FC6:How to most common questions I've answered in the last week

[nick.stumpos]

OK I seem to be answering the same question over and over again, which I dont mind. It gives me something to do. but i figured id throw all the answers into one thread. so that i can refer people here if Im in a hurry or at least have someplace i can copy and paste from.
in the enitre post $ = user prompt and # = root prompt
this assumes you have the livna core and extras repos enabled if not see fedora faq or ask
#1

"su" != "su -"
if you switch user to root without the dash you do not get roots path, but your present working directory does not change.
if you switch to user root with the dash, you get roots path and your present working directory change to roots home directory.

#2
I want to boot to text login/I don't want to boot to text login

as root
#gedit /etc/inittab
edit this line
id:5:initdefault:
5=graphical boot
3= text boot
note: this can also be achieved for a single session by pressing e or a at the grub screen opon reboot and adding a 5 to the end of the kernel line for a graphical boot, or a 3 to enter a text install
another note: if your xserver is not running use nano or vi instead of gedit

#3
how to install mediaplayers/ a media plugin for firefox and their codecs
note: all players will need to install the codecs located at the bottom of this section

Ok xine is an easy one
Xine is my favorite media player to use for dvd's and files already on my hard drive

$su -
#yum -y install xine xine-lib xine-lib-extras-nonfree
#exit

Mplayer is also pretty simple
I like mplayer for the plug-in, and i also use it as my default player on my mythbox. it has a lot of powerful features

$su -
#yum -y install mplayer mplayer-skins mplayer-fonts mplayerplug-in
#exit

totem
if you are using either of the first two options i recommend removing totem

$su -
#yum remove totem
#exit

however if you want totem to work with the codecs this how it is done
adapted from the info i got from hammel

$su -
#yum install gstreamer-plugins gstreamer-ffmpeg
#wget ftp://fr2.rpmfind.net/linux/freshrpms/fedora/linux/6/gstreamer-pitfdll/gstreamer-pitfdll-0.9.1.1-1.fc6.i386.rpm
#rpm -ivh gstreamer-pitfdll-0.9.1.1-1.fc6.i386.rpm
#exit

The codecs (you need to do this for all the media players listed above)

$ wget http://www.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/releases/codecs/all-20061022.tar.bz2
$su
#mkdir /usr/local/lib/codecs/
#mkdir /usr/lib/win32
#tar xvfj all-20061022.tar.bz2
#cp ./all-20061022/* /usr/local/lib/codecs/
#chmod 755 /usr/local/lib/codecs/*
#cp /usr/local/lib/codecs/* /usr/lib/win32/
#rm -rf ./all-20061022
#rm ./all-20061022.tar.bz2
#exit

#4
madwifi drivers from source/ network manager cant see my madwifi chipset

$su -
#yum install kernel-devel
or
#yum kernel-xen-devel
depending on what you need
#exit
$svn checkout http://svn.madwifi.org/trunk madwifi
$cd madwifi
$ make
$su
# make install
#/sbin/modprobe ath_pci
# gedit /etc/modprobe.conf
add these lines
alias wifi0 ath_pci
alias ath0 ath_pci
options ath_pci autocreate=sta

this will allow you to activate the device ath0 from both the command line and system-config-network

#5 chmod
i Think ill give an overview of chmod as some people seem to be having a problem with it
here it goes chmod a simplified version

the permisions of linux files are set up into 3 catagories owner, group, others.
each of these three catagories has 3 options read, write, and execute
they are set by numbers coresponding to their binary values
111 in binary = 7 base 10 this gives the coresponding catagory all privilages
110in binary = 6 base 10 this gives the coresponding catagory read and write privallages
001 in binary = 1 base 10 this gives only execute permisions
101 = 5 thus = read execute and so forth
therefore a command of chmod 755 foo
would give the file foo
read write and execute permissions for the owner
and read and execute permissions for the group and others
the -R tag makes the Recursive, meaning it applies to all lower levels of the directory and files
use this with caution

# 6
my firefox only is working for some sites. this may be due to ipv6 being enabled.
ps i stole this from seve b/c im to lazy to type and i saw he just did so i figure ill just do the ole ctrl x ctrl v

