Simple HD query from simple person

[Broadback]

I have cleared my D drive to used for Mandriva Linux, however on installing it (of course) does not identify the drives by the Window's letter, but by the disk type.  Now it is a lengthy task to get my PC opene, so how can I be sure that I am writing Linux to what was disk D? I've had a look at XP, and though I can find the disk types I cannot tie them into their associated letter. There must be an easy answer.  Can someone help please?

[Rik]

How about Device Manager > Disk drives, select a drive, Properties > Volumes > Populate? Would that do it for you? Alternatively, does Linux see drive labels given in Windows, could you assign something to distinguish the drive? (It's a good idea to assign labels as it puts a check in the way of accidentally formatting a drive.)

[Broadback]

Thanks Rik, that gives a little more information, still not certain as the drive capacities and usage do not seem to relate to either drive. I assume that when I look at, say D drive C Drive is displayed in the bottom box, and visa versa when looking at C Drive

[Odos]

I don't know much about Linux as I tried using it for around 6 months then gave up as it was not worth the hassle to me, but as regards your HD question. I initially had the same problem, but got round it by creating the linux partitons on the drive I wanted with third party software.

If this isn't an option, then using windows disk management create a small unusual sized ( say 2gig) partition on the drive you want. When you start to install Linux just look for that partition. You will then know what the drive allocation is, sda, sdb or hda, hdb etc.

Hope this helps

[Rik]

Thanks Rik, that gives a little more information, still not certain as the drive capacities and usage do not seem to relate to either drive. I assume that when I look at, say D drive C Drive is displayed in the bottom box, and visa versa when looking at C Drive

Not sure what you mean, there, but here's a couple of screenshots showing two of my drives - does that help?

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[Broadback]

Fine Rik, thanks, what confused me was that though I have quick formatted D it still shows Acronis as having a chunk, guess that is because Acronis is not a Windows program?
If I do a full format will that leave the disk clear? Or will Mandriva grab the whole disk anyway, which is what I would like?

[Rik]

You're using the Acronis secure zone (or whatever they call it) I guess? In which case, yes that would still be visible as it's a non Windows partition. I don't know enough about Linux to say whether it will clear the drive, but assuming there's an fdisk equivalent, you should be able to.

[Ted]

If there are partitions on the disk The installer will ask what you want to do, Choose the option to use the whole disk.
The installer will format the entire disk To Ext3 file format and then create your three partitions, /root, /swap and /home, where it will then install itself.

[Rik]

Riding to the rescue again, Ted. Thanks. (Love the avatar )

[Broadback]

All is now resolved. My new disk is now solely my backup disk, my first external HDD has replaced the D drive as my working disk, my D drive is now my Linux Mandriva disk and I have dual boot.
Just one small problem Acronis is poorly as it was using drive D, but I am sure I can fix that.
all I need now is time to explore Linux, but the sun is shining and outside jobs are calling, and my wife keeps prodding a broom up my backside, never was one for subtle hints!

[Ted]

Well done John
The first thing you need to do is set up your media sources for updates and software.
Assuming you are running KDE. Menu>Tools>System tools>Configure my computer.
You'll be asked for your root password for access, do this and enter the Control Center.
Software management>Configure media sources for install and update.
When first run it will prompt you to add sources. Add sources for both Official updates and Distribution sources. You will be presented with a list of mirror sites, choose UK (carroll ) ones, they are fast, i think they are default anyway. Follow the prompts and let it do its thing.
You may wish to disable the removable media (the install dvd) then any software comes directly from the repos and you always get the latest version.
I'll make list of essential stuff to install, Java, Flash and suchlike and put them in another post.
Ted
Edit. Once that is done there will a list of sources in the large panel on the left. Some will be enabled some won't.
Make sure you enable Plf-free and Plf-nonfree, again let it run to add the repos.

[Ted]

Installing software.
Menu>Tools>System tools>configure my computer.
Do the root thing and enter the Control Center.
Choose Manage software, if asked for permission say yes and let it load.
In the search box type
mplayer and search.
In the frame below tick the boxes for,
mplayer
mplayer-gui
mplayerplugin
If there are any dependencies needed you will be asked if its ok to install them say yes and then click apply and follow the prompts.

