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twodogron · Xplorer Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Dorset, UK

Please anyone, HELP......
I would like to migrate to XANDROS but I cannot configure my ADSL2+ connection, I've tried everything I know (which is little)..
Although I'm currently using Win XP Pro, I have been dual booting (one at a time) several Linux Distro's to see which one I like best..
Must say, I haven't had any "connection" problems with any of the other Linux packages I tried so far... ONLY XANDROS 4 is so difficult.
Can't even address the Router......

I'm on a LAN using a Static IP Address and specific DNS Servers
I'm using a TP-LINK 108M Wireless PCI Adaptor and have two alternative Ethernet connections, one Marvel Yukon and one Nvidia..

The TP-LINK has Atheros drivers and I have noticed when installing XANDROS that "Atheros" is NOT supported, however that shouldn't affect my cabled Ethernet connection, should it ???
As I said previously, ONLY XANDROS 4 has given me this problem and I do so much like the look and feel of it, but if I can't get "connected" with it, looks like I'll have to stay with either Linux Mint 6 or Fedora 11...
Any one else experienced my problem, if you have, PLEASE HELP..
Ron..

kalwisti · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:30 pm Post subject:

Hi, twodogron,

I hope that someone (Doctore, jimallyn) will chime in and offer you some tips on getting the Internet connectivity working. I moved away from Xandros more than a year ago, so I can't be of help in that regard ... If you're committed to Xandros, I wish you good luck in solving the problem.

Since it sounds like you're exploring distros at the moment, I just wanted to suggest two that you might want to try. Both are beginner-friendly, have helpful user forums and good online documentation available. Both are using KDE 3.5.10; there is a testing version of PCLOS with KDE 4.x, but I'm not sure about MEPIS and 4.x development:

http://www.pclinuxos.com/index.php?option=com_ionfiles&Itemid=28
PCLinuxOS [PCLOS]
(Current version is PCLOS 2009.2)

http://www.mepis.org/mirrors
SimplyMEPIS [aka MEPIS]
(Current version is 8.0)

The lead developer of PCLinuxOS is Bill Reynolds (aka Texstar); MEPIS is headed up by Warren Woodford.

Linux Mint, as you've seen, is also nice. If you're a newbie, Fedora might be a bit of a frustrating experience for you, as it's a testbed for the newest / latest / greatest stuff and is prone to breaking. (I've had a good experience with Fedora, though, and will mention that if your system breaks, you will usually find a quick fix in the Fedora User Forums. They have a lot of experienced and knowledgeable users).

HTH.
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twodogron · Xplorer Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Dorset, UK

Hi Kalwisti,
Thanks for your suggestions, on your advice I'm currently trying out PCLOS..... As soon as I booted it up it recognised my Wireless and Ethernet connections so that's one hurdle less to jump.............

Must say I'm baffled why "ONLY" Xandros should give me such hassle with my connections and even more baffled by the deafening silence from the Forum as if I'm the ONLY user with this problem.
I've configured other O/S's connection without ANY problems, so what is it with Xandros, come on public !!!!!
Can't believe my machine is the ONLY one on this Forum with this frustrating "problem", surely there's a solution out there somewhere ???

It's a bit embarrassing having to use Windows or PCLOS to access this Forum ....

Thanks for the input Kalwisti,
Cheers,
Ron...

kalwisti · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 12:13 pm Post subject:

Hi, Ron,

You're welcome; I'm glad my (minimal) advice was useful. I'm partial to PCLinuxOS and am grateful to forum members here who originally tried it and wrote about their positive experiences with it. Try MEPIS out, too, as it is a solid distro but a little more under the radar than some of the big names ...

