UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I'm sure this is pretty infantile but I can't figute it out.

How to I load the nVidia driver for SuSE 9.2? I have no idea what the X environment is or how to quit it or how to run the nVidia patch.

Secondly how do I persuade my SuSE 9.3 computer to talk with my Windows XP network.

Linux looks great to a beginner but does it have to be this obscure?

George

Everyone starts off with Linux asing the same questions (does it always stay this hard etc). Don't worry it does get easy as time goes by.

Yes you can make Linux and Windows talk together. Depending on what you want them to do, FTP, ping, Share filesystems etc. For them to just ping on the network as long as they are both configured for the same network they should be able to ping with no problems.

If you want to install the graphics driver I normally found there are some instructions in the download on how to install it. There are different ways the driver could be packaged for installation. Most common though is a .rpm file. Most sites will have the installation instructions on the website at the least if they aren't in the download.

Dear Woofie,
Thanks for the advice. I did manage to install the nVidia driver by logging out of the X Window thing but then I couldn't get back to runlevel 5.

Ahhhh! So now I'm on on my seventh install in 4 days but by a process of trial and error (a lot of those) I'll get there.

Many thanks.

George Snow
www.3D3world.com

There is no need to reinstall if you couldn't get back into run level 5. Just reboot the machine. If it still wont load into run level 5 then /etc/inittab so as the line

id:x:initdefault

is reading to run level 5 when booting. Where x is make that a 5 if it already isn't. You can change to whatever runlevel you want to from editing the /etc/inittab file to the run level you want.

here is a copy of something I found on the web for the run levels.

Runlevel Meaning
0 System halt
S Single user mode; from boot prompt with US keyboard layout 1 Single user mode
2 Local multiuser without remote network (standard)
3 Full multiuser with network
4 Unused
5 Full multiuser mode with network and xdm
6 System reboot

Or you can go to THIS to find out more information about what you are doing.

Splendid. The link is mighty useful and I'll keep it open as I hack about.

I had a strange problem last night after installing the nVidia driver. I got back to run level 5 (init 5) but then couldn't get into YaST or SaX2. Clicking on the icons wouldn't open the programmes.

On the issue of Windows XP talking to Linux machines. Presumably this is done with tcp/ip, setting an address (10.10.10.4) and a subnet mask (255.255.255.0). Is there anything else that Linux needs to view and copy Windows files (and vice versa).

Today I'll follow your suggestions to the letter. I think when I get the hang of this command line stuff (rather like the DOS I used 20 years ago) I'll become more comfortable with Linux.

George

With both machines being configured to be on the same network they should at least be able to talk with each other.

To have them sharing files by use of a mounted filesystem (Mapped drive in Windows) then you need to setup Samba. Samba can be found and configured in SUSE (can't remember where I'm not infront of a Linux box) or you can go to samba.org and download the lastest version and install that.

Or you can be lazy and FTP files Go with the Samba option!

Slowly but surely.

The SuSEmachine can see the XP machines. The XP machines can't see the SuSE but that's probably because my XP machines haven't 'mapped network drive'. (I recall this from NT and 2000 but haven't seen the function on XP).

Samba is the option I've chosen as I read about it in PC Pro.

My nVidia driver is installed and the screen size is up to 1600 x 1200. Better than yesterday.

Very close. But I get the cigar when I find out how to use the installed and configured modem to log onto the internet. The help files suggest a programme called kinternet which is installed but refuses to kick the modm into life.

Any suggestions welcome.

Holy cow. Tomorrow I'm back to advanced 3D animation in Maya. Anything for a simple life.

George
www.poggioni.com