Installation FAQs

Question: MD5SUM Check, testing the integrity of files.

Answer: When you download the ISO file to burn to CD, you should first check the md5sum of the file. This is done by opening a terminal (command prompt in windows), moving to the directory you downloaded the ISO to and typing md5sum the_name_of_the.iso . Check the output of this against the md5sum file on the download site, if they do not match exactly then something went wrong with the download and all sorts of problems could arise if you try to use this ISO.

Question: How much space do I need to install this?

Answer: This will vary with what extra programs you want to install and mainly by the amount of data (documents, videos, etc.) you want to keep. I currently have VL4 running with the whole of KDE3.2 installed and using up 1.5GB of my 10GB partition. Note that I have a seperate FAT32 partition for all my data to share with windows.

Question: What is swap space? / How much swap space do I need?

Answer: Swap space is linux's way of implementing virtual memory by using a special small partition on your hard drive. How much space to allocate to this swap partition is not clearly defined, but an old rule says double the amount of physical RAM you have. Chances are if you have a lot of RAM you have hard drive space to burn anyway so it can't hurt.

Question: Is there some way I can resize my NTFS (windows XP) partition to make way for a linux install (without buying partition magic)?

Answer: You can download/burn a system rescue CD from here http://www.sysresccd.org/. It includes several useful programs, including QtParted, a free partition magic clone capable of creating/resizing NTFS partitions (as well as many other file system types).

Question: How do I install on a machine with no CD drive?

Answer: If you have another machine with a CD drive then you can get around this by plugging the target computers hard drive into the other machine and using it to install. When the system tries to reboot, power down and replace the hard drive in the target machine. Vector versions 3.2 and under can also be installed without any CD drive using the instructions in the install document.

Question: Why do I get a "file not found" error during the install?

Answer: If you are using your secondary CD drive, try using your primary one, Vector linux will only install from the first CD detected on the IDE/SCSI channels.

Question: Why does my system keep freezing during/after the install?

Answer: This could be a power management problem, try booting with the noacpi or noapm options. E.g. at the lilo prompt type optionname noacpi where optionname is the name of your linux installation in the lilo menu.

Question: Why does the screen start filling up with numbers when I reboot? / Where did my LILO menu go?

Answer: Chances are you just did a fresh install and skipped installing LILO because you did it last time, or got rid of a partition bootable from lilo. Boot from the rescue CD (the install CD) with the command "linux root=/dev/hda3 ro" (replacing hda3 with the partition you installed to) to get into the system then as root run nano /etc/lilo.conf to open your lilo config file and check that it still applies to your system. Once you're happy with that run /sbin/lilo to reinstall lilo. Don't forget to reinstall lilo!

Question: Why can't I type my password when trying to log in?

Answer: You can! The system does not give any indication on screen that you are typing your password but it is paying attention, so just try it.

System Administration

VASM, the Vector Administrative and Services Menu.

Question: What is it?

Answer: VASM is what allows you to administer your system´s configuration without the need to manually edit files spread across the system, With VASM you can configure devices, administer services, etc. Robert (vector) created the original incarnation of the tool and others helped to refine a few things and added a few features as well. The GUI portion was created for SOHO 3.2 and is refined even further with each VL release.

Question: How do I launch it?

Answer: The "vasm" that you use is the same in both CLI and GUI mode. The script checks whether you are running in GUI mode and uses the appropriate dialog or Xdialog to display the boxes. If you are in CLI mode, type "vasm" to start it, in GUI mode you can look for an icon in your desktop or open a terminal and type "vasm".
Note that in versions prior to VL 5.0, vasm could only be launched by the system administrator; since VL 5.0 it incorporates a set of funtionalities useful for regular users, so they can fire it and access them to.

Question: Where can I learn more about it?

Answer: VASM has grown into an extensive utility that deserves it´s own user guide which you con find it in the Documents section.

Root vs. sudo
Question: What is the difference between Booting up as Root and Booting as User but logging in as Root at the terminal ?

Answer: "su" basically gives you the same rights as when logging in as "root" - but using su does not mean root takes over the whole computer with all running programs. this is a security feature (!). try to think this way: everything you do at the terminal or console you were using to su will be done as root - everything else remains under normal user-restrictions. this especially applies when running X.

Sudo Command and security
Question: I just used the Sudo command and to my surprise I was able to use Programs with root privileges only. Now if a hacker were to get into my PC, can't he try to do the same and thereby have root access. Or can't a Virus or Bug be programmed to do the same ?

