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Messages - rsbrux

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1
Installation issues / Re: NICs don't work
« on: October 13, 2008, 01:52:14 am »
Hi guys,
Thanks for all of the helpful advice.  Many of the problems I experienced seem to be related to the CD installation method.
I have repeated the installation using the DVD and am having much better results. 
FWIW, I think that this indicates that at least the MoBo (FIC P4M-915GD1-LF) is satisfactory, if you want to add it to your list.
In particular the video now works.  Since the monitor has no 720 line mode, I have selected 1280x1024, which is rescaled by the monitor.  This has the advantage of filling the screen, instead of leaving about 7% unused. :(
Please note that I have read and respected the information provided, and that I did provide 2 network cards.
The second audio card is needed for recording purposes.  LMCE continues to insist on using it for output, although normal PC sounds during startup come through the on-board sound system.
I have no problem with using my HTPC as dedicated DHCP server on a separate network and adapter provided for that purpose.  However, the  WLAN was provided by my wife's employer for her home office use, and I can't have LMCE unilaterally appointing itself as DHCP server for that network.
The installer interface is generally difficult to interpret.
In particular, visual feedback from button clicks would be useful, as it often takes a long time to get a reaction (if any).
Intrigued as I am by its possibilities, I have to conclude that LMCE is not for me at this time.
If I am ever in a position to replace my hardware, I may take another look at it.
Thanks for your efforts to help.

2
Installation issues / Re: NICs don't work
« on: October 12, 2008, 06:21:16 pm »
Thom,
Thanks for responding, but I'm thinking more & more of giving up.
Here is what I have encountered so far:

1. Video
The test of the 3 different video modes offered (static, OpenGL or OpenGL with blending) showed no differences between the 3 modes with my Nvidia GeForce 6600.  However, all 3 showed problems with jaggies on the rotating cube and with the layering of the overlays.  Updates of the rotating cube kept putting it in front of the burning match.  I am only guessing that this is wrong, because I couldn't find any explanation of what I *should* be seeing here.  Since I didn't see any difference in the options offered, I  chose the recommended one: OpenGL w/blending.
When the wizard got to selecting video resolution, it didn't offer the native resolution of my LCD TV (1280x768), even though this is supported by the NVidia windows driver.  Furthermore, selecting other supported modes (e.g. 1280x1024) didn't actually change the video mode.  Instead it created a virtual screen which I could pan around (neither useful nor expected).  When the wizard finally got to the video test screen, I found myself in an endless loop.  I have tried proceeding cancelling, etc., but somehow always wind up back on this screen.  The video appears in a small window on the left side of the screen.  It flickers and appears intermittently overlaid with a smaller version of the screen in which it is embedded.

2. Audio
I have 2 audio adapters, one (Realtek HDA) on board and one (old Creative SB) PCI card.  The installation wizard apparently chose to use the PCI card without giving me a choice.  IAC, there is no audio.  I tried to fix this using Kmix from the KDE desktop, but to no avail.

3. Remotes
I also have 2 IR interfaces, one built-in and one connected via external USB.  The installation wizard doesn't recognize either one.

4. Network
Based on http://forum2.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=6042.0 I tried disabling my on-board NIC and was able to get connectivity through the suspect PCI card.  Even though my HTPC (FSC Scaleo E) doesn't have a WLAN interface, linuxMCE somehow managed to make it the DHCP server for my WLAN, disrupting the Internet connections of other equipment in the apartment.

Since the  symptoms described for the Realtek 8168 didn't match mine, I am still not sure what the real problem is.  IAC; the NICs are the least of my problems.  To sum up, *none* of the essential components for a Media Center work.
I did take the trouble to read both the FAQs and the Installation manual before starting.  It is particularly disappointing to have such miserable results in the video department, since the documentation specifically suggests that my Nvidia is supported.
I didn't find any reports (positive or negative) on the mainboard in my HTPC, but I had the (perhaps unreasonable) expectation that HW specifically assembled for this purpose ought to work reasonably well.  IAC; I don't have the luxury of custom-building a replacement system, just to accomodate linuxMCE.
Because of its closer integration with the OS and based on the many commentaries about it, I had high hopes of a more fluid, appliance-like experience with linuxMCE.  Unfortunately, these hopes have been dashed by my inability to get even the basic functions working.  AM I REALLY THAT STUPID?

3
Installation issues / NICs don't work
« on: October 12, 2008, 01:35:16 am »
I have a well-tested (under Win XP MCE) onboard Realtek NIC and added a second Realtek PCI NIC to fulfill the recommended configuration of 2 NIC adapters, even though I don't have any clients yet and plan to use linuxMCE as standalone only.
I am attempting to install using the Kubuntu live-CD + 2 linuxMCE CD approach (http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Installation_Guide).
I chose this method  in hopes of keeping my Win XP MCE installation intact, but gave up and let Kubuntu format my drive when it's attempt to resize the data partition failed.
Under Kubuntu 7.10, both NICs are found and enabled, but nothing I have tried can get them to connect to my ADSL hub/router at 192.168.1.1.
The onboard NIC was connected to the external network during Kubuntu installation, but was nonetheless configured as eth1.
The onboard NIC doesn't even show a life sign on the hub port it's connected to, even though it's enabled in BIOS.
The PCI card NIC shows a life sign when connected to the hub, but neither card connects via ping to 192.168.1.1, nor am i able to make the setting of 192.168.1.1 as default gateway "stick".
The new PCI card appears to be based on the infamous Realtek 8168.  Perhaps this is the cause of the problems.
http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/R8168 is not very encouraging about this.
As a Linux noob, I don't feel capable of "hacking the kernel".
What alternatives do I have?
Buy yet another NIC, in the hope that it will work?
Give up the whole project and go back to Media Portal under Windoze?
The blurb on http://linuxmce.org/:
Quote
LinuxMCE is a free, open source add-on to Kubuntu including a 10' UI, complete whole-house media solution with pvr + distributed media, and the most advanced smarthome solution available. It is stable, easy to use, and requires no knowledge of Linux and only basic computer skills.
led me to expect something easier!

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