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Old 05-21-2001, 09:20 PM   #1
Vdub
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: May 2001
Distribution: RedHat 7.2
Posts: 26

Rep: Reputation: 15

Hi everyone I have bin using linux for about 3 days TOTAL I am an IT and very good with windows but I cant figer out the linux file system

I downloaded the IE 5.0 install for linux and I know I downloaded it to /root/ie5setup but I have no idea how to get to it or how to exicute the install packege

I am using redhat 6 with a windows looking frontend atleast it has a start menu on it thats about all I can tell you

thanks alot and please can someone run down breafly the linux file system I mean there are no drive letters AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

wheres my floppy drive and my CD-Rom ect......

 
Old 05-21-2001, 10:13 PM   #2
rshaw
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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Perry, Iowa
Distribution: Mepis , Debian
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/dev/fd0 = first floppy
/dev/fd1 = second floppy
/dev/hda = first hard drive
/dev/hda1 - hda15 partitions on the first hard drive
/dev/sda = first scsi hard drive
/dev/sda1 - sda15 partitions on first scsi h.d.
/dev/cdrom = cdrom
/dev/modem = modem (symlink to which ever com port the modem is on).
/dev/ttys0 = first com port
/dev/ttys1 = com 2

many other variations depending on your hardware.

open a file manager and browse to the directory you saved the file in and there should be a readme or install file with all the details on installing the app.
 
Old 05-21-2001, 10:35 PM   #3
Vdub
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Registered: May 2001
Distribution: RedHat 7.2
Posts: 26

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theats the prob I cant find a file maneger I am not in the frontend that linux started with I somhow changed it to one that looks alot like windows it has a start menu and everything

the only prob is I am way to new do move around at the comand prompt and I cant find a file manager anyware

I would download one but I would still have the prob of not knowing where to exicute the program
 
Old 05-21-2001, 11:10 PM   #4
Vdub
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Registered: May 2001
Distribution: RedHat 7.2
Posts: 26

Original Poster
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I am so frustrated I have opened everyprogram in the linux start menu and no file manager

I did run the comand dir for kicks in the root dir where the file is saved at and it worked but is has no file extenchon like *.exe or *.com

so I have no idea what do do next do I just have to run linux the way it comes is there like no way to install other programs that would realy stink

in windows you click the setup icon in linux the only solushon I have found took 3 paged of instruchons to complete

I am not seeing how this OS is better like every one sais its going to give me a ulser
 
Old 05-22-2001, 10:44 AM   #5
Thymox
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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Plymouth, England.
Distribution: Mostly Debian based systems
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Talking Slow down!

Remember the first time you used Windows? I bet many things didn't come easily, straight away! Linux is a completely different OS to Windows and learning it should not be rushed.

Before you attempt any of the following, read through it all and ask yourself - do you feel confident enough yet? If not, boot into Windows, go to a dos prompt and type fdisk /mbr. Find yourself a copy of Linux Mandrake or SuSe (preferably later versions).

Firstly, can you remember how you managed to get to a system that looks like Windows? If not, don't panic. When you load Linux, do you have a DOS-looking login prompt (i.e. is it a black screen with grey text) or are you given a graphical login? If you're given a graphical login, then there might be an option to use something called KDE (or Gnome, etc). These are the normal graphical user interfaces for Linux. If you can get this far, you're doing well.

If you're presented with a DOS-looking login prompt, and you have to type 'startx' to run the graphical portion of Linux, then things could be a little harder as you may have to manually edit config files, etc!

If you've got into Linux, and are using KDE, then the 'start' menu will be represented by a K (bottom left?). Before you try anything further, try going to K-->Documentation. There are lots of 'how-to' files here. These are extremely useful! Read the relavent ones. There should also be an icon for 'Home' on the desktop. Click it. Something that resembles explorer should load and you can navigate through your HD with this.

Now, the Linux FS is based upon Un*x, which was originally only the domain of networked PCs. Since you could access many different PCs from one work-station, the idea of 'drives' was not applicable. A seamless integration of each work-station was needed. Hence the lack of 'drives' under Linux!

If you can't find your devices (CD-rom, etc) using the above examples (/dev/XXXXX), then try navigating to /mnt. This is where you might be able to access them. Unlike Windows, in order to access a filesystem (including floppies and CDs), you must 'mount' them first. Hopefully they should automatically mount when you insert them. If not, we'll tackle that later as you shouldn't need them just yet.

Once you've got used to navigating around your HD, go to the /root directory (you must be logged in as root). If you're using the explorer-type program, try just clicking the file called ie5setup. This should run it. File extensions are not really needed under Linux. Everything is treated as a text file (including deviced) unless told to do otherwise. Under Windows, you can assign the Hidden, System, Readonly (and Archive). Under Linux, you also have ownership (i.e. who created the file) and eXecute.

I seriously recommend that once you've got this far, if you've not done so already, read lots of how-to files. If you can't find them, you could read the MAN files (but they're a little bit more techie). Run a terminal window (there should be a little icon on the bottom of the screen, on the 'taskbar' that looks a bit like the old MSDOS icon for Windows) and type man followed by the command you want to learn. I suggest you try man mount. Once you've learned how to mount/unmount things (and if you still haven't got the how-to files), insert your RedHat install CD, navigate to it and find the how-to files.