In the firefox address bar bype about: config
and filter for ipv
and set network.dns.disableIPv6
to true
Next
open a terminal and log in as root using
su -
yourpassword
then type
gedit /etc/modprobe.conf
and add the following lines
alias net-pf-10 off
alias ipv6 off
leave a blank line at the end save, and exit
then type
gedit /etc/sysconfig/network
and check and see if
NETWORKING_IPV6=yes
if it does change it to
NETWORKING_IPV6=no
save and exit

# 7
question: I forgot my root password, how do i reset it?

reboot
at grub screen press a
enter a 1
continue boot
at prompt
#passwd root
make a new password
reboot
use your new passwd

#8
how do i set my default enviroment. / when i type startx i want to start kde, gnome, xfce, enlightenment etc

$rpm -qa | grep switchdesk
if nothing is found
$su
#yum install switchdesk
if it is found or you just installed it
$switchdesk "enviroment name here"
this make the specified enviroment your default, and when you startx or login through gdm it will start this enviroment

#9
anaconda installed i586 kernell
the following will install the i686 kernel and the devel

$ su -
$ Password: [Enter 'root' password]
# cp /boot/grub/grub.conf /boot/grub/grub.conf.bak
# rpm -e --nodeps kernel
# rpm -e --nodeps kernel-devel
# rpm -ivh http://redhat.secsup.org/fedora/core...8.fc6.i686.rpm
# rpm -ivh http://redhat.secsup.org/fedora/core...8.fc6.i686.rpm
# cp /boot/grub/grub.conf.bak /boot/grub/grub.conf

note do NOT reboot until after you have completed all the steps.

# 10
how do i play mp3/ what is a good mp3 player
if your wondering why fedora does not ship with mp3 support a quick trip to http://www.mp3licensing.com/
should explain why.

first let me state that it is a matter of opinion, that i happen to like xmms since i do, that is what i am going to describe. plus the install couldnt be any simpler, but bearing that i have got lots of questions. so here it is.
$su -
#yum -y install xmms xmms-mp3
#exit
now xmms should be able to play your mp3's by typing
$xmms filename
now to make this the default through nautalis.
there is probably a better way to do this. but i just right click on an mp3
go to properties
go to opens with
click add
click custom
type xmms

#11
how can i install adobe acroread / arcoread wont work

go to adobe's webpage and download the rpm
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
save to a directory or uses system-install packages to install(reccomended)
if you saved it
$su -
#cd directroy you saved_rpm_to
#rpm -ivh A*.rpm (assuming only rpm starting with A in that dir if not type whole name)
#exit
now for everyone
$ su -
#gedit /usr/bin/acroread
change the line
echo $mfile| sed 's/libgtk-x11-\([0-9]*\).0.so.0.\([0-9]\)00.\([0-9]*\)\|\(.*\)/\1\2\3/g'
to
echo $mfile| sed 's/libgtk-x11-\([0-9]*\).0.so.0.\([0-9]*\)00.\([0-9]*\)\|\(.*\)/\1\2\3/g'
to install the plugin
#cp /usr/local/Adobe/Acrobat7.0/Browser/intellinux/nppdf.so /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins
#exit
$ firefox
go to aboutlugins to check if it worked.

#12
how do i install sun jre/ firefox plugin

got to
http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp
download
J2SE(TM) Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 10 the self extracting file
$su -
#cd dir_java_downloaded_to
#mv jre-6-linux-i586.bin /opt
#cd /opt
#chmod +x jre-6-linux-i586.bin
#./jre-6-linux-i586.bin
#ln -s /opt/jre1.6.0/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins/libjavaplugin_oji.so
#gedit /etc/profile.d/java.sh (add these lines note the blank line at eof)
export J2RE_HOME=/opt/jre1.6.0
export PATH=$J2RE_HOME/bin:$PATH

#source /etc/profile.d/java.sh
#/usr/sbin/alternatives --install /usr/bin/java java /opt/jre1.6.0/bin/java 2
#rm jre-6-linux-i586.bin
#exit
you should be good then.
note: to check type java -version and see what you get.
second note: I learned this from stanton finley, but this is a simplified and changed version of his how to. the original can be found here http://stanton-finley.net/
although this version is definitely different, thought i would give my source.