\begin{speculation and personal opinion}
I think you're not hearing a lot from others because this forum -- and Xandros -- is progressively withering, unfortunately. There was a big exodus following Xandros' agreement with Microsoft (in Summer 2007 [?]), and afterwards there has been complete and utter silence from Xandros, Inc. for a long time. It seems that they have abandoned interest in any desktop Linux product, in order to focus on the netbook market, etc. I personally got tired of waiting, and as I became more experienced with Linux, I realized that other distros worked as well -- or better -- than Xandros and had more active communities. I'm grateful that Xandros gave me a first good experience with Linux -- and to the forum regulars here, from whom I've learned quite a bit -- but their customer relations are a total disaster and their silence is unforgivable, IMHO. Even if they were to issue a new version tomorrow, I would not purchase it.
\end{speculation and personal opinion}

Two other pointers which might be of use:

http://forums.xandros.com/viewtopic.php?t=32461&highlight=configure+internet+connection
"Configuring EarthLink DSL Modem in Xandros 4 [How-To]."

A how-to I did a while back; it mentions some of the native Xandros tools in its Control Center which you can use to set up an Internet connection. Maybe this would help point you in the direction of a solution ...

http://forums.xandros.com/viewtopic.php?t=33666
"Xandros 4.5 OCE CD & DVD available on geekconnection.org"

Xandros 4.5 OCE (Open Circulation Edition) is a free, updated and community version of Xandros 4.x which has been done by Doctore (with help from some other folks). If you're set on giving Xandros a fair shake, my 0.02's would be to download this version and try it rather than paying anything for the out-of-date commercial version.

HTH,
=david
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twodogron · Xplorer Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Dorset, UK

Hi David, (Kalwisti)
Thanks again for that......
I'm having a small problem downloading Xandros 4.5 OCE, it keeps dropping out on me, but I'll keep trying cause I'd like to give Xandros a fair try.....

This site does not support PM's but is there any other way I can ask you some questions, get your suggestions without using this Forum ??..

I really want to get to the bottom of this (Linux only) connection problem, I'm sure it's possible, can't believe I'm the only one out there unable to connect through Linux/Xandros, it's driving me nuts... needless to say I'm accessing this Forum through Windoze..
Best Regards,
Ron..

Doctore · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:20 am Post subject:

Heres direct download link to XD45CD:
http://geekconnection.org/pafiledb/index.php?act=download&id=76

We are looking at making XD45CD available as torrent download
in the near future (however - when - isnt decided yet).
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kalwisti · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject:

Hi, Ron,

I have transcribed some information from Rickford Grant's book (cited below) on configuring Internet connections in Xandros. As I mentioned before, I no longer have a live Xandros installation to try this out on, but I hope that it will help you solve the problem you're experiencing. Here goes ...

-----

According to Grant, if your computer is connected through Ethernet to a network with a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server, your computer should automatically be configured by Xandros Desktop to access the network and the Internet.

-----

However, if you encounter problems, you can use the Xandros Connection Wizard for help. Access it by going to the Launch menu and selecting Applications > Internet > Connection Wizard. The steps of the wizard are pretty much self-explanatory, but here is a summary:

At the first page of the wizard, select the type of connection you are trying to configure. Then click Next.

On the next page, you will be asked which users will be allowed to use the connection service you are configuring. If you are the only person using your computer, or if you want everyone who is using your computer to be able to access the Internet, accept the default All users. If you want to allow yourself, but nobody else, Internet access, select User. If you want to allow some users to have access and others not (such as access for you, your spouse, and oldest kids, but not the real young'ns), click Selected group (you can set up the details later). Once you have made your decision, click Next.

If you are trying to set things up using a Winmodem, you will see a special page of the Wizard that checks to see what kind of modem you have connected with your machine, along with a list of drivers for that device. Then select one of them and then click the Load button. In this case, the wizard will test the driver you selected. If it works, the wizard will tell you so in a pop-up window. Then you can click OK to close that window. If it doesn't work, go back and try one of the other drivers. Once you find a combo that works, click Next. If nothing works ... well, it's time do some shopping [for Linux-compatible hardware].
(Note: if you're not working with a Winmodem, you won't even see this page).