Answer: It's not really a security hole, but a user feature. If an admin willingly lowers the security settings of his computer, it's choice. A choice which can be revoked. The point is just to keep attackers out of your box completely. You've used Windows 98 before, didn't you? You are aware that every command is run with superuser privileges there?
So anyway. The respective file is /etc/sudoers. You have to edit it with the visudo command, though. Do not use another editor! If you have problems editing, look for the manual of vi (that is the editor you're using). To disable the sudo rights, comment the line containing your username out with a #.

Installing Packages
Question: Where can I learn about installing Packages in VL ?

Answer: http://vectorlinux.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=325

Installed packages can´t be found.
Answer: Once they've been installed, there should be a listing in /var/ log/packages that shows where all the files went.
Just look for the name of the program, it usually installs in /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin or somewhere similar.

Failure Messages at Boot up and Shutdown.
I get the following Failure Messages at Boot up and Shutdown:
AT Daemon Failure
Lpd Failure
xfstt Font Server Failure
Send Mail Failure
Port Sentry Failure
DHCP Failure

Question: What do these stand for/indicate ?

Answer: LPD = printer daemon
Sendmail = exactly what the name implies
DHCP = network service which gives out IP's dynamically to clients in a LAN
xfstt = X Font Server True Type

I'm pretty sure you don't need sendmail at all and if you're not in a LAN, you certainly won't have DHCP, too. I'm not really sure at the moment, but I think printing is handled by CUPS in VL, so LPD isn't needed, either. If you don't have a printer anyway, it's not an issue at all. You should probably just disable the services you don't need through VASM.

Linux commands.

Question: Where can I learn more about using the Command line/Terminal ?

Answer: http://vectorlinux.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=37
Also check Command Line Manuals of Red-Hat, Mandrake, Slackware.

Xserver configuration

X Configuration - Video
Question: Why does X start up in a low resolution?

Answer: Basically the X setup just tries to use the best safe settings that the monitor reports back through the video card. Increase the resolution by running vasm as root and choosing "X setup", then "Set up screen" and choosing the resolution/colour depth you want. If this doesn't work you may need to alter settings in "Set up display" and "Set up video card" as well.

X Configuration - Sound
Question: Why does my soundcard not work/exist?

Answer: This could be a power management problem, try booting with the noacpi or noapm options. E.g. at the lilo prompt type optionname noacpi where optionname is the name of your linux installation in the lilo menu. To get my laptops soundcard working I had to compile APM out of and ACPI into the kernel.

X Configuration - Mouse
Question: Why does my mouse keep jumping to the bottom-left of the screen in X?

Answer: This is down to a line in the X config file, so if you have this problem then as root type nano /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 to open the file for editing and look for the mouse section. If there is a line saying "Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2" " then change the IMPS/2 to PS/2.

X Configuration - Keyboard
Question: Why does the keymap I selected during the install not work in X?

Answer: This only sets the keymap for outside of X, to get your keymap working in X, you will need to edit the X config file with nano /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 , find the section about the keyboard and add a line saying Option "XkbLayout" "uk" where "uk" can be replaced with the country code that your keymap needs. So when you're done you end up with a section like this:

X Configuration - Booting to text mode
Question: How do I boot to the command line when I have set the system up to boot straight to X?

Answer: If things go wrong with X you'll be glad of this tip, from the lilo prompt type optionname 3 where optionname is the name of your linux system in the lilo menu. This will boot you into runlevel 3, a console login.

Desktop Configuration

Virtual Screen/Changing Resolution.
Question: I don't Like the virtual screen setup. It is far bigger than the actual monitor screen and not convenient to deal with. How can I have a desktop exactly the size of the monitor screen ?

Answer: Try Control Alt + (The + button is in the numeric part on the right side of the keyboard, this DOESN't have the = sign on it.) to change resolution.

Adding icons to iceWM.
Question: How can I add an Icon to my Desktop to a program that I downloaded ? Also, how can I add a program to the Start/ Applications Menu ?

Answer: To add icons to the desktop, right-click on an existing one, choose "new" and there you go. To add programs to the menu, just open the ~/.icewm/menu file in a text editor, use copy&paste on an entry and modify the new line to run what you want.

Desktop / Applications setup in iceWM.
Question: When I login and setup all my applications in a certain way on ICEWM, they are lost at exit. Is there any way that I can save them so that each time I come back I don't have to reopen them all again ?

Answer: Icewm preferences are stored in your home directory under .icewm. Edit the files in there to make changes permanent.
Or use the extra program call IceWM Control Panel. Google around for it. It's a little overkill for Vector Linux though.

