UNIX and Windows Tips

 

For UNIX Users

Q: I am new to UNIX. Where can I get help on UNIX system utilities and various software packages?

A: On UNIX you can obtain on-line help in two ways, man and answerbook. Choose man if you know basic UNIX commands and need help quickly. Choose answerbook if you know very little about UNIX and have time.

You can use the man command to find and display information from the reference manuals. However, you need an idea to start with on the command you want. The man function displays complete manual pages that you select by title or one-line summaries selected either by keyword (-k) or by the name of an associated file (-f). For example, to find out how to use the man command, enter man man.

The second method you can use is answerbook, which will display the manual page by page. You can search by keyword or go to a particular chapter or page in the selected manual. To invoke answerbook, enter the OpenWindows system by entering openwin at the command prompt. When you are in Openwin, click the menu, select <Program>, and then select <answerbook>. You can also invoke the command answerbook to start.

If you want further help, the CSC has written manual pages to help new users with software applications. These are written simply so you can easily understand commands. To see the manual pages table of contents, enter man software_toc. From there you can find the help you need.

Q OK. Now I know how to obtain help, what I want to do is communicate with my friends over electronic mail. How can I do that?

A: UNIX provides an interactive message processing system named mailx. "Interactive" means the program takes you step by step through the process, and you interact with the program. You can simply type mailx to start the mail system. Refer to the manual page on mailx for options available. You can also enter ? after you are in mailx to obtain help.

Q I notice that each SPARCstation in the terminal area has a floppy drive. How can I use that to copy files from/to a PC?

A: First format your disk in DOS format, either on a PC or a UNIX workstation. On UNIX enter fdformat -d. You can then mount your floppy disk. Enter volcheck.

Your floppy should now be mounted under the directory /floppy/floppy0 (or /floppy/<your floppy disk label name if there is one>). From now on, you can use basic UNIX commands such as copy, move, list, etc. to manipulate files on this floppy. When you are done, first make sure you are out of the floppy directory. Then you can eject the floppy by entering eject floppy.

Q How can my classmate copy files from my account to his account?

A: Generally, never open your home directory to world read/write/execute, or else any user can write to your home directory. Your home directory is your user account. To copy files to/from another account, you can copy your file(s) to /tmp. Ask your friend to login to the same workstation and copy the file(s) from /tmp. After the copy is done, make sure you delete the file(s) in /tmp.

Q How can I download/upload files from my home PC to the UNIX system?

A: You can use kermit, a communication software package that copies to/from a PC to a mainframe. However, it requires support software on your home PC. If you don't know if you have this software at home, check your software manual or with your vendor.

If you have the software, invoke kermit on the UNIX system side by entering kermit. Invoke kermit on your home PC and hit the corresponding upload/download key. Switch to the UNIX system side, and enter send or receive to start the file transfer.

For DOS and Windows Users

Q My mouse doesn't move regularly. Why?

A: Look on the side of your mouse, and you will find a switch. This changes your mouse between a 2 or 3 button setting. Change the setting. If you still have problems, contact the Service Counter or CSC Hotline at x7658.

Q I use an optical mouse that always sticks. Has the mouse malfunctioned?

A: No, your mouse pad orientation is incorrect. Rotate the mouse pad so that your mouse can move properly.

Q My departmental printer is slow, and sometimes even stalls or pauses. What should I do?

A: Reboot the print server.

Q How can I avoid the error General protection fault when I invoke certain Windows applications?

A: You have two options to solve this problem. Solution 1 is more difficult but more complete, because it throws out useless files that confuse operations. Solution 2 is easier, but only removes software problems.

Solution 1 operates in DOS.

• Exit Windows if possible; else reboot your PC.
• Enter chkdsk /f c:.
• Enter y when prompted for confirmation.
• Delete all *.chk files in root directory.
• In c:\<dept_code>WIN31 (or c:\C<dept_code>WIN31 for Chinese Windows), delete all temporary files *.tmp.

• Select Departmental Windows Software Library.
• Choose Setup/Update Windows Applications.
• Remove problem applications.
• Perform application set-up again.

Q I frequently receive the error message Not enough memory when I invoke CD-ROM-based software. How can I avoid this problem?

A: Make sure you have a 386 or above PC connected to the staff network. If yes, when the DOS prompt appears invoke the batch file insemsdr. A command EMM386 will be added to your config.sys which should solve the problem. Reboot the machine.

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