The rest of the wizard will be easy enough to figure out. Just be sure to have the account information you received from your Internet provider in hand as you proceed. Once you come to the final page of the wizard and click the Finish button, the Connect to Internet window will appear. This is the same window that will appear any time you choose to connect to the Internet in the future.

(p. 49-52 [minus the screenshots])

==========

Setting Up a Cable or Ethernet Connection for Providers Not Utilizing DHCP

To input your cable or Ethernet settings yourself, run the Control Center (Launch > Control Center), and click Network in the left pane of the Control Center window when it appears. In the list of subcategories that then appears below that, click Network Connection. When the Network Connection module appears in the right pane of the window, click the Administrator button, and then type your root password when prompted to do so.

The right pane of the Control Center will soon be outlined in red, and everything within it will be active, meaning that you can alter its contents. Click the Interfaces tab, and then, once in the new tab, make sure that Enable Network is selected, click Specify Static Address, and input the appropriate addresses as instructed by your network administrator or Internet provider. When you are finished, click Apply, and then close the Control Center window.

(p. 47)

==========

Setting Up Your Wireless Card

It is probably best, though not essential, to first physically connect your WAP (Wireless Access Point) to your Internet source and then turn on the WAP. Once it is up and running, plug your wireless NIC into the PCMCIA slot on your computer. Any LEDs on the card might light up at this time. If not, they will do so after you finish configuring the card.

Once your card is inserted into the machine, it is time to configure the system to deal with the card, which is all very easy. First open the Control Center via the Launch menu, and then, once it opens, click the + symbol next to Network. In the subcategories that then appear, click Network Connection. The Network Connection module will then appear in the right pane of the window. Click the Administrator button in that pane, type your root password when prompted to do so, and then, when the module reloads, click the Interfaces tab.

Once in the Interfaces tab, make sure that eth0 (Wireless Device) is selected in the drop-down menu next to the words Network Interface. After that, click Enable network, and then select the Use dynamic address (DHCP) or Specify static address (and input the appropriate settings), according to what your provider requires. When you are done with all that, click the Apply button. Your NIC should then be active and ready for action, so you can close the Control Center window now.

(p. 58 )

-----

Releasing and Renewing Your Wireless Connection

To turn off your wireless card or release the current IP address in your network settings, just follow these steps:

1. Go to the Launch menu and select Control Center.
2. Click the + icon next to Network, and then click Network Connection.
3. When the Network Connection module appears in the right side of the Control Center window, click the Administrator button, type your root password when prompted to do so, and then click OK.
4. Click the Interfaces tab.
5. Once in that tab, uncheck the Enable Network box, and then click Apply.
6. Click OK in the warning window that then appears to complete the process.

The boxes in the DHCP part of the window will now be empty, meaning that you have successfully released your settings and disabled your card. If you would like to reactivate your card later on, or if you would just like to refresh the IP address settings now, you basically do a variation on the same theme: check the Enable network box, click the Apply button, and then click OK in the warning window.

You can also release and renew your IP address by following steps 1-4, and then clicking the Release button. Once the boxes in the DHCP part of the window are empty, click the Renew button. When a new IP address appears in the DHCP part of the window, click the Apply button, and then click OK in the warning window that then appears.

(p. 59)

==========

Source: Grant, Rickford. Linux made easy : the official guide to Xandros 3 for everyday users. San Francisco : No Starch Press, 2005. 463 p.
ISBN 1593270577

(Note: Although this book focuses on Xandros 3 OCE, almost everything in it applies also to Xandros 4. I relied on it a lot when I was running Xandros 4).

HTH and Good luck,
=david

P.S. If you'd like to send me an e-mail, I can be reached at:
kalwisti at fastmail dot fm
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twodogron · Xplorer Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Dorset, UK

Thanks Doctore,
I finally managed to download successfully from the original link given by Kalwisti, however thanks for your link, much appreciated...
Cheers,
Ron...

twodogron · Xplorer Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Dorset, UK

Hi David,
Thanks so much for the time and information you have supplied........
I have executed these instructions so many times, and absolutely correctly from those listed but I will try and explain the resulting bahavior...
I'm using Static IP and Preferred and Alternative DNS configurations...
Xandros defineately recognises my Atheros Wireless card.....

