- WLUG - wlug.mailman3.com

Re: [Wlug] 2nd hard drive problem

by Tim Keller

Ken, If you're getting "IO failure", then you've quite likely got a bad hard drive... I'd load the smart tools and test the disk to see if it's got bad sectors. Here's a like to Western Digitals website for your drive. They've got some tools you can download to test the drive as well. http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?modelno=WD1600AAJB&x=11&y=10 Thanks, Tim. On Mon, Sep 19, 2011 at 12:26 PM, Ken Jones <kjones(a)ziplink.net> wrote: > Thank you, Chuck. Lot's more information here. Suggestions? > > [root@pacman mnt]# dmesg | grep hdb > ide0: BM-DMA at 0xd000-0xd007, BIOS settings: hda:DMA, hdb:DMA > hdb: WDC WD1600AAJB-00J3A0, ATA DISK drive > hdb: max request size: 512KiB > hdb: 312581808 sectors (160041 MB) w/8192KiB Cache, CHS=19457/255/63, > UDMA(66) > hdb: cache flushes supported > hdb: hdb1 hdb2 > EXT3 FS on hdb1, internal journal > SELinux: initialized (dev hdb1, type ext3), uses xattr > EXT3-fs warning (device hdb2): ext3_update_dynamic_rev: updating to rev > 1 because of new feature flag, running e2fsck is recommended > EXT3 FS on hdb2, internal journal > SELinux: initialized (dev hdb2, type ext3), uses xattr > EXT3-fs error (device hdb2): ext3_new_inode: reserved inode or inode > > inodes count - block_group = 0, inode=1 > Aborting journal on device hdb2. > EXT3-fs error (device hdb2) in ext3_new_inode: IO failure > EXT3-fs error (device hdb2) in ext3_create: IO failure > EXT3-fs error (device hdb2): ext3_journal_start_sb: Detected aborted > journal > EXT3-fs warning (device hdb2): ext3_clear_journal_err: Filesystem error > recorded from previous mount: IO failure > EXT3-fs warning (device hdb2): ext3_clear_journal_err: Marking fs in > need of filesystem check. > EXT3 FS on hdb2, internal journal > SELinux: initialized (dev hdb2, type ext3), uses xattr > EXT3 FS on hdb2, internal journal > SELinux: initialized (dev hdb2, type ext3), uses xattr > EXT3-fs error (device hdb2): ext3_new_inode: reserved inode or inode > > inodes count - block_group = 0, inode=2 > Aborting journal on device hdb2. > EXT3-fs error (device hdb2) in ext3_new_inode: IO failure > EXT3-fs error (device hdb2) in ext3_create: IO failure > EXT3-fs error (device hdb2): ext3_journal_start_sb: Detected aborted > journal > [root@pacman mnt]# > > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

Sept. 19, 2011

2nd hard drive problem

by Ken Jones

Thank you, Chuck. Lot's more information here. Suggestions? [root@pacman mnt]# dmesg | grep hdb ide0: BM-DMA at 0xd000-0xd007, BIOS settings: hda:DMA, hdb:DMA hdb: WDC WD1600AAJB-00J3A0, ATA DISK drive hdb: max request size: 512KiB hdb: 312581808 sectors (160041 MB) w/8192KiB Cache, CHS=19457/255/63, UDMA(66) hdb: cache flushes supported hdb: hdb1 hdb2 EXT3 FS on hdb1, internal journal SELinux: initialized (dev hdb1, type ext3), uses xattr EXT3-fs warning (device hdb2): ext3_update_dynamic_rev: updating to rev 1 because of new feature flag, running e2fsck is recommended EXT3 FS on hdb2, internal journal SELinux: initialized (dev hdb2, type ext3), uses xattr EXT3-fs error (device hdb2): ext3_new_inode: reserved inode or inode > inodes count - block_group = 0, inode=1 Aborting journal on device hdb2. EXT3-fs error (device hdb2) in ext3_new_inode: IO failure EXT3-fs error (device hdb2) in ext3_create: IO failure EXT3-fs error (device hdb2): ext3_journal_start_sb: Detected aborted journal EXT3-fs warning (device hdb2): ext3_clear_journal_err: Filesystem error recorded from previous mount: IO failure EXT3-fs warning (device hdb2): ext3_clear_journal_err: Marking fs in need of filesystem check. EXT3 FS on hdb2, internal journal SELinux: initialized (dev hdb2, type ext3), uses xattr EXT3 FS on hdb2, internal journal SELinux: initialized (dev hdb2, type ext3), uses xattr EXT3-fs error (device hdb2): ext3_new_inode: reserved inode or inode > inodes count - block_group = 0, inode=2 Aborting journal on device hdb2. EXT3-fs error (device hdb2) in ext3_new_inode: IO failure EXT3-fs error (device hdb2) in ext3_create: IO failure EXT3-fs error (device hdb2): ext3_journal_start_sb: Detected aborted journal [root@pacman mnt]#

