Did not understand how to save persistent data
Forum: HD Install
Topic: Did not understand how to save persistent data
started by: winux
Posted by winux on Jan. 18 2006,20:26
Hi everyoneI know this topic has been covered several times, but the docs and the answers were not so clear to me. Sorry, I'm French, nobody's perfect
!! and on top of that I'm rather new in Linux (6 months) and even newer in DSL (15 days)!!Actually my question is simple (asked many times by others):
what do I store, where and how (in order not to retype at every boot)
1- fb800x600
not usb mouse
fr-latin1 keyboard, etc ...
2- if I install synaptic for instance (YES I understood how to do it!!!), what should I save, where and how for the next reboot.
I read the getting started doc, saying I must save full path in .filetool.lst but
1- I could not find this file (which is I presume a hidden file beginning by ".")
2- I don't know how to do
If someone could be kind enough to elaborate a bit (in simple English) how to proceed w/ my 2 problems
1- the initial setup
2- save a new appli
I think that would save me from getting depressed by Linux!!! and I'm sure a lot of newbiz w/ goodwill would be happy not to be stuck w/ complicated procedures (not complicated for experts of course).
PS : This old PC is a MMX 199 MHz / HD 2 G / RAM 190 M
The parttions are
1.5 G for DSL
0.5 G for swap
Posted by mikshaw on Jan. 18 2006,20:42
First, I don't know how many times this has been said, but we are not in competition with Windows. We are not in competition with other Linux distros. You use what works best for you...if that's DSL, fine...if it's Windows, fine...[voice src="yul_brynner"]et cetera, et cetera, et cetera....[/voice]1) Boot options can be set in your boot loader's configuration file. If you're booting from CD you will need to rebuild the ISO. All I know is Grub, and that wasn't DSL's Grub, so I won't go into details for fear of giving you incorrect information.
2) If you got Synaptic through DSL menu or myDSL repository, you can have it reinstalled automatically by placing the downloaded file in /cdrom. Synaptic might need some extra work...i've never used it myself.
3) .filetool.lst is a hidden file. You can see it in emelfm by either pressing the "H" button next to the location bar, or by pressing "ctrl+h". Emelfm also has a button in the middle called "Add2Filetool". This will add any selected file without the need to edit it yourself.
Posted by winux on Jan. 18 2006,22:42
| Quote (mikshaw @ Jan. 18 2006,15:42) |
| First, I don't know how many times this has been said, .... 1) Boot options can be set in your boot loader's configuration file. ... 2) If you got Synaptic through DSL menu or myDSL repository, you can have it reinstalled automatically by placing the downloaded file in /cdrom.... 3) .filetool.lst is a hidden file. You can see it in emelfm by either pressing the "H" button next to the location bar, .... |
Thx for your answer Mikshaw
Your introduction:" First, I don't know how many times ..." sorry for that, I just meant it's good to feel free w/ free s/w, no more.
your point 1- Maybe I was not clear on that, actually I did not mention!! I installed the live CD on my HD using the Grub boot loader. My Pb is that even though, I need to reinstall all the parameters, same as when I run the live CD. So I wondered how to escape from this.
Your point 3 makes a lot of things much clearer to me. I know how to read a hidden file (many thx) and how to put something in filetool.lst
But, regarding my starting parameters (grub loading dsl fb800x600, xfbdev, mouse, fr-latin, ...) what should I write and where (filetool.lst?). Thx for this ultimate answer. The rest has become Xtal clear after reading your point 3
Your point 2- I made it w/ Abiword (again, because of your point 3). If you don't use Synaptic, I'm pretty sure I don't need it either, I'll stick to MyDsl which is quite good and enough
Your point 3: very clear Thx a lot. I never saw that in any doc? do you know if any?