Do the same for the following items.

libdvdcss2
flash-player-plugin
java-1.6.0-sun
java-1.6.0-sun-plugin
krusader
win32-codecs
avifile-win32
vlc

Let me know how you get on.
Ted

[Rik]

  contribution, Ted.

[Ted]

Just basic stuff at the moment, play dvd's, mp3's, video etc.
Ought to be very straight forward, no need for any command line.....Yet

[Broadback]

Thanks Xild,  have another well deserved Karma.

[Broadback]

forgot to say, I will update here when I get time to do it. As posted elsewhere it is a beautiful day wife has  out, so will have to go outside (You know that place with no walls or ceiling, remember?) and do some jobs!

[Rik]

Shame.

[Broadback]

Let me know how you get on.
Ted

Well now Ted, a mixed bad there!  Firstly I did not know how to disable the DVD, though it is not in the drive, those I did load were accessing the internet! Also I could not find plf-free and plf-none free to enable them.
These are the programs you suggested, and my results:

libdvdcss2 **
mplayer  OK
mplayer-gui  OK
mplayerplugin  OK
libdvdcss2  **
flash-player-plugin  **
java-1.6.0-sun OK
java-1.6.0-sun-plugin OK
krusader OK
win32-codecs  **
avifile-win32  **
vlc OK

Unable to find those marked **

However I am progressing, I have the Browser, Email and Printer working, in fact I am logged in here from Linux.

[Ted]

Your sources page should look like this pic.
You enable\ disable sources in the column on the left.
Come to think of it you will probably have to install the plf and plf-free manually. Not to worry its just cut and paste.

Right, go to Menu>tools>konsole this will open a terminal.
Type su and press enter
Type your password when prompted and press enter
You just became root. su = super user
Cut and paste the following code,you will have to right click and paste, and press enter, follow any prompts.

urpmi.addmedia --update plf-free ftp://ftp.free.fr/pub/Distributions_Linux/plf/mandriva/2008.0/free/release/binary/i586/ with media_info/hdlist.cz
urpmi.addmedia --update plf-nonfree ftp://ftp.free.fr/pub/Distributions_Linux/plf/mandriva/2008.0/non-free/release/binary/i586/ with media_info/hdlist.cz

That should install the sources, make sure they enabled in configure media and try to dowload those files agaln.
Ted



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[Broadback]

Your sources page should look like this pic.

That should install the sources, make sure they enabled in configure media and try to dowload those files agaln.
Ted

Thanks Ted, it did look like that, I will go and try these suggestions. You have the patience of a Saint Ted!  I'll be back in a while (quite a while) I have no doubt.

[Broadback]

Eureka! It worked, thank Ted, I have now  loaded them all. I know that flash and java are fine as I have logged into and run the BT Speed Tester, for the first time!  to me or BT I am not sure which. As a matter of disinterest this is my results:

Results Image not loaded

Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
    IP profile for your line is - 5000 kbps
    DSL connection rate: 448 kbps(UP-STREAM)  5728 kbps(DOWN-STREAM)
    Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 4603 kbps

Another well deserved  For Ted!

[Rik]

You have the right profile for your sync speed and you're pretty much going flat out.

[Broadback]

I hasten to add that is only since I was adopted by a certain 1700 router! 

[Ted]

As it seems this is your first headlong dive into Linux, you've done fantastic. 

This is what the software does, some things are obvious.

krusader        =twin pane file manager, can be started in root mode, very useful.
vlc             =video player
libdvdcss2   =needed for playing dvds in linux

More good stuff to install

thunderbird   =pop3 email client
kaffeine     =Very good media player, mp3, dvd etc
xine           =Another good media player
gqview         =image viewer
grip               =cd ripper and encoder
petit               =mp3 encoder used by grip

Good stuff already installed

k3b      =cd and dvd burning software, brilliant.
klipper      =clipboard with configurable memory, brilliant.
konsole   =command line terminal
open office   =0ffice suite, ms office alternative
Firefox      =web browser (update through the control center to 2.0.0.11)
d4x      =scheduled downloader with resuming

if you use Bluetooth you need to install kdebluetooth. (same as all the rest)
Too much to list them all but this lot will get you started.

Removable devices such as cameras, flash drives, bluetooth adaptors are all recognised when plugged in.

Anything else let me know
Have fun
Ted