HEELP! Can't find drive C:/ after installation!

[Linux-Gnostic]

:D Just Kidding!! :D


This is the first time I post from Linux.
I just installed Madrake 8.0.
I am now using KDE/Konqueror (haven't have time to try the others yet)

I am getting to know about everything...

Actually, I am a bit pissed off, because in the process of installing my new 30G drive, I accidentaly messed up with my old 1.4G one and C:/windows/ directory is all messed up and I can't start windows anymore (I am cut off from all my peronal files, bookmarks, archived emails...)

The box wouldn't recognize the new drive. At the end, the only solution was to plug only the unformated new drive and boot it with the mandrake cd I had.

So here I am, using for the first time linux, having (temporarily I hope) lost all my old files.

I am kind of virgin, so to speak! ;)


The system is very very slow...
I have a pentium-S 120Mhz on a 1996 board with 32MB 72Pin RAM, 2MB Video RAM... and no AGP slot!!!

I found a PCI GeForce2 MX 32MB card: I'll go and buy it and try to install it.

Also, I'll try to upgrade my 32MB RAM, but 72Pin come quite expensive... I found 32BM 72Pins bars and I can load maximum 6*32=192.5 (being optimistic here...) but that would be quite expensive...

how much do you recon I should upgrade to at least?


Even though I have a slow processor, can I expect a large boost in performance with more RAM and a new PCI 32MB video RAM (instead of 2MB, may I remind you...)


Anyway... I still have much much to learn...


Thanks.

(still hoping I'll be able to mount back my old drive and recover the data under win98)

[ 15 June 2001: Message edited by: Linux-Gnostic ]

[Linux-Gnostic]

And something else: how can I get my chinese BIG5 fonts back?
I can't read Chinese anymore!!!

As I browse this site for the first time with linux, I start to notice some small differences in look (the fact that I can't read my whole sig anymore -which now has a line of ???? - not being the only one...)

[MBMarduk]

It's 'C:\' with a BACKslash.
No idea about the characters.
Like your food.
GL.

[Linux-Gnostic]

Originally posted by MBMarduk:
<STRONG>It's 'C:\' with a BACKslash.</STRONG>

Oh! That's why I coudln't find it! ;)

Originally posted by MBMarduk:
<STRONG>Like your food.
GL.</STRONG>
Wanna come over for dinner?

[Gaccm]

i dont suggest you get the GF2, with such a weak proc you will only feel like 1/10 of its power. Do yuo need good 3D ability? if so, i recommand saving for a new computer. I have a ATI Rage Pro with 8meg ram and i almost never use it since anything graphical runs slow (p 200, 64meg, using Blackbox). As for ram, you probebly want to get some more, i would suggest taking it from old computers if you can (free that way), and remember that 72ping has to be put in in pairs.

Did you build support for reading Win filesystem? if so, you can mount your windows drive and recover files.

[ZacMacCrac]

Originally posted by Gaccm:
<STRONG>Did you build support for reading Win filesystem? if so, you can mount your windows drive and recover files.</STRONG>

I don't know much about Mandrake (never seen it in action actually) but I guess Gnostic is using a "standard" kernel which will most likely have a module for Windows file systems (called vfat).


I wouldn't recommend the GForce either. Rather try to get new RAM and a new Mainboard & Processor if you can save up a few bucks (I can't... but nm) :-)
The GForce does practically nothing in 2D mode. Depends on how much 3D power you need.

[Malakin]

Considering how expensive new ram is for you and you can't even use an agp slot for your geforce mx I would just save up for a new system. You can buy a duron, motherboard and 256M ram these days for very little, around $180USD maybe even less?

[Linux-Gnostic]

Thank you Gaccm, ZacMacCrac and Idealego.

I didn't know in which way exactly a video card affects the system. No, I don't need 3D, so I guess that I won't buy the geforce2 for this box after all.

Would Geforce2 be worthwhile on a new mainboard (k6 500-700Mhz?)

Me and my friend came to about the same conclusion about the relative cost of memory and a new board + new CPU + new case (the old one is AT) + 256MB 168Pin RAM +video card. So, next week I hope, I'll buy the new board.

I'll buy a cheap, slow (700Mhz?) K6 so that I'll be able to upgrade it nicely later with a fast (1.4Ghz?) k7 on the same socket A board: it will be much cheaper within a year or so.

So, for now my priority is to upgrade my hardware. I'll see how to recover my win98 data later. I have made note of your advices on this matter. Thanks :)

My Kernel is 2.3.4 (A recent one, I believe)

As far as Chinese is concerned, I feel naked without it :D I have asked in English in a Chinese news group... with is by far not nearly as useful as this one...

I hope I'll learn quick so that soon I can start to pass on all the help I received to other newbies who will be even more newbie than me at that time (errrr... I hope you understand what I mean.)


Thank you

[ 16 June 2001: Message edited by: Linux-Gnostic ]

[bdg1983]

I'll buy a cheap, slow (700Mhz?) K6 so that I'll be able to upgrade it nicely later with a fast (1.4Ghz?) k7 on the same socket A board: it will be much cheaper within a year or so.


But in a year from now, you will want the new 2.#Ghz processor. Better start saving.

I do agree with the others that it would be worthwhile to purchase a new pc and the cheaper in cost sdram. Those 72pin edo's at some stores here in Toronto still run at $130 for 32mb. Other stores I have seen for around $70. Still too much.

I've got quite a few friends from Taiwan and on a couple occasions have been invited to join them on their trips back home. My health was the only thing that stopped me. Damn.

[Linux-Gnostic]

Originally posted by mdwatts:
<STRONG>But in a year from now, you will want the new 2.#Ghz processor. Better start saving.
</STRONG>


:D
It's strange how you seem to now me....

Originally posted by mdwatts:
<STRONG>I do agree with the others that it would be worthwhile to purchase a new pc and the cheaper in cost sdram. Those 72pin edo's at some stores here in Toronto still run at $130 for 32mb. Other stores I have seen for around $70. Still too much.
</STRONG>

Yes, it is expensive...
With your help, I have given up on the idea to upgrade my current box.

At the beginning Linux ran *horribly* slow, but I found the culprit: the default setup was with 32bit colors and a high definition that I couldn't afford anyway on my small monitor.
I have it setup now to 15bit colors and 600*800 definition.
It runs reasonably well now...
I'll still buy a new box...


Originally posted by mdwatts:
<STRONG>I've got quite a few friends from Taiwan and on a couple occasions have been invited to join them on their trips back home. My health was the only thing that stopped me. Damn.</STRONG>


Well, if you do manage to come over, stop by for a dish of stinky toffu...

Blessings,

[bdg1983]

Well, if you do manage to come over, stop by for a dish of stinky toffu...


Will do, thanks. Is that a right or left turn from the airport.

The 32bit will do it. I always run mine at 16bit.

Did you get a little shaken a couple of days ago? The earthquake didn't seem to be too severe.

[Linux-Gnostic]

Originally posted by mdwatts:
<STRONG>Will do, thanks. Is that a right or left turn from the airport.</STRONG>

Left.

Heading south for 150km...


Originally posted by mdwatts:
<STRONG>Did you get a little shaken a couple of days ago? The earthquake didn't seem to be too severe.</STRONG>


I didn't feel it! :D
6.3 is already quite strong and can shake you badly enough when you're at the epicentre... but this one happened on the other side of the island. I learned about it from the news!!! I don't think there were any casualty, nor any serious damage.
The "921" (21/09/1999) did shake me badly though (magnitude 7.3, 2400 dead! ... and much closer to home but thank God, not *that* close: the epicentre was 50km away).

My hardware is still a bit shaky though.....