[nick.stumpos]

had to start edditing my second post to fit this.
#13
how do i add a new user / firstboot didnt load and i need to create a new user

first get root permisions
if you already have a user
$su -
if you dont, log in as root, then
#useradd newusername
this will create a new user and a home directory for them in /home/
as well as set some enviromental variables and various other things

now we need to set up a password for them
#passwd newusername
create a password
you have now created a new user and can log in as them with the new password

just a note b/c many people have asked this I put this in the do not recomend list if you want to create a user with no password use this command instead of passwd
usermod -p "" newusername
but again i don't recommend

#14 How to use vi
vi is a very useful, and my personal favorite text editor. here is how to use it
ok vi has 2 modes, command mode and insert mode.

1. command mode
here are some of the basic command to get you through the editor
h = move the cursor 1 character left
j = move the cursor 1 character down
k = move the cursor 1 character up
l = move the cursor 1 character right
i = enter insert mode before cursor
I = enter insert mode at begging of line
a = enter insert mode after the cursor
A = enter insert mode at the end of current line
o = create a new line below current line and enter insert mode
O = create a new line above current line and enter insert mode
/string = searches for the first instance of string
n = next occurrence
$ = move the cursor to end of line
:x = move cursor to line x
u = undo
r = replace single character
R = like insert mode but replaces characters until [Esc] is hit
x = delete single character
dw = delete word
dd = delete line
D = delete rest of line after cursor
yy = copy line
p = paste
<ctrl>g = returns line number
:w = save file
:q! = quit without saving
:wq or ZZ = save and quit
2. Insert/replace mode mode
you can type just as you would in any editor
to quit and return to command mode press [Esc]

# 15 how do i add myself/group to sudoers file
in order to edit the sudoers file, you need to use a program called visudo.
to do this you will need a quick overview of my favorite editor vi. see guide above for a quick overview.

to open visudo
$su -
(password)
#visudo
to give a user sudo privs for all programs

go to the line which reads "root ALL=(ALL) ALL"
press o
enter the line
username ALL=(ALL) ALL
press [Esc] to return to command mode

to give a group sudo privs for all programs

press o
enter the line
%groupname ALL=(ALL) ALL
press [Esc] to return to command mode

to give user or group privs to only certain programs you will need to either create you own aliases or use the predefined ones. the predfined ones are listed at the top of the file, your own can be made following the same format

once you know the aliases you want the user or group to have privs in
for a group replace username with %groupname
press o
enter the line
username ALL = Alias1, Alias2 ALL
press [Esc] to return to command mode

to note, if your sudoers file is being used across a network, the All's can be replaced with the hostname of a machine to only give users sudo privs on a certain machine

also by default sudo requires the user to use their own password, this can be changed to the root password by setting the rootpw flag
this is done by adding
Defaults rootpw
to the file

also a user can be set to use no password( I do not recommend this) by inserting
NOPASSWD:
before the second ALL in the lines listed earlier

now pressing
ZZ or :wq
will save the file.
#exit
$sudo command
(password)
will run the command as root

if i think of anything else i will add it here. if anyone wants me to add a how-to on something needed for everyday desktop use just ask and i will add it. with the exception of the proprietary video driver. I dont use them, and do not have any knowledge on there use or installation. feel free to ask for any clarifications
note: as the how-tos get finalized i am edditing them to the top. so you may read the same things twice. but feel free to respond and just ignore the extra posts, unless you want to see what may have been changed from the original. enjoy the how-tos.

[nick.stumpos]

I just keep thinking of things so here is some more
# im not reall sure where im at maybe 5
my firefox only is working for some sites. this may be due to ipv6 being enabled.
ps i stole this from seve b/c im to lazy to type and i saw he just did so i figure ill just do the ole ctrl x ctrl v

In the firefox address bar bype about: config
and filter for ipv
and set network.dns.disableIPv6
to true
Next
open a terminal and log in as root using
su -
yourpassword
then type
gedit /etc/modprobe.conf
and add the following lines
alias net-pf-10 off
alias ipv6 off
leave a blank line at the end save, and exit
then type
gedit /etc/sysconfig/network
and check and see if
NETWORKING_IPV6=yes
if it does change it to
NETWORKING_IPV6=no
save and exit

[nick.stumpos]

just thought of another one
# ill call this 6
question: I forgot my root passwor, how do i reset it

reboot
at grub screen press a
enter a 1
continue boot
at prompt
#passwd root
make a new password
reboot
use your new passwd

this could end up being a long thread if i keep at this. hopefully it is useful to someone.

