Missing Conf files

Archenduser · 2012-02-02 00:44:15

I've installed arch a couple of times trying not to need to post in the forums. I went through a couple different youtube videos too. But when copying someone elses procedure exactly I don't get the results seen in the videos. (Yes I did lumber through the arch wiki slowly, but that was a bust too) It would be neat to hide/show elements of the wiki because its so comprehensive I often get lost.

The problem I am having is none of the /Ect config files are present like they are supposed to be. So I get to instructions that simply don't work.

When I "ls -a" I only see" ." and " .."

nano just opens a new file when I try to use it where the files should be.

I saw another thread that said this might be partition related but i tried different ext 2,3,4 formats with the same result.

I'm not terribly familiar with Bash but usually I can follow instructions. Any help/insight would be great.

I've been able to update and add users just fine, I've even gotten some DE's working in the past but this missing file thing has me scratching my head.

mcmillan · 2012-02-02 00:54:42

Without any specifics it's hard to give you any advice. beyond I wouldn't trust any videos since you knows when they were made and what may have changed. The Beginner's Guide is much more trustworthy.

A couple obvious things from your posting, there is a difference between /etc (correct) or /Ect (which was in your post). And if you're just getting . and .. it means you're probably in the incorrect folder, meaning you need to use the full file name or switch to /etc

ngoonee · 2012-02-02 01:05:07

Read the beginner's guide, please, as mcmillan said. Don't use any videos, both because they may be outdated and also because almost all the video authors don't have more than a basic grasp of Arch or even of Linux (which makes sense because those doing a fresh install aren't likely to have been long-time users).

Cows · 2012-02-02 01:12:19

Definitely read the beginner's guide. I also made a video in the beginning of January on installing Arch.

EDIT: Cleaned up bottom.

Last edited by Cows (2012-02-02 02:09:29)

ngoonee · 2012-02-02 01:59:27

Cows - please respect forum rules on blog/channel-plugging, even if you ARE trying to help.

Off-site documentation is okay, but the best way to help the Arch community remains the wiki. Fragmenting documentation hurts more than it helps long term.

Cows · 2012-02-02 02:09:08

Sorry about that ngoo, I wasn't trying to "advertise" my channel, but I did wanted to say that I agree with you on that there are people that don't know much about Arch, let alone use it for a long period of time in order to give info, but I also wanted to say that there are others who do make videos (like me) that do know a fair amount of knowledge, and have decided to put it in video form.

Archenduser · 2012-02-02 02:23:13

ok so i figured it out i think. I was in ~ and needed to type "cd /" to get to the / directory.

What is ~? (right now boots into automatically) Which is the home directory (its / isnt it?)

Usually I use nautilus in a DE to do all this minor file navigation and tweaking, but that isn't an option. Thanks for the help.

fsckd · 2012-02-02 02:51:06

Archenduser wrote:

ok so i figured it out i think. I was in ~ and needed to type "cd /" to get to the / directory.
What is ~? (right now boots into automatically) Which is the home directory (its / isnt it?)
Usually I use nautilus in a DE to do all this minor file navigation and tweaking, but that isn't an option. Thanks for the help.

Hello, I don't think this is the distro for you. Arch Linux is intended for users of some proficiency. May I instead suggest Linux Mint or Ubuntu for now? You can come back to Arch when you have learned your way around a Unix(-like) system.

Also, moving from Installation to Newbie Corner.

Archenduser · 2012-02-03 01:32:17

I need to disagree somewhat. I know how to use a GUI. I'm trying to super custom my build. The reason? Its better. Example: The gnome feet in every menu ect. It makes me sick. Its not only bloat buts its style related bloat in opposition to the users preference. Demanding attribution is like demanding respect.

While it is true I may not know everything about navigating unix like systems, I can read just fine. If it takes me longer cool, I'll still ultimately get what I'm looking for. One of the benefits of perseverance is understanding. I have the machines to break, and enjoy doing so. I plan to plug ahead.

dodo3773 · 2012-02-03 01:57:31

Archenduser wrote:

I need to disagree somewhat. I know how to use a GUI. I'm trying to super custom my build. The reason? Its better. Example: The gnome feet in every menu ect. It makes me sick. Its not only bloat buts its style related bloat in opposition to the users preference. Demanding attribution is like demanding respect.
While it is true I may not know everything about navigating unix like systems, I can read just fine. If it takes me longer cool, I'll still ultimately get what I'm looking for. One of the benefits of perseverance is understanding. I have the machines to break, and enjoy doing so. I plan to plug ahead.

Yes "~" is home aka /home/username aka $HOME variable as long as you are logged into a terminal as your user. If you log in as root then "~" would be /root. If you are trying to get a leaner system you may want to look into a window manager instead of a desktop environment. You have many many options in Arch.

mcmillan · 2012-02-03 02:02:51

While it's possible to use Arch if you're willing to do the reading, the Arch culture tends to frown on coming on the forums to ask basic questions (such as the significance of ~ and not realizing what directory you're in would be red flags for a lot of people here). If you're willing to use other resources to get up to speed it may work out for you. Good luck

Trilby · 2012-02-03 03:04:31

I'm largely in agreement with mcmillan, though I have a slightly different caution to offer: even in our most generous of moods, giving instructions on how to fix something to someone who can't even do the most basic navigation of their file-system would be extremely difficult. I mean no insult, Archenduser, but your lack of basic knowledge would/will make it very difficult for other community members to help you.

Other distros may ease you in a bit more smoothly.

thisoldman · 2012-02-03 08:40:49

@Archenduser,

As Trilby wrote, some knowledge of the command line and linux filesystem is necessary and expected for Arch users. I'll suggest this site, http://linuxcommand.org/index.php, for easily digested lessons to help bring you up to speed. There is a companion book available as a pdf-file that may be useful: http://linuxcommand.org/tlcl.php.

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.
—Henry Ward Beecher

Last edited by thisoldman (2012-02-03 08:41:51)

tomk · 2012-02-03 10:22:43

My €0.02 here - follow the Beginners' Guide exactly. Your questions and comments here indicate that you did not do that.

Arch Linux

#1 2012-02-02 00:44:15

Missing Conf files

#2 2012-02-02 00:54:42

Re: Missing Conf files

#3 2012-02-02 01:05:07

Re: Missing Conf files

#4 2012-02-02 01:12:19

Re: Missing Conf files

#5 2012-02-02 01:59:27

Re: Missing Conf files

#6 2012-02-02 02:09:08

Re: Missing Conf files

#7 2012-02-02 02:23:13

Re: Missing Conf files

#8 2012-02-02 02:51:06

Re: Missing Conf files

#9 2012-02-03 01:32:17

Re: Missing Conf files

#10 2012-02-03 01:57:31

Re: Missing Conf files

#11 2012-02-03 02:02:51

Re: Missing Conf files

#12 2012-02-03 03:04:31

Re: Missing Conf files

#13 2012-02-03 08:40:49

Re: Missing Conf files

#14 2012-02-03 10:22:43

Re: Missing Conf files

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