The Geekly Guy

This blog contains information regarding all things Linux, although any computer technology subject matter fits within the realm of this blog.

Saturday, December 14, 2002

I'm STILL installing FreeBSD 4.7. Well, I'm actually done, as I went ahead and skipped the post-install. I did this but forgot that I'd skipped the bootloader options (so I wouldn't screw up LILO and not be able to boot ANY system), so I went to http://www.freebsd.org, checked the online docs, then edited my Linux's LILO to boot the FreeBSD install. It worked.

I booted up, created a new user using 'adduser', then found that I had a VERY bare system. I typed '/stand/sysinstall' to get the install screen and finish the post-install by opting to do the full installation of software. I'm installing by FTP and cannot seem to get the FTP install to finish without losing the connection. I've restarted about 5 times and its getting sort of tiresome. The only thing that keeps me going is that I like alot of what I see. I'll elaborate on that later.

I cannot wait until my new motherboard and CPU come in. I've enough parts to build a new system...all I'd need is a case with a power supply. I use my 500mhz system's three different OSs enough to where I miss gaming in XP. I need a dedicated gaming system...unless I can get gaming going on in FreeBSD and Linux.

Well, lemme go see about this FreeBSD install...

Last night I was up late and decided I wanted to play with Libranet 1.9.1 that I'd had installed for a few months. Well, I hadn't been using it and forgot why until I logged in last night. XFree86 been nonfunctional since I upgraded from an ATI AIW 128 Pro to a Radeon 7500. I tried to get it up and gave up. I'd been hearing of FreeBSD awhile (that, and NetBSD, which I downloaded burned to CDs), so I decided that I'd put Libranet out of its misery and install FreeBSD. I started around 12pm today and its almost 12am and I'm still trying to get FreeBSD installed. I'm installing via FTP (I've a cable modem) but that's not the problem...(well, yeah, it is, partially, as the FTP and all its mirrors are packed)...its my Radeon card again. It seems the Radeon 7500 doesn't have X support for FreeBSD either, at least not out-of-the-box. So, I'm toiling at the keyboard trying to get it installed. A few more hours and I'm gonna just call it quits and try NetBSD instead, as I've the disks already.

Wednesday, December 11, 2002

A few weeks ago, I was honored to be accepted as a channel adminstrator for #slackware on irc.freenode.net. I've not been there long...maybe since February 2002. I like being there, as I use Slackware, I share my knowledge with other Slackware users, I share basic Linux knowledge, and I also share overall tech knowledge. A few of the people there are pretty cool. I'm glad to share my everyday life there.

Anyways, robrock, the channel owner, gave up the channel tonight. I dunno why. I know he's been pretty stressed with work and trying to move into a new house and all, but it doesn't feel the same without him. And to top it off, he gave the channel to lilo, the server owner and administrator. For some reason, I don't like lilo. I do love helping maintain that channel. Maybe that fact will help balance my dislike of lilo. We'll see. I'd hate to have to leave. #slackware has changed alot in the last few months. I can see why robrock got frustrated with it, as there has been numerous trolls attacking the channel. Also, there seems to be an influx of new people frequenting the channel...that's not bad in itself, but there's alot less respect coming from them than previous visitors. To top it off, the channel split off a few months ago, leaving the Freenode #slackware with minimal adminstrators. I guess that's why I was taken into the fold...

I hope the next few days/weeks are positive concerning these thoughts...

Monday, December 09, 2002

Hi all.

Last night I broke down and purchased an AMD XP 2000+ and Gigabyte 7ZXE motherboard. Ran me $180, ($14 shipping). It should be here by the end of the week, hopefully.

I just got XP running good with this system. It sucks that I'll have to reinstall XP...I know the last time I swapped out motherboards and ran Windows, Windows didn't like the fact that I'd swapped such critical hardware. The system was acting all glitchy so I, basically, HAD to reinstall Windows ('98 in this case). I'm hoping I won't have to touch Linux all that much.

The new MB/CPU will replace my Tekram P6Pro-A5 and 500mhz Celeron CPU. Everything else in the box is pretty modern. I've 512MB RAM in this system and the new motherboard will be able to handle SDRAM. I can also get rid of my ISA soundcard, as the Gigabyte has an onboard card (AC97). It also has 4x AGP while the current MB only has 2x. The new board will capable of handling ATA66/100 drives, which is nice. It has 5 PCI slots and 4 USB ports. The best part was, when I bought it on eBay, the CPU was upgradeable from 1800+ to 2000+ for $25. I also bought a heatsink from them and that fact alone upgraded the warranty from 30 days to 365 days. The are mounting the fan to the CPU so I won't have to mess with that...they're also setting up the mainboard so I won't have to mess with CPU jumper settings; this is cool because this will be my first AMD system and the first MB/CPU I've purchased since '99. Motherboards and CPUs have come a LONG way since '99 and installing CPUs seem to be a bit more complicated nowadays.

Well, lemme get outta here...I could be catching up on some much needed sleep. I plan to go jobhunting tomorrow. Night all.