Very new to this, but determined to let Linux take over my life.

I downloaded the iso image for Mandrake 9.2, successfully installed. Did the same for the second disk, and selected a lot of software to install. Now, when I select ¨This computer¨ from the Welcome screen, it gives me this message:

Unable to run the command specified. The file or directory file:/usr/share/applnk-mdk/Configuration/Configure your computer.desktop does not exist.

In that directory, there is a file kfmclient.desktop. Is that the relevant file? I assume something I installed from the second disk did something to the file that was supposed to be there.

I tried to change the name to see if it is, but I am not logged in as root. I can find any reference to changing login in the Konqueror handbook. Is there a way I can do this from the desktop?

i'm sorry but I can't see what you're talking about.
You've install Mandrake 9.2 and started it? Yes?
You're in the graphical environement and want to change the settings?

Telle us more about this please.

Marc A

Yes, I am in the Mandrake 9.2 graphic environment. In the Welcome screen, I select ¨This computer (tune your system, configure services, and install new software)¨. I then get the error message:

Unable to run the command specified. The file or directory file:/usr/share/applnk-mdk/Configuration/Configure your computer.desktop does not exist.

I did not knowingly delete that file, but I assume that when I used the command previously to install other software it was removed or renamed. How do I get that file back?

That directory has a kfmclient.desktop file in it, and I query whether that is the relevant file, but differently named. To try to find out, I proposed to copy it and save it as ¨Configure your computer.desktop¨. But I cannot do that when I am not logged in as root. When I logout from my user login so I can log in a different user, there is no option to log in as root, only as the user. Can I change my login to root from the graphic environment?

I also have same problem. All configuration options worked OK on my CD installation following new install, but after power down and re-start the following day, I lost a number of menu items i.e. Konqueror & all OpenOffice applications have gone, and the remaining main menu item icons all appear as binders.

If I click the configuation link on the start-up KDE splash screen I get message "........configure your computer.desktop does not exist".

I have tried Gnome as an alternative, but still no confuguration options exist and a similar reduced number of menu items available.

Carried out complete clean re-install which temporarily solved the problem, but now I am back where I started.

Using Mandrake 9.2 on Asus A7N8X MB

@danalyor: type update-menus -v in a console. It's a known mandrake 9.2 bug. And if you're having lock up problems, add noapic nolapic to your kernel parameters.

Many many thanks Redeye2 for your post, I ran the command as you stated and the menus are all now restored as original installation and working OK, including the "configure my computer" link from the startup splash screen.

Having had this problem and also had to resort to a forum to find a solution to enable me to configure my onboard nForce2 ethernet, as a first time user of linux, I was at the point of forgetting linux. Now I can explore and enjoy.

Redeye2 - many thanks from me too. That has fixed the menus, so I now have access to the applications I installed and I can change my login to root. The Mandrake Welcome screen still gave me the same error message, so I updated the menus again, but this time I first used su to log in as root before doing so.

I am not sure how to change the kernel parameters, so I´ll leave that for now while I do a bit of research.

Glad to help guys
@danaylor:
That's great to hear! I've had linux for a short time and learned a lot because I didn't quit at the first problem. Good attitute.

@apaladon:
Actually the configure your computer link on the mandrake welcome screen points to kde menu/system/configuration/Configure your Computer. Just click the menu icon and you'll get the same results.
To change kernel parameters:
1)During installation: press F1 at the boot screen and in the prompt type:
linux [parameter 1] [parameter 2] ... [parameter n]
So, if you want to add noapic nolapic, it'd end up: linux noapìc nolapic.

2)Inside mandrake graphical: go to kde menu/system/configuration/Configure your computer, in there go to boot/boot loader. In the screen you get, press next. You'll come to a screen that has the list that you get at startup (linux, windows, failsafe, floppy, etc...). Choose the one you wish to modify (for example the main one you use to boot into mandrake). And click on modify. In the textbot append will be a list of kernel parameters. My "default" one looked like this:
AFAIK those mean:
devfs=mount used for supermount
splash=silent used for the kde splashscreen
acpi=ht disables the use of acpi

I added the following:
noapic disables apic (causing random lockups)
nolapic ditto
apm=off turn off APM (old ACPI)
**acpi=ht** actually removed this one to enable acpi.

3) Modify the file /etc/lilo.config.

Thanks. I had thought that the splash screen would just be short cuts to things you could do in other ways - you have shown me that is so.

I am not sure if my differences to the setup you describe are due to my using Mandrake 9.2 when you use Mandrake 10 (upgrading the version is yet another task ahead of me). I don´t have a System listing in the menu, it goes straight to Configuration. And in Configure your computer, the boot screen has a link to Drakboot. You have to select the configuration button, but then it is all as you have described. I added noapi and nolapi and apm=off to the kernel parameters, and deleted acpi=ht.

It feels good to start to have some control over what I am doing, and some understanding about how the system operates.

In fact I was pretty much lost the first week using linux. Now I'm still lost in some stuff but know a bit of the logic behind things on this OS. Checking this forum everyday teaches you a LOT!
About the menus being different, in fact that was my mistake because I thought you had v10 but you found correct way around, good job.

I think I have the same kind of problem as @danaylor, I get the same error message, and the install software option has disappeared.

My mandrake 9.2 linux was doing just fine, but all of a sudden I can´t open the home, so I can´t open any terminal either (I used to open the terminal from the option at the "home" browser, by typing control+t)

I was gonna try @redeye2 solution, but I just can´t open a console window to try it!!

Can anyone help me?