[dustyjay]

Ok got Simply Mepis loaded. Machine dual boots. Winodws loads and runs fine. Try to load Mepis, takes for ever, starts all kinds of stuff then gets to login. Enter login and password. This brings me to a sort of command prompt that reads Jay@tty1["]$ waiting for a GUI interface never happens. what do I enter at the command prompt or is something wrong with the install?

[lynch]

Type startx
If you get errors you may need to reconfigure X windows.

[dustyjay]

I found that after a lot of searching. But it gives an error message after a lenghty set of commands. Error code 104 I believe it said. I kind of gave up for the night though

How do you reconfigure xwindows?

[CouchMaster]

Which version of Mepis did you install? My version is 3.3.1 test2 and it installed perfectly on at least 3 different computers. I've never encountered any of the problems you guys talk about - Startx? Reconfigure xwindows? Where in the heck is KDE?

[dustyjay]

KDE loads up from the Live cd. But when I get it installed, it just doesnt work. I down loaded the 3.3.1-1 that was available. Burned a disc and installed it.

[CouchMaster]

Oh... you got Mepis lite!

All of the versions are here http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mepis

If it were me I'd try a different one instead of jacking around with something that causes problems up front - but that's just me...

[dustyjay]

Okay now. I got a response from the Mepis help team. They suggested adding a line into the start up where you select which os to beet from. Simply Mepis booted perfectly this time. Thanks everybody for all the help. I am sure I will be back for help from time to time. This is my first conscious attempt at linux.

[dustyjay]

well after redoing my entire system windows and linux. I tried to install Mepis on the same drive as windows, Mepis completely replaced windows it seems. grrrrrr must have doen something wrong. Wanted to install as dual boot. when the boot screen comes up I now only get Mepis as an option.

[CouchMaster]

Make sure before you do anything - Mepis automatically mounts win partitions so look to see if one is there.

[dustyjay]

there doesnt seem to be. When installing Mepis to hard drive, should I have selected Install to entire hard disk leave xxxxmb free. Or install to existing partitions?

[CouchMaster]

I would have installed with the first option - leaving 50% free space (or there about) for XP.

[dustyjay]

that is what I did. now it doesnt recognize that windows is even installed, though I do now have 2 linux partitions of approx 10 gig each on a 60gigHdd. would reinstalling the GRUB possibly help?

[CouchMaster]

OK, so you are saying that XP is actually still installed on the HD? You should be able to run the linux cd as a live cd and look and see whats on the HD because it will mount all partitions.

[dustyjay]

am running the cd now to see if it is still installed. will let you know what I find

[dustyjay]

Live cd. Mepis shows HDA1 and HDA3 Both of which are linux partitions. It does not show any windows partitons at all. Does this mean it is back to the drawing board for me? I know it says to install windows first, but if I insert my windows disc and reainstall the os to any empty space then renistall the GRUB from the Live cd will thisw possibly worrk?