I was an idiot, and now I ask the pro's...

chrispy212 · #1 14th January 2007, 04:43 PM

Right. I was on here a while ago showering you all with my glorious -newbie-ness. Guess who's back?!

I installed FC6, after some slight hair-pulling-out, and I kinda never used it. Well, my big windows box concked yesterday and so Im looking for something to play with... enter FC6
Well, I think, "What does one need from a computer? Well, all I really want for now is some fun. But ferrying files from my internet-enalbed brothers laptop to mylinux box is tedious, and I have NO idea how to install anything.
So internet would be nice!!! Then I can read the instructions, download rpm packs that will install for me without asking how to recompile the kernel, and blah blah blah.
So I sticks my old D-linkwireless card in there, and sets on a driver spree. I find the ACX100 drivers, but alas, they need compiling.

It is around about this point my story gets to its point:
I just realised that I somehow managed to get the bare minimum on the box. No CC, No GCC, no nothing. I have no internet and so can't use the add software thing, and so Im burning some new copies of the FC6 disks.

Do you have a question boy?

Why yes I do!
How do I install packages as an update (specifically GCC and or CC)? I put in disk 1 and it just wants me to install. I try update and it gives some error about yum, and I somehow managed to get it to hang on a screen saying 'Reading Anaconda updates...'

So an help would be nice. And all this started with me wanting MAME on my box so I could build a cabinet...

***bob*** · #2 14th January 2007, 04:45 PM

I think this is what you're looking for: http://www.city-fan.org/tips/YumRepoFromImages

chrispy212 · #3 14th January 2007, 08:14 PM

Well, I found out for myself actually! Huzzah!
I just used rpm -i -vv packagename on the packages on disk 2 of the install disks, for anyone having my problem.
Still can't get the acx100 driver working though...sigh.
They don't have abinaries for FC6 do they? I have a standard kernel.

SuperNu · #4 15th January 2007, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrispy212

Well, I found out for myself actually! Huzzah!
I just used rpm -i -vv packagename on the packages on disk 2 of the install disks, for anyone having my problem.
Still can't get the acx100 driver working though...sigh.
They don't have abinaries for FC6 do they? I have a standard kernel.

There is a firmware RPM for acx100 at freshrpms.net. If you install it, you might get your acx100 working.

--SN

chrispy212 · #5 15th January 2007, 12:01 PM

Ooh, thanks! I think the fresh RPm's one was only RH/Mandrake. I know FC6 is A RH distro, but it didnt work for me, and Im real noobish about makin g things work on linux!
how did all you learn the ins and outs of linux?
I can't write a simple bash prompt without at least one error. I try installing binaries, Im missing dependancies. I get those dependancies but their only source so I try and compile them. No GCC. So I install GCC. But I still can't compile!!! It drives me nuts! I Try installing the kernel by rpm but it
'Can't create %sourcedir /usr/bin/sources/REDHAT'
or something like that
Just makes me wanna go and buy a copy of Windows!

u-noneinc-s · #6 15th January 2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrispy212

Ooh, thanks! I think the fresh RPm's one was only RH/Mandrake. I know FC6 is A RH distro, but it didnt work for me, and Im real noobish about makin g things work on linux!
how did all you learn the ins and outs of linux?
I can't write a simple bash prompt without at least one error. I try installing binaries, Im missing dependancies. I get those dependancies but their only source so I try and compile them. No GCC. So I install GCC. But I still can't compile!!! It drives me nuts! I Try installing the kernel by rpm but it
'Can't create %sourcedir /usr/bin/sources/REDHAT'
or something like that
Just makes me wanna go and buy a copy of Windows!

For me, it just took time and practice and I'm still a long way from being "proficient".
As for your compiling problems, try yum groupinstall "Development Tools" and maybe yum groupinstall "Development Libraries". You need the quotes. You probably don't need the Libraries (I don't have them)

And for the rpm problem, it look's like maybe you weren't root. You need to be root to install with rpm (you can query as regular user)

chrispy212 · #7 15th January 2007, 07:06 PM

I am root. IE I login with username 'root'
Well, is Linux angled towards developers? Because I am a programmer but never started on C++, maybe I should!

