Computing Tips

Burning a CD

• get the iso image, for example the iso image of KNOPPIX: KNOPPIX_V3.8.2-2005-05-05-EN.iso
• put a writeable CD into the drive
• make sure the drive is properly mounted: you might have to reboot
• sign for it to be properly mounted is that the "Blank CD-R Disc" appears on your Desktop
• start nautilus as root (sudo nautilus)
• open cd/dvd creator under places
• copy the iso image into the folder
• press "write to disk"
• write image to disk not file

Burning a DVD

• under fedora 11 this works also when not being root

• get the iso image, for example the iso image of fedore core 6: FC-6-i386-DVD.iso
• put a writeable DVD into the DVD drive
• make sure the drive is properly mounted: you might have to reboot
• sign for it to be properly mounted is that the "Blank DVD-R Disc" appears on your Desktop
• then use tool to fromat and burn the file onto the DVD
• my choice was: growisofs -dvd-compat -Z /dev/dvd=FC-6-i386-DVD.iso -speed=2
• output will look something like:

  $ growisofs -dvd-compat -Z /dev/dvd=FC-6-i386-DVD.iso -speed=2
  Executing 'builtin_dd if=FC-6-i386-DVD.iso of=/dev/dvd obs=32k seek=0'
  /dev/dvd: "Current Write Speed" is 2.0x1352KBps.
            0/3525195776 ( 0.0%) @0x, remaining ??:?? RBU 100.0% UBU   0.0%
            0/3525195776 ( 0.0%) @0x, remaining ??:?? RBU 100.0% UBU   0.0%
            0/3525195776 ( 0.0%) @0x, remaining ??:?? RBU 100.0% UBU   0.0%
            0/3525195776 ( 0.0%) @0x, remaining ??:?? RBU 100.0% UBU   0.0%
       655360/3525195776 ( 0.0%) @0.1x, remaining 1703:02 RBU  97.7% UBU   2.9%
      3211264/3525195776 ( 0.1%) @0.6x, remaining 420:25 RBU  99.8% UBU  23.5%
      6979584/3525195776 ( 0.2%) @0.8x, remaining 218:25 RBU  99.4% UBU  64.7%
     10715136/3525195776 ( 0.3%) @0.8x, remaining 158:31 RBU  99.8% UBU  23.5%
.... snip

Laptop Installation with Fedora 10

I have installed a number of laptops with Fedora 10, check out the history at link.

Remaking a kernel under linux

In general this is not difficult but really seems unnecessary with today's kernels. Anyway here are the instructions:

• Go to the directory
  cd /home/kernel/; tar fzx ~root/INSTALLED/linux-2.6.18.tar.gz

• Go to the directory
  cd /home/kernel/linux-2.6.18

• Get the last valid config file
  cp ~root/config-2.6.18 .config

• Make it all happen
  make xconfig; make bzImage; make modules

• Now install modules
  make modules_install

• And careful with the kernel
  make install

Entering CMSSW environment on Fedora Laptop

To start out fresh

• sudo /home/sl4/setup_system
• sudo /home/sl4/enter_sl4 paus
• cd cms/ana
• source INIT 2_0_8

To finish off and leave it clean

• sudo /home/sl4/shutdown_system

Install New CMSSW Version on Fedora Laptop

• sudo /home/sl4/setup_system
• sudo /home/sl4/enter_sl4 mitdata
• ./bin/installCmsSw x_y_z
• internally this will just perform the following operations
  • setenv VO_CMS_SW_DIR ~mitdata/cmssoft
  • setenv SCRAM_ARCH slc4_ia32_gcc345
  • source $VO_CMS_SW_DIR/$SCRAM_ARCH/external/apt/0.5.15lorg3.2-CMS19c/etc/profile.d/init.csh
  • apt-get update
  • apt-cache search cmssw
  • apt-get install cms+cmssw+CMSSW_x_y_z

Install Windows XP

• use service pack 3 from MIT with the product key
• SATA disks might need separate drivers (download using 'F6' key)
  • SATA drives might completely stop the installation (be careful)
• find motherboard (usually mentioned right on the screen when the machine is powered)
• after installation (order might have to change if for example no network is available etc.)
  • install firefox
  • install private MIT certificate
  • install virusscan from MIT IS software
  • install native drivers (go to the home side. ex. support.asus.com)
    • graphics, sound, network
  • connect polycom, install polycom software and configure
  • request ESNet id for polycom
  • install flashplayer, acroread