I don´t know why this would be so terrible. Mandriva will install /home in a separe partition by default (check if this is your case) so when you format your "/" you probably won´t lose data. format it in Mandriva´s install program.

The other option is to try fixing your problems.

first of all

the message bad signatures you can ignore altogether.
The packages are OK.
We have done that for years.

I am not sure what you mean with formatting.
If you want to re-install, you can keep the home partition with all your data.
you only re-install the root partition. ( / ) and ofcourse, that gets a format.
You will be given that choice in the install procedure.

Have you gone already to the Mandrake forum.?
There is a bunch of helpfull people lately
It's free for most part.

I also have every now and then a problem, but usually solved quickly by asking a qiestion there.

When I tried re-installing LE 2005, I just ended up with the same problems. There are just too many problems to be fixed. I want to go back to Mandrake 10.1 and do a clean install. Can I do that without first deleting all data in the boot partition?

when you do a clean install , you will be presented with different options.
Choose install, not upgrade.
then somewhere you will be presented with a screen that gives you the options to format different partition.
Do NOT format /home as you will loose all your particular data, such as maybe thunderbird email or firefox settings etc etc
The / partition you have to format as you will do the clean install on that space.
If you want to keep boot for some reason, you will have to save those files and import them later separatly ( but why would you like to keep /boot ??? )

Personnally I always keep the one that is working well, and do a separate install of the new version, so there are never unpleasant consequenses, just more work, which I don't mind.
I load my bootloader on a floppy, ( one for each install )so I don't have to worry about that either

Try to set up your HD this way, you will not regret it ( if you have the space, of course )

floppy

sorry to hear of your Mdk 10.2 experience.......I used a L format mag dvd no probs.

by the way, I am on dial up, great minds think alike, heh heh
if you are interested, no I have no association with what comes next
http://www.lankum.com/store/catalog/...roducts_id=376
is a dvd with fixes.......they burn every few days.

I can't work out their burn dates maybe you have to look at the list if you can afford the money.

good luck with your decisions.

Have you tried a non-framebuffer install in case its your video card?

I have so far re-installed Mandrake 10.1. I just had DSL turned on yesterday (couldn't pass up the deal), so I haven't yet downloaded all the patches & bug fixes. As I mentioned before, SE 2005 was working fine until I downloaed bug fixes. Probably it would be safer to purchase the DVD. Can you tell me what is a non frame buffer install, or tell me where to look that up?

OK, I got 2005 re-installed. I was anticipating major problems with modem compatibility, as I have jsut installed DSL. Happily, Linux simply detected & installed the modem with no further help from myself. At this point I am happy - I can see a number of improvements over Mandrake 10.1. Only remaining problem - when I attempt to download security patches I get a message, "The following files had to be removed," followed by a list of all the files! I'm not even trying to download bug fixes due to my experience last time. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and order the official DVD version?

I don't know how but, I've seen that 10.2 has a big network issue for me, i can't make the network to connect. i've tried several times but.. didn't succeded. what else can I try? is it because i use a realtek lan card? r because i set up network in confdrake, meaning in x?

NO

I installed this version of Mandriva/Mandrake and there were all sorts of bootup and shutdown problems. I am not new to Linux nor am I new to Mandrake. I am at this moment reinstalling 10.0 Official in to my system and I will stay there. I have never had problems like I did with the LE distro. I'm not sure if it's because I upgraded instead of a fresh install. So if anyone can tell me if this is the case and why, I will try again. I liked what I saw but it was nothing but bug city. I'm sure the integrity of my iso downloads was ok but if anyone has info on how to check let me know.

Thanks,
j

Since my last post in July, I also discovered a number of serious bugs in the 2005 version. Among other things, I found that clicking on almost any icon would open the Gimp! I have since gone back to Mandrake 10.1. This version is now running with almost no problems, except I still can not download security patches. I do plan to upgrade to the next official Mandriva version when it comes out.

OK i'm recanting, I did a clean install instead of an upgrade and so far none of the problems I encountered with the upgrade install. Only complaint so far is that I can't install the newer FireFox . I tried everything ans no go. I finally got frustrated and downloaded Mozilla went to konsole and installed with no hitch. I just wish I could get FireFox to work. Any suggestions, anyone. Otherwise 10.2 LE is running great.

1 - Google for "easy urpmi" and enter the website

2 - Choose cooker as your distro version and check at least contrib and main (I don't know on witch one firefox is ... probably main)

3 - Continue the form on the site and then follow the instructions that will appear (type the stuff asked as root on a terminal)

4 - "urpmi mozilla-firefox"

This will install the latest (1.0.6) firefox

Excellent Sekelsenmat. that did the trick, much appreciated. M 10.2 LE going strong. I am very satisfied and highly recommend moving up to the new distro.....

I started with 9.0 and I like where it's going.

Not satisfied

Saw the 6-08-2005 08:45 PM post by make saying "upgrade is easy".
How true is that ? Anyone concurs, having tryied on exotic machines? I have tried to install LE 2005 on my portable (toshiba Satellite A60-753 MP4 518), and it miserably crashes when booting for the first time after clean install. X starts up and then freezes, usually in the first 10 seconds (same symptoms as jon rouse 06-29-2005 but never got logged on). No time to investigate more. I wish to add that I have a history of using Mandrake (since 2000) but have always had trouble upgrading to new versions. I have always had to resolve to making clean installs (but this time it does not work!). Anyways, the problem with that is when you have installed and tweaked your own apps, you lose this hell lot of work.
So I was wondering. If I upgrade my currently working 10.1, am I reasonably sure of the success of the operation ?
And is it worth it? For the use I have, 10.1 fits my needs. And I have no urgent need to get the latest version. So why should I want to upgrade, in fact?
Cheers

This is relative. On a machine this can be really easy. On another it can be really messy.

The thing is: If you upgrade your entire operating system be sure you have /home on a separate partition. It is very likely that you will have to format /

I've successfully installed Mandrake 2005 LE on:

IBM PC - 400Mhz - 96 MB RAM - working with open office 2 and IceWM
Pentium 4 - 3.2Ghz - 512 MB RAM
AMD Duron 750Mhz - 128 MB RAM
Pentium 1Ghz - 256 MB RAM

This version is yet to fail me. Damn Small Linux failled miserably on Pentium 233 hanging all the time. Debian failed to recognize my hd on my Pentium 4 - 3.2Ghz. Debian worked on another pentium 233.

If your system is working and fits your needs you don't need to upgrade the entire operating system. It will probably only bring problems.

If you want to upgrade something you can upgrade by parts. One of the things I most like about Mandrake is that I could upgrade my entire KDE without any problems. Why reinstall the entire OS when you can just upgrade each software and only the ones you want?

Anyway, version 2006 will be out in some months, so if you install 2005 it won't be the newer version for long...

The few reasons to do a complete reinstall to a new version are:

- glibc changed! glibc is just too intrisic to the os ... if it changes you need a new fresh install
- Your current OS has problems with one or another periferical. Using the new version may solve the problem (It solved my sound problem, for instance)
- Your OS is so old that there are few packages available for it. But then you can use the cooker packages. Just be carefull not to install cooker packages for X and things like that because they can crash your system