Disks Administration

Hard Drive Info.
Question: From Vector Linux, how can I find out the info on partitions on my hard drive and the space used/available on each partition ?

Answer: The "df" command at terminal displays all mounted partitions. Mount all your partitions and they'll be included.

CD-ROM doesn't read files in it.
Did you mount the cdrom with 'mount /dev/hd<x> /mnt/cdrom', where 'x' is the drive letter. Usually, x=c, so the full command would be, 'mount /dev/hdc /mnt/cdrom.'
Now that I've told you that.....you will need to know this too.....you have to unmount the cdrom. The command is much the same......'umount /mnt/cdrom.' Notice that the command isn't unmount. It's umount. No 'n' in it.

Unable to Copy files to Floppy.
Question: I am unable to drag and copy files from the hard Drive to the floppy disk. How can this be best done ?

Answer: the only quick response i have, is to make sure the floppy is mounted.
I think you just select it again and it unmounts it. (the checkmark goes away)
Note, many people will say umount, because the command line option is actually "umount" for some reason.

Sharing files with Windows

Question: How can I share my files with windows?

Answer: Windows can't read linux filesystems, but linux can read windows filesystems. If you're using windows 95/98 then it is installed on a FAT32 partition, which your linux system will be able to read and write to. Windows NT/XP however uses the NTFS filesystem, which (using the installed linux kernel) is read only from linux. You might find it easiest to create a new FAT32 partition for your data which both windows and linux can use. To add extra partitions to mount from linux at boot time, edit your "fstab" file using nano /etc/fstab and follow the comments.

Windows 98 C: Drive Access
WARNING: Don't try this with NTFS partitions.
Question: How can I access the Windows C: Drive from Vector Linux ?

Answer: First log in as root then:
1) To mount, type: mount -t vfat /dev/hdc1 /mnt/ windows
2) Then the line: /dev/hdc1 /mnt/windows vfat defaults,noauto,user 0 0
to: /etc/fstab

Section on Mounting from the Slackware manual 9.1.
http://www.slackware.com/book/index.php?source=x2280.html

Networking

Issues with PPP or Internet.
Question: Connection/Modem Connects, but web pages don't load.

Answer: I would only setup ppp in vasm with pppset, and the important thing when setting it up is to enter the dns settings. Once you set it up through vasm you can open a console and log in as root with the su comand. Then type ppp- go and the ppp script will run and log you in.
Try to set up a bunch of different dial-up programs can cause conflicts.

Usenet/Newsgroups Question.
Question: How do I access newsgroups from Vector Linux?

Answer: Vector Linux usually includes an excellent and lightweight News Reader called Sylpheed.

Firewall.
Question: Is there a firewall included in VectorLinux?

Answer: Yes, you can configure it through VASM.

Multimedia

Using xmms, the X media player.
Question: I tried to mount a CD and play it X-Media Player. Unfortunately all the files in the CD are not showing up. I tried another CD with the same results.

Answer: To play a cd in xmms, do not mount it. xmms reads the cd as a raw audio cd. If you mount it, it can't directly access the device.

Question: I tried this. Just added the disk and then pressed the play button on xmms. It opened a window asking me to select files from a directory.

Answer:
1) If the playlist box isn't open, click in it on the xmms player (middle right, button marked PL)
2) Bottom left of the playlist is a button marked "Add"; click and hold, a menu will pop up, move mouse above the "Dir" (2nd button) and release; another menu should appear with a list of directories;
3) Select /mnt/cdrom and click OK
4) The playlist should now have songs in it,
5) Press play and listen away!

Question: I am able to play CD files when I log in as root right at start.

Answer: You probably have the wrong permissions on the sound device. On recent VL versions you can fix this using the "CDSET" option in VASM

Question: I am using an older VL version and this option is not present.

Answer: As root type this in a terminal:

chmod 622 /dev/dsp and chmod 666 /dev/mixer

Check with ls -l /mnt/cdrom what's the real cdrom device and then give all read rights for it.
example:

Code:
bash-2.05b$ ls -l /dev/cdrom
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 8 May 1 16:44 /dev/cdrom -> /dev/hdc
bash-2.05b$ ls -l /dev/hdc
brw-rw---- 1 root disk 22, 0 Oct 13 2002 /dev/hdc
bash-2.05b$ sudo chmod a+r /dev/hdc
bash-2.05b$ ls -l /dev/hdc
brw-rw-r-- 1 root disk 22, 0 Oct 13 2002 /dev/hdc

So basically, just load the cd device in xmms without mounting it.

