A Few Linux Questions...

Tech Support Forum Linux, BSD and Other OS's
1

Just a few Linux questions today, oriented for SuSE 9.2 this time.
Instead of making three different threads, i made one for convenience.

#1 - At logon, i keep on geting This recurring error message and i can’t figure out what the hell it is. It doesn’t really bother me too much, as when the message pops up i like the sound of smashing glass it makes, but nevertheless, it’s an annoyance.

#2 - I was wondering if there is any system monitoring software like Windows Taskmanager for linux, as SuSE feels a bit sluggish ATM and i like to know what’s going on with my system.

#3 - Last but definately not least, i cant figure out for the life of me how to play DVD’s in SuSE. I’ve tried every single solution or idea on the internet and from other forums and i still cant watch my DVD’s. Linux is of no use to me if i cant watch my DVD’s. Is there any way to do it?

Thanks for reading
pelvis_3

2

[QUOTE=pelvis_3]
#1 - At logon, i keep on geting This recurring error message and i can’t figure out what the hell it is. It doesn’t really bother me too much, as when the message pops up i like the sound of smashing glass it makes, but nevertheless, it’s an annoyance.
[/QUOTE]
Having read up on this, it seems to be a bug with that particular version of Suse. I don’t know if it is fixed with a patch or what, as I haven’t run Suse 9.2 – I got that information from Suse mailing lists. My advice is to upgrade Suse using the update tool to the latest packages for that version, and see if the problem reoccurs.

Actually, is there a particular reason you’re running Suse 9.2 in the first place rather than 10?

[QUOTE=pelvis_3]
#2 - I was wondering if there is any system monitoring software like Windows Taskmanager for linux, as SuSE feels a bit sluggish ATM and i like to know what’s going on with my system.
[/QUOTE]
Check whether your drives are using DMA by using this command: /sbin/hdparm -i /dev/hd* and please post the results.

As for the task manager, it’s called ksysguard in KDE, or you can run the command top

[QUOTE=pelvis_3]
#3 - Last but definately not least, i cant figure out for the life of me how to play DVD’s in SuSE. I’ve tried every single solution or idea on the internet and from other forums and i still cant watch my DVD’s. Linux is of no use to me if i cant watch my DVD’s. Is there any way to do it?
[/QUOTE]
You’ll need to install the decss and libcss packages in order for it to play encrypted DVDs. Once you have those you’ll be able to watch encrypted DVDs in Xine, VLC, MPlayer, XMovie, whatever. Of course if you ask me, you’d be a lot better off with Mandriva 2006 for a desktop PC. I mean, check this junk out:

http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/699/linuxscreenie212ym.th.jpg

3

[QUOTE=Anti-Trend]
]Having read up on this, it seems to be a bug with that particular version of Suse. I don’t know if it is fixed with a patch or what, as I haven’t run Suse 9.2 – I got that information from Suse mailing lists. My advice is to upgrade Suse using the update tool to the latest packages for that version, and see if the problem reoccurs.
[/QUOTE]

I’ll do that, thanks.

Actually, is there a particular reason you’re running Suse 9.2 in the first place rather than 10?

Yep, i was having some major trouble with the MBR on my HDD the other day and the only way i could fix it was to install a Linux variant to fix the problem.
As it happens, i had a SuSE 9.2 Pro DVD lying around so i installed that. I’m only half way through my Mandriva 2006 download, so when that’s finished, i’ll be installing that :slight_smile:

Check whether your drives are using DMA by using this command: /sbin/hdparm -i /dev/hd* and please post the results.

/dev/hda:

Model=WDC WD400BB-00JHA0, FwRev=05.01C05, SerialNo=WD-W"“”“”“”“”“”
Config={ HardSect NotMFM HdSw>15uSec SpinMotCtl Fixed DTR>5Mbs FmtGapReq }
RawCHS=16383/16/63, TrkSize=0, SectSize=0, ECCbytes=66
BuffType=unknown, BuffSize=2048kB, MaxMultSect=16, MultSect=16
CurCHS=16383/16/63, CurSects=16514064, LBA=yes, LBAsects=78165360
IORDY=on/off, tPIO={min:120,w/IORDY:120}, tDMA={min:120,rec:120}
PIO modes: pio0 pio3 pio4
DMA modes: mdma0 mdma1 mdma2
UDMA modes: udma0 udma1 udma2 udma3 udma4 *udma5
AdvancedPM=no WriteCache=enabled
Drive conforms to: device does not report version:

