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<!doctype article PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook V3.1//EN" [
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<article>
<artheader>
<title>Online Troubleshooting Resources : HOWTO</title>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="meghan1.jpg" align="left" format="jpg">
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Linux Documentation Project</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
<author>
<firstname>Howard</firstname>
<surname>Mann</surname>
<affiliation>
<address><email>howardm@xmission.com</email></address>
</affiliation>
</author>
<releaseinfo>v 1.3 July 24, 2000</releaseinfo>
<abstract>
<para>
This document will direct Linux users to resources available on the Internet
that provide access to a vast amount of Linux-related information useful in
troubleshooting problems
</para>
</abstract>
</artheader>
<sect1 id="intro">
<title>Introduction</title>
<para>The traditional means of troubleshooting computer-related problems
involves consulting user's manuals, books, friends - probably enticed with
goodies - and, when all the former do not yield a solution, calling the
technical support service of the vendor of the product in question. And, we all
know pleasant and reliably efficacious the latter stratagem is. Unfortunately,
this is the norm in the sphere of commercial proprietary products. </para>
<para>In contradistinction, Linux, and related distributions, utilities and
applications software, has largely been developed according to the <ulink
url="http://www.opensource.org" >Open Source</ulink> model, wherein developers
have used electronic communication over the Internet - typically in the form of
publically-accessible Mailing Lists- to collaborate with their peers in the
refinement of the associated source code. Such collaboration has also
traditionally involved the online publication of user's manuals, lists of
Frequently-Asked-Questions ( FAQ's ) , knowledge bases, release notes, formal
guides such as this document (HOWTO's) and tutorials. In addition, users often
assist others through the forum of Usenet and other newsgroups and the posted
messages are readily accessible in the form of searchable archives. These
linux-related newsgroups are renowned for their high level of user
participation. In significant measure, Linux may be considered a product of the
Internet.</para>
<para>Considered together, these resources enable access to a large,
ever-expanding factual database, and my intent is to encourage and direct the
reader to utilize these repositories when faced with an issue not addressed in
the documentation that is included with each distribution of Linux. Linux
veterans who assist newcomers through the forum of Usenet soon become aware of
the frequency with which certain technical questions are repeatedly posted -
questions the answers to which are readily available in one or more of the
existent online repositories. So, to diminish the likelihood of being "flamed"
in response to your posted question on Usenet or irc , read further!</para>
<para>Armed with a browser, Linux users may rapidly become adept at
troubleshooting their systems. The key is knowing how and where to look. My
objective is to guide the user - particularly the Linux newbie - in this
quest.</para>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="docupdates">
<title>Document Updates</title>
<para>The latest version of this document will always be available via the
<emphasis>Documents Catalog</emphasis> at the <ulink
url="http://www.oswg.org">Open Source Writers
Group</ulink> The document will also be available in SGML, PS, RTF, DVI and other
formats at that website.
</para>
<sect2>
<title>Copyright and License</title>
<para>Copyright (c) 1999 , by Howard Mann.
</para>
<para>
Publication and distribution of this document is governed by the terms of the
<ulink url="http://www.opencontent.org/openpub/">Open Publication
License</ulink> , Draft version 0.4, June 8, 1999, or later.
</para>
</sect2>
<sect2>
<title>Feedback and Corrections</title>
<para>I always welcome feedback and constructive criticism.In particular, I wish
to be notified about any errors in this document and resources you believe
deserving of inclusion, but not presently covered herein. Because the assessment
of the value of a particular resource is inherently subjective, I do not
guarantee that I will include it, but I will certainly give any suggestion
thoughtful consideration. In anticipation, Thanks.
</para>
</sect2>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="howtos">
<title>HOWTOs and mini-HOWTOs</title>
<para>These documents are associated with the <ulink
url="http://www.linuxdoc.org">Linux Documentation Project</ulink>. There is a
<ulink url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX-3.html">HOWTO Index
Page</ulink> that I suggest you bookmark in your browser.</para>
<para>These HOWTOs are written by Linux users and are periodically updated by
the authors. Many authors provide the latest version at a personal website and a
hyperlink to the latter is typically provided in the document.This version may
be newer than that available at the website. The document may be published
online before its inclusion into the database.</para>
<para>Note also that other HOWTOs are available, the authors of which have not
submitted them to the LDP. It is definitely worthwhile trying to find these
using an Internet search engine as I describe in a subsequent section.</para>
<para>These documents are particularly useful when you decide to provide or
access a new service with your Linux system, or when you embark on a technically
complex project. For example, you may have the option of accessing the 'net with
a DSL or Cable Modem service - excellent guides are available in the form of
HOWTOs.</para>
<para>In addition, authors often include references and links to sites that they
have found useful. You may find the information you need at one of these
hyperlinked sites rather than in the HOWTO itself. For example, I found <ulink
url="http://cesdis1.gsfc.nasa.gov/linux/drivers/">Linux Network Drivers</ulink>,
the primary site for information about Network Interface Card drivers , in the
Ethernet HOWTO.</para>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="faqs">
<title>Frequently-Asked-Questions ( FAQs)</title>
<para>A list of FAQs is a traditional accompaniment to Linux-related
applications, utilities, and the like. An FAQ is typically provided online by
the developer/s of the product in question, and enterprising users sometimes
host an <quote>unofficial</quote> FAQ as well. Search for the latter with an
Internet search engine.</para>
<para>The FAQ is the first document to peruse when troubleshooting a
particular application. In addition, FAQs exist for Linux distributions, window
managers, and the so-called desktop environments ( KDE and Gnome ).</para>
<para>For Linux newbies, I provide links to three FAQs that collectively
address <emphasis>many</emphasis> of the questions posted to the Usenet
newsgroups :</para>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem>
<para><ulink
url="http://www.fokus.gmd.de/linux/FAQ/Linux-FAQ.html">The Linux FAQ</ulink>
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para><ulink url="http://www.xfree86.org/FAQ">The XFree86 X - Window
System FAQ</ulink></para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para><ulink url="http://www.tux.org/lkml/">The Linux Kernel mailing
list FAQ</ulink></para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="onlinesupport">
<title>Online Support Sections</title>
<para>These sections are typically found at the websites of Linux
distributions, and often contain a variety of helpful documents with information
not easily encompassed within a FAQ. Look for sections with one or more of the
following titles:</para>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem>
<para>Installation Support</para>
</listitem>
<listitem><para>Knowledge or Solutions Databases</para>
</listitem>
<listitem><para>Tips and Tricks</para>
</listitem>
<listitem><para>Errata, Fixes and Updates</para>
</listitem>
<listitem><para>White Papers</para>
</listitem>
<listitem><para>Technical Guides</para>
</listitem>
<listitem><para>Hardware Guide or Compatibility List</para>
</listitem>
<listitem><para>Security Information</para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
<para>Some websites provide a site search engine that will facilitate your quest
for a solution.
</para>
<para>If you have a problem with a newly installed distribution, look here first
as bugs and their fixes are typically posted here. You may find a detailed guide
that will help you accomplish a task such as upgrading your kernel or the
version of the XFree86 X - Window System you are using.
</para>
<para>I recommend you spend some time at the website of the distribution you are
using, familiarizing yourself with what is available.
</para>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="usenet">
<title>Usenet Newsgroup Archives</title>
<para>The ability to search for and retrieve information from archived posts
to the linux-related (Usenet) newsgroups represents a powerful means of
troubleshooting in Linux.</para>
<para>Search engines permit one to search the archives by stipulating the forum,
keywords, authors, dates, language and combinations thereof. Because the number
of linux-related newsgroups is large, the likelihood of finding useful
information is high.</para>
<para>I would like to relate a brief anecdote to demonstrate the efficacy of
this approach. The first time I attempted to build a kernel, I was presented
with this error message when I invoked a <quote>make</quote> command:</para>
<screen>make[1]: as86: Command not found make[1]: *** [bootsect.o] Error 127
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux/arch/i386/boot' make: *** [zImage]
Error 2</screen>
<para>I had no idea what <emphasis>as86</emphasis> was, but I entered it as the
keyword in the <emphasis>SUBJECT</emphasis> field of the Power Search utility at
<emphasis>deja.com</emphasis> ( see below) , and was presented with a large
number of posts from folks who had encountered the same problem. Respondents
had provided the reason and solution: I did not have an assembler/linker
necessary to create machine code, and the <emphasis>bin86</emphasis> package
provided it. I downloaded and installed a RPM package of the latter and was on
my way. This entire process took about 10 minutes ( I do have an ADSL connection
to the 'net ! ).</para>
<para>There are two websites that provide access to Usenet archives using a
search engine as described in the following sections.</para>
<sect2 id="dejacom">
<title>Power Search at deja.com</title>
<para>The <ulink url="http://www.deja.com/home_ps.shtml">Power Search
page</ulink> allows you to search using keywords and other parameters.I suggest
you spend some time becoming familiar with the <ulink
url="http://www.deja.com/help/help_lang.shtml">Search Language</ulink> nuances.
In particular, note the value of using the <emphasis>wildcard</emphasis> symbol.
You will be repaid time and again for your efforts. I typically enter the
following for a "routine" search:</para>
<para><Literal remap="tt">LANGUAGE : English</Literal></para>
<para><Literal remap="tt">SUBJECT : try different keywords, thinking of a
subject line you would use for a post</Literal></para>
<para><Literal remap="tt">FORUM : *linux* or comp.os.linux.*</Literal></para>
<para>Another version of this search engine is this <ulink
url="http://www.exit109.com/~jeremy/news/deja.html">Customized Power Search
Page</ulink>. Customize this page to your liking ( I like the " DejaClassic"
option ), and then choose " Save Settings."</para>
<para>The <ulink url="http://homemade.hypermart.net/dejasearch/">DejaSearch
utility</ulink> is another application that you may use. It will print out the
retrieved posts in one HTML file for your perusal. By using this, you will not
have to page back and forth in your browser.</para>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="searchlinux">
<title>Searchlinux.com (CNET Linux Help)</title>
<para>The <ulink url="http://www.searchlinux.com">Searchlinux
website</ulink> is relatively new, with many of the same features as deja.com.
It has "basic" and "advanced" search options. The latter does not have as many
options as the Power Search feature at<emphasis> deja.com</emphasis>. It has a
nice one-click option whereby one may view one's own posts and associated
replies</para>
</sect2>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="searchengines">
<title>Internet Search Engines</title>
<para>I frequently use a Search Engine to retrieve helpful or necessary
information from the 'net. These engines catalogue pages from commercial,
personal and academic websites, as well as Mailing Lists and the like.</para>
<para>Of course, there are a large number of available Search Engines, and I
suggest you try several before giving up on a particular quest. Research has
shown that any one of them catalogues but a small portion of existent web pages.
It is worthwhile becoming very familiar with the operational details of at
least one non-directory engine to maximize the efficiency and efficacy of your
search efforts. You probably already have a favorite - I like
<emphasis>Google.com</emphasis>, and will discuss it in a little more
detail.</para>
<sect2 id="google">
<title>Google.com</title>
<para>This engine has several novel features that are described in its
<ulink url="http://www.google.com/why_use.html">Why use Google.com page</ulink>
In particular, the engine often returns the most useful pages first ; in fact, I
have often found that the first listed page contains the information I need.
Because it caches web pages, it is relatively fast at displaying requested
items. It has a so-called <emphasis>GoogleScout (TM)</emphasis> feature that
provides additional relevant links with each item returned.</para>
<para>In addition, it has a specialized <ulink
url="http://www.google.com/linux">Linux Search Engine</ulink> that I use as my
primary Internet search tool. It searches the database of linux-related pages at
Google.com further promoting search efficiency. Try it- I am confident you will
bookmark it immediately.</para>
</sect2>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="mailinglists">
<title>Mailing List Archives</title>
<para>As you might expect, there are a very large number of linux-related
Mailing Lists that enable developers and users to communicate and collaborate on
projects. These Lists cover every conceivable aspect of Linux, from the
technical arcana of kernel development to the relatively unfocused discussion of
issues at the newbie level. Subscribers to a particular Mailing List are
generally very knowledgeable in the List's topic, and detailed and useful
information is often retrievable. The communications are publically accessible
through Internet search engines and in the form of online Mailing List Archives.
You will typically see archived pages when you conduct a search using an
Internet search engine.</para>
<para>Not all Mailing Lists are associated with an online archive, but this is
increasingly the case. Similarly, not all archives have an associated search
engine.</para>
<para>Initially, try locate the Mailing List Archive you are interested in by
typing a keyword/s and "mailing list archive" in an Internet search
engine.</para>
<para>For a listing of linux-related Mailing Lists, peruse websites such as the
<ulink url="http://www.linuxrx.com/Lists/Lists.perl">Linux Resource
Exchange</ulink> and the <ulink url="http://www.linux.org/help/lists.html">Linux
Online Mailing Lists</ulink></para>
<para>A relatively new, excellent Mailing List resource is <ulink
url="http://www.geocrawler.com">Geocrawler (The Knowledge Archive)</ulink>. This
is a continuously updated, searchable archive of a large number of Lists that
also allows one to register and subsequently post to any particular Mailing
List. Its user interface is simple and its search function delivers messages
very quickly. I highly recommend this site.</para>
<para>You may also find Mailing List archives at the following locations
:</para>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem>
<para>The website of the distribution of Linux you use.</para>
</listitem>
<listitem><para>The website/s of the Window Manager and/or Desktop Environment
you use.</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>The website dedicated to the application or project in
question.</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><ulink url="http://www.mail-archive.com/lists.html">The Mail
Archive</ulink></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><ulink url="http://www.uwsg.indiana.edu/hypermail/">Mailing List
Archives</ulink></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><ulink url="http://kernelnotes.org/lnxlists/">The Linux Mailing
List Archives</ulink></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><ulink url="http://www.tux.org/hypermail/">Tux Mailing List
Archives</ulink></para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
<para>This is not a complete listing of archives and you may find additional
sites with an Internet search engine. But, this should certainly get you
going.</para>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="usersmanuals">
<title>Online User's Manuals</title>
<para>Some of the major Linux distributions and Window Managers/Desktop
Environments publish their user's manual online. If the entire manual is not
online, installation and configuration guides are typically found at the
relevant website . This also applies to major applications like the
<emphasis>Gimp</emphasis> ( GNU Image Manipulation Program).</para>
<para>So, for those users who do not have the printed manual, a wealth of
installation and configuration guidance is generally available online. </para>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="unixrefs">
<title>Online Unix References and Tutorials</title>
<para>As Linux is a Unix-like operating system, a general familiarity with
fundamental Unix concepts such as the Unix directory hierarchy and file
permissions is essential. Fortunately, there are many Unix tutorials online that
collectively cover everything a user might need to know to use Linux. I suggest
you bookmark the following as an online reference library :</para>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem>
<para><ulink
url="http://www.unix.digital.com/faqs/publications/base_doc/DOCUMENTATION/V40D_HTML/APS2HDTE/TITLETXT.HTM"
>The Command and Shell User's guide</ulink> from the Digital Equipment
Corporation is an excellent guide to the Unix Operating System. Bookmark the
<emphasis>Index Page</emphasis> linked there as an online reference.</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><ulink
url="http://www.ucs.ed.ac.uk/~unixhelp/servers.html">UNIXhelp</ulink> is
mirrored on many servers around the world. It is a useful resource for
newbies.</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><ulink
url="http://wks.uts.ohio-state.edu/unix_course/intro-1.html">Introduction to
Unix</ulink> also contains a useful <ulink
url="http://wks.uts.ohio-state.edu/unix_course/intro-137.html#HEADING137-0">Unix
Command Summary</ulink> page with brief, but useful, explanations of commonly
used Unix commands.</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><ulink
url="http://www.msoe.edu/~taylor/4ltrwrd/">Unix is a Four Letter
Word...</ulink> is another resource suitable for newbies.</para>
</listitem>
<listitem><para><ulink url="http://netizen.com.au/services/training/">Unix
Tools</ulink> contains useful descriptions of utilities, such as
<emphasis>tar</emphasis>, that are commonly used in daily work.</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="kernel">
<title>Linux Kernel Resources</title>
<para>If you would like current information about the Linux kernel,
<ulink url="http://www.kernelnotes.org">Kernelnotes.org</ulink> is the site you
should visit. At this site, you can find out information about the stable and
development versions of the kernel, as well as information about upgrading the
kernel. It has links to unofficial patches and drivers, and much more.</para>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="miscresources">
<title>Miscellaneous Resources</title>
<para>In this section, I provide a number of links to websites that I have
found useful while learning to use Linux. This is an eclectic collection, but
keep these handy.</para>
<sect2 id="Xwindow">
<title>Release Notes and Available Documentation related to the XFree86 X
- Window Server</title>
<para>This documentation accompanies each version of XFree86, and is
available at the <ulink url="http://www.xfree86.org/">XFree86 website</ulink>.
Whenever you have trouble with your X environment, peruse the notes applicable
to your videocard/chipset. These typically provide details about the
configuration of the X - window system relative to your card, and will enumerate
any "options" you have to include in the<filename> XF86Config</filename> file
that governs X. </para>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="texinfo">
<title>GNU Texinfo pages</title>
<para>A great collection of pages is available at the <ulink
url="http://www.geek-girl.com/unix.html#texinfo">Geek Girl.com website</ulink>.
Included are links to pages on the following: </para>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem>
<para><emphasis>Bash</emphasis> - The Bourne-again
shell</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Configure</emphasis> - used when compiling programs
from source code</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>G++ </emphasis> - the GNU C++
compiler</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Gcc</emphasis> - the C compiler</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Libc</emphasis> - the GNU C library</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Make</emphasis> - a program for directing
recompilation</para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
<para>Note that some of these are included in the <quote>docs</quote> that come
with Linux distributions. In general, these are detailed technical documents of
particular interest to developers. However, if like me, you are not a
programmer, you may peruse the introductory sections of these documents to get
insight, for example, into those <Literal remap="tt">configure</Literal>and
<Literal remap="tt">make</Literal> commands you use when installing applications
from source code.</para>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gnumanuals">
<title>GNU Software and Manuals</title>
<para>Many important programs that are frequently utilized by the Linux user are
GNU utilities - for example, the <application>tar</application> (archive) and
<application>gzip</application> ( compression ) programs. Descriptions of these
programs are located at the <ulink
url="http://www.gnu.org/software/software.html#DescriptionsOfGNUSoftware">GNU.org
website</ulink> where many <ulink
url="http://www.gnu.org/manual/manual.html">Online Manuals</ulink> may also be
found.</para>
<para>These manuals typically provide a lot more information than is found in
the corresponding <application>man</application> page on your system. For
example , compare the <application>man</application> page and online manual for
the <application>tar</application> utility. </para>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="glossary">
<title>Glossary of Linux-related terms</title>
<para>The <ulink url="http://www.firstlinux.com/guide/">First Linux</ulink>
online guide has a nice collection of terms and definitions, sorted
alphabetically. Go here if you encounter a term that you have not seen before or
do not understand.</para>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="webopedia">
<title>An online dictionary of computer and technology terms</title>
<para>The <ulink url="http://www.pcwebopedia.com/">PC Webopedia</ulink> consists
of a large online dictionary of computer-related terms and a search engine that
provides links to documents that discuss each item in more detail. For example,
I used this site to learn the differences between <emphasis>ISA</emphasis> and
<emphasis>PCI</emphasis> buses.</para>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="pcs">
<title>A detailed Guide to Personal Computers</title>
<para>The Topic Index to the voluminous hardware guide at <ulink
url="http://www.PCguide.com/topic.html">PC guide.com</ulink> will give you a
great idea of the contents of this website. I used it quite frequently when
first installing Linux and configuring the X Window System. I learnt a lot about
videocards and monitors, including the concepts of screen resolution, color
depth etc., useful when troubleshooting X - display problems.</para>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="encyclo">
<title>Gary's Encyclopedia</title>
<para><ulink url="http://members.aa.net/~swear/pedia/index.html">Gary
Momarison's website</ulink> contains a very large number of sorted Linux-related
links. You may use the <quote>find</quote> function in your browser to find
links in a particular category. Peruse this website to appreciate what it has to
offer.</para>
</sect2>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="conclusions">
<title>Concluding Comments</title>
<para>If you are a Linux newbie, you may want to create a
<emphasis>Troubleshooting</emphasis> folder in your browser's bookmark list,
into which you put the hyperlinks I have included in this document, as well as
those pertinent to the distribution of Linux and the Window Manager/Desktop
Environment you use. </para>
<para>As you use these links , you will quickly become adept at troubleshooting
online.</para>
<para>Cheers and happy searching !</para>
</sect1>
</article>