LiveCD FAQ
From RockWiki
Please dump any questions / feedback / complaints about the ROCK Linux LiveCD here, or either send mail to me (fake at rocklinux dot org) or one of the rock linux Mailing Lists.
Contents |
General
How to start a graphical UI
Q: I admit I'm a complete rookie, but after I've started from the disc, what now? i have a command line... is there a GUI? (Nick)
A: Simply type startx to start the X11 server and GUI desktop environment (KDE by default). If the generic X11 configuration does not work for your computer, you will have to edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf (/etc/X11/XFree86.conf for older Live CD versions). Type man xorg.conf (man XFree86.conf) for details. Also, several configuration tools come with the X11 packages: X -configure for X.org and xf86cfg and xf86config for XFree86. They have man pages with documentation, too. Once you have a working X configuration, you can also change to system runlevel 5 (GUI with network) by typing init 5, which will start the X server and desktop with a graphical login. (stf)
Installing the LiveCD on a Harddisk
Q: Is the Live CD installable like Knoppix?
A: No. The Live CD uses the same technology as Crystal ROCK, so you might want to install that one instead.
Customization of the LiveCD
A month ago or so I succesfully booted a rocklinux iso at the first try on a Titanium II (the 667Mhz model 512MB/airport, 1152x768 res, ati radeon). I'm downloading it again now, if there are problems I'll let you know. (Marcello)
Q: By the way I wonder how does the customization of ROCK Linux LiveCD take place. Is it a morphix-like directory of packages that gets automatically installed, or an ubuntu-like decompressing/chrooting/installing process?
A: The ROCK Linux LiveCD is created using the ROCK Linux Distribution Build Kit, which per se offers full control of the distribution build process. More precisely, the livecd is basically the 'minimal-desktop' package-selection template, plus some build script magic you can take a look at in target/livecd/build_stage2.sh (the squashfs image is created here) and target/livecd/build_stage1.sh (the initrd image).
Adding Packages to the LiveCD
Q: Hi, how do I add new packages to the Live CD? Thanks in advance
A: Hi, do you mean 'at runtime' or during build? if during build, see above. If you mean at runtime - get your hands on .gem-files (for example, from crystal, or roll your own) and run mine -i your.gem.
Where is my USB stick?
Q: Hi, First, great job porting to ppc. Especially great since it (both current and previous builds by fake) works on a clamshell ibook, unlike some of the other-distro ppc livecds. But I seem to be unable to find the usb device for a memory stick, let alone mount it. Nor does modprobe nor insmod seem to work. Thanks in advance.
A: Hi! the usb-stick should be accesible under /dev/scsi/hostX/bus0/target0/lun0/{disc,generic,partX}, try looking at the dmesg output when plugging the usb stick in. it's possible that you need to insmod (with full path including the .ko) your usb hci driver and the usb-storage module first. The latest version of the livecd still uses devfs - one reason i compiled a new one was to 'get a stable one out' before the switch to udev. i'll investigate the 'modprobe not working' problem.
Missing VFAT/NTFS/... utilities
Q: apparently there's something missing for vfat support. I can say for certain that there's no mkfs.vfat having tried to create a vfat loop image to mount as a control. I know, I know, why would anyone want vfat...it's to do with interoperability.
A: You're absolutely right, those utilities should be included. They will be in the next build.
PowerPC specific
How to configure MOL
Q: How can I use mol in X11, if /etc/mol/* isn't writeable? It wants me to disable some setting somewhere...
NOTE: on recent livecd versions (>=rev6454), this hack is not needed, you can write everywhere! Please get the newest version!
A: As root, do the following:
rm -f /etc/mol cp -r /ROCK/etc/mol /home/root ln -s /home/root/mol /etc/mol
then you can edit all files in that directory.
Green screen
Q: hi i got live cd running but my screen is all green and inverted
A: that's most likely a framebuffer weirdness, i discovered that on oldworld-macs, too. try using the 'fbset' utility, switching to 15-bit color mode should fix this.
Sound Card Issues
Q: on the clamshell iBook, sound isn't working.
A: i'm looking into it.
