BasicLinux 1.x branch FAQ Maintained by: Krzysztof Suchecki Version 1.1.1 2003/03/25 hetteh =========================================================================== (d.c.) (dark corner) = current FAQ maintainer has not tested it personally and has rather a foggy idea of it :) =========================================================================== @@@= Q: 048 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > BasicLinux does not work on my system. It starts to boot and > then crashes. BasicLinux needs two things to boot: DOS and 8mb RAM. Make sure that you are running in pure DOS. Make sure that you have at least 8mb RAM and that *all* of your RAM is good. It is not uncommon for old PCs to have faulty or mismatched RAM modules. Just because DOS is OK does not mean the RAM is OK (sometimes DOS is able to run with bad RAM modules). Linux is *very* intolerant of bad RAM. If you have problems with Linux crashing, you should run a thorough RAM test. The automatic power-on RAM test is not thorough -- do not trust it. You need a proper RAM tester, like the the one at: ------------------------- http://www.memtest86.com/ ------------------------- Something else that might crash Linux is an overclocked CPU or an aggressive CMOS setting. Sometimes people try to speed up their systems by pushing the hardware to the limit. If this has been overdone, Linux may crash (even though DOS does not). @@@= Q: 047 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Please tell me how to install tetris.tgz step by step. Assuming that tetris.tgz is on a floppy. (put floppy in drive a:) ---------------------------- mount /dev/fd0 /mnt # attaches floppy at /mnt dir /mnt # can you see tetris.tgz ? copy /mnt/tetris.tgz /tmp # copies file from FD to HD umount /mnt # un-mounts floppy cd /tmp # goes to location of tetris.tgz untar tetris.tgz # unpacks tar archive tetris # executes file ---------------------------- @@@= Q: 046 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Central European phone lines do not have a dial tone. > So we need to use ATX3DT instead of ATDT. Can this > be implemented in pppsetup? Yes. Add the following line to the main config file: ------------ 0 init1 ATX3 ------------ This works for any modem init string (like ATM0L0 to turn off the modem speaker). @@@= Q: 045 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > What are the Linux names for my drives? The following will print the names of your partitions: -------- fdisk -l -------- > My drive layout is like this: primary master C: Probably /dev/hda1 > Primary slave cdrom E: Probably /dev/hdb (no number because CDroms aren't partitioned). > Secondary master D:. Probably /dev/hdc1 @@@= Q: 044 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > When I use "pr", it says it doesn't recognize that command. BasicLinux does not include a print daemon. However, text can be printed by sending it directly to the printer port. That is what wp does. > I tried using wp, and it works, although it's somewhat awkward. > Is there a single command I can just type to send a file directly > to the printer port without going through wp? First you have to install the printer module: --------- insmod lp --------- Watch for the device number. It will probably be lp0 or lp1. Then cat your file to that device: ---------------------- cat filename >/dev/lp1 (or /dev/lp0) ---------------------- @@@= Q: 043 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > With the word processor in Basiclinux, how to save those > files as .txt, and then put them onto a floppy? When you have finished editing the document, exit the wordprocessor and do this: -------------------------- cd /tmp # goes to where document is stored ren document newname.txt # renames document mount /dev/fd0 /mnt # put floppy in drive first! copy newname.txt /mnt # copies file from HD to FD umount /mnt # do this BEFORE removing floppy -------------------------- @@@= Q: 042 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > in the /etc directory there seemed to be a bunch of > configuration files. Are there specs somewhere which can > tell my what, how and why I would want to change in these? Here are a few to get you started: -------------------------------------------------------------- rc system startup file (for ramdrive BasicLinux) rc.d system startup files (for HD version) profile shell startup file fstab table of filesystems automatically mounted at startup passwd user data for login issue text that gets printed on screen at login -------------------------------------------------------------- @@@= Q: 041 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > DOS took me only a short time to get on to, the Linux CLI has > been much more difficult, the command line seems longwinded and > roundabout to do even simple things compared to DOS The Linux CLI is more difficult to master because it has so many different options and so many ways of doing things. However, for simple stuff, it parallels DOS pretty well. DOS Linux ---------------------------------------------------- cd \tmp cd /tmp cd .. cd .. copy xxxx \tmp cp xxxx /tmp move xxxx \tmp mv xxxx /tmp del xxxx rm xxxx deltree xxxx rm -r xxxx mkdir xxxx mkdir xxxx rmdir xxxx rmdir xxxx dir /w ls dir ls -l dir | more ls -l | more xxxx (to execute xxxx) xxxx type xxxx cat xxxx CTRL-C CTRL-C ------------------------------------------------------ > I've also found it difficult to find a book or information that > I can understand, Have you looked in your public/university library? When