On Tuesday 12 November 2002 09.52, OEREN@ykb.com wrote:
Kernel Probs :
- Can i remove a kernel that i don't use anymore?
Sure, why not. The only reason to keep an old kernel around is to have as a backup to fall back on in case your new kernel doesn't work as you hoped.
- At lilo.conf, every installed kernel refers to an "initrd". What's that?
The initial ram disk. When your computer boots up the kernel needs to know how to read the disk containing your root partition. There are two ways of handling drivers in linux, either you can compile them into the kernel or you can compile them as modules. If the drivers you need to read the root partition are modules, the kernel needs to be able to read them. It can't read them from the root partition since they're not loaded yet :) So someone came up with the idea of the initial ram disk. It is a fake disk loaded into RAM memory by the bootloader where the drivers essential for reading the root partition are stored. This of course means you'll have to have the drivers to read the ram disk compiled into the kernel :)
When i install a new kernel, what "initrd" do i have to refer here? Do i have to create a new one?
It all depends on whether your kernel needs special drivers to read the root partition. SuSE's kernels compile almost everything as modules, but a few are 'built in'. You don't need an initrd for an IDE disk but you need one for a scsi disk. You don't need an initrd for the ext2 file system, but you need one for almost every other file system, including SuSE's default: reiserfs.
Screen Probs :
- How can i change screen resolution easily? Do i have to run xf86config everytime?
At the moment you have to define a set of resolutions you want to use, and edit the XF86Config file when you want to change (you can also switch between the defined resolutions with "ctrl-alt-+ and ctrl-alt--, but that only changes the resolution, not the size of the desktop). I'm led to believe that the RandR function in X 4.3 will let us change the resolution - and desktop size - on the fly in future.
Misc Probs : - When i use internet dialer, it first says "/etc/resolv.conf is missing or can't be read" But it works properly. What's this resolv.conf?
It is a file that lists the name servers your system is using. If you only have dialup you won't have any name servers configured before you dial. Consider it a notification, not an error.
- Generally sound volume is too low. (I use Intel i810e chipset) What can i do?
Find a mixer you're comfortable with and set the volume.
- How can i use the rescue system? I think i messed up sth. and now i get errors about rc.d when booting. Can i correct these errors? Can i use rescue system to replace system files with pretty new ones?
Sure. The rescue system is a (more or less) complete 'linux on a cd'. As long as you can mount your file systems you can do anything.
Special Probs :
- For months, i didn't enjoy any movie i went. How can i choose the correct film to watch?
Find a reviewer you trust and follow his advice. I found a perfect reviewer in my local paper. If he says a movie is great I stay away. If he says it's worthless and rotten, I just have to see it Anders