Sept. 19, 2011

Re: [Wlug] More on my 2nd hard drive problem

by Chuck Anderson

On Sun, Sep 18, 2011 at 05:57:57PM -0400, Ken Jones wrote: > The problem with your attempts to help may be > in that my Fedora is soooo old. It is Fedora 4. This > second disk has/had? Fedora 6, but it never worked > correctly. > > Here is the result of grep'ng all of /var/log/dmesg Please type this command exactly like this: dmesg | grep hdb and post the output. It is not the same as /var/log/dmesg.

Sept. 19, 2011

More on my 2nd hard drive problem

by Ken Jones

The problem with your attempts to help may be in that my Fedora is soooo old. It is Fedora 4. This second disk has/had? Fedora 6, but it never worked correctly. Here is the result of grep'ng all of /var/log/dmesg [root@pacman graphics]# more /var/log/dmesg | grep hdb ide0: BM-DMA at 0xd000-0xd007, BIOS settings: hda:DMA, hdb:DMA hdb: WDC WD1600AAJB-00J3A0, ATA DISK drive hdb: max request size: 512KiB hdb: 312581808 sectors (160041 MB) w/8192KiB Cache, CHS=19457/255/63, UDMA(66) hdb: cache flushes supported hdb: hdb1 hdb2 EXT3 FS on hdb1, internal journal SELinux: initialized (dev hdb1, type ext3), uses xattr [root@pacman graphics]# I do not understand what the above is saying. ---------------------- /var/log/messages has no references to hdb [root@pacman graphics]# ls -l /var/log/messages -rw------- 1 root root 16410 Sep 18 16:13 /var/log/messages [root@pacman graphics]# more /var/log/messages | grep hdb [root@pacman graphics]# ---------------------- smartonttools does not install. [root@pacman graphics]# yum install smartmontools Setting up Install Process Setting up repositories Cannot find a valid baseurl for repo: updates-released Error: Cannot find a valid baseurl for repo: updates-released [root@pacman graphics]# ---------------------- I tried... [root@pacman graphics]# vgchange -a y 2 logical volume(s) in volume group "VolGroup00" now active ---------------------- I do not want SELinux, It is just there. I'll try to eliminate it. Ken

Sept. 18, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Problem with second hard drive.

by Randall Mason

No, I'm guessing he showed the right messages. His messages had SELinux in them, which to me spells headache and heartbreak. Try flipping off SELinux: http://www.crypt.gen.nz/selinux/disable_selinux.html If that gets things working, then you need to either decide to become and SELinux expert and then post your root password on the internet like so many others, or you need to permanently disable it. Having it in permissive mode though will allow you to see what SELinux roles need what permissions in the logs for what you are doing, if you decide to go the way of heartbreak and headache. Good luck. Randall Mason * * * * On Sat, Sep 17, 2011 at 5:17 AM, Chuck Anderson <cra(a)wpi.edu> wrote: > On Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 09:50:36PM -0400, Ken Jones wrote: > > [root@pacman graphics]# tail /var/log/dmesg > > md: autorun ... > > md: ... autorun DONE. > > EXT3 FS on dm-0, internal journal > > kjournald starting. Commit interval 5 seconds > > EXT3 FS on hdb1, internal journal > > EXT3-fs: mounted filesystem with ordered data mode. > > SELinux: initialized (dev hdb1, type ext3), uses xattr > > SELinux: initialized (dev tmpfs, type tmpfs), uses transition SIDs > > Adding 524280k swap on /dev/VolGroup00/LogVol01. Priority:-1 extents:1 > > across:524280k > > SELinux: initialized (dev binfmt_misc, type binfmt_misc), uses > > genfs_contexts > > [root@pacman graphics]# > > > > ----------------------- > > I have no idea what dmesg is talking about. The data seems to > > match the 'mount' statement and yesterday's date, Sept 15th. > > Yes, but was does "dmesg | grep hdb" say? That will search the entire > dmesg output for anything related to hdb, rather than just showing the > last 10 lines of dmesg which you posted above. dmesg shows all > "recent" kernel log messages. They may also be in /var/log/messages, > so you can show that too: > > grep hdb /var/log/messages > > Another thing to try is a S.M.A.R.T. test on the hard drive: > > Install the package: > > yum install smartmontools > > Post this output: > > smartctl -a /dev/hdb > smartctl -l selftest /dev/hdb > > Perform a short test: > > smartctl -t short /dev/hdb > > (wait until short test is completed--it will say on the screen when > that will be) > > Show test results again: > > smartctl -l selftest /dev/hdb > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug >

Sept. 17, 2011

Intro to IPv6

by Chuck Anderson

Thanks for a great meeting all. I've posted version 2 of my slides up on the WLUG website with some additions and enhancements and many more links in the reference section: http://www.wlug.org/files/intro-to-ipv6.pdf I plan to give this talk at BLU on November 16 if you want a second chance at it. Thanks, Chuck On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 07:05:23PM -0400, Eric Martin wrote: > I really wanted to go to this but I can't, too much homework. > > On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 5:53 PM, Chuck Anderson <cra(a)wpi.edu> wrote: > > > Sorry for the late reminder. Please join us tonight for a talk about > > IPv6! > > > > On Fri, Sep 09, 2011 at 08:48:46AM -0400, Chuck Anderson wrote: > > > > > Hi folks, > > > Our next WLUG meeting is Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00 PM at the WPI > > > campus in Worcester, MA USA. The meeting room is in WPI's Morgan Hall > > > (building 'H' on the campus map [1]), down the hallway to the right of > > > the dining hall entrance. > > > > > > [1] http://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/WPI/walkingmap.pdf > > > > > > This month, I'll be giving a talk on Internet Protocol Version 6, > > > including basics of how it works, how to configure it on various > > > systems, and various issues & benefits to using IPv6. > > > > > > After the meeting, we'll go out for pizza. > > > > > > See you all there, > > > Chuck > > > President, Worcester Linux Users' Group

Sept. 17, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Problem with second hard drive.

by Chuck Anderson

On Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 09:50:36PM -0400, Ken Jones wrote: > [root@pacman graphics]# tail /var/log/dmesg > md: autorun ... > md: ... autorun DONE. > EXT3 FS on dm-0, internal journal > kjournald starting. Commit interval 5 seconds > EXT3 FS on hdb1, internal journal > EXT3-fs: mounted filesystem with ordered data mode. > SELinux: initialized (dev hdb1, type ext3), uses xattr > SELinux: initialized (dev tmpfs, type tmpfs), uses transition SIDs > Adding 524280k swap on /dev/VolGroup00/LogVol01. Priority:-1 extents:1 > across:524280k > SELinux: initialized (dev binfmt_misc, type binfmt_misc), uses > genfs_contexts > [root@pacman graphics]# > > ----------------------- > I have no idea what dmesg is talking about. The data seems to > match the 'mount' statement and yesterday's date, Sept 15th. Yes, but was does "dmesg | grep hdb" say? That will search the entire dmesg output for anything related to hdb, rather than just showing the last 10 lines of dmesg which you posted above. dmesg shows all "recent" kernel log messages. They may also be in /var/log/messages, so you can show that too: grep hdb /var/log/messages Another thing to try is a S.M.A.R.T. test on the hard drive: Install the package: yum install smartmontools Post this output: smartctl -a /dev/hdb smartctl -l selftest /dev/hdb Perform a short test: smartctl -t short /dev/hdb (wait until short test is completed--it will say on the screen when that will be) Show test results again: smartctl -l selftest /dev/hdb

Sept. 17, 2011

Problem with second hard drive.

by Ken Jones

Here's what mount has to say: [root@pacman kjones]# mount -l -t ext3 /dev/mapper/VolGroup00-LogVol00 on / type ext3 (rw) /dev/hdb1 on /boot type ext3 (rw) [/boot] /dev/hdb1 on /mnt/HDB1 type ext3 (rw) [/boot] /dev/hdb2 on /mnt/HDB2 type ext3 (rw) <==== [root@pacman kjones]# --------------------------------- Here's what is in dmesg. [root@pacman graphics]# ls -l /var/log/dmesg -rw-r--r-- 1 root root 11691 Sep 15 22:26 /var/log/dmesg [root@pacman graphics]# tail /var/log/dmesg md: autorun ... md: ... autorun DONE. EXT3 FS on dm-0, internal journal kjournald starting. Commit interval 5 seconds EXT3 FS on hdb1, internal journal EXT3-fs: mounted filesystem with ordered data mode. SELinux: initialized (dev hdb1, type ext3), uses xattr SELinux: initialized (dev tmpfs, type tmpfs), uses transition SIDs Adding 524280k swap on /dev/VolGroup00/LogVol01. Priority:-1 extents:1 across:524280k SELinux: initialized (dev binfmt_misc, type binfmt_misc), uses genfs_contexts [root@pacman graphics]# ----------------------- I have no idea what dmesg is talking about. The data seems to match the 'mount' statement and yesterday's date, Sept 15th. Thanks everyone!! Ken

Sept. 17, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Problems getting a second hard drive fully functional.

by kstratton＠fastmail.us

Assuming that the drive has already been partioned with fdisk/cfdisk and formatted with whatever filesystem you choose to put on it, I try the following. when logged in as root: 1) does /etc/fstab properly show the filesystem type of hdb2? if it does not, I would specify the filesystem in the mount command. (mount -t type device dir) 2) Unmount the disk and reinstall the filesystem on the hard drive. Check for errors in the output. 3) check out hdparm, it might be worth a try. On Friday, September 16, 2011 2:13 PM, "Mike Frysinger" <vapier(a)gentoo.org> wrote: > On Friday, September 16, 2011 13:52:43 Ken Jones wrote: > > As /dev/hdb2 it has 777 privileges. > > [root@pacman dev]# ls -la /dev/hdb2 > > brwxrwxrwx 1 root disk 3, 66 Sep 15 18:26 /dev/hdb2 <=== > > doesnt matter > > > ------------------ > > Mounted as /mnt/HDB2 it also shows 777 privileges. > > > > [root@pacman mnt]# ls -l > > drwxrwxrwx 3 root root 4096 Sep 15 21:25 HDB2 <=== > > > > ------------------ > > But I can not make a ordinary directory on it. > > What am I not doing? > > what is the `mount` output for that mount point ? is there anything > interesting in the `dmesg` log ? > -mike > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > Email had 1 attachment: > + signature.asc > 1k (application/pgp-signature) -- kstratton(a)fastmail.us

Sept. 17, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Problems getting a second hard drive fully functional.

by Mike Frysinger

On Friday, September 16, 2011 13:52:43 Ken Jones wrote: > As /dev/hdb2 it has 777 privileges. > [root@pacman dev]# ls -la /dev/hdb2 > brwxrwxrwx 1 root disk 3, 66 Sep 15 18:26 /dev/hdb2 <=== doesnt matter > ------------------ > Mounted as /mnt/HDB2 it also shows 777 privileges. > > [root@pacman mnt]# ls -l > drwxrwxrwx 3 root root 4096 Sep 15 21:25 HDB2 <=== > > ------------------ > But I can not make a ordinary directory on it. > What am I not doing? what is the `mount` output for that mount point ? is there anything interesting in the `dmesg` log ? -mike

Sept. 16, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Problems getting a second hard drive fully functional.

by Chuck Anderson

On Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 05:52:43PM +0000, Ken Jones wrote: > As /dev/hdb2 it has 777 privileges. > > [root@pacman dev]# ls -la /dev/hdb2 > brwxrwxrwx 1 root disk 3, 66 Sep 15 18:26 /dev/hdb2 <=== It is a very bad idea and not necessary at all for the device node to have world-writable permissions. Keep it at 600 or 660 (whatever your other disk devices have). > drwxrwxrwx 3 root root 4096 Sep 15 21:25 HDB2 <=== > ------------------ > But I can not make a ordinary directory on it. > What am I not doing? It says riht here: > [root@pacman mnt]# mkdir -m 777 /mnt/HDB2/PICTURES > mkdir: cannot create directory `/mnt/HDB2/PICTURES': Read-only file > system The filesystem is mounted read-only. If you didn't mount it yourself read-only, the kernel could have changed it to read-only as a precautionary measure if errors were encountered on the filesystem. I suggest you unmount it and check for errors. Check for kernel errors on the device: dmesg|grep hdb Check the filesystem for errors: umount /dev/hdb2 fsck -f /dev/hdb2 If all is well, re-mounting it read-write: mount -o rw /dev/hdb2

Sept. 16, 2011

Problems getting a second hard drive fully functional.