[Zigzagcom]

Good idea...post #3

gedit /etc/modbrope.conf

should read

gedit /etc/modprobe.conf

[nick.stumpos]

thanks for the type-o ill edit it

[nick.stumpos]

#8
how do i set my default enviroment. / when i type startx i want to start kde, gnome, xfce, enlightenment etc

$rpm -qa | grep switchdesk
if nothing is found
     $su
     #yum install switchdesk
if it is found or you just installed it
$switchdesk "enviroment name here"
this make the specified enviroment your default, and when you startx or login through gdm it will start this enviroment

[Dead1nside]

You should include steps to fix the i586 instead of i686 bug. Including steps on how to change the GRUB file so it boots.

[nick.stumpos]

good point here it is
#9
anaconda installed i586 kenrenl
the following will install the i686 kernel and the devel

$ su -
$ Password: [Enter 'root' password]
# cp /boot/grub/grub.conf /boot/grub/grub.conf.bak
# rpm -e --nodeps kernel
# rpm -e --nodeps kernel-devel
# rpm -ivh http://redhat.secsup.org/fedora/core/6/i386/os/Fedora/RPMS/kernel-2.6.18-1.2798.fc6.i686.rpm
# rpm -ivh http://redhat.secsup.org/fedora/core/6/i386/os/Fedora/RPMS/kernel-devel-2.6.18-1.2798.fc6.i686.rpm
# cp /boot/grub/grub.conf.bak /boot/grub/grub.conf

note do NOT reboot until after you have completed all the steps
edit: just to note i did not have this problem as i installed the xen kernel, but my friend did, and this is the procedure he followed. So i have no first hand experience, but i have no reason to believe it wouldnt work

[Dan]

Nice guide Nick.

Perhaps a single use boot into init 3 and / or init 5 from GRUB by appending 3 or 5 to kernel command?

EDIT: Gotcha! content deleted.

Thanks,

Dan

[Dead1nside]

Thanks for adding that, there's been many guides. But none as clear as just that list of commands.

Edit: Just a few corrections, for typos and to make it a tad more noob friendly.

$ su -
$ Password: [Enter 'root' password]
# cp /boot/grub/grub.conf /boot/grub/grub.conf.bak
# rpm -e --nodeps kernel
# rpm -e --nodeps kernel-devel
# rpm -ivh http://redhat.secsup.org/fedora/core/6/i386/os/Fedora/RPMS/kernel-2.6.18-1.2798.fc6.i686.rpm
# rpm -ivh http://redhat.secsup.org/fedora/core/6/i386/os/Fedora/RPMS/kernel-devel-2.6.18-1.2798.fc6.i686.rpm
# cp /boot/grub/grub.conf.bak /boot/grub/grub.conf

[nick.stumpos]

Nice guide Nick.

Perhaps a single use boot into init 3 and / or init 5 from GRUB by appending 3 or 5 to kernel command?

thanks i edited the original post on runlevels to reflect this

[scotta3234]

I'd like to add nice guide! I've definitely responded to a few madwifi posts myself. May I suggest possibly adding something about how Atheros devices are always ath0. Users seem to be getting confused with having the wifi0 and ath0 for a single device. Or at least explain what's going on with the device naming process.

[nick.stumpos]

Dead1nside: thanks for the typo corrections, seem to be having those alot lately, ill change my original to reflect your changes as well

scotta3234: I will reply with why in a sec when i got some time to type it out prolly in like 20 minutes, i get bored of studying pretty quickly y im responding now. but i think your post that it is called ath0 is enough for some new people to read the thread and understand with what to do. ill post the why in a little bit. prolly in a reply as i think an edit might just make the directions confusing

[scotta3234]

True... I realized that in saying that I had already stated the answer to their questions as to why their wireless still wont work when they can see both devices. I also realized that i could have said what was what with the devices but it really doesn't matter. What matters is that the device is ath0.