Just installed and some minor teething problems

[paul]

Hi, I have just installed Salix Xfce on my old notebook and it runs like a dream.
I have 3 problems (apart from the fact I know very little about Linux, I have only ever used a Ubuntu machine in the past).
1. The browser that installed with Salix crashes whenever I access my ISP Site. So is there anywhere where I can download a version of Firefox for Salix? I use that on my Windows desktop and know it is available for the Linux platform.
2. I can see my wifi network but cannot browse it because I cannot edit the settings; I can get some of the network setting panels up but cannot change anything (e.g. it calls the network: "Windows Network", while it should be "MSHOME"). How do I edit the network setting on Salix?
3. The notebook has an on-board IR port, a dail-up modem and a physical network socket. I only use a wifi adapter and do not use these at all. They just slow down the boot time. How can I stop Salix from trying to initialize these on boot?
Any help would be really appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul.

[mimosa]

Welcome, Paul!

I suggest you have a look at the Salix user guide (there's a link somewhere on the main page). That will explain about package management, and enable you to install Firefox. However, the problem you describe may have another cause.

Regarding Wifi, how are you trying to set it up? The easiest way is probably Wicd, which can be opened from the panel applet towards the bottom right. I think the user guide should help here. Again, there may be an underlying problem (though the fact you can see any networks at all suggests the card is recognised and working, which is usually the tricky bit); but the first assumption is that there isn't, and you just need to work out how to configure it. If you still have trouble, please give a specific description of what you are doing and what happens.

I also don't understand how you are browsing if you aren't connected. Or is it that you are connected, but you're just not seeing the name you expect for the network?

I wouldn't worry about your third point. It's probably a question of microseconds. It's a normal part of the boot process for the kernel to examine available hardware.

[kcirick]

Hello Paul.

First, a general comment: in Linux, regardless of the distro/flavour you choose, command line is your friend. Familiarize yourself with the terminal and basic linux commands. Just getting this point across first. Now:

1. Type "sudo gslapt" from your terminal (you'll need your root password). This is the default Salix install application. There you'll be able to choose your favourite web browser (except for Google Chrome, which is a little bit more involved to install, but firefox should be there).
2. You should Google about this. I think it's a fairly common set up and you shouldn't have too much problem finding solution there. I suspect most will tell you to do things via command line, hence my first comment about familiarizing yourself with it. But first I'd try what mimosa suggested: try Wicd, which is installed by default in Salix (I think?)
3. As mimosa said: Don't worry about it. From my own experience it's still better than booting up Ubuntu, and you shouldn't be (re)booting your system that often anyway.

[mimosa]

kcirick is right about the command line. The user guide has a chapter on it and I can also recommend the following, though it's old:

http://www.tuxfiles.org
EDIT address corrected as per gaucho's post below

But with any luck, these problems will resolve themselves using Salix's graphical tools.

EDIT
I just checked, and my system isn't configured to sue sudo. I don't think Salix is, by default. So instead,

Code: Select all

su
[enter root password]
gslapt

This will definitely work.

...but you can also just run Gslapt from the menu.

[paul]

Thank you all for your replies.
And I would try them but ...........
When I booted Salix this morning it did not connect to the wireless network, no matter what I try it will not connect. I have checked the WEP key and that is correct. I have played with different settings (in WICD) and rebooted a few times, but to no avail, so I have returned the settings to what they were.
The computer can see the networks, both mine and those of neighbours, but refuses to connect to mine. It comes up with "connection failed, bad password" which is a problem as a Windows network does not use a password.
The whole thing is strange as it connected fine after the Salix install yesterday and I am using a standard D-Link PCMIA wifi dongle (DWL-G630).
I have also checked in the modem and it is definitely reserving an IP address for the dongle MAC.
I am not going to get anywhere without a network connection, so any ideas as to what may be wrong and how to fix this?
Paul.

[mimosa]

You talk about a 'WEP key' and say it is correct, but you also say that a Windows network doesn't use a password. Well, that depends how it is set up, but in any case, surely you are connecting to a router? "Key" just means password. Or do you have a Windows machine running a network server? Please explain exactly what the setup is.

Note that there are sometimes a couple of options for the password for whichever form of encryption the router is set up for - such as hex or plain text. Have you got the right one?

The fact that it worked before and now it doesn't is puzzling. What worked? Were you ever actually connected? What led you to then change the configuration? What did you do? What doesn't work any more?

I hope these questions aren't annoying. They are a reflection of the need for more information to understand the problem.

[paul]

Hello mimosa, just got it going again; found the problem. My D-Link modem has the ability to reserve IP addresses for my devices as based on their MAC address. I tried to add one in order to try a different dongle in the machine and found it came up with "maximum reserved IPs is 10" and I had already 11 reserved (bad form D-Link, the modem should have warned me at the 11th one, not the 12th and started doing strange things at the 11th). Removed the 11th reserved IP and hey presto, Salix connected and I am downloading programs. You would not read about it.
Really do appreciate your assistance though.
Paul.

[mimosa]

I'm glad you got it working. I don't think I was any help at all though! Anyway, good luck with Salix, and I hope you like it.

[paul]

Hello mimosa, when you are trying something unfamiliar - such as Salix is for me - any sense of support calms the nerves and puts the brain in gear. So your support was helpful.
Have everything up and running now, except Wine and a network printer setup.
But that's for another day.
Thanks again,
Paul.

[gaucho]

Hi, paul,

I just wanted to mention another website that has a good introduction to the Linux command line:

http://linuxcommand.org/
Shotts, William. LinuxCommand.org.

(If you're a book person, the information is available as a book published by No Starch Press).

The website mentioned by mimosa is also good; however, its domain name should be ".org":

http://www.tuxfiles.org/
Tuxfiles : Linux newbie help ... in plain English!

Another pocket-sized paperback which I've found useful:

http://tinyurl.com/b6yn87j
Granneman, Scott. Linux phrasebook.

Welcome to Salix. I also hope you'll enjoy using it; it has run smoothly and reliably for me.