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Thread ID: 43373 2004-03-12 21:24:00 First try at Xandros v2 John H (8) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
222115 2004-03-18 09:36:00 > So what I want to know is why cant a program just be downloaded and installed as in Windows?????????? All this configuring, compiling, making nonsense

Because it isn't Windows. :p :D


> it is this sort of thing that puts people off Linux, and I dont regard myself as dim

Now now Terry, this time next week you will be up there with the pros dishing out advice to the rest of us newbies. ;-)

Keep it up. :-)
Susan B (19)
222116 2004-03-18 11:52:00 Hi Falvrez,

The easiest way is to remove the XP install :)

If I can't convince you of that there is a fairly convoluted solution. If you happen to have a linux CD distro (like Knoppix that was on a PC World CD some time ago) start that and then use the *nix version of fdisk. You could possibly use the original trial installation CD in manual mode as an alternative.

Once you have fdisk running (if from a terminal you would fdisk /dev/hda) change the linux partitions to windows FAT32 partitions by typing p (this will give you the partition table) then typing t and then the partition number and then making them b to create the FAT32 partition in it's place.

Once you are happy with what you have done (check by using p) hit w to write the new table and then q to exit fdisk.

To remove the boot loader (if it has been installed in the MBR) restart the computer with a Windows 98 boot/recovery disk and then using the Windows fdisk type fdisk /mbr. Needless to say that it is a very good idea to back-up all your important documents before doing any of the above. :) I should also mention that no warrantee is expressed or implied :D

HTH
Gorela (901)
222117 2004-03-18 11:56:00 Slight error with the MBR bit :8} it should be fdisk \mbr

Windows for you :P
Gorela (901)
222118 2004-03-18 12:08:00 Terry,

I was having a wee glance around after reading your comment about RedHat and SuSE RPM's for kShowmail and found a reference to using apt-get install kshowmail or apt-get install eremove which is supposedly similar but not as good as kshowmail :)

Use the above from the terminal when you're on-line.

Someone did mention that Xandros had a debian base and you seem to be more comfortable with the command line :D
Gorela (901)
222119 2004-03-18 12:42:00 > Slight error with the MBR bit :8} it should be fdisk
> \mbr

Im pretty sure you had it right first time round.
Ive always used fdisk /mbr :-)


Chill.
Chilling_Silence (9)
222120 2004-03-18 19:24:00 Susan, I got carried away with the enormity of the learning curve in front of me, having first been lulled into complacency by the easy install.

I should have said why can't a Linux program be downloaded and installed just like a good old MS- DOS program. Just download, unzip into a directory and run the executable.....done :). I suppose (talking from ignorance), that all this compiling, converting etc, is to cope with the myriad of different Linux flavours?

I suppose my problem is I havent even read up on anything Linux yet, not even the basic commands , just using dos type commands and using / instead of \ :)
Terry Porritt (14)
222121 2004-03-18 21:38:00 > I suppose my problem is I havent even read up on
> anything Linux yet, not even the basic commands ,
> just using dos type commands and using / instead of \
> :)

Terry here (www.icon.co.za) is some light reading to get you started on understanding Linux/Unix. I can burn it in pdf form (about 5MB) if you don't like to download it.

I have only started reading it myself but, seem to be having difficulty with my glasses, I only seem to be able to manage a few chapters at a time before things things get blerry.

Cheers Murray P
Murray P (44)
222122 2004-03-18 21:50:00 Gorela: Are you suggesting using a W98 boot disk to replace an XP boot sector?:O

I think that might be imprudent.;-)

Use the boot manager to get into XP. Then there is a standard XP procedure to alter the boot manager.
Graham L (2)
222123 2004-03-18 22:16:00 Thanks Murray I'll download that and copy to CD, no problem, maybe even buy a book to leaf through, much better than trying to read this sort of stuff off a screen.

Maybe it's time to RTFM. :)
Terry Porritt (14)
222124 2004-03-18 23:47:00 > Maybe it's time to RTFM . :)

Wwhaaaat! Terry, are you suggesting that you would copout, and in public on this forum? :O

This sort of subversive talk has got to stop .

Imagine if impressionable noob's caught on to this RTFM malarkey . Yes that's right, the end could be nigh for PF1 and hordes of able tech's making an honest living . No more botched installs, crud clogged HDD's, deleted system files, misplaced data, fried chips (except on Fridays), buggered BIOS's and TIOATWO deficiency syndrome (Turn It On At The Wall Outlet) . The horror of that scenario is too much to contemplate .

Some wee queries for my peace of mind Terry:

Do you have a map in the car? Do you ask directions when in doubt? Do you always keep your keys in the same place and can never find them and, is that place a handbag? Is your given name really Teri and not Terry as you claim?

If you honestly answered yes to any of the above then, we can safely assume that this is not a computer related issue and can therefore ignore it as OT .

And, on reflection, we still have MS on our side so, there will still be IE & OE, security issues, updates & patches on patches, dll files, the registry and most of all, Bill's inquisative nature . :) Sigh! thanks to our lucky stars for good old relieable MS .

Maybe I've been a bit harsh afterall . If you need to talk about it, you know where to come .

Cheers Murray ;P
Murray P (44)
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