I started out, I found several beginners books on Linux in my public library. I got them all out and read the first few chapters of each. I found that I usually got lost around chapter three, and it really helped to stop reading that book and start again with a new one. > BasicLinux so far being my best teacher. BasicLinux was designed to be a smaller, simpler Linux that could be used and (eventually) understood by new users (particularly users with some DOS experience). A lot of stuff has been left out; however, I tried to keep all the core tools and functionality. Most of the lessons in the beginners books can be practiced in BasicLinux. @@@= Q: 040 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Was wondering if there was a way to see again all that > info at bootup? Enter the following: ------------ dmesg | more ------------ The only reason 'more' is there is to stop it scrolling off the screen. @@@= Q: 039 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Is it possible to increase the size of the BasicLinux ramdisk? The size of the ramdisk is fixed at 4mb. However, if you have 16mb RAM or more, you can create an additional ramdisk and attach it to the filesystem. For example: ---------------------------------------------- dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/ram1 bs=1k count=4096 mke2fs /dev/ram1 4096 mount /dev/ram1 /mnt ---------------------------------------------- This gives you an additional 4mb of space. The space is only available in the /mnt directory (and its subdirectories). To see the space available, do 'df'. Note the separate tallies for / and /mnt. @@@= Q: 038 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I boot BasicLinux on my "D:" drive in a "blinux" directory. > How can I mount this drive from BasicLinux? I tried > "mount /dev/hda1 /hd" changing various parameters (like hda2) > for the d: drive, but it didn't work. You are on the right track, but first we need to figure out exactly where the D: drive is (physically) located. /dev/hda is the primary master IDE drive. C: is usually the first partition of this drive (/dev/hda1). If D: is on the same HD as C:, it will also start with /dev/hda. However, if D: is on a different HD, it will start with something else. For example, if D: is on the primary slave HD, its Linux name will start with /dev/hdb. The simplest way to figure this out is to boot BasicLinux and do this: -------- fdisk -l -------- This will show you all occupied partitions. /dev/hda1 is probably C:. Can you figure out which one is D: ? For example, if it appears that D: is /dev/hda5, mount that and have a look: -------------------- mount /dev/hda5 /hd dir /hd -------------------- @@@= Q: 037 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I don't want to re-partition my HD. Is there a UMSDOS version > of BasicLinux? Is is not difficult to make a UMSDOS version. However, I do not recommend it. UMSDOS has many disadvantages. In particular, it is significantly slower. For example, I recently made a UMSDOS version of BasicLinux 1.7 and put it on drive C:. On the second partition of the same drive, I did a standard HD installation of BasicLinux. The UMSDOS version took 43 seconds to run a test program. The standard version took 28 seconds to run the same program. @@@= Q: 036 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > When I prepare a reply to an email message, I like to > quote the message. Is there a way to do this with the > BasicLinux mail reader? Let's assume you are reading a message and you decide you want to answer it: (1) press left-arrow (2) press d (3) save file to: /tmp/message [ENTER} (4) press right-arrow (5) highlight destination address (down-arrow) (6) press right-arrow @@@= Q: 035 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I can't login to BasicLinux from another computer. BasicLinux includes several network clients, but no servers. Only servers can accept logins from other systems. > When i try to telnet my BasicLinux system, it says > something like "could not connect" BasicLinux has a very capable telnet client, so you are able to telnet *to* other systems (as long as they are running telnet servers). However, without a telnet server, BasicLinux cannot accept telnet logins *from* other systems. The solution to your problem is to install a server. There are two server add-ons at the BasicLinux site. Or you could install a complete server package from Slackware 3.5. @@@= Q: 034 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Is there a command line list for BasicLinux somewhere? agetty badblocks basename bash brc busybox cat chgrp chmod chown chroot clear compress cp cut date dd df dirname dmesg dos2unix du e2fsck e3 emailSMTP expr eznet false fdisk fetchmail file find free fsck ftp gpm grep gunzip gzip halt head head hostname ifconfig init insmod ipfwadm killall killall5 ldconfig ldd less lesspipe.sh links-0.90 ln loadkmap login ls lsmod mail man mkdir mke2fs mklost+found mknod mkswap more mount mount mouse mouse mv nc passwd pico pidof ping pkg ppp-off ppp-on pppd pppsetup ps rdev reboot receive reset rm rmdir rmmod route scan sed sed send setkeycodes setleds setserial sh shutdown slattach sleep sort stty swapoff swapon sync syslogd tail tar telnet top touch tput tr true umount uname untar update uudecode vimage wc wp writemail zcat zless Plus the BASH built-in commands (type 'help' to see these). @@@= Q: 033 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I don't seem to have the "pkg" command. The pkg command is used