  • signifies the current active mode

As for the task manager, it’s called ksysguard in KDE, or you can run the command top

Thanks heaps :slight_smile:

You’ll need to install the decss and libcss packages in order for it to play encrypted DVDs. Once you have those you’ll be able to watch encrypted DVDs in Xine, VLC, MPlayer, XMovie, whatever. Of course if you ask me, you’d be a lot better off with Mandriva 2006 for a desktop PC. I mean, check this junk out:

http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/699/linuxscreenie212ym.th.jpg

I’ll be sure to install those. Is there any particular order in which i should install them?
P.S - Wicked desktop :cool:
pelvis_3

4

[QUOTE=pelvis_3]
…I’ll be sure to install those. Is there any particular order in which i should install them?P.S - Wicked desktop :cool:
[/QUOTE]
You haven’t been using Linux long, have you? :wink: Any Linux distro’s package manager is good enough to resolve dependancies and figure out what you need in order to install an application. It’ll work out what you need and prompt you if necessary.

5

Sorry for butting in but…:wink:

[QUOTE=pelvis_3]

#1 - At logon, i keep on geting This recurring error message and i can’t figure out what the hell it is. It doesn’t really bother me too much, as when the message pops up i like the sound of smashing glass it makes, but nevertheless, it’s an annoyance.
[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Anti-Trend]
Having read up on this, it seems to be a bug with that particular version of Suse. I don’t know if it is fixed with a patch or what, as I haven’t run Suse 9.2 – I got that information from Suse mailing lists. My advice is to upgrade Suse using the update tool to the latest packages for that version, and see if the problem reoccurs.
[/QUOTE]

As you mentioned, this is because of the SuSe upgrading tool. It normally happens if the tool can’t connect to the download server.

[QUOTE=pelvis_3]
#2 - I was wondering if there is any system monitoring software like Windows Taskmanager for linux, as SuSE feels a bit sluggish ATM and i like to know what’s going on with my system.
[/QUOTE]

I found SuSe 9.3 to be quite slow, but I can tell you that version 10 is much faster. I don’t know what they’ve changed in it, but it works!

[QUOTE=Anti-Tread]
You’ll need to install the decss and libcss packages in order for it to play encrypted DVDs. Once you have those you’ll be able to watch encrypted DVDs in Xine, VLC, MPlayer, XMovie, whatever
[/QUOTE]

Pelvis has asked one of my questions in regards to DVD codecs! I was saving that one (any many others :smiley: ) for you Anti-Tread, when I get home!

6

[Quote=AntiTrend]
Any Linux distro’s package manager is good enough to resolve dependancies and figure out what you need in order to install an application. It’ll work out what you need and prompt you if necessary.
[/Quote]

One of my favorite things about Linux so far.

7

If I were you, if downloading Mandriva isn’t convenient get a cheap DVD ordered if one of the suppliers AT mentioned one time. It’ll save a lot of trouble and Mandriva support is stronger here.

8

Haha, just what i was thinking last night :slight_smile:
I bought a Mandriva 2006 DVD off eBay and chose an overnight delivery, should be soon :good:

9

[QUOTE=Addis]
If I were you, if downloading Mandriva isn’t convenient get a cheap DVD ordered if one of the suppliers AT mentioned one time. It’ll save a lot of trouble and Mandriva support is stronger here.
[/QUOTE]

Addis, you live in the UK; have you seen the Linux DVDs on the cover of Linux Magazine? Obviously, picking it up every month is easy and probably cheaper then ordering a copy over the net, but the downside is you can’t choose the distro on the cover every month :frowning: … bloody SuSe :stuck_out_tongue:

[ot] Sorry Pelvis_3 for high-jaking you thread! :open_mouth: [/ot]

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[QUOTE=megamaced]
[ot] Sorry Pelvis_3 for high-jaking you thread! :open_mouth: [/ot]
[/QUOTE]

Not a problem :cool: