Linux-Development-Sys Digest #186, Volume #6 Tue, 29 Dec 98 00:14:21 EST
Contents:
Re: Switching from floppy drive to CDROM drive (Compaq Armada) (Toon Moene)
Re: Possible MS legal threats to Linux and/or OSS (Marco Anglesio)
Re: Linux Update Server? (Marco Anglesio)
Re: Kernel panic with 1GB RAM (Rik van Riel)
Re: Changing Shared Memory and Semaphore Parameters (Richard Jones)
Re: Does brk hack still work (Stefaan A Eeckels)
Re: Kernel panic with 1GB RAM (Francis Hartojo)
Re: Switching from floppy drive to CDROM drive (Compaq Armada) (David T. Blake)
Re: Registry for Linux - Bad idea (Chris Hanson)
Re: Kernel v2.2 (Reality is a point of view)
Re: XServer for Asus video card (jwk)
Re: Does brk hack still work (George MacDonald)
ESS 1869 drivers ("Stephen Wiles")
FREE THINGS! 3729 ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Re: Tseng Video Cards ("D. Stimtis")
Re: Kernel v2.2 ("D. Stimtis")
Re: lp0 on fire in 2.1.131 (Harald Arnesen)
Re: What about "Linux.. the home game"?? (a consumer version) (David T. Blake)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Toon Moene <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.portable
Subject: Re: Switching from floppy drive to CDROM drive (Compaq Armada)
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 17:16:28 +0100
Petter Reinholdtsen wrote:
>
> Is there a way to get the linux kernel to "rescan" the IDE bus and
> redetect floppy drives?
>
> I have a Compaq Armada 7380DMT running RedHat 5.2. On this machine it
> is possible to swap the CDROM and floppy drive at runtime. Linux
> however does not detect this change, and the kernel goes bananas when I
> try to use the removed device.
I would be surprised if this were simple - IIRC (i.e. before I wiped it
off of my hard disk) the COMPAQ-modified MS OS was able to do this, but
apparently it rather depended on inside (COMPAQ) knowledge, because
COMPAQ warned you to not install a "standard" Windows, as you would then
loose that capability ...
So much for the industry standard OS.
--
Toon Moene ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Saturnushof 14, 3738 XG Maartensdijk, The Netherlands
Phone: +31 346 214290; Fax: +31 346 214286
g77 Support: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; egcs: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
------------------------------
From: Marco Anglesio <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Possible MS legal threats to Linux and/or OSS
Crossposted-To: misc.legal.computing
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 16:24:23 GMT
NNTP-Posting-Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 08:24:23 PDT
In comp.os.linux.development.system "Bob Taylor" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
> In article <uoag2.6722$[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
> Marco Anglesio <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>> NNTP-Posting-Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 10:12:42 PDT
>> I don't believe so. Source must either be distributed with, or the source
>> made available for no more than the cost of distribution, or (for
>> non-commercial distributions only) with the location of the initial
>> distributor or whom to contact to acquire source. (Part 3 of the GPL, a,
>> b, and c)
> Firstly, Linux is GPL'd and is NOT Public Domain. We would be in *deep*
> trouble if it were as MS could modify Linux to its desires and *not*
> release the sources.
Like I said, above. Perhaps you should make it clearer to whom you're
replying to, and perhaps a second reply is redundant.
> Secondly, you can sell a GPL'd program for any amount
> you wish.
Contingent on your distribution of source, yes. Also, as part 3c of the
GPL states (summed up above), non-commercial distributions are not
required to personally make source available; they are merely required to
ascertain that source is available and provide a reference to a site
where it is available.
This allows non-commercial applications to, for example, deposit a copy of
source at Sunsite rather than personally distribute it (either on request
or packaged with binaries) and still satisfy the conditions of the GPL. If
they sold it, on the other hand, they'd have to make it available
themselves - much more bother than most non-commercial developers want.
marco
--
Marco Anglesio Like Captain Idiot
mpa at the-wire dot com in Astounding Science comics
http://www.the-wire.com/~mpa (The Manchurian Candidate)
------------------------------
From: Marco Anglesio <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Linux Update Server?
Crossposted-To: linux.dev.kernel
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 16:26:54 GMT
NNTP-Posting-Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 08:26:54 PDT
In comp.os.linux.development.system ncc1701d <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> PS Or am I missing something and does glint already do this?
I'm not sure about glint, but dselect does. Merely use the ftp or http
methods. (You have to be running debian, or course).
marco
--
Marco Anglesio Like Captain Idiot
mpa at the-wire dot com in Astounding Science comics
http://www.the-wire.com/~mpa (The Manchurian Candidate)
------------------------------
From: Rik van Riel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.hardware
Subject: Re: Kernel panic with 1GB RAM
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 17:24:40 +0100
Reply-To: Rik van Riel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
On 25 Dec 1998, Stefaan A Eeckels wrote:
> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
> Dani Lischinski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> > One of our machines has just been upgraded to 1GB RAM. We are running
> > kernel 2.0.36 (RH5.2). The memory is autodetected just fine, but
> > immediately afterwards the kernel enters panic mode and the boot process
>
> This as been discussed a few days ago. Dejanews is your friend.
> As this is the season of goodwill, here's the URL that tells all:
>
> http://www.phys.uu.nl/~riel/mm-patch/more_than_1GB.html
It has moved to a new server:
http://humbolt.geo.uu.nl/Linux-MM/more_than_1GB.html
cheers,
Rik -- If a Microsoft product fails, who do you sue?
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Linux memory management tour guide. [EMAIL PROTECTED] |
| Scouting Vries cubscout leader. http://humbolt.geo.uu.nl/~riel |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
------------------------------
From: Richard Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Changing Shared Memory and Semaphore Parameters
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 18:26:16 +0000
Larry Bottorff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
: I'm a total newbie who is trying to install Oracle on RH5.1. Oracle
: wants me to make sure or correct my shared memory and semaphore
: parameters to be
[...]
: Can someone with strong Linux mothering instincts get me started on this
: stuff? Sorry if I'm in the wrong group. . . .
The file to look at is /usr/src/linux/include/asm-i386/shmparam.h
(or change `i386' to whatever processor you are using). You'll
need to recompile the kernel afterwards.
I think it's possible that Oracle will run fine without
you changing any of these parameters, though.
Rich.
--
- Richard Jones. Linux contractor London and SE areas. -
- Very boring homepage at: http://www.annexia.demon.co.uk/ -
- You are currently the 1,991,243,100th visitor to this signature. -
- Original message content Copyright (C) 1998 Richard Jones. -
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Stefaan A Eeckels)
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.development.apps,comp.os.linux.setup
Subject: Re: Does brk hack still work
Date: 28 Dec 1998 21:18:13 GMT
In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
George MacDonald <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> I am wondering if the "old" performance hack of aquiring a bunch of memory
> up front, i.e forcing one brk() call vs. many brk() calls will help.
>
> I once wrote a program that aquired a lot of dynamic memory using hundred
> of malloc() calls at startup. When I did a
>
> ptr = malloc( SIZE_LARGER_THAN_TOTAL_OF_ALL_SMALL_CHUNKS )
> free( ptr )
>
> at the start of the program, the program initialization time was cut in
> half. This was caused by the fact that free() was not reducing the
> amount of memory used, thus each new malloc did not require the system
> call's to brk/sbrk.
Free() doesn't return memory to the system - AFAIK it never
does.
> Anyone know if this is the same on Linux?
I've never tested it, but I'd venture a guess that yes, it'd
work under Linux too.
--
Stefaan
--
PGP key available from PGP key servers (http://www.pgp.net/pgpnet/)
___________________________________________________________________
Perfection is reached, not when there is no longer anything to add,
but when there is no longer anything to take away. -- Saint-Exup�ry
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Francis Hartojo)
Subject: Re: Kernel panic with 1GB RAM
Date: 28 Dec 1998 20:14:40 GMT
Stefaan A Eeckels <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>Dani Lischinski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>> Hi,
>>
>> One of our machines has just been upgraded to 1GB RAM. We are running
>> kernel 2.0.36 (RH5.2). The memory is autodetected just fine, but
>> immediately afterwards the kernel enters panic mode and the boot process
>> hangs. I can boot the machine just fine with "mem=999M", but how do I
>> make the kernel work with the entire 1GB?
>> I am assuming that I need to change some constant in one of the kernel
>> include files and recompile. If this is the case, can someone tell me
>> which file/constants should be changed?
>This as been discussed a few days ago. Dejanews is your friend.
>As this is the season of goodwill, here's the URL that tells all:
>
> http://www.phys.uu.nl/~riel/mm-patch/more_than_1GB.html
The URL has moved to:
http://humbolt.geo.uu.nl/~riel/mm-patch/more_than_1GB.html
>(Thanks, Rik van Riel).
Yes, indeed. Perhaps someday I get to use the patch.
(Hey Santa, didn't you get my letter? (c;)
--
+------------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Francis Hartojo | Ph.: 602-852-3195 [Ascend doesn't endorse my |
| Ascend Communications | Fax: 602-852-3099 opinions. |
| [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Which is a shame, really.] |
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (David T. Blake)
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.portable
Subject: Re: Switching from floppy drive to CDROM drive (Compaq Armada)
Date: 28 Dec 1998 08:55:49 -0800
Toon Moene <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>I would be surprised if this were simple - IIRC (i.e. before I wiped it
>off of my hard disk) the COMPAQ-modified MS OS was able to do this, but
>apparently it rather depended on inside (COMPAQ) knowledge, because
>COMPAQ warned you to not install a "standard" Windows, as you would then
>loose that capability ...
>
>So much for the industry standard OS.
This has always been the story with MS. If you
buy components and load their OS yourself, you
are asking for heaps of trouble, especially with
NT. You are much better off with a major reseller,
ie: Dell, Compaq, Gateway... who gets a version
of the Windows OS that is pre-tweaked for their
hardware. This is a mistake I've made a number of
times, and wish I hadn't.
--
Dave Blake
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Chris Hanson)
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.development.apps,comp.os.linux.setup
Subject: Re: Registry for Linux - Bad idea
Date: 28 Dec 1998 16:45:22 -0500
In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Robert Krawitz
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
My suspicion about what's going on is that the kernel's not doing
enough readahead; it's trying to simply demand page stuff in. Since
most things jump around a fair bit, this results in a lot of random
seek behavior, which really kills disk performance.
Another thing that could help is support for code-sorting in the
linker. With CodeWarrior on MacOS, I can have it sort code in output
PEF containers (executables, shared libraries, etc.) based on
depth-first or breadth-first traversal or a file of routine names I
give it.
Locality of reference can *really* help you. If you want users to
perceive your software as being faster, make sure that the code which
sets up your interface is the first code in your executable -- that
way they'll get near-immediate results when they double-click your
app, even though it may be a little sluggish during the first few
seconds of real use.
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Reality is a point of view)
Subject: Re: Kernel v2.2
Date: 28 Dec 1998 18:41:38 GMT
+---- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote (28 Dec 1998 09:28:25 -0500):
| Lastly we should take on the obligation of using these last 2.1.X kernels
| and reporting any problems.
+----
Is there any sort of organized effort to do so? A recent
inquiry about test suites came up empty . . .
--
Gary Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Privacy on the net is still illegal.
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (jwk)
Subject: Re: XServer for Asus video card
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 18:37:30 GMT
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Sat, 26 Dec 1998 02:21:48 +0800, Lawman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
>Hi
>
>My PC is using Asus AGP-V270TV graphic card which employs Intel740
>64-bit Multimedia Accelerator. My problem is I cannot set up the RedHat
>5.2 XWindows since my graphic card is too new for my RedHat 5.2.
>
>What alternative do I have? How can I found the Xserver for that Asus
>AGP-V270TV graphic card?
>
>Leo
redhat announced a special i740 server last week or so. Check
www.redhat.com again.
Good luck,
Jurriaan
------------------------------
From: George MacDonald <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.development.apps,comp.os.linux.setup
Subject: Re: Does brk hack still work
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 00:49:44 GMT
Wolfram Gloger wrote:
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Stefaan A Eeckels) writes:
>
> > In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
> > George MacDonald <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> > > I once wrote a program that aquired a lot of dynamic memory using hundred
> > > of malloc() calls at startup. When I did a
> > >
> > > ptr = malloc( SIZE_LARGER_THAN_TOTAL_OF_ALL_SMALL_CHUNKS )
> > > free( ptr )
> > >
> > > at the start of the program, the program initialization time was cut in
> > > half. This was caused by the fact that free() was not reducing the
> > > amount of memory used, thus each new malloc did not require the system
> > > call's to brk/sbrk.
>
> On Linux you can tune the amount of memory that is newly sbrk()ed on a
> malloc() call with mallopt(TOP_PAD, pad_size). In your case, you
> could try to specify
>
That's a new one on me, is this gnu specific? I can't find any documentation
on it(man page or info files), but it's in my libc.a library!
> mallopt(TOP_PAD, SIZE_LARGER_THAN_TOTAL_OF_ALL_SMALL_CHUNKS);
>
> and possibly also
>
> mallopt(M_TRIM_THRESHOLD, SIZE_LARGER_THAN_TOTAL_OF_ALL_SMALL_CHUNKS);
>
> > Free() doesn't return memory to the system - AFAIK it never
> > does.
>
> free() certainly _can_ return memory to the system, and does so
> extensively on Linux.
Thanks, that's useful to know.
>
> > > Anyone know if this is the same on Linux?
> > I've never tested it, but I'd venture a guess that yes, it'd
> > work under Linux too.
>
> No way -- if SIZE_LARGER_THAN_TOTAL_OF_ALL_SMALL_CHUNKS is larger than
> 128k, the free() will by default return all of the memory back to the
> system on Linux with glibc2 or recent libc5.
It's virtual memory no? On Linux does the paging algorithm push
unused/lightly used pages to swap space? In other words, if I malloc'd
a huge amount of space and never used it, how long does Linux take
before realizing the physical memory is not used(assuming Linux
actually snarfs physical memory when the virtual memory is expanded
in such a manner)?
--
We stand on the shoulders of those giants who coded before.
Build a good layer, stand strong, and prepare for the next wave.
Guide those who come after you, give them your shoulder, lend them your code.
Code well and live! - [EMAIL PROTECTED] (7th Coding Battalion)
------------------------------
From: "Stephen Wiles" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: ESS 1869 drivers
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 18:04:37 -0600
Anyone know where I can find some ESS 1869 drivers for Linux?
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: FREE THINGS! 3729
Date: 27 Dec 1998 23:59:26 GMT
Choose from 100's of FREE catalogs:
Outdoor
Collectibiles
Automotive
Business
Children
Entertainment
Toys
Games
Pets
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Gifts
Much Much More!!!!!!
Come to
http://www.freeyellow.com/members3/entertainmentcity/page10.html
mjgjbnqyixbznkkwlkpueyvkpzvpyomoiuxfyrkphiyypktouwhgiyhumhexyisipfbxkmonrpkpvdelwnukocqnofwhfudv
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 19:44:31 -0700
From: "D. Stimtis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Tseng Video Cards
ghtownsend wrote:
>
> I have a Tseng Chipset in my video card which is also AGP does anyone know
> where compatible drivers for this video card can be found because i am
> having problems getting X Windows to Run
> also im getting an error 111 i think it is saying it cant find the server
> any remedies for this solutiopn :o)
>
I know some people get this error when their /etc/XF86Config fails to have a
definition for the
monitor or video card, usually the monitor.
> Gary 'Darthvader' Townsend
> "Linux Newbie"(like we all were in the beginning)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 19:39:42 -0700
From: "D. Stimtis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Kernel v2.2
Byron A Jeff wrote:
>
> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
> Martin Bahlinger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >Does anybody know, how long we've to wait for the new Linux kernel ??
>
> As someone else posted, when it's ready. I've seen this thread in a few
> places in the last few weeks and I'm wondering why it's important. For many
> the stock 2.0.X kernels do everything they need. In fact they are stable
> enough that none of the major distribution vendors are shipping development
> kernels AFAIK. This was not the case in the last kernel development cycle
> where many distributions released with 1.3.X kernel with the distribution.
>
> The Linux kernel is open development. One day Linus will decide it's time and
> the latest development kernel will simply be renamed 2.2. So if you really
> need something right now, just pull a copy of 2.1.132 or whatever the latest
> development kernel is and start using it. The difference between it and 2.2.0
> is not going to be significant.
>
> Lastly we should take on the obligation of using these last 2.1.X kernels
> and reporting any problems.
The only problem with this is that I can't find any real problems, running 2.1.130.
The 2.1.x series
might be called development at this stage, but they are so very close to being stable
(and are
already more stable than my multiprocessor NT kernel, which locks up regularly).
I *would*, however like a list of module aliases, as there always seems to be
something I compile in
module form and need an alias to but can't find. Example: alias ppp-compress-24
ppp_deflate
One in particular I can't find is for vfat mounting, modprobe: can't locate module
nls_iso8859-1.
