Ooops

trekkie1701c · 03-13-2005, 10:40 AM

I have a Mandrake Linux 9 box as my personal computer. Hoping to connect it to my home network, I began an upgrade, installing a second sound card, Ethernet adapter, and replacing the display card. I changed the display settings to as high-res as I could get, and everything checked out.

Restarting the computer, I got an error on XFREE not being able to start. Now I'm not sure if this is related or not, but after unsuccessfully trying to change settings, I rebooted the computer, and the BIOS appears to have died. (This caused me to name the computer "The computer of a thousand horrors", as previously I had a problem with GDM starting up from a security setting).

Currently I have the computer sitting with no power to the BIOS or motherboard(battery and PSU are disconnected from the motherboard), and I'm waiting two hours, or the amount of time it takes my motherboard to discharge, according to the person who gave me the computer.

My question here is: How do I fix the XFREE problem(assuming it wasn't the BIOS), and how may I get Mandrake 9 to recognize a second CD-ROM drive, so that I can upgrade to 10, and thus get the neccesary drivers installed for my new hardware(I don't have the 9 CD's).

batty_professor · 03-13-2005, 12:48 PM

Upgrading to Mandrake 10 or 10.1 should be easy, and also fix your other issues at the same time. This provided your computer will boot from the inatallation CD. The installation CD should boot to the installer, which will guide you through the proceedure. After detecting the hardware and such, you will have a choice of Install or upgrade, choose upgrade to keep your user settings and all the stuff in your /home directory. One of the last steps in the installer is a summary page, it will list language, time zone, etc., and if you will scroll down, you'll see "graphical interface". Click the configure button, and set the display settings to something your monitor can handle. You can also test this configuration, but the test will likely freeze the system, and you'll have to start over. It's better just to get the install done, then you can adjust the settings in Mandrake Control Center /Hardware click the display adapter, and run configuration tool. You can set the display there and also test your settings without logout/login.

The installer should also detect/configure all your new hardware for you.

Skie · 03-16-2005, 07:42 PM

Upgrading to a newer version of Mandrake is one way to get around the problem. Or, if you wish to remain with Mandrake 9, you'll need to post any errors that you receive.

03-13-2005, 10:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
trekkie1701c Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Carolina, USA Posts: 1 OS: WinXP	Ooops I have a Mandrake Linux 9 box as my personal computer. Hoping to connect it to my home network, I began an upgrade, installing a second sound card, Ethernet adapter, and replacing the display card. I changed the display settings to as high-res as I could get, and everything checked out. Restarting the computer, I got an error on XFREE not being able to start. Now I'm not sure if this is related or not, but after unsuccessfully trying to change settings, I rebooted the computer, and the BIOS appears to have died. (This caused me to name the computer "The computer of a thousand horrors", as previously I had a problem with GDM starting up from a security setting). Currently I have the computer sitting with no power to the BIOS or motherboard(battery and PSU are disconnected from the motherboard), and I'm waiting two hours, or the amount of time it takes my motherboard to discharge, according to the person who gave me the computer. My question here is: How do I fix the XFREE problem(assuming it wasn't the BIOS), and how may I get Mandrake 9 to recognize a second CD-ROM drive, so that I can upgrade to 10, and thus get the neccesary drivers installed for my new hardware(I don't have the 9 CD's). __________________ Christian Pate chrispate2000@gmail.com Save Star Trek today! http://www.saveenterprise.com - Enterprise Deserves Season 5

03-13-2005, 12:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
batty_professor Asst. Manager, Alternative Computing Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hooterville Il 45 mi. east of St. Louis mo Posts: 2,609 OS: Fedora Core 5 for now	Upgrading to Mandrake 10 or 10.1 should be easy, and also fix your other issues at the same time. This provided your computer will boot from the inatallation CD. The installation CD should boot to the installer, which will guide you through the proceedure. After detecting the hardware and such, you will have a choice of Install or upgrade, choose upgrade to keep your user settings and all the stuff in your /home directory. One of the last steps in the installer is a summary page, it will list language, time zone, etc., and if you will scroll down, you'll see "graphical interface". Click the configure button, and set the display settings to something your monitor can handle. You can also test this configuration, but the test will likely freeze the system, and you'll have to start over. It's better just to get the install done, then you can adjust the settings in Mandrake Control Center /Hardware click the display adapter, and run configuration tool. You can set the display there and also test your settings without logout/login. The installer should also detect/configure all your new hardware for you. __________________ It's better to know me and not need me than to need me and not know me. B. While users are never under any obligation, if you feel the urge please feel free to visit our donation page. Every little bit helps. And we thank you for your support. Microsoft free Registered Linux user 397458

03-16-2005, 07:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Skie Manager, Alternative Comp Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 1,821 OS: Gentoo Linux, Redhat Enterprise Linux, CentOS My System	Upgrading to a newer version of Mandrake is one way to get around the problem. Or, if you wish to remain with Mandrake 9, you'll need to post any errors that you receive. __________________