As mentioned earlier, if you login to a dos-looking screen, then things may be a little more difficult. Please post a reply with as much information as you can, this will help greatly:

Are you presented with a text-based login?
Can you remember if you selected 'IceWM', or anything similar when you installed RH?
 
Old 05-22-2001, 10:52 AM   #6
trickykid
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Registered: Jan 2001
Posts: 24,149

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All I can say is, Linux is not user friendly. If you want an OS to do everything for you, then stick with Windows. If you want full control and know how everything works that Windows does not show you, then go with Linux.
Patience is great when working with Linux. Take your time and you will get the hang of it if you don't give up.
 
Old 05-22-2001, 08:09 PM   #7
notlinus
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Registered: May 2001
Location: Kingsport, TN
Distribution: RedHat 6.1
Posts: 61

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I was where you are, about 3-4 weeks ago. At this point I have a functional system - web, email, office apps (word processor, spreadsheet, database, presentations), sound, printer, and LAN. Still have a lot to learn, but with some patience it can be done - and I'm a 43 year old who does this stuff in my spare time, of which there is precious little.

To the point - you say you are using Redhat 6.x - so am I. There are 2 "desktops" that are loaded by default, one is Gnome, the other is AnotherLevel. You refer to a start button. What is on the start button? If it looks like a foot, you are in Gnome. The file manager in Gnome is called gmc and usualyy starts with Gnome. It is also on the Utilities menu, as I recall.

If there is a K on the start button, you are running KDE. I don't, so you'll need help from someone else for that one.

AnotherLevel doesn't give you a start button - it gives a popup menu that appears when you left click the desktop.

SO, let's start with figuring out where you are, then we can help you get where you want to go.

Strongly recommend you get a decent book. I like Teach Yourself Linux from IDG. I did NOT like Learning Debian/GNU Linux from O'Reilly, which came with Debian Linux, but did not cover such basic tasks as installing a printer or sound card.

There is a feeling of accomplishment as you get further into this. Don't give up.
/js
 
Old 05-23-2001, 01:38 AM   #8
Vdub
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Registered: May 2001
Distribution: RedHat 7.2
Posts: 26

Original Poster
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No I will not give up But I want to know linux to have a solid understanding of it

I am a tech and want to broden my horisens

but using it I think I will prob stick with Windows 2000 I love the stability and how easy it is to use

Althong thats why I have 4 systems so I can try new things all the time

 
Old 05-23-2001, 01:40 AM   #9
Vdub
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Registered: May 2001
Distribution: RedHat 7.2
Posts: 26

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PS my biges problem is I HATE netscape its nothing to do With Linux at all I just realy HATE netscape and I alwase have I realy want to get IE on my Linux box

and I think it will be funny saying I am using Microsoft Linux Software
lol
 
Old 05-23-2001, 03:25 AM   #10
Dallam
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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: England
Distribution: SuSE 7.1
Posts: 63

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hi,
Like a lot of other people used to pointing and clicking with windows you are now experiencing that linux is not the same. However, The internet is full of information that will help answer your questions. This particular forum is very helpful and you can probably find a lug (linux users group) in your area.
Sounds like you really need to read whatever manuals came with your distro, the man pages and the how-to's. I don't know of anyone here who came from windows to linux and figured it out in one afternoon. I think everyone here is still learning as we go on.
All of the members here that responded to your post gave you some sound advice, it would help you alot to follow some of it.
Dallam
 
Old 05-23-2001, 05:40 AM   #11
Bogdan
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Registered: May 2001
Location: Belarus
Distribution: Debian
Posts: 120

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Quote:
Originally posted by Vdub
PS my biges problem is I HATE netscape its nothing to do With Linux at all I just realy HATE netscape and I alwase have I realy want to get IE on my Linux box

and I think it will be funny saying I am using Microsoft Linux Software
lol
Try Opera!
 
Old 05-23-2001, 11:05 AM   #12
mongrel
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: May 2001
Location: North Carolina
Distribution: SuSE 7.1
Posts: 15

Rep: Reputation: 0
When you do find your ie5setup file, delete it.





Microsoft Internet Explorer only runs on the following platforms:

Win3.1, 3.11, 95, 98, NT3.51, NT4.0, 2000, ME

Sun Solaris 2.5.1 and 2.6

HP-UX

Mac OS 7.1 and higher
 
Old 05-23-2001, 11:20 AM   #13
Vdub
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Registered: May 2001
Distribution: RedHat 7.2
Posts: 26

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
MS said in the docs the solerus ver would work with Linux

 
Old 05-23-2001, 11:20 AM   #14
Vdub
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Registered: May 2001
Distribution: RedHat 7.2
Posts: 26

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
where do I get Opera
 
Old 05-23-2001, 11:40 AM   #15
trickykid
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Registered: Jan 2001
Posts: 24,149

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Like I said in my earlier post. M$ doesn't usually make apps for Linux. So if they developed something for Solaris, which is different from Linux, why would it work well under Linux? I wouldn't go for what M$ says on that one, since you know they are trying to persuade the government that open source software is bad business.
 
  


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