to install Slackware packages on the harddrive version of BasicLinux. pkg is not part of the ramdrive version (because there is insufficient room on the ramdrive to install complete packages). When you install BasicLinux to its own HD partition, you automatically get pkg (along with other enhancements). On the BasicLinux site you will find several small add-ons that will work on the ramdrive. But they do not need pkg. In fact, if you use pkg on them, they will end up in a strange place. @@@= Q: 032 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I am using BasicLinux on an IBM Thinkpad 360CS. Everything > seems to be working OK except for the floppy disk. Most Thinkpads have an "inverted floppy drive change line" (why IBM did it this way, I don't know). To fix it, add: --------------- floppy=thinkpad --------------- to the loadlin line in boot.bat (in your DOS directory) @@@= Q: 031 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > How do I add a new username to the system? There are several different ways to add a new user. You can edit /etc/passwd by hand, or you can install useradd from Slackware 3.5, or you can use the following script contributed by Sebastian Ertz (basiclinux@doom-marines.de). #!/bin/bash echo -n "Username: " read USER echo "$USER::100:100::/home/$USER:/bin/bash" >> /etc/passwd mkdir -p /home/$USER chown $USER:users /home/$USER @@@= Q: 030 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > It appears that the svgalib driver in BasicLinux won't go > above 320x200. BasicLinux is pre-configured for generic VGA. In 256 colors that is limited to 320x200, 320x240, 320x400 or 360x480. In 16 colors, 640x480 is possible (that is what orb uses). In 2 colors, 720x348 is possible. > How do I get higher resolutions? The svgalib in BasicLinux has been stripped of all the modes above generic VGA. For higher resolutions you need the full svgalib from Slackware (the package is in /slakware/d1). You will also need to to configure /etc/vga/libvga.conf. This is not easy. It needs precise settings for your monitor and for your video card. @@@= Q: 029 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > My computer has a network card. How do I connect BasicLinux > to the network. Step 1 - install the driver for the network card ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ First, you need the appropriate module (driver). The most common type of network card is ne2000 and its module (ne) has been included in BasicLinux. There are also modules for ne2k-pci, wd and 3c509 network cards. If you have a different type of network card, you will need to download the appropriate module from Slackware 3.5. Once you have the module, you use the 'insmod' command to install it. For example, with an ne2000 card at address 0x320, you use these two insmod commands: ---------------------- insmod 8390 insmod ne io=0x320 ---------------------- The 8390 is a helper module used by many network modules. If you insmod ne without 8390, it will complain. Step 2 - initialize the network connection ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ifconfig eth0 192.168.1.17 This assumes 192.168.1.17 is the network address of this computer. Step 3 - define the routes ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ route add -net 192.168.1.0 route add default gw 192.168.1.1 The first line assumes you want to route to other computers on the 192.168.1.x network. The second line assumes that 192.168.1.1 is your gateway to the internet. Any address not in the 192.168.1.x range will be sent to the default gateway. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * For further information on setting up network cards * * (including a utility for determining the type and * * and address of unknown network cards) look here: * * http://www.volny.cz/basiclinux/ether.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * @@@= Q: 028 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I have tried to run the "whatnic" files and they don't > seem to work. Do you have an answer for this? It needs to be executed in DOS (just like BasicLinux). It is just an old network-aware kernel (zimage); and, since it has no root filesystem, it simply crashes. However, before it crashes it will scan for possible network cards in the machine. If it recognizes one, the details will be left on the screen (usually a few lines up from the bottom). If it doesn't find your network card, it may be too recent. The kernel is around 7 years old, so it is only aware of old network cards. It was designed to identify dusty, second-hand ISA cards -- I don't know if it is aware of PCI. Do you know anything about the network cards? Do they work in Windows or any other OS? If so, you should be able to get most (all?) of the info you need from there. @@@= Q: 027 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ (d.c.) > how i configure Basiclinux to work as a firewall For a start, have a look at the last two lines in netsetup (in the /root directory of BasicLinux): ------------------------------- ipfwadm -F -p deny ipfwadm -F -a m -S basicnet/24 ------------------------------- This sets up a simple firewall which routes (and NATs) traffic from basicnet (192.168.1.x) to the outside world. For more protection, you can add the following: ----------------------------------------- ipfwadm -I -a deny -S 127.0.0.0 -W ppp0 ipfwadm -I -a deny -S basicnet/24 -W ppp0 ----------------------------------------- If you aren't using PPP for outside traffic, change ppp0 to whatever you are