by Ken Jones

I have added a 160G hbd to my system. [root@pacman mnt]# fdisk /dev/hdb Command (m for help): p Disk /dev/hdb: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes 255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System /dev/hdb1 * 1 13 104391 83 Linux /dev/hdb2 14 19457 156183930 83 Linux --------------------- As /dev/hdb2 it has 777 privileges. [root@pacman dev]# ls -la /dev/hdb2 brwxrwxrwx 1 root disk 3, 66 Sep 15 18:26 /dev/hdb2 <=== ------------------ Mounted as /mnt/HDB2 it also shows 777 privileges. [root@pacman mnt]# ls -l total 146 drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Aug 30 22:04 150G drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jul 21 2006 cdrom drwxrwxr-x 2 kjones kjones 4096 May 23 2006 fitch01 drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Sep 4 22:46 HDB drwxr-xr-x 4 root root 1024 Aug 26 23:25 HDB1 drwxrwxrwx 3 root root 4096 Sep 15 21:25 HDB2 <=== ------------------ But I can not make a ordinary directory on it. What am I not doing? [root@pacman mnt]# ls -la /mnt/HDB2 total 60 drwxrwxrwx 3 root root 4096 Sep 15 21:25 . drwxrwxrwx 22 root root 4096 Sep 7 22:37 .. drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 49152 Sep 15 21:25 lost+found [root@pacman mnt]# mkdir -m 777 /mnt/HDB2/PICTURES mkdir: cannot create directory `/mnt/HDB2/PICTURES': Read-only file system [root@pacman mnt]#

Sept. 16, 2011

Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by joel d

Thanks to all for the ideas and comments. Not sure I will be happy spending time on a custom DVR and not sure I will be happy with a canned solution. I now have food for thought, Joel

Sept. 16, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by Gregory Boyce

I've gone through a few Tivos over the years and only bought the lifetime agreement on one of them. Guess which one no longer works. On Sep 16, 2011 9:11 AM, "John Stoffel" <john(a)stoffel.org> wrote: > > > Clint> Of course, there's a monthly fee for each TiVo... > > Not if you buy the lifetime service. Yes, it's two years up front, > but it pays off in the long run. I went 9 years with my last Tivo > before it died. All that saved money paid for the new tivo with money > left over! *grin* > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

Sept. 16, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by John Stoffel

Clint> Of course, there's a monthly fee for each TiVo... Not if you buy the lifetime service. Yes, it's two years up front, but it pays off in the long run. I went 9 years with my last Tivo before it died. All that saved money paid for the new tivo with money left over! *grin*

Sept. 16, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by Clint Moyer

You're not going to get Myth or any HTPC to work with DirecTV because there are no tuner cards that can unscramble the signal. Satellite TV requires a receiver from the vendor. We dropped DirecTV for over-the-air and TiVo and saved nearly $100/mo in the process. If you choose OTA, you'll want to consider the money and time investment for at least two PCs for Myth. TiVo will allow you to view recordings among all receivers on your LAN. Of course, there's a monthly fee for each TiVo... On Sep 15, 2011, at 11:07 AM, joel d <joelgroup(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Hi, > > I am re-working our TV to HDTV currently and trying to decide on a DVR. > Currently I use Charter's DVR and not impressed with their DVR layout/features. > > Currently I am looking at either the DirectTV whole house DVR option > or building a Myth DVR box(s). > > Not sure I want to bite off the Myth though due to needing 2 machines, > tuner card, and chunks of my time (vs turnkey for an "appliance"). > > I have read the docs at MythTV website but am asking current Myth users: > > 1) Others are running for Myth hardware (front and back end specs) > > 2) Any estimates on install startup hours and monthly maintenance hours. > > 3) Any tips for a quick & smooth Myth install in late 2011 > > My current plans include a video source of HD via satellite from Dish > or DirectTV and am leaning towards a Samsung 55" LCD/LED set. > > I got the impression around three years ago that Myth was a "techie > time intensive" thing to setup and run. > I could be all wet on that impression or it may have changed. > > Thank you, > > Joel > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

Sept. 15, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by Gregory Boyce

I'm not sure if it would work with the Premiere or not, but I wrote a commandline tool for downloading shows from my Tivo. I had larger plans for the project, but for now I find it rather useful for archiving shows off the tivo to watch later. It can either download the encrypted files, or decrypt them automatically if you have the tivodecode program. My scripts: http://tivoarchive.sourceforge.net/ Tivodecode: http://tivodecode.sourceforge.net/ On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 4:11 PM, John Stoffel <john(a)stoffel.org> wrote: > > I hate to say it, but I'm a Tivo convert, with a dual tuner premiere I > got earlier this year after my 9 year old series 2 finally bit the > bullet. > > The big payoff was not having to re-train the wife. *grin* And it > just works. I'd love to do a MythTV box at some point, but cable > cards, HD and all this is a huge hassle when I don't have the time. > > And honestly, the Tivo remote is the best by far