I know this question has already been asked, yet those solutions did not work for me. I get the following message at boot

INSMOD: /lib/modules/2.4.20/kernel/drivers/char/joystick/cs461x.o.gz: insmod cs461x failed
INSMOD: /lib/modules/2.4.20/kernel/drivers/char/joystick/cs461x.o.gz: init_module: no such device
INSMOD: /lib/modules/2.4.20/kernel/drivers/char/joystick/cs461x.o.gz: insmod errors can be caused by incorrect module parameters including invalid IO or IRQ parameters


i get this message like 7 times and it make up for about half of my boot process.
It is the only problem i have had with linux. arg.

I was also wondering about general Linux maintenance, with windows it would mean scandisk, defraging, and running spyware/registry scanners. What would general linux upkeep require?

Nothing, just let it run no defrag; no spy, no virus etc.. Just maybe configure the iptables netfilter (but it generally set once, no periodicly)

Try add cs461x to /etc/hotplug/blacklist (just a though)

As keefaz said, disk maintenance is not necessary, there is not a registry per se, and most spyware is targeted to IE (I think). However you should keep an eye out for security updates. Since you are running Slackware the changelog for the version you are using is the best place. Either that or look in the... uhh, drawing a blank here. I think it is patches/packages directory for the distro version on your favorite mirror.

For a server where you need a higher assurance of sanctity, there are many things you can/should do. Unfortunately that would be too long a post.