using. For higher levels of protection, there are *many* other types of screening possible. For details see 'man ipfwadm' (the HD version of BasicLinux has this manpage -- otherwise it is available online). Also online are some relevant HOWTOs. You might also find the following example useful: ------------------------------------------------ http://www.xos.nl/linux/ipfwadm/paper/node8.html ------------------------------------------------ @@@= Q: 026 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ (d.c.) > I have RedHat Linux on my main computer. I also have an > old 386dx40. Is it possible to use BasicLinux on the 386 > to make an X terminal for the RedHat system? Yes, as long as your 386 has at least 8mb RAM. Just follow the standard instructions for installing BasicLinux to a harddrive (for an X terminal you need a partition of 20mb or more). Then set up the network between the two computers (check the network connection by pinging between the computers). The next step is to install X on the 386. Use the standard X installation instructions to install the five basic X packages. Do not install xpm or icewm. Execute 'mouse' and run X to make sure everything is working properly. Note: this basic X installation uses VGA graphics and a minimal set of fonts. If you wish, you can improve the appearance by installing more fonts (x332fscl.tgz and x332f100.tgz) and a hi-res server from Slackware 3.5. However, installing a hi-res server is not a job for a newbie. The last step is to tell the 386 to slave itself to the RedHat computer. Assuming that the RedHat computer is 192.168.1.1, enter this at the command line: -------------------- X -query 192.168.1.1 -------------------- If you are lucky this will work. However, your RedHat machine might not be ready for the X terminal. This requires two things: (1) The RedHat system must be using a graphical login (xdm), not a text screen. This might be the RedHat default, I don't know. If you don't have a graphical login, you can type 'xdm' at the command line to get it -or- you can make a permanent change to the initdefault in /etc/inittab. (2) The Xaccess file on the RedHat system might to configured to prohibit "any host can get login". You might find this file at /etc/X11/xdm/Xaccess or /var/X11R6/lib/xdm/Xaccess. Once all of this is working to your satisfaction, you can configure the 386 to run as an X terminal from startup. Just add something like this to the bottom of /etc/rc.d/rc.M ----------------------------------- /usr/X11R6/bin/X -query 192.168.1.1 ----------------------------------- Then when you turn on the 386, it will automatically give you the login screen for the RedHat system. BTW, your RedHat system should be able to handle this load easily. Even a 266MHz computer with 128mb RAM can handle several X terminals. @@@= Q: 025 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Does BasicLinux have smbfs support? Yes, the BasicLinux kernel takes the smbfs module. FYI, the specifications of the BasicLinux kernel can be viewed at any Slackware 3.5 site. Look in this file: ---------------------- /kernels/bare.i/config ---------------------- @@@= Q: 024 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I was hoping to find something that would be similar to > say Windows 3.x that fit comfortably in a space of 40 megs BasicLinux + X + icewm runs in 20mb of HD space. > and can run the internet. I recommend Netscape 3.04. It works well with BasicLinux, and is easy to install (full instructions are on the X page). Netscape 3.04 requires an additional 10-15mb of HD space. @@@= Q: 023 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Can I run X on my 486DX-66 with 8mb memory? Simple X applications can be run with 8mb RAM, but I think you will be disappointed with the performance of Netscape. Netscape 3.04 is better with 12mb RAM or more. If you want to run X with 8mb RAM, you need a minimum of 16mb swap. > I set up a 32mb swap partition. Do I have to format it > or what? ---------------- mkswap /dev/???? # this formats the swap partition swapon /dev/???? # this turns on swap ---------------- Note: replace ???? with your actual swap device You can check that swap is working by doing 'free'. Your 32mb will be listed as SwapTotal. If you list the swap partition in /etc/fstab, it will be turned on automatically at system startup (and you will never have to do the swapon command again). @@@= Q: 022 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I am using the HD version of BasicLinux. Do I have to run > 'mouse' every time I startx? If you are using a serial mouse (options 1 or 2), there is no need to run 'mouse' again. The first time you use it, it makes a permanent link to the mouse. However, a PS/2-type mouse (option 3) also requires the psaux module. This is installed by running 'mouse'. To automatically install the psaux module (at system startup), edit /etc/rc.d/rc.S, go down to the bottom of the file and remove the # at the beginning of: -------------- # insmod psaux -------------- Then you will never have to run 'mouse' again. @@@= Q: 021 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > How do I make X start automatically at login? edit ~/.profile and put the following at the very bottom of the file: ------ startx ------ Then BasicLinux will go directly from login to X. If you want certain applications (like Netscape) to start automatically, add them to ~/.xinitrc ----------- netscape & exec icewm ----------- @@@= Q: 020 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > How do I get rid of DOS? I only want Linux on this machine. You will find a LILO package on the BasicLinux site. Install it with pkg and follow the instructions. It will boot Linux directly, without the need for loadlin.exe and DOS. You can then reformat the old DOS partition (/dev/hda1) and use it for swap or additional filesystem space. If you know from the beginning that you intend to use LILO, you should make just two partitions. The first partition will hold DOS (temporarily) and the second partition will be Linux native. Later (when your installation is working OK), you can install LILO and turn the DOS partition into swap. @@@= Q: 019 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I use the Netscape 3.04 you recommended. The browser > per se seems fine, but I constantly get Java errors. I recommend turning off java and javascript. Click on Options > Network Preferences > Languages > Is the java component shipped with 3.04 known to be buggy? Old rather than buggy. Many new things have been added that are a complete mystery to Netscape 3.04. > If so, is there a clean version somewhere? More up-to-date versions of Netscape are available but they are *much* more resource-hungry. @@@= Q: 018 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Is there a way to display PDF files in Netscape 3.04? Yes, First, install the xpdf package from Slackware 3.5. It is in the /slakware/xap1 directory. ------------ pkg xpdf.tgz ------------ Then tell Netscape to use xpdf: ---------------------------------------------------------- 1. Start Netscape 3.04 2. Click on Options > General Preferences > Helpers 3. Scroll down to and click on "application/pdf" 4. Click on "Edit" button 5. Click on Application checkbox 6. Put the following in Application field: xpdf %s 7. Click OK (twice) 8. Click on Options > Save Options ---------------------------------------------------------- Now Netscape will automatically display any PDF files you click on. @@@= Q: 017 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Netscape 3.04 is OK, but it lacks some capabilities. > Is there a more up-to-date browser for BasicLinux? Slackware 3.5 has a package for Netscape 4.05 (you will find it in /slakware/xap1). It also requires the elflibs package (in /slakware/a2). But before you install these packages, you need to make a new directory and add it to the list in /etc/ld.so.conf ------------------------------------------- mkdir -p /usr/ix86-linux/lib echo /usr/ix86-linux/lib >> /etc/ld.so.conf pkg elflibs.tgz pkg netscape.tgz ------------------------------------------- If 4.05 doesn't do what you need, you might try Netscape 4.51 (in Slackware 3.9). Most of the packages in Slack39 will work in BasicLinux, but I can't guarantee that the Netscape 4.51 package doesn't depend on one of the (relatively minor) changes that occurred between Slack35 and Slack39. Note: Netscape 3 has a much smaller footprint than Netscape 4 and I continue to recommend 3.04 for older hardware. @@@= Q: 016 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > My particular interest is NNTP protocol and I was > wondering if you could point me somewhere. Slackware 3.5 has packages for the nn newsreader, the trn newsreader, the tin newsreader, lynx (which can read news), and inn (NNTP transport system). Personally, I use the newsreader in Netscape 3.04. @@@= Q: 015 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I installed gcc as suggested at the BasicLinux site. > I went to make a package and got a message saying that > autoconf is needed to build the program. Where do I > get this? The autoconf package can be installed from Slackware 3.5. You will find it in the /contrib directory. The full name of the package is autoconf-2.12.tgz @@@= Q: 014 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I have Basiclinux 1.61 on my harddrive. Could I use > Basiclinux 1.7 over the old setup If you try to install 1.7 on top of 1.61, you will get fresh (default) configuration files that replace your existing ones. This could cause a mess. > or is a new instalation in order? There are two possibilities: (1) A clean install Boot BasicLinux 1.7 to the ramdisk. Put bas-hd.tgz in /tmp. Skip the fdisk step (the partition is already there). Do the mke2fs step (this will wipe the partition). Mount the partition and execute 'go' (install-to-HD) (2) Cherry picking The disadvantage of method (1) is that you lose all the modifications you have made. The alternative is to keep your old BasicLinux on the harddrive and copy the changes one-by-one from the new BasicLinux. Just boot BasicLinux 1.7 to the ramdrive and use it to mount your HD BasicLinux. These are the changes: ----------------------------------------- /etc/issue /etc/vga/libvga.config /root/hotlist.html /root/.links/links.cfg /root/.links/html.cfg /root/mail/inbox/DELETE_MESSAGES._-~ /usr/bin/eznet /usr/bin/fun /usr/bin/mouse /usr/bin/vimage /usr/games and everything below that /usr/lib/libvga.so.1.2.10 (needs ldconfig) /usr/sbin/pppsetup /usr/sbin/ppp-on /usr/sbin/ppp-off /var/eznet/eznet.conf ------------------------------------------ I think this is all, but I might have missed one. If you find any other changes, please tell me and I will add them to the list. @@@= Q: 013 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ (d.c.) > What's the best way to install Slackware packages? > "pkgtool" from Slackware or "pkg" from BasicLinux? > The latter can't uninstall packages :-( pkg is just a simple script for adding packages from Slackware. It is not a