My Dell shat itself again..

[theVOID]

You can back up valuable data by booting into a Linux live cd if you need to, mounting the hard drive, and copying things over to a external.

If you are new to Linux, I'd advise Ubuntu rather than Suse. Actually, I'd advise it generally as well. Last time I used Suse I uninstalled it within an hour because of glitches and bugs.

Suse loves my machine It runs like a dream, has since 10.2 when i fiorst used it seriously.

I LOVE YAST! It's the main reason i use SUSE, such a comprehensive and powerful set of system tools. The Yam updater had a few problems in the 10.3-11.1 releases, but everyone just used a different tool for doing system wide updates.

Suse's SAX2 video configuration tool is amazing as well, there is no easier way to recover the display manager from shell.

---

Thanks guys


Void; the conmmand '1' for the system to repair is incorrect.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Synackaon

The Ubuntu disc is from August 2008 and will not boot. I get an error message. (it mentioned Delll)
Doesn't matter; I only wanted to use it on the Dell to do a disc check and bootfix,and it seems that is not possible. Can't do anything right now about new CD's as this machine has no burner. I should be able to use the Pioneer burner from the Pentium 3.

Once the Dellis fixed, I intend to format this PC and install Ubuntu to give it a good try for a few months,with view to putting it on the Dell.

Try c: or just c

[Tiberius]

When a Linux distro has problems with its update tool that forces uses to use another one, I won't recommend it as a distro for beginners. Sorry, but you have to give newbies a break at some point.

[theVOID]

When a Linux distro has problems with its update tool that forces uses to use another one, I won't recommend it as a distro for beginners. Sorry, but you have to give newbies a break at some point.

That problem was resolved about 1.5 years ago mate, no use bringing it up in 2010.

SUSE imho is flawless and has been for several releases, it's polished from tip to top, full of useful features but not in any way bloated. It runs just as fast as Ubuntu, doesn't start quite as fast but it's close.

[Autumnlicious]

SUSE imho is flawless and has been for several releases, it's polished from tip to top, full of useful features but not in any way bloated. It runs just as fast as Ubuntu, doesn't start quite as fast but it's close.

Features lead to bloat. It should run just as fast as Ubuntu - the userland is identical sans the configuration and uses the linux kernel.

I keep intending to jump ship to Gentoo, so I can control every feature that I do use, but I am hesitant to spent the weekend just installing an operating system.

[theVOID]

SUSE imho is flawless and has been for several releases, it's polished from tip to top, full of useful features but not in any way bloated. It runs just as fast as Ubuntu, doesn't start quite as fast but it's close.

Features lead to bloat. It should run just as fast as Ubuntu - the userland is identical sans the configuration and uses the linux kernel.

I keep intending to jump ship to Gentoo, so I can control every feature that I do use, but I am hesitant to spent the weekend just installing an operating system.

It's fun, took me two tries to get it running.

Linux From Scratch built from a ubuntu Pen Disk was far more difficult.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

@Void:

I tried another XP set up disc,it works,but there is a small problem: The commands 1 now works,bringing up a nice menu. BUT I can't read it. Half of it is chopped off on the edge of the screen.

What I want to do is as you suggested; a disc check, then bootfix. Do you know what commands I should use? (I've been doing a web search for the information,but it's a real pain)

If THAT doesn't work, I'd liike to do a factory restore. The Dell has a hidden partition.However, I've been unable to access it through the hot keys suggested by several sources: F8, F11, F12. Alt 10 and Alt 0

If none of that works,I'll take it to a techie I know.(he only charges $80 a hour)

[theVOID]

Fixboot
Chkdsk

Those two should sort you out, if not just continue with a clean install from disc (back up first if you can). If it still doesn't work you can download some disc recovery software (find out the manufacturer of the hard disk and get their recovery tools, make a bootable CDROM or flash drive).

If none of that works go see Dell.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

FIXED


Clean install, everything is now just dandy

Thanks guys, you helped save me a couple of hundred dollars.

[Tiberius]

The internet comes to the rescue again

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

The internet comes to the rescue again

Yus. Have I mentioned I'm just a poor old pensioner?