From d7f419a795d6da9b77bb4438e077e6ad23d08087 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: gferg <> Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 15:37:17 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] moved to docbook --- .../Online-Troubleshooting-HOWTO.sgml | 375 ------------------ 1 file changed, 375 deletions(-) delete mode 100644 LDP/howto/linuxdoc/Online-Troubleshooting-HOWTO.sgml diff --git a/LDP/howto/linuxdoc/Online-Troubleshooting-HOWTO.sgml b/LDP/howto/linuxdoc/Online-Troubleshooting-HOWTO.sgml deleted file mode 100644 index a5f93026..00000000 --- a/LDP/howto/linuxdoc/Online-Troubleshooting-HOWTO.sgml +++ /dev/null @@ -1,375 +0,0 @@ - - -
- -Online Troubleshooting Resources HOWTO - -<author>Howard Mann, <tt/howardm@xmission.com/ - -<date>v0.5, 18 September 1999 - -<abstract>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. </abstract> - -<toc> - -<sect>Introduction - -<p>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. - -In contradistinction, Linux, and related distributions, utilities and applications software, has -largely been developed according to the <url url="http://www.opensource.org" name="Open Source"> -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. - -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! - -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. - -<sect1>Document updates - -<p>The latest version of this document will always be available at <url -url="http://www.newbielinux.com">, my website for Linux newbies. - -<sect1>Copyright and License - -<p>Copyright (c) 1999 , by Howard Mann. - -This document is governed by the provisions of the LDP Copying License, the terms of which are -detailed here:<url url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/copyright.html"> - -<sect1>Feedback and Corrections - -<p>I always welcome feedback and constructive criticism.In particular, I wish to be notified about -any errors in this document and resources deserving of mention, but not presently covered herein. -In anticipation, Thanks. - -<sect>HOWTO's and mini-HOWTO's - -<p>These documents are associated with the <url url="http://www.linuxdoc.org" name="Linux -Documentation Project">. There is an <url url="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX-3.html" -name="Index page"> that I suggest you bookmark in your browser. - -These HOWTO's 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 <bf>LDP</bf> website. -The document may be published online before its inclusion into the <bf>LDP</bf> database. - -Note also that other HOWTO's are available, the authors of which have not submitted them to the -<bf>LDP</bf>. It is definitely worthwhile trying to find these using an Internet search engine as I -describe in a subsequent section. - -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 an <bf>ADSL</bf> or <bf>Cable Modem</bf> service - -excellent guides are available in the form of HOWTO's. - -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 <url url="http://cesdis1.gsfc.nasa.gov/linux/drivers/" name="Linux -Network Drivers"> , the primary site for information about Network Interface Card drivers , in the -<bf>Ethernet HOWTO</bf>. - -<sect>Frequently-Asked-Questions ( FAQ's) - -<p>A list of FAQ's 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 "unofficial" FAQ as well. Search for the latter with an -Internet search engine. - -The FAQ is the first document to peruse when troubleshooting a particular application. In addition, -FAQ's exist for Linux distributions, window managers, and the so-called desktop environments ( KDE -and Gnome ). - -For Linux newbies, I provide links to three FAQ's that collectively address <it>many</it> of the -questions posted to the Usenet newsgroups : - -<enum> -<item>The Linux FAQ at <url url="http://www.fokus.gmd.de/linux/FAQ/Linux-FAQ.html"> -<item>The XFree86 X - Window System FAQ at <url url="http://www.xfree86.org/FAQ"> -<item>The Linux Kernel mailing list FAQ at <url url="http://www.tux.org/lkml/"> -</enum> - -<sect>Online Support Sections - -<p> 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: - -<itemize> -<item>Installation Support -<item>Knowledge or Solutions Databases. -<item>Tips and Tricks -<item>Errata, Fixes and Updates -<item>White Papers -<item>Technical Guides -<item>Hardware Guide or Compatibility List -<item>Security Information -</itemize> - -Some websites provide a site search engine that will facilitate your quest for a solution. - -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. - -I recommend you spend some time at the website familiarizing yourself with what is available. - - -<sect>Usenet Newsgroup Archives - -<p>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. - -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. - -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 "make" command: - -<tscreen><verb> -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 -</verb></tscreen> - -I had no idea what <bf>as86</bf> was, but I entered it as the keyword in the <bf>SUBJECT</bf> field -of the Power Search utility at <bf>deja.com</bf> ( 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 -<bf>bin86</bf> 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 ! ) . - -There are two websites that provide access to Usenet archives using a search engine as described in -the following sections. - -<sect1>Power Search at deja.com - -<p>This is the pre-eminent site for all things Usenet, and the <bf>Power Search</bf> utility is at : -<url url="http://www.deja.com/home_ps.shtml">. Spend some time at this site learning how to use the -search engine effectively, including an appreciation of the -<url url="http://www.deja.com/help/help_lang.shtml" name="Search Language "> nuances. In -particular, note the value of using the <bf>wildcard</bf> symbol. You will be repaid time and again -for your efforts. I typically enter the following for a "routine" search: - -<tscreen><verb> -LANGUAGE : English -SUBJECT : try different keywords, thinking of a subject line you would use for a post. -FORUM : *linux* or comp.os.linux.* -</verb></tscreen> - -There is another nice interface to the <bf>Power Search</bf> utility at : -<url url="http://www.exit109.com/~jeremy/news/deja.html">. Customize this page to your liking ( I -like the " DejaClassic" option ), and then choose " Save Settings." - -You may also be interested in using the <bf>DejaSearch utility</bf>, available at : <url -url="http://homemade.hypermart.net/dejasearch/"> , that 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. - -<sect1>Searchlinux.com (CNET Linux Help) - -<p>This is a relatively new site 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 <bf>Power Search </bf>feature at -deja.com. It has a nice one-click option whereby one may view one's own posts and associated -replies. It is found at : <url url="http://www.searchlinux.com"> - -<sect>Internet Search Engines - -<p>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. - -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 <bf>Google.com</bf>, and will discuss it in -a little more detail. - -<sect1>Google.com - -<p>This engine has several novel features that are described at : -<url url="http://www.google.com/why_use.html">. 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 <bf>GoogleScout (TM)</bf> feature that provides additional relevant links -with each item returned. - -In addition, it has a specialized Linux search engine at : <url url="http://www.google.com/linux"> -that I use as my primary Internet search tool. It searches the database of linux-related pages at -<bf>Google.com</bf> further promoting search efficiency. Try it- I am confident you will bookmark -it immediately. - -<sect>Mailing List Archives - -<p>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. - -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. - -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. - -For a listing of linux-related Mailing Lists, peruse websites such as the <bf>Linux Resource -Exchange</bf> at : <url url="http://www.linuxrx.com/Lists/Lists.perl"> and the <bf>Linux Online -Mailing Lists</bf> at: <url url="http://www.linux.org/help/lists.html">. - -You may also find Mailing List archives at the following locations : - -<enum> -<item>The website of the distribution of Linux you use. -<item>The website/s of the Window Manager and/or Desktop Environment you use. -<item>The website dedicated to the application or project in question. -<item><bf>The Mail Archive </bf>at : <url url="http://www.mail-archive.com/lists.html"> -<item><bf>Mailing List Archives</bf> at : -<url url="http://www.uwsg.indiana.edu/hypermail/"> -<item><bf>Linux Mailing List Archives</bf> at : -<url url="http://kernelnotes.org/lnxlists/"> -<item><bf>Tux Mailing List Archives</bf> at : -<url url="http://www.tux.org/hypermail/"> -</enum> - -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. - -<sect>Online User's Manuals - -<p>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 -<bf>Gimp</bf> ( GNU Image Manipulation Program). - -So, for those users who do not have the printed manual, a wealth of installation and configuration -guidance is generally available online. - -<sect>Online Unix Tutorials - -<p>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 : - -<enum> -<item>A large well-organized reference at : -<url url="http://www.dicamp.univ.trieste.it/du96/unix/TOC.html"> -<item>Unixhelp at <url url="http://www.ucs.ed.ac.uk/~unixhelp/servers.html"> -<item>Unix is a Four Letter Word... at -<url url="http://www.linuxbox.com/~taylor/4ltrwrd/title.html"> -</enum> - -<sect>Miscellaneous Resources - -<p>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. - -<sect1>Release Notes and Available Documentation related to the XFree86 X - Window Server. - -<p>This documentation accompanies each version of XFree86, and is available at: -<url url="http://www.xfree86.org/">. 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 <tt>XF86Config</tt> file that governs X. - -<sect1>GNU Texinfo pages - -<p>A great collection of pages is available at : -<url url="http://www.geek-girl.com/unix.html#texinfo">. Included are links to pages on the -following: - -<itemize> -<item><bf>Bash </bf> - The Bourne-again shell -<item><bf>Configure </bf> - used when compiling programs from source code -<item><bf>G++ </bf> - the GNU C++ compiler -<item><bf>Gcc</bf> - the C compiler -<item><bf>Libc</bf> - the GNU C library -<item><bf>Make</bf> - a program for directing recompilation -</itemize> - -Note that some of these are included in the "docs" 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 <tt>configure</tt>and <tt>make</tt> commands you use when -installing applications from source code. - -<sect1>GNU Software and Manuals - -<p>Many important programs that are frequently utilized by the Linux user are GNU utilities - for -example, the <bf>tar</bf> (archive) and <bf>gzip</bf> ( compression ) programs. Descriptions of -these programs are located at : -<url url="http://www.gnu.org/software/software.html#DescriptionsOfGNUSoftware"> and online manuals -for many of these are found at : <url url="http://www.gnu.org/manual/manual.html">. - -These manuals typically provide a lot more information than is found in the corresponding -<bf>man</bf> page on your system. For example , compare the <bf>man</bf> page and online manual for -the <bf>tar</bf> utility. - -<sect1>Glossary of Linux-related terms - -<p>This online guide at :<url url="http://www.firstlinux.com/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. - -<sect1>An online dictionary of computer and technology terms - -<p>The <bf>Webopedia</bf> website at : <url url="http://www.pcwebopedia.com/"> 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 <bf>ISA</bf> and <bf>PCI</bf> buses. - -<sect1>A detailed Guide to Personal Computers - -<p>The Topic Index to this voluminous hardware guide at : -<url url="http://www.PCguide.com/topic.html"> 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. - -<sect1>Gary's Encyclopedia - -<p>Gary Momarison's website at <url url="http://members.aa.net/~swear/pedia/index.html"> contains a -very large number of sorted Linux-related links. You may use the "find" function in your browser to -find links in a particular category. Peruse this website to appreciate what it has to offer. - -<sect>Concluding Comments - -<p>If you are a Linux newbie, you may want to create a <bf>Troubleshooting</bf> 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. - -As you use these links , you will quickly become adept at troubleshooting online. - -Cheers and happy searching ! -</article>