More on my portable PC search

[Denis Beauregard]

I have tested Knoppix (Linux) on some computers but I found that
I would have to buy one, to try it at home and to eventually return
it to the store.

I have tested until now 7 computers, 3 desktops and 4 portables.

The 3 desktops were very different:

- a Packard Bell at 200 MHz and only 64 MB of memory. The memory was
not enough to run the KDE desktop but otherwise, it was working and
I could see the net (with the web browser)

- a no-brand at 1.9 GHz and 256 MB of memory. All was working with no
problem.

- a 2 or 3 year old IBM. Ditto.

So, all the desktops I tried, old between 1 and 6 years, were working.

But, I made some test at our local soc. gen. library and I couldn't
see the other computers on the local network (they have Win 98 and
Microsoft Network). Since our computers will have a central computer
with a huge set of vital records to be viewed from other computers,
it seems a Linux computer could not see them.

Now, the 4 portable PC. Linux booted on all of them and I could see
likely all the devices, including the network card. 2 of them were
tested in a store. Hint: go there during days of week, when there
are few customers. 2 were tested out of store (they belonged to
people I knew).

The first one booted fine, but at the time I put the Internet plug in
the computer, it was freezing. I tested this twice, from 2 different
net outlet and in both cases, the PC has frozen (the mouse could not
move and the keyboard was not answering). So, the 10/100 card, while
detected, had no driver in Knoppix. Link to the page about this
model: http://averatec.com/notebooks/3200series.htm

The other booted fine too. This time, Internet was not detected,
i.e. can't ping. But after rebooting to WIn XP, Internet was
working. So, again, the network card was the problem. This one was
a Toshiba Satellite 2450.

So, I just don't know what to do next ! I see I have no choice but
to purchase the portable PC to be sure it is working at least with
Knoppix and some network card. I have to learn how to set up that
network card (as it could be the problem I had, but I am not sure
because of the desktops where the Internet was viewable) and I will
even have to find fast the driver as most stores will accept
returns after a few days only. And will they accept it with a
portable computer ?

My other problem is with my local soc. gen. library. I would like
to connect with the local computers. As part of the board, I will
have to set up some databases on those computers and I may want to
use some facilities. I presume, because we have public access to
the net, other users will do it too. But with Linux, I am not sure
I can access that Microsoft-based local network.


Denis

[Joe Makowiec]

On 02 Sep 2004 in soc.genealogy.computing, Denis Beauregard wrote:

But, I made some test at our local soc. gen. library and I couldn't
see the other computers on the local network (they have Win 98 and
Microsoft Network). Since our computers will have a central computer
with a huge set of vital records to be viewed from other computers,
it seems a Linux computer could not see them.

To 'see' Windows boxes over a network, you'll have to use Samba. The
client can be run on a command line:

smbclient //windowscomputer/sharename

will get you something which looks like a DOS prompt; you can also mount
a share:

mount -t smbfs //windowscomputer/sharename /mnt/cdrom/

--
Joe Makowiec
http://makowiec.org/
Email: http://makowiec.org/contact/?Joe

[Dave Hinz]

On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 00:21:06 -0400, Denis Beauregard <[email protected]> wrote:

But, I made some test at our local soc. gen. library and I couldn't
see the other computers on the local network (they have Win 98 and
Microsoft Network). Since our computers will have a central computer
with a huge set of vital records to be viewed from other computers,
it seems a Linux computer could not see them.

They may be using (netBUEI?) a microsoft-specific networking protocol.
Haven't researched if or how to do this with Linux. If you mean shared
drives "share network drive" type things, you can use smbclient on the
Linux side to see those shares no problems.

Now, the 4 portable PC. Linux booted on all of them and I could see
likely all the devices, including the network card.
(snip)
The first one booted fine, but at the time I put the Internet plug in
the computer, it was freezing. I tested this twice, from 2 different
net outlet and in both cases, the PC has frozen (the mouse could not
move and the keyboard was not answering). So, the 10/100 card, while
detected, had no driver in Knoppix. Link to the page about this
model: http://averatec.com/notebooks/3200series.htm

Good to know.

The other booted fine too. This time, Internet was not detected,
i.e. can't ping. But after rebooting to WIn XP, Internet was
working. So, again, the network card was the problem. This one was
a Toshiba Satellite 2450.

Interesting. I use an orinoco gold wireless card and a Linksys
wireless hub/router in my house, the linux laptop talks nicely
through that. Have you googled for "toshiba satellite 2450 linux"?

So, I just don't know what to do next ! I see I have no choice but
to purchase the portable PC to be sure it is working at least with
Knoppix and some network card.

Have you considerd a Mac laptop? Solves a few additional problems
as well and you could run Reunion...

My other problem is with my local soc. gen. library. I would like
to connect with the local computers. As part of the board, I will
have to set up some databases on those computers and I may want to
use some facilities. I presume, because we have public access to
the net, other users will do it too. But with Linux, I am not sure
I can access that Microsoft-based local network.

It's probably easier to bring the Windows boxes up to tcp/ip rather
than NetBeui, rather than trying to teach the other systems how to
speak the old network format that it sounds like the Windows systems
are using.

Dave Hinz

[Denis Beauregard]

On 2 Sep 2004 15:21:31 GMT, Dave Hinz <[email protected]> wrote in
soc.genealogy.computing:

On Thu, 02 Sep 2004 00:21:06 -0400, Denis Beauregard <[email protected]> wrote:
But, I made some test at our local soc. gen. library and I couldn't
see the other computers on the local network (they have Win 98 and
Microsoft Network). Since our computers will have a central computer
with a huge set of vital records to be viewed from other computers,
it seems a Linux computer could not see them.

They may be using (netBUEI?) a microsoft-specific networking protocol.
Haven't researched if or how to do this with Linux. If you mean shared
drives "share network drive" type things, you can use smbclient on the
Linux side to see those shares no problems.

I got the answer from another newsgroup: Samba is for that
purpose.

Have you considerd a Mac laptop? Solves a few additional problems
as well and you could run Reunion...

I would prefer a growing market, so looking on the Linux side.


Denis

[Denis Beauregard]

I finally purchased it. A Acer TM922ECX. I have some problems
with Knoppix (accents are not showing in OOo) so I will replace it
with Mandrake 9.2. I will then work on the complete set up.

For my first travel to the local library, I used email and ftp
to move files between my home windows computer and the portable.
But soon, I will have a lot of material on it !


Denis

[Robert Heiling]

Denis Beauregard wrote:

I finally purchased it.

Congratulations! Enjoy!

Bob