package management system. The package management system (setup/pkgtool/installpkg) from Slackware is *much* better. However, it requires several components that are not in BasicLinux. It is not enough to install the pkgtool package (hdsetup.tgz); it needs some components from the Slackware foundation packages. WARNING! I haven't managed to force "pkgtool" to run under BL 1.x If you managed to do it, please send me an info, and I will update FAQ. WARNING! BasicLinux uses the busybox mini-binary collection for its foundation binaries. They appear in the /bin and /sbin directories as links to busybox. If you install a foundation Slackware package that contains one of these binaries, it may overwrite the link to busybox. This (unfortunately) will over- write busybox. If busybox is overwritten, all of the links to it will malfunction. For example, bin.tgz is a foundation package that installs many binaries. Most of these binaries are not in BasicLinux; however, it does include sed and uudecode. When they are installed they overwrite busybox (first sed and then uudecode). That redirects ls, mv, cat, rm, and other important binaries to uudecode (with disasterous results). BTW, you can see which binaries are links to busybox by executing "busybox". The way to avoid overwriting busybox is to the delete the links *before* installing the new version of the binary. For example: ------------ del sed del uudecode ------------ Before installing a foundation Slackware package, you should check the filelist to see if it includes a binary (in /bin or /sbin) that could overwrite busybox. You will find a filelist for every package in the /contents directory of Slackware. I *strongly* recommend that you have a "safety net" to save you from such disasters. Keep a copy of baslinux.gz in your DOS partition. Then, if you accidently overwrite busybox, you can boot the ramdrive version of BasicLinux and copy busybox from the ramdrive to the HD. The ramdrive "safety net" is useful for fixing other problems too. In order to have room for the "safety net", your DOS partition will need to be at least 3mb in size. The following files are the minimum necessary: -------------------------------------------------- IO.SYS (if your DOS is not MS, it may be: IBMBIO.COM/KERNEL.SYS) MSDOS.SYS (if your DOS is not MS. it may be: IBMDOS.COM) COMMAND.COM loadlin.exe zimage boot.bat (boots HD version of Linux) ram.bat (original boot.bat for ramdrive) baslinux.gz -------------------------------------------------- If you want BasicLinux (HD version) to boot automatically, you can rename boot.bat to autoexec.bat. Then Linux will boot immediately, without giving you a DOS prompt. However, if you have a problem with the HD version of BasicLinux, you will need to interrupt the automatic boot (this is done by holding down the SHIFT key). You will then be able to execute ram.bat. @@@= Q: 012 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > When I type "mount -t iso9660 -o ro /dev/optcd0 /h" > it says ... > mount: the kernel does not recognize /dev/optcd0 What kind of CDrom drive do you have? Most are ATAPI and simply plug into an IDE cable. Try this: --------------- dmesg | grep hd --------------- Does one of the lines show an ATAPI CDrom drive? On my system, I get this: ----------------------------------- hdc: WPI CDS-32X, ATAPI CDROM drive ----------------------------------- To mount my CDrom drive, I do this: ------------------- mount /dev/hdc /mnt ------------------- @@@= Q: 011 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > If I mount a partition on the HD, say hdc1, while running > BasicLinux out of hdc5 partition, can I then store files on > hdc1 partition up to the capacity of the partition? Yes. The 'df' command will show you how much space is available on each partition. @@@= Q: 010 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I like the incremental idea of BasicLinux as well, but dont > feel nearly competent enuf to add xwin, Step-by-step instructions are provided for adding X. Everything has been pre-configured for VGA. It's almost idiot-proof. > the pppd, pppd is built in. Anybody who has done PPP in DOS should have no problem with pppsetup. > netscape, BasicLinux has been pre-configured to run Netscape 3.04 in VGA. Just download and uncompress. > cdburn I do not have a CDrom burner, so I have no persoonal experience with this. However, Slackware 3.5 does have a CDutils package (in /slakware/ap1) that contains the following: ------------------------------------------------------------- cdwrite -- burn discs in some CD-R drives from Philips, IMS ' Kodak, Yamaha, and HP. cdrecord -- burn discs in most ATAPI and SCSI CD-R drive mkisofs -- create ISO9660 filesystem images. mkhybrid -- create hybrid ISO9660/HFS/Joliet CD-ROM imags ------------------------------------------------------------- The pkg command will add these capabilities to BasicLinux, but you would need to read the documentation to find out how to use them. @@@= Q: 009 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Why is it that when I do "ppp-on" I sometimes get > "Sorry, PPP is not supported in this kernel That's the message you get when the ppp module has not been activated. > and then I did pppsetup, but only selected #4 (exit), > but then ppp-on worked. Because pppsetup automatically activates the ppp module for you. > Am I doing something wrong or is it some problem with BL? The ppp module can be activated automatically by putting it in the startup script. Edit /etc/rc.d/rc.S and remove