JN4OldSchool · #8 15th January 2007, 07:15 PM

no, linux is linux. You are just trying to do things the hard way. Can you not physically carry your computer to the internet connection so you can get online long enough to get what you need? You will wear out two sets of sneakers with all that running...

edit: My bad, I thought you asked if "FC" was geared towards developers, not "linux." But still, no you dont need to be a technonerd to use linux. Heck, I am nowhere close to that. I'm the mechanical "square peg in the round hole" type. But you should be hooked up to the internet to get the Livna version of the wireless stuff you will need so you can easily get that running. This compiling is for the birds.

chrispy212 · #9 15th January 2007, 08:21 PM

Ok. Well I spose I could put it downstairs and run ethernet to the router. Except its an old box, and the only ethernet port on the computer is on this wireless card... yep!
Yes, I have to say linux ssems very counter-intuitive at first. Im getting used to some of it's differences, but aside from a mac when I was 8 I've been a windows boy all my life. Granted, thats only 18 years, and I only got a real computer (had an amstrad. Programming+juniors=KABOOM!) when I was like 7, it's still a huge change from- disc in, run, to download, extract, recompile kernel, pray, run.
I don't think I have managed to install a SINGLE application yet. I know I suck.

JN4OldSchool · #10 15th January 2007, 08:28 PM

no, just relax there big guy. You have to get linux installed and running right before you can judge it. Or yourself. Wireless is a *itch! It is probably one of the hardest things to do and it is the one thing staring every noob with a laptop right in the face first thing. I admit, I dont use it, it scares me. Some people just hook it up and it works, others fight and fight it. But without being able to guide you through I can give you this advice: Never go to straight RPM's or source when you can get the package out of a repo. Always look at the person who has walked ahead of you, meaning search the forum topics the last week or so. There are a ton of wireless problems. You can work this out, there are a few routes. But first I would suggest moving that computer downstairs, hooking it up with the cat5 and getting it updated and running smooth. Then tackle that wireless. And when it gets you down just walk away. It will be there tomorrow.

chrispy212 · #11 15th January 2007, 09:20 PM

I'm sure linux is a great system, for those it's designed for. It's got a huge following, and undoubtably the largest open-source coverage of any OS I've ever seen.

I ask these questions in the hope that one day, I will answer the very same question to some wired 18yr old who's Windows box just died from not wearing an anti-static wristband... boy that kid would be a jackass...

Lastlies, No cat 5! So I in a pickle...
My flash peg randomly doesnt show up as a drive anymore, and the CD drive doesnt either. All I see in 'Computer' is Filesystem and Network.

Thanks all.

SuperNu · #12 16th January 2007, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrispy212

Ooh, thanks! I think the fresh RPm's one was only RH/Mandrake. I know FC6 is A RH distro, but it didnt work for me, and Im real noobish about makin g things work on linux!
how did all you learn the ins and outs of linux?
I can't write a simple bash prompt without at least one error. I try installing binaries, Im missing dependancies. I get those dependancies but their only source so I try and compile them. No GCC. So I install GCC. But I still can't compile!!! It drives me nuts! I Try installing the kernel by rpm but it
'Can't create %sourcedir /usr/bin/sources/REDHAT'
or something like that
Just makes me wanna go and buy a copy of Windows!

The reason you get the error can't create %sourcedir /usr/bin/sources/REDHAT is most likely because you are trying to install a .src.rpm. This is known as a source RPM. It provides the sourcecode for the application you are trying to build. If you want to install something, you need to get a rpm that ends in .i386.rpm, .noarch.rpm or .x86_64.rpm. There are other extensions as well, but these are the most common. The file you want to download is acx100-firmware-1.9.8.b-1.noarch.rpm. This is a direct link to the current version.

Don't get down on learning Linux. It is always hard to learn something new. What you get out of Linux is what you put into it. If you are open to learning and trying then you will do fine.

--SN

chrispy212 · #13 16th January 2007, 03:41 PM

The .src.rpm was the kernel source, as I appear to need it for building (?)
I'm trying, I really am. If it had internet, then Id probably good by now. It just seems like a lot of catch 22's:
can't install internet because of x
can't install x because of y
y requires internet etc.

JN4OldSchool · #14 16th January 2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrispy212

I'm trying, I really am. If it had internet, then Id probably good by now. It just seems like a lot of catch 22's:
can't install internet because of x
can't install x because of y
y requires internet etc.

Yep.

It does suck that wireless drivers usually arent open source and if you need madwifi or ndswrapper anyway...It really is no win. The only way out is get an internet connection going one way or another first. If that means shoe leather express up and down the stairs with the USB pen drive in your hand so be it. If it were me though I would yank all the plugs on that box and march it downstairs just once. You shouldnt have to configure anything with a wired connection. Skip the router, plug the modem right into the computer. Select eth0 and you should be up.

chrispy212 · #15 16th January 2007, 05:00 PM

All this pc has is a modem, and i can't seem to find a cable to connect that to the router...
I might have a cable, but its REAL short and my router's about 5m away, and cabling though the house isnt really an option, even temporarily, won't go into why.
Basically, Could i plug my Linux box into my laptop and share the conection? I tried writing some homebrew for PSP for it to act as a wireless card, but that was HARD!