Using Xcdroast for CD burning.

Question:When I start XCDROAST, configure it and then try to make a CD in both the Master Tracks and Write Tracks Options/ Screen, I am able to choose only directories and not the individual files in those directories. Why ?

Answer: the reason for seeing only directories is that you probably have checked a "display directories only" checkbox

Question: I burned some CDs using Nero Before. Nero Would allow me to add more files later to these CDs if needed. These were just regular data CDs. However, when I tried to use then in xcdroast to add more files, it says the CD is closed. There is still a lot of room in those CDs. Still why am I getting this message ?
Also, how will I know if my CDwriter supports Write on the fly and will not be damaged by this operation ?

Answer: It should work using multisession burning. I'm never using it myself, but X-CD-Roast definitely supports it and it's a non-program-specific standard. The only problem I could imagine would be that this 'Nero' program stores a history of all multisession CDs it has burned and then automatically recognizes them when you want to 'resume' one. If you've burned the first session with another program, it won't have such a record of course. You have to tell the burning program to read the old session data from the CD then first - depends on the program how to do it.

Question: How Do I Copy an ISO Image from a CD to the HD to burn more CDs ?

Answer: Go with the CLI. Specifically:
i. Copy whatever data you want to put on the CD into a directory, which we'll call: /home/user/ whatever

ii. Make your image file, which we'll call "my_image.img" by running this command:
mkisofs -r -o my_image.img /home/user/whatever

iii. Burn it to CD by running this command:
cdrecord -v speed=8 dev=0,0,0 -data my_image.img

Of course, set the speed to whatever value you're comfortable with. My CD-RW can supposedly handle 24X, but it pukes above about 12, so I go with 8X to avoid coasters. Seriously, try the CLI and you'll never go back to Nero or xcdroast. They're nice GUI's but all they're doing is putting a fancy front end on the command line.

Windows related

Question: Can I access my Windows files with Linux, how?

Answer: Yes, you can. Please see "Sharing files with Windows".

Wine.
Question: What is the Wine Project?

Answer: Wine is an open source project that allows you to run windows applications within Linux, it has limitations, but is a really interesting project. If you are interested, you should be able to use a slackware package of wine in VL.
Be warned, wine is a contrary beast to work with. We would recommend you so some googling for FranksCorner and go to their board for specific wine help.

Miscellaneous

Copy and Paste Not Working.
Question: How do you try to copy&paste?

Answer: In linux it's done by selecting text and then just put cursor where you want to paste it and click middle-button. Or for 2 button mouse, click both buttons.

Searching files.
Question: Is there a find tool in Linux ?
In Windows there is a Search tool that allows to search for specific files. Is there a similar tool in Linux ?

Answer: If you don't want to use the command line try the search function of Midnight Commander - it's like the one of Windows (you specify where it starts etc)

Taking Screen Shots.
Question: How can I take screen shots in Vector Linux ? Is there a special software that I can download for this ?

Answer: VL already includes a small package that allows you to grab screenshot of your desktop.
1. First you open XV, then you right click on the XV window.
2. Another window opens, choose Grab again.
3. Then choose time of 3 seconds, and press Grab again.
4. Close all unwanted windows immediately.
5. You will hear a beep. At that time, click on the desktop.
6. A screen shot of the desktop will be taken which can be viewed by clicking on one of the bottom fish icons in the task bar.


From Vector Linux to Slackware.
Question: Since, VL is based on Slackware, once familiar with VL does Slackware get easy or is it an all together different ball game ?

Answer: Nope, it's not that hard. If you save your XF86Config-4 file and write down the modules you are using, you shouldn't have any problems.
The tough bits are:

• Slack does come with GNOME and KDE, but they are too much for older systems. If you are running an older system, you will either have to use Xfce or compile a different wm. (I use xfwm4 + idesk + gnome-panel.)
• You will really miss sndconfig. Badly. Be sure to write down what modules your soundcard needs and the correct parameters (look in /etc/modules.conf).
• No vasm, since this is a feature developed by VectorLinux and Slackware developes have expressed that they feel using command line tools and editors is good enough, so they are not interested in utilities such as this.

The great thing about VL is it comes ready out of the box with a great wm for old machines (icewm) and desktop icons and configuration utilities AND a totally new linux user can just sit down, install it, and have a fully working system on their "useless" 200 Mhz machine with a minimum of problems.
If you have a 5GB + hard drive it will make you life a lot easier as you can just choose "install everything."