> Another likely reason that Linus hasn't released
> 2.2.0 is that he doesn't want a repeat of what happened with 2.0. Specifically
> that because since the last set of development kernels (anyone remember the
> 1.99 series) were not widely tested, that after the release of 2.0 there was
> a flurry of patches. As the kernel gets more complicated, eradicating these
> bugs gets more difficult. Note that 1.0 had only 9 major patch revisions, 1.2
> had 13 (BTW I still have a machine that runs fine on 1.2.13), while 2.0 had
> 36 (With the last coming well over a year after the initial 2.0 release).
> Ideally the kernel development team wants to release 2.2.0 and not have any
> patches at all to it. There will only be the 2.2.0 kernel. Unlikely but a
> good goal to shoot at. We can help by banging on the last 2.1.X kernels so
> that we shake all the bugs out before 2.2.0 is released.
>
> But the point is that you don't have to wait. The latest development kernels
> essentially are 2.2 except they they're fixing the hopefully last sets of
> "issues" before release.
>
> >BTW: Is it called v2.2 or v3.0 ???
>
> 2.2.0 AFAIK. IIRC the jump from 1.3 to 2.0 was due to the integration of
> multiple machine architectures and the addition of SMP. The current development
> kernels don't have super major additions like that to warrant a jump to 3.0.
>
> BAJ
------------------------------
From: Harald Arnesen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: lp0 on fire in 2.1.131
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 04:13:08 GMT
Peter Pointner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> Btw, talking about good error messages: I recently wanted to do a screen dump
> with Win95 on a HP DeskJet 6something. The printer did nothing, but 3 windows
> popped up: The first told me the printer is ready. The second told me there
> is a problem with the bidirectional communication. The third told me to
> restart windows and try again. I'm not sure if that is better than
> "lp0 on fire".
I remember getting this error message from Windows (not the exaxt
words, the message was in Norwegian):
"Cannon print due to the following error: The printer is ready"
--
Harald Arnesen, Apall�kkveien 23 A, N-0956 Oslo, Norway
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (David T. Blake)
Subject: Re: What about "Linux.. the home game"?? (a consumer version)
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 04:13:08 GMT
Jeff Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>"David T. Blake" wrote:
>> Jeff Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>> > We already have a high-end, stable, performance operating
>> >system/environment with Linux. Why not strip it down and come up with a
>> >single-user, GUI only environment version of Linux strictly for the home
>> >use, non-computer professional. I mean hell, behind the GUI desktop does
>> >it matter whether its DOS32 or a Linux kernel running the show?
>> What does GUI only add to GUI over text config ?
>
>Well I dont think it is the merits or demerits of a particular method but
>instead the audience you are playing to. Dont make the mistake of applying
>your own talents and computer expertise to a product design targeted to a
>different audience.
Don't think that I am.
How can Aunt Martha tell the difference between GUI over
text config from just plain GUI ?? To the end GUI user,
it is identical. And it exists as part of KDE already.
>> Have you seen what a VAR box installed with KDE and xdm (run level 5)
>> looks like ?
>
>Um no. But I bet Auntie Martha couldn't tell you what run level 5 even is
>except maybe some sort of sports recognition..
That wasn't the point. You can buy a computer with GUI config
that is as easy as Windows already. If Aunt Martha calls up
VA Research and orders a loaded box, she won't have to know what
runlevel 5 is either.
>> The issue is that this product already exists and can be had pretty
>> easily.
>I dont think so. It needs to be something shrink wrapped and capable of
>doing at home. Not something preloaded. It needs to come out of the box that
>way or utopia ends the first time a disk crashes, and we all know that kind
>of thing happens all the time.
This doesn't exist for any OS other than Be. Installing Windows on a
blank disk is a nightmare that involves lots of guesswork and
rebooting. When it comes on a machine installed it seems really
easy. That is identical to linux. I find linux installs easier
than Windows (or NT), but since Windows generally comes loaded
it seems easier. When linux comes loaded it is really easy.
All efforts are being made, mainly by the distribution companies,
to make linux installs easier. And they are already better than
almost any other OS.
>Keep the target audience in mind and design. Dont let your own
>expanded knowledge and wisdom built by years of hard work cause you
>to fall into myopia. Maybe some of those home 'leanux' users may
>bloom into more talented users.
KDE already did that. You can already install it from a CDROM if
linux is installed. It is easy. When it comes preinstalled it is
even easier. These things exist. Check em out.
--
Dave Blake
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
------------------------------
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