I would like to chang the default computer name (dartstar) to some other name. Is that possible? I opted to use the default during setup but I want to change it now.

Just run 'netconfig' again as root.

There are other ways, but I find this the simplest.

Or, to take twice as long but have the fancy green menu for the first part:

wouldnt the 'hostname' command or the /etc/hostname file work to do this?

So many things are dependent on it, it's a bit easier to run 'netconfig', and make sure everthing is updated.

Ok then. I'll try netconfig first. I was expecting to edit some text file configurations like what I did in my fstab.
It is good that there is such command associated with my problem. Thanks.

I think the file /etc/HOSTNAME stores the hostname.

edit /etc/HOSTNAME and edit /etc/hosts and then reboot

Why should a newbie edit two system critical files, with a chance of messing them up (As I have done before) when a simple command will do it for you?

Plus, it will insure the network is setup correctly.

From my take on the OP's original problem, it seems that he skipped the original netconfig. (I could be wrong, but better safe than sorry). If so, then he would be chasing his tail trying to get everything setup. This way: One command, and done.

you want to both edit the /etc/HOSTNAME file and run the hostname command `hostname newhost`. Running the hostname command will change what any program using the gethostname(2) function while I believe /etc/HOSTNAME is for NIS (could be wrong about it being for the NIS system, but it is another system). After you change those two you'll probably want to edit /etc/hosts and fix the host names in there too. Once all that is done, just reboot (i bet theres something you could just restart, however I'm really not sure what it is, agetty probably).

cwwilson721: the reason for giving someone more complex answers rather than just run some random script that does it for you is to teach people how to actually do it on more than just one distribution that happens to have that random script [[note: you've gotta change something else in RH to change the hostname]]. Afterall most people who use slackware are using it to learn because they want to know how linux works, not just one distro.

That is a valid point.

However, this user is a newbie to Slackware, not RHX, or anything else. Lets get the easy basics down first, with a usable system, then give the more 'in depth' options.

Drowning a newbie in alot of linux-speak can, and does, cause people to just give up.

In this case, simplicity may be best. Complexity can cause harm. I was just trying the easiest route to begin with, then get more in depth on what other possibilities are out there.

Also, I'm not even sure the OP is even paying any attention....

But thanks for the explanation. I just hope you also see why I went this route...

It's funny that some people here think /etc/HOSTNAME and /etc/hosts is a critical system file. lol

Not critical, unless you really want to get online. But they are important

I rimmed out my info in those 2 files and I still get online

More along the lines of if you need names on an internel LAN, and for some firewalling, etc.