the # sign from last two lines: ------------- # insmod slhc # insmod ppp ------------- If there are any other modules that you want activated at startup, you can add them there. @@@= Q: 008 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Netscape works OK in VGA, but I would like to try a higher > resolution. Should I download x332svga.tgz and install it? Probably. However, your video card may need a different server. (see below) > with 800x600 256 color? Only if your video card/monitor can handle this resolution. > If so, should I just rename and save the existing .xf86config > and install svga? Yes, it is a good idea to backup your old VGA configuration (in case you want to return to it). ------------------------------------------- copy /etc/XF86Config /etc/XF86Config.backup ------------------------------------------- > I am not sure what is the proper way to install a new > package over and existing one... First, select the correct high-res server for your video card: ------------------------------------------------------------------ x3328514: accelerated server for cards using IBM8514 chips x332agx: server for IIT AGX-016, AGX-015, AGX-014 and XGA-2 ' chipsets (also XGA-1 and AGX-010 ?) x332i128: server for Number Nine Imagine 128, series I and II x332ma8: accelerated server for cards using Mach8 chips x332ma32: accelerated server for cards using Mach32 chips x332ma64: accelerated server for cards using Mach64 chips ' (including the Rage II+, Rage Pro and VT3) x332p9k: accelerated server for cards using the P9000 chipset ' (including Diamond Viper VLB, Diamond Viper PCI, ' Orchid P9000, STAR 2000). Viper Pro and other P9100 ' and P9130 cards are NOT supported. x332s3: server for S3 chipsets: 911, 924, 801/805, 928, ' 732 (Trio32), 764 (Trio64), 864, 868, 964, 968 x332s3v: server for S3 ViRGE (86C325), ViRGE/DX (86C375), ' ViRGE/GX (86C385) and iRGE/VX (86C988). Tested ' with ViRGE cards with 2 and 4MB DRAM, ViRGE/DX 4M, ' ViRGE/VX 8M (4M VRAM/4M DRAM), and 220MHz ViRGE/VX ' card with 2MB VRAM up to 1600x1200 with 8/15/16bpp. x332svga: server for many types of SuperVGA video cards x332w32: server for chipsets in the ET4000/W32 series (w32, ' w32i, w32p and et6000) ---------------------------------------------------------------- The most generic hi-res server is x332svga. Try it first if you are unsure which server to choose. Configuring a hi-res server can be difficult. It will probably be easier if you use the XF86Setup utility. ---------------- pkg x332svga.tgz <--change this line to the server you need pkg x332set.tgz XF86Setup ---------------- This will take you to a graphical environment where you can configure/test your new server. @@@= Q: 007 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Where do I find startx & mouse? mouse is part of the bas2hd package (which installs BasicLinux to its own HD partition). startx is part of the x332bin package. > I've been through all the packages on 3.5 Slackware and can't > find them. The contents of all the packages are listed in the /contents directory of Slackware 3.5. If you have the Slack35 CDrom, you can cd to /contents and do this: -------------- grep startx * -------------- That will search through all the package listings and output the name of any package that has a startx file in it: -------------------------------------------------------- x332bin: 1480 1998-03-03 usr/X11R6/bin/startx x332man: 2135 1998-03-03 usr/X11R6/man/man1/startx.1x.gz -------------------------------------------------------- Isn't the grep command *wonderful* ? @@@= Q: 006 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > I installed Netscape 4.51 from the Slack 3.9 distro, but > it doesn't appear in the icewm start menu. Is the Netscape 4.51 executable named netscape? Is it in your path? If so, it should appear automatically on the icewm menu (assuming another netscape isn't found first in another directory). Or, you can put the full pathname in the icewm menu. Click on: Control Panel > Edit Menu In the browser section, you should see the netscape line: ---------------------------------------- prog "Netscape (SVGA)" netscape netscape ---------------------------------------- "Netscape (SVGA)" is the name that appears on the menu. The next netscape is the name of the icon to use. And the last netscape is the name of executable. Feel free to change the third netscape to the full pathname. For example: ------------------------------------------------------- prog "Netscape (SVGA)" netscape /usr/local/bin/netscape ------------------------------------------------------- > But so far, I haven't figured out how the menu works. > Any tips? http://www.icewm.org/files/en/guide/icewmtutor-uk.html @@@= Q: 005 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Can I use packages from slackware distributions greater > than version 3.5 (e.g. slackware 7.0 or 8.0)? Most of the packages in 3.6, 3.9 and 4.0 will work. After that, Slackware changed to the glibc2 library (and bumped the number to 7.0). @@@= Q: 004 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ (d.c.) > BasicLinux has an old kernel and old libraries. Can it be > upgraded to something more up-to-date? Yes, it is possible to give BasicLinux a new kernel and new libraries; however, this is not recommended for very old PCs (which perform better with the old kernel and libraries). To upgrade the main library, get the glibc2 package from Slackware 8.1 and install it with the 'pkg' command: --------------------------------- pkg glibc-solibs-2.2.5-i386-2.tgz --------------------------------- You will find the package in the /slackware/a directory. If you need any additional libraries (ldd will tell you), get them from Slackware 8.1 and install them with pkg. For example, the ncurses library is in /slackware/l and the gpm library is in /slackware/a To upgrade the kernel, get a 2.2.19 kernel from Slackware 8.0. You will find several stock kernels in the /kernels directory. BasicLinux normally uses the bare.i kernel. Copy the new kernel (bzImage) to the DOS directory where you boot BasicLinux. Edit boot.bat to change zimage to bzimage. You are now ready to boot with the new kernel. Note: the BasicLinux modules in /lib/modules/2.0.34/misc are compiled for a 2.0.34 kernel. They will not work with the new kernel. If you are currently using a module in BasicLinux, you will need to get the equivalent module from Slackware 8.0 (you will find it in the /modules/2.2.19 directory). Copy it to the /lib/modules/2.2.19/misc directory of BasicLinux and gunzip it (if the module ends in .gz). @@@= Q: 003 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ (d.c.) > Does Slackware 3.5 have dosemu somewhere? > I looked and did not find it there. Any idea? -------------------------------------------------- /source/extra-stuff/DOS-emulator/dosemu-0.66.7.tgz -------------------------------------------------- DOSemu 1.0.2 (latest release version) actually runs under BasicLinux (Slackware 3.5). 1. Get the binaries of dosemu 1.0.2 from a dosemu archive and read the documentation. X Window system has to be installed, too, if you want to run DOS applications in graphic mode. A window manager would not be necessary (unless you want to use it for your Linux programs). 2. dosemu 1.0.2 cannot be run in root, you have to install it into a user directory. The login script for that user could automatically start dosemu. 3. The use of DOS partitions on your HD and floppies requires the correct permissions (most DOS applications create temporary files!) You can change them adding an option when you mount them to the Linux file system. 4. You can call a menu, dosshell or a single application from the autoexec.bat in your dosemu directory. Attention: Even if the files autoexec.bat and config.sys exist on the Linux file system, they must have the line end formatting of DOS files! 5. Examples: a) script to mount a DOS partition on your HD #!/bin/sh mount -t msdos /dev/hda1 /C -o umask=000 echo You can execute programs from DOS partition now. b) script to start X and login to the 'dos' user directory (option -s starts ICE window manager, too) #!/bin/sh if ! [ -e /tmp/.X0-lock ] ; then X :0 & fi if [ "$1" = "-s" ] ; then icewm -display :0 & else killall icewm fi echo Press Alt+F5 to go to the DOS shell xterm -display :0 -e login dos & c) login script /usr/dos/.profile #!/bin/sh cd /usr/dos/dosemu export DISPLAY=:0.0 exec ./xdosemu -home logout @@@= Q: 002 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ GhostScript 6.01 under BasicLinux 1.7 - Conversion from PS to PDF ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ghostscript 6.01 doesn't create stupid Bitmaped Type3 PDF instead of proper Vector Type1 PDF from Vector Type1 PS ( including fonts with non-standard coding vector) - so it's ideal for Eastern European users. You should first get: ------------------ glibc-2.0.7-14.tgz gs6.01-slk3.5.tgz ------------------ from: ftp://ykbsb2.yk.psu.edu/pub/ghost/ The author of this port, Bruce S. Babcock , is going to prepare ports of higher versions, so don't forget this URL ;) The GhostScript package requires libXt.so.6. This is contained in the Slackware x332bin.tgz package (which is part of the normal X installation). If you haven't installed X, you will need to install x332bin.tgz from the /slakware/x1 directory. Now install with: ---------------------- pkg glibc-2.0.7-14.tgz pkg gs6.01-slk3.5.tgz pkg x332bin.tgz ## if necessary gs ---------------------- Now it's time to tell gs what to do to convert PS to PDF. In many distros you can find ps2pdf scripts. But you have to write it yourself :) The right command is (ONE LINE): gs -q -dNOPAUSE -dBATCH -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -sOutputFile=outputfile.pdf -c save pop -f infile.ps Of course instead of outputfile.pdf & infile.ps use names of your files. You may use a bash script i.e. ps2pdf: ---------------------------------------------------- #!/bin/sh gs -q -dSAFER -dNOPAUSE -dBATCH -sDEVICE=pdfwrite \ -sOutputFile=$2 -c save pop -f $1 ---------------------------------------------------- and run: "ps2pdf input.ps output.pdf" @@@= Q: 001 =@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ > Can I use a wlan card (lucent) on BasicLinux? I think so. However, I do not have access to such hardware and I do not have experience with wireless networking. > and how? First, you need to familiarize yourself with BasicLinux by running the standard version (on ramdrive). Then, when you are comfortable, install it to its own partition on the HD. Then (when that is working OK) install the pcmcia.tgz package from Slackware 3.5 (in /slakware/a6 directory) using the pkg command. It will install several pcmcia modules, including wave_lan.cs and netwave.cs. Hopefully, one of these modules will work with your wlan card. For more information on configuring wireless LANs in Linux, see: ----------------------------------------------------- http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_Tourrilhes/Linux/ -----------------------------------------------------