my printer several times using many different configurations. It's an Epson Stylus Photo R200. These drivers are included in the configuration. It will work once, then when I try to print from a program it will give me a client-error.

I've been to mepislovers.org, and best I can tell there are some complicated procedures I could try. I've tried to edit the cups/configd (or whatever, it's not in front of me right now) file. The forums said that I'd have to re-compile my kernel after a series of edits. I'm fairly new to Linux, so I had no idea how to mess with my kernel.

Other distros I've tried had none of these problems, and these are pretty serious. I'm just having a terrible time finding one I really like. I liked openSuse alot, but it wouldn't recognize my sata hd.

My goal is to find a distro that I can stick with, learn, and get games like Sims 2 running on with Cedega or something, so I can delete my Windows OS partition for good!! I have to have Sims 2, Rollercoaster Tycoon, Zoo Tycoon and Star Wars: Empire At War. I've got five kids who use this machine too :-)

-- Jen

Well Jen,

This is a bit embarassing. I must admit that I think I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew, as I'm not too sure how to fix your problems. I've never experienced what you're describing. I have heard of people having monitor/display problems, but that usually entails the display not working altogether, or being the wrong resolution/refresh rate. I'm not familiar with the monitor's built-in controls causing problems. I also usually turn to mepislovers.com for assistance, or possibly on IRC. Are you familiar with IRC? I use the freenode.net server, and frequently find help in the channels #mepis, #mepis-nightcrew, or #linuxn00b.

As for recommending another distro, the only other distros I know of with hardware detection on par or better than Mepis would be Ubuntu or possibly Kanotix.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help,


sleepy

Another excellent distro is PCLinux.

Wayne

I would like to help you with your MEPIS problem, first the problem with X, please post your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. IF you really aren't in the mood to have it fixed, just say so. I personally use ArchLinux but if you are afraid of the command line and setting up a lot of your own stuff (and reading) its not for you.

My only prob with PCLinux, is its slow(similar to Mandriva). Other than that, the old version worked very well for me, while the new one, my sound wouldn't work without a lot of work on my part, and it had some strange behavioral issues. If I started my TV tuner software and changed a channel, it would automatically reboot to the login screen. Probably not suprisingly since the distros are pretty similar, I had the same probs with Mandriva 07.

I've heard some complain about the speed of Ubuntu 6.06 Dapper, and I truly don't get it. Its 10x faster than several other distros I've tried, I have no speed probs at all, everything opens up quickly, all hardware works, plenty of knowedgeable folks to help with probs, etc.

Good luck

IGF

Thanks to all
 

I SOOO appreciate all your input. It was very informative and helped me understand this new "adventure" more. I have switched to Ubuntu (Dapper), and I've been really happy with it. It mounts my sata right off the bat. It recognizes all my hardware quite easily, in fact. I really love it. I'm finding I like the speed of the smaller Xfce gui better than gnome or kde, but I load a bunch of stuff on it anyway, so ...

Anyway, the command line doesn't scare me. I just don't understand a lot of it yet. I work with servers in a unix enviroment a little, but some of these commands do NOT look at all familiar. I may play with some other distros on my test machine just to learn Linux better, but for now, Ubuntu fills the need on my main machine. Now if I could just get Sims 2 and Star Wars: Empire At War to work in Cedega or Wine, I could ditch Windows altogether.


-- Jen