Well Mikstraw you gave me some very good starting tricks especially w/ Emelfm (difficult to do basic things w/o this knowledge). I feel more confident now and I'm very grateful for that. Thx again
Bye
Posted by mikshaw on Jan. 18 2006,23:58
I *think* grub's config file in DSL is /cdrom/boot/grub/menu.lst...i'm using grub that was installed by another distro, so i'm not sure. When you do eventually find the right file, the parameters should be added to the "kernel" line. As far as I know, the "fb800x600" parameter should be *before* "dsl" in that line. I think the others need to go *after* dsl. The mouse and xfbdev are set in /home/dsl/.xserverrc. I'm sorry i don't know the exact syntax for it, but if you set them up with xsetup you can add the .xserverrc file to .filetool.lst. If this works, make sure your boot parameters do not include "xsetup", or you'll find that xsetup will run every time you start x.
Posted by winux on Jan. 19 2006,00:07
Thx again for your quick return Mikshaw. I'll try to manage w/ that.For now I go to bed (1:06 am). I'll come back to you after several trials, ... if needed!!! (especially for the end!!)
I love DSL more and more now that I feel more comfortable!! Thx again
Posted by doobit on Jan. 19 2006,00:12
You are correct. The file is /boot/grub/menu.lst on the boot partition. frame buffer mode options go first, then dsl and whatever your dsl options are, like noscsi, dma, etc. Most of this stuff is set up properly for you if you answer the questions on setup in the first bootup after you install.
Posted by winux on Jan. 19 2006,18:54
Hi Mikshaw, Hi Doobit, Hi everyoneThx for your answers. I followed step by step your recommendations but I'm stuck in the middle of the river, can you send me a rope please !!
1- Here is my existing grub:
| Code Sample |
| default 0 timeout 15 title DSL kernel /boot/linux24 root=/dev/hda2 quiet vga=normal noacpi noapm nodma noscsi frugal initrd /boot/minirt24.gz title DSL fb800x600 kernel /boot/linux24 root=/dev/hda2 quiet vga=788 noacpi noapm nodma noscsi frugal initrd /boot/minirt24.gz title DSL fb1024x768 kernel /boot/linux24 root=/dev/hda2 quiet vga=791 noacpi noapm nodma noscsi frugal initrd /boot/minirt24.gz title DSL fb1280x1024 kernel /boot/linux24 root=/dev/hda2 quiet vga=794 noacpi noapm nodma noscsi frugal initrd /boot/minirt24.gz |
Here is what I planned to do:
| Code Sample |
| default 0 timeout 2 title DSL fb800x600 kernel /boot/linux24 root=/dev/hda2 quiet vga=789 noacpi noapm nodma noscsi frugal initrd /boot/minirt24.gz |
BUT
I cannot modify this file
- neither w/ sudo su, and then vi
- nor from emelfm
- nor by doing it in another PC and then replacing it at /boot/grub
- Permission always denied??!!
If I can change this file, I presume after 2s I'll run automatically 800x600x24bits (I changed vga value)
2- Then at every reboot I'm asked for the choice
- Xvesa or xfbdev
- then usb or ps2 mouse
- and finally fr-latin9
I understood these info are stored (except language) in .xserverrc. After reboot I've put the path /home/dsl/.xserverrc into /home/dsl/.filetool.lst and saved it BUT no action on reboot and finally the saved path disappeared.
Here is my .xserverrc
| Code Sample |
| exec /usr/bin/X11/Xvesa -mouse /dev/psaux,5 -screen 800x600x24 -shadow -nolisten tcp -I &>/dev/null |
So to sum-up
1- how to "re-write" my menu.lst
2- how to save:
- Xvesa or xfbdev (what's best by the way?)
- usb or ps2 mouse
- fr-latin9
Thx for your help, I'm in your hands ans still ... in the middle of the river!!!
PS : additional question, how to say my mouse is a whell mouse?
Posted by winux on Jan. 21 2006,16:50
Solved Thx. I had to know (not so obvious!) that I need to go to:/cdrom/boot/grub/menu.lst
Hope it can help s.o. else
Posted by xxooss on Feb. 08 2006,03:36
well I know that it can be hard to decifer the "linuux speak" that abounds around these internets and I feel your pain. i am currently still figure out what I need to edit in my .list file and cant get it to work. All I want is it to save my netcard configuration and my firefox data. It has always been my personal gripe that even though most often linux people think they are giving you the exact answer that we still dont understand, like how -tos are the worst IMHO. I still have no idea how to install a freaking driver for hells sake!
/rant off
thx info