Exit the Vista, enter the Slackware!

pligdas · 04-06-2012, 02:39 AM

Hi all! I am considering adding Slackware to my computer so that it will be dual booting openSUSE/Slackware instead of openSUSE/Vista. I have an HP Pavillion dv2xxxx and I'm concerned about the wireless feature. With openSUSE that was not a problem (the touchpad had to be configured though). What are the possible difficulties I may encounter and how can I prepare for them?

Feel free to add any information that you think might be helpful (partitioning e.g.). Many thanks in advance!

- pascal

P.S. I have the Slackware 13.37.iso image.

malekmustaq · 04-06-2012, 03:40 AM

Congratulations for that decision.
Although as usual there is lean support from wireless hardware makers for linux meantime. Since you have a driver for that hardware by way of Suse i suppose it should work with your Slackware.
One more info: if you wanted faster software choice and installation for Slackware 13.37 I will suggest you first begin with Salix OS, it is faster there and the packages are ready and can be installed by few clicks; still you will enjoy the fast and stable Slackware in Salix OS variant.
Good luck.

pligdas · 04-06-2012, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malekmustaq

One more info: if you wanted faster software choice and installation for Slackware 13.37 I will suggest you first begin with Salix OS, it is faster there and the packages are ready and can be installed by few clicks; still you will enjoy the fast and stable Slackware in Salix OS variant.
Good luck.

Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware of that choice. I'll look into it, though I'm not easily intimidated by tedious procedures.

- pascal

frankbell · 04-06-2012, 09:06 PM

What wireless chipset is in your computer? That's the key piece of information to determine how difficult is might be to set up in Slackware.

I have Salix on my netbook and quite like it for that purpose, but I would not use it in preference to Slackware on a laptop/desktop. But that's just me.

pligdas · 04-07-2012, 04:38 AM

It's the PRO/Wireless 5100 AGN [Shiloh] Network Connection.

I'm trying to define a good partitioning scheme for a 140GB disc. Do I really need more than /, /home and swap for home use?

And another question. I have the bootloader from openSUSE installed with the options 1. Boot from MBR and 2. Boot from the extended partition. I used the extended partition because I had two Vista partitions originally. Now, I have erased both Vista partitions, so that I can install the Slackware. Where should I place the bootloader and can I use the one that openSUSE uses? I'm a tad bit confused and a little help would be appreciated.

- pascal

pligdas · 04-07-2012, 11:05 AM

So I went on and installed it (just 2 partitions and swap) and I was able to use openSUSE's boot loader. I actually did the partitioning from opemSUSE which helped me a bit. The major problem I have now is with the network. I think I may have skipped accidentally this step so now it I have no wireless connection, hence no internet. What's the best way of dealing with this problem?

Having no internet is a huge obstacle and has to be tackled first.

- pascal

frankbell · 04-07-2012, 09:51 PM

Try running the lspci command from the terminal (you may have to do that with root privileges).

That should report the wireless chipset, which is much more important as far as Linux is concerned the wireless card brand. Post the results here and we can help.

pligdas · 04-08-2012, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbell

Try running the lspci command from the terminal (you may have to do that with root privileges).

Code:

root@pascalinux:/etc/postfix #lspci|grep Wireless
03:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 5100 AGN [Shiloh] Network Connection
root@pascalinux:/etc/postfix #

Not much of a difference I'm afraid.

- pascal

pligdas · 04-09-2012, 10:01 AM

I'm trying to configure the network. Problem it doesn't go by the book, or I'm doing something wrong. I tried

Code:

bash-4.1# ./rc.wireless 
WARNING: The script 'rc.wireless' must be executed by 'rc.inet1'!
         You should run the command "/etc/rc.d/rc.inet1 <your_interface>_start" yourself.
bash-4.1# iwconfig 
lo        no wireless extensions.

bash-4.1

What's <your_interface> supposed to mean and how can I find mine?

Forgive me if this is a silly question,

- pascal

Alien Bob · 04-09-2012, 02:38 PM

Did you install Salix, or Slackware?

Eric

frankbell · 04-09-2012, 08:26 PM

Intel generally works well with Linux, but googling "Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 5100 AGN slackwar" seems to indicate that that chipset can be cantankerous.

Try installing wicd. It's in Extras. It's a lot easier to use than wpa-supplicant. I have had a chip on my Acer not work with wpa-supplicant fire right up with wicd. (No, I don't know why, I was just glad it started working). That one also has an intel chip:

Code:

05:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection (rev 02)

Here's an article by someone who got it working in a slightly earlier version of Slack on a 64-bit Thinkpad. Maybe it will help a little: http://home.comcast.net/~fbui/Linux-on-TPT500.html

pligdas · 04-10-2012, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alien Bob

Did you install Salix, or Slackware?

I installed Slackware but if this problem persists I'll try Salix.

- pascal

pligdas · 04-10-2012, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbell

Try installing wicd. It's in Extras. It's a lot easier to use than wpa-supplicant. I have had a chip on my Acer not work with wpa-supplicant fire right up with wicd. (No, I don't know why, I was just glad it started working).

I cannot even access the dvd, which I know it's in /dev/sr0 (as reported during installation.

Maybe it's not meant to be...

- pascal

onebuck · 05-02-2012, 12:59 PM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by pligdas

I cannot even access the dvd, which I know it's in /dev/sr0 (as reported during installation.

Maybe it's not meant to be...

- pascal

A little late in jumping in. For the network you can use Configuring your network in Slackware <- Alien_Bob's excellent article on the way network cards are configured in Slackware. + Loads of internal reference links + Ethernet & Wireless

You need to be sure that the firmware is there for your device.

As for the '/dev/sr0' issue, what do you see in 'dmesg'? Both for boot & after installing a media disk after the system has booted. Post your '/etc/fstab'.