Newbie with a simple question

[jpbtennisman]

Hey, I am pretty experienced with Windows, but I know nothing about Linux. After hearing all the hype about it I figured I would take it for a spin. So I got Mandrake Linux 7.2, and installed it successfully. Now I am stranded at a DOS-like screen and it's waiting for a command from me.

How do I get the darn thing into a GRAPHICAL user interface, so I can see what I am doing? It installed this thing called XFree86, which I think has something to do with that. If you can help me at least get to a graphical user interface I'd at least see what I am doing.

P.S. I have a network card that isn't in Linux's list of cards (it is a Linksys USB). How can I get drivers for it installed?

[atl2ptown]

to access the GUI you simply type the command "startx" without the " ofcourse. I cant help you with your second question sorry. I've always used an internal pci ethernet card that was supported.

Have FUN

[commando_337]

You have installed xfree86 but have you configured it yet?
"startx" will only work if you've configured X beforehand.
Run XF86config to set it up...

and as for the command line problem...what sort of prompt do you get?
a login screen? text? blank screen??

[jpbtennisman]

OK, here's the deal from start to end. I start up my PC, I get this list of OSes, so I choose linux and hit enter. It does whatever it has to do, and I get to this DOS-like screen asking me to log on. So I put in my username and password and I am in. So I am left with a blinking cursor. I can type in commands and stuff but I don't know what commands to type in.

So here's what I did: I ran xf86config, and it configured some stuff. So then after that I ran startx and it still wouldn't run. Has anyone had a problem like this before?

[TaeShadow]

What happens when you type startx? Does it give an error message? What video card do you have?

[jpbtennisman]

It's relatively new...Trident CyberBlade i7, so I don't see why there should be a problem.

It says not enough memory to load this mode or something. However, that's impossible. I configured it to use 16M colors on 800x600 (in Windows it can go waay higher).

[WCox]

You still don't mention on what happens when you type startx and press ENTER. We can't help you if you don't try it. ;)


:cool: Slackware :cool:
:) Debian (are we there yet?) :)

[bdg1983]

Try to post as many of the X startup error messages you can find. They should be displayed on one of the virtual consoles. VC's are accessed by using (and again I forget) either CTRL-F1 - F6 or ALT-F1 - F6. Xfree usually runs in F7 and in some distros, F8. Try changing through these consoles and see if you can find the startup error messages.

[Nailz]

J.P. - welcome. Now start reading.

Your DOS-like screen is called a 'console'. You can't run commands and launch .exe's like you do in DOS, but may I suggest starting at LNO's NHF section:

Basic Commands: http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/commands/index.html

That should get you started. As for your Xwindows issues... You CAN'T Assume that since you have the latest and greatest hardware that 'it shouldn't be a problem'. On the contrary, if there are now supported drivers then you're going nowhere fast. You may want to try checking http://www.xfree86.org for a list of supported video cards and xservers for those cards.

Since you're running Mandrake (a variation of Red Hat), you may want to try launching Xconfigurator to see if you can configure your video card. May I suggest trying a standard SVGA server at first to see if you can get up and running at least.

[TaeShadow]

I checked the xfree86 website, and it appears that your card is supported by x 4.0.2.

[THE REAPER]

I ahve the same problem but I get a fixed font error of some sort.
Can anyone help me?

[tar ciryatan]

I'm not sure if this will help much, but reinstalling linux and doing it the custom way will allow you to install xfree86.
when you set up mandrake 7.2 it's one of a few installation questions it asks ,whether you want to boot up via the console or though the xwindow system.

[ekenna]

If you want it to automaticly go into X look in /etc/inittab for initlevel=3 and change it to a 5 BE VERY CAREFUL HERE but there should be some comments just about it that explain what the levels are.

[jaygee432]

Try this and see what happens. At the prompt, type su root, push enter, type your root password, push enter, then type gdm or kdm and push enter. ;) web page (http://www.geocities.com/jaygee432)

Life is a *****, then it has puppies.