>1. My first few bad installation experience were
> related to the xconfiguration (640x480) and Network card. My old hardware
> just won't works, because I don't know how to change the configuration
> files after installed the system. It there any pre-build box I can purchase
> for Linux? So the machine will works. Or I can buy any type of hardware and
> learn the hard way to configure?
I use Slackware. Here, I use the SuperProbe (case matters) command to find
out how my video card is identified. Then, I run xf86config. In RedHat, I
think it is xconfigurator. I haven't had any problems with older hardware
in Linux. What video card are you using. What network card are you using?
2. I had troubles to boot from LILO into
> Linux and Windows and clean up the boot area. Where can I find more info
> about setting the LILO? It sounds simple from people's post but just did
> work the same way for me. :-)
try "man lilo" for the manual pages about lilo.
>3. Do I have to know C, C++ or other language
> in order to know how to make kernal, if I need to upgrade the kernal?
No.
> 4. Idon't know where to start and where to get right information about where
> the software are installed to (what folder) and how to uninstall them? When
> the system general error, I am kind of panic... :-) Also is there any
> searchable version of HOW-TO Document?
It may be helpful to purchase a linux book. Or, you can try
http://www.linux-mag.com for free articles on linux.
All libraries are usually in /lib, /usr/lib, and /usr/local/lib.
All binaries are usually in /bin, /sbin, /usr/bin, and /usr/local/bin.
Sometimes, binaries are located in /opt/gnome/bin, /opt/kde/bin.
If you want to find out where a file is located, try these:
* for binaries, try "which <binary file name>".
For example: "which xf86config"
* for libaries, try "locate <library file mname", like "locate libc6.so.1"
Note that on a new system, the comand "updatedb" would have to be run first
before trying "locate".
As far as what system to use, I would recommend SuSE. It is more complete
than RedHat, and it works much like RedHat as far as package management is
concerned. To learn about package management, try "man rpm". If you really
want to get under the hood of linux, I would recommend Slackware. Even
better,
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org.
--
Sometimes a feeling is all we humans have to go on.
-- Kirk, "A Taste of Armageddon", stardate 3193.9
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