Please help a Linux Virgin!

[Suth]

I have a Toshiba Laptop with Windows 98 SE.

I have installed Linux Redhat 7.1 on another partition. First of all, I have to use a boot disk to boot into Linux, if i dont have the boot disk the laptop just boots 98.

Secondly, when I boot Redhat 7.1 and i enter 'root' and password I get a prompt which reads:

root@localhost .... <prompt> as in a command prompt.

I know a few Unix style command sand have navigated around the file system but forgive me! I was under the impression this thing would have some sort of GUI, were is it? How do it start the GUI!!??

Please help!

[dvdnut]

startx

[Suth]

Originally posted by dvdnut:
<STRONG>startx</STRONG>

Thanks but no luck

I get the message:

Fatal Server Error:
No screens found

XI0: Fatal IO Error 104
blah blah

[StarbuckZero]

I don't know much about X11 (or X-Windows) on laptops but I'll see if I can help. When you install RedHat 7.1 did you test you video settings? It's no big deal but it's something you need to keep in mind in the future when you install any Linux disro. What you'll need to do is login and type "Xconfigure" I'm not sure if I spell it right, but you could type in "Xconf" then press the TAB key and it will spell the rest for you. Once you are in Xconfigure run though and remember to test your settings once you are done it will make a config file for you. Let me know how it goes okay, if you want you can always E-mail me at efeiling@tampaybay.rr.com . :)

[Lem Sip]

Try Xconfigurator - that allows you to supply the settings that X uses.

When you install RedHat it gives you the option to make Linux boot into the gui mode and it seems you told it not to.

It's also time you read some HowTos specific to the problems you're having. Because starting a window manager won't fix your problem - Linux is completely unlike Windows. Most of the system configuration tools aren't X based - they're command line based - so booting into a gui won't get you to the point where you can configure your system anyway.

Sorry :(

Peter

[Suth]

i dont remember anything about the GUI or X-Windows when I was installing. It did find my video card perfectly though.

How do you start the Xconfigurator?

Thanks

[kuber]

XF86Config

[Suth]

got a GUI now thanks!

I have restarted, booted into X and have the message:

WARNING
You are running the GNOME file manager as root.

[slacker_x]

99% of people who know anything about unix will tell you that you should only use the root user when you have to.

Create another user for yourself.

[Suth]

Originally posted by slacker_x:
<STRONG>99% of people who know anything about unix will tell you that you should only use the root user when you have to.

Create another user for yourself.</STRONG>


thank you! this is precisely why I am dabbling! I must say, this forum is very good.

[MaxWave]

The warning is a good thing. Most admins create a regular account for day to day use. I don't know what GUI you can use to add a user. I believe you can use Linuxconf. I add a user at a command prompt as follows.

mkdir /home/username
/usr/sbin/adduser -d /home/username -c "Full Name" -s /bin/bash username
chown username /home/username
chgrp username /home/username
passwd username

Enjoy and welcome to the good side!

[mrBen]

A couple of things you could try. First, from the console type 'adduser' and it should prompt you for everything you want. If that doesn't work try 'useradd' :D

GNOME I think has a facility for adding users that you can access from it's control panel thingy.

Lastly, if you have any other problems with your laptop, the Linux for laptops (http://www.linux-laptop.net) webpage is the place to look.

HTH

[hugs_to_tux]

i seriouly dont understand why ppl post querries here as simple as adding new user when any distrobution u consider gives a lovely documentation on it.i feel the explanation that i given there is anyday going to be better than the ones given here.better aas in more elaborate pliss dont take otherwise.
the better way to learn is that ...well i guess and i learned that way and it worked.
u can use this for very specific problems....
no hard feelings pliss....
regds,
saurabh

[Matches Malone]

I have noticed that when we get to be fluent in some things, we tend to forget how it felt when we were new...

Sometimes NEWBIE means just that, hugs, and it is VERY frustrating when ya just don't grasp a concept yet, and it takes time and patience to get it finally, and when ya do, yeah, ya kick yerself, but til then... patience :) I myself am GLAD that people show ME patience, it's been worthwhile :)

[mangeli]

Originally posted by MaxWave:
<STRONG>

mkdir /home/username
/usr/sbin/adduser -d /home/username -c "Full Name" -s /bin/bash username
chown username /home/username
chgrp username /home/username
passwd username

Enjoy and welcome to the good side!</STRONG>



adduser


Is a lot quicker when it comes to adding a user. It should just walk you through making the home dir and everything.

[hugs_to_tux]

Originally posted by Matches Malone:
<STRONG>I have noticed that when we get to be fluent in some things, we tend to forget how it felt when we were new...

Sometimes NEWBIE means just that, hugs, and it is VERY frustrating when ya just don't grasp a concept yet, and it takes time and patience to get it finally, and when ya do, yeah, ya kick yerself, but til then... patience :) I myself am GLAD that people show ME patience, it's been worthwhile :)</STRONG>
i am not against learning things but it sounds rediculous to me just to wash ur hands after dinner to a river a mile away when u have a wash basin just near ur dining table.
this is something called being street smart which at time gets conducive when u find urself book dumb.
regds,
saurabh.

[Matches Malone]

Understandable, Hugs... jus pointin out dat some people it takes quite a bit to "get" something sometimes SO simple :)