Both the Ethernet and Wireless (according to Xandros) Connections become active and the little graduation scale appears in the bottom right hand corner (Four Bar green gratuation Bar for Wireless connection and Two little Monitors for the Ethernet connections when they are activated).

From here you think everything is rosy, but there is a catch, I cannot get on the Internet, Firefox just continuously searches for my Home Page and eventually gives up saying this Web Page is Unavailable (but I know it is available!!), then FireFox suggests try this garbage, try that garbage etc.. etc...

I cannot even address my Router configuration through the HTTP address Bar as I can with other O/S's.

I was thinking (and it felt that way) that some Firewall or similar software was blocking my access but I cannot find any evidence of that...
Everything configures as per the "Book" with NO ERROR messages but I'm prevented from accessing the Internet with Xandros (all tested 4 versions).. There has to be a simple solution, nothing shows up as abnormal, configuration is easy and straight forward...

I will continue to scour the Forums for some "pointers" but I'm thinking of going back to Mint or Fedora where my Card is recognised instantly and Internet Access is not an issue.......
Best Regards,
Ron

kalwisti · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:10 am Post subject:

Hi again, Ron,

You're welcome for the information; it was not much trouble, and it's a small way of repaying others for the many times I've been helped on Linux forums. I'm sorry to hear that you're still not able to connect. It sounds to me like you are very close to getting the setup working, though ...

Unfortunately, my knowledge of networking is almost nonexistent; it is a topic that borders on the Purely Mystical for me. So I'm only able to offer a couple of lame suggestions:

1.) If you execute the two commands below (I'm fairly sure the second one must be done as root) and post the output, hopefully someone knowledgeable will be able to interpret the results and offer a guess as to what's not configured correctly:

Doctore · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:11 am Post subject:

The Firewall is troublesome in Desktop 4.5 - switch it off, if its on.
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smschmidt · Xplorer Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 42

twodogron · Xplorer Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Dorset, UK

Hi again David,

Forgive the "not so good" quotes but I have to come out of Xandros and into Windozs in order to get back onto the Web and to this Forum....

My Ethernet connections are eth0 and eth1, my Wireless connection is ath0.

I run "dhclient ath0" as root and got the following message :-
QUOTE :-
# wifi0: unknown hardware address type 801
# listening on lpf/ath0/00:1d:0f:d0:82:f4
# sending on lpf/ath0/00:1d:0f:d0:82:f4
# sending on socket/fallback
# dhcprequest on ath0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67
# dhcpack from 192.168.1.###
# bound to 192.168.1.###
# renewal in 39162 seconds
UNQUOTE.

That's what it said...
For the other comments from Doctore, I have done away with Xandros Firewall........
Comments from Other's relating to addressing the Router, I certainly use the correct address 192.168.1.### and I know about User Names and Passwords, it's nothing to do with that.......

Somehow David it's not using my Computer IP Address (that's the penultimate line in the above quote).
But why does this not happen in Windozs, Linux Mint and Fedora ???

One other very STRANGE thing happened last evening whilst I was trying to get my Wireless up on Xandros...
First I deleted ALL existing connections, then I FULLY configured ONLY the Wireless "ath0" connection EXACTLY as instructed...
I then "created" an Ethernet "eth0" connection but DID NOT configure it...

I then activated my Wireless Connection and as usual Xandros told me it was Active, but as usual I couldn't access the Internet or the Router, then by a complete "chance and in desperation" I fitted the Ethernet Cable into the Router... and to my amazement.... I was suddenly on the Internet and accessing my Router, everything was working fine.... EXCEPT that I had not configured the Ethernet Connection, it was just a BLANK, so how did the Wireless get connected ??????

I'm pretty sure now that it's something to do with IP Addresses in Xandros but as I keep saying, my other O/S's find everything, just fine...
Best Regards,
Ron