[SMAUG] Caldera Workstation 3.1
Calvin Chu
cchu@flytecomm.com
Tue Aug 7 10:42:01 2001
Here is the situation thus far,
I was able to install Linux using text-only installation. Where that gets
me is a non X11 situation with just a text console.
After logging in, the system will run for 10 minutes before locking up.
This situation never seemed to happen on windows. I can sit there all day
doing stuff and not have a freeze. The odd thing is when it freezes, half
the time the screen blanks out, and the other half it just locks up tight.
I tried running "top" and letting it sit there updating the screen, and then
after a while, the screen goes blank and never comes back. Not touching the
hardware doesn't affect it, it will freeze on its own. And if I open up
anything graphical (i tried starting X) it will freeze immediately. This is
on the Winbook laptop. I'll try text install on the compaq later this week
when I get a moment.
I'm going to try re-installing a few more different ways. I really want to
get this distribution working on my machine, as the software included in the
distribution was a big selling point when I chose. However, the lack of
graphical installation, and the instability is really getting to me. On the
laptop I piked up an Etherlink 3 from 3Com, a 3C589D. It turns out the 2.4
distribution doesn't support that card. What I really want to do is to get
the distribution working, then I will patch in the support for the 589
card.... but at this stage, I'm not getting the thing running for more than
10 minutes at a time.
The CD is readable, however, I can't for the life of me figure out what to
do with the other CDs. The Caldera box came with many CDs... only the
boot/install CD does anything. I have no manual at all. I would think that
if I paid for the 3.1 directly from Caldera I would get a manual, but no.
It is just a plastic baggie with CDs.
I have the following CDs for the record: 3.1 Installation and Binaries,
OpenLinux software maintenance, Source Code, OpenLinux Workstation 64 bit
EAP early access product, Supplemental Open Source Software binaries and
source, Supplemental Developer Software and Documentation.
I have no manual, just a step by step installation guide that does not cover
much. In fact, for me, it doesn't cover anything. It freezes on step 3 and
there is no troubleshooting guide. The pamplet doesn't cover text
installation. So I'm basically about as well off as if I just downloaded it
for free. It's quite disheartening.
I did manage to create a hwinfo file. However, the floppy was not readable
on the PC when it's done. Not sure what to do there.
I did call in, and the sales guys said I could purchase support for hundreds
and hundreds of dollars. This is for my own personal edification and I
can't really afford hundreds and hundreds of dollars.
When I purchased the software from the site, the site says "You will recieve
60 days of support from Volution Online" and included in the package is a CD
called Volution online. I can't for the life of me figure out how the heck
to get support. When I call into Caldera sales they claim there is no
support and I might as well return the CD and buy the one with support.
There is again, no manual describing how to operate this Volution thing.
There is a little card that says "follow the directions on the cd, enter
this registration number for your support." And the thing is, I can't boot
the CD. And my linux installation will stay stable long enough for me to
use the CD if possible. If they meant directions that are literally ON the
CD, there are none. So I'm stuck.
Shoot, if I can get the darn thing running stable with X11 so I can operate
the applications that came with the thing, then I can give Caldera 3.1 a
proper review. At this point, I feel like I paid $60 for an essentially
unsupported product that is not stable. Although it includes lots of great
sounding programs, I suspect I won't be able to get them running without X.
I don't mean to sound negative, and I'm not going to give up unless there is
no possible way to get Linux running. I have an old Redhat distribution I
picked up from Costco a couple of years ago that I will try to rule out a
few more possibilities. Will keep everyone updated. If anybody can provide
any help, I will appreciate it, but it's a hard, hard uphill battle right
now.
Calvin
-----Original Message-----
From: Ronald Joe Record [mailto:rr@caldera.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 8:51 AM
To: Raphaël Dorado
Cc: Calvin Chu; smaug@svlug.org
Subject: Re: [SMAUG] Caldera Workstation 3.1
Raphaël Dorado wrote:
>
> This is non-free software and I don't think you will
> get support from anyone in the group.
Interesting perspective. My understanding was that this was
the Santa Cruz Microsoft Alternative User Group. So, then,
i take it that somehow a Linux distribution is not considered
a Microsoft Alternative ? Or, is it just that it's a Linux
distribution put out by Caldera ? Honestly, i don't get it.
Wouldn't one of the functions of such a user group be to
help each other get Microsoft alternatives working ?
Anyway, Calvin, here's what i've been able to come up with
so far:
1. there's the users mailing ist:
http://www.caldera.com/support/forums/users.html
3. check the CD for readability
4. don't touch any hardware (mouse, mainly) until the language screen
appears - I've seen systems freeze if you move the mouse too
early.
5. decide whether the system does not react on the keyboard or
wheather it reboots on ctrl-alt-del...
6. send the hwinfo file to hwinfo@caldera.de - won't help him other
than in very obvious cases, but we like getting those files...
7. oh, and there's always phone support for sale from
http://www.caldera.com/support/...
Also, i thought there was 30 day free phone support included with 3.1.
Perhaps i'm wrong.
-rr-
re:
>
> Calvin Chu wrote:
> >
> > Is there anyone that has had experience with Caldera Workstaion 3.1? I
am
> > new to Linux -- pretty much completely new. I purchased the set from
> > caldera.com to install on a compaq. I can generally figure everything
out,
> > and the compaq is certified to be supported by Caldera, so I ended up
buying
> > the non-e-mail-support set of cds. Anyway, when I go to install, it
reaches
> > the LIZARD, opens up with the screen that says pick a language and i
hangs.
> > Doesn't read the mouse or keyboard. When I control-alt-delete it pops
up a
> > pop up that says cancel or reboot. If I cancel it, it hangs again.
> >
> > I tried installing it on my WinBook laptop, and the same result. It
will
> > hang at the opening of the LIZARD screen. So it's not the compaq.
There's
> > nothing wrong with the hardware, it's running Windows 2000 without a
prob.
> >
> > I tried swapping keyboards, swapping mice... no go. Any ideas???
> >
> > help,
> > Calvin
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > SMAUG mailing list
> > SMAUG@lists.svlug.org
> > http://lists.svlug.org/lists/listinfo/smaug
>
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--
Ronald Joe Record, Open Source Architect, Caldera Systems
E-mail: rr@caldera.com Voice: 831-427-7604 FAX: 831-427-5417
USPS: 400 Encinal Street, Santa Cruz, California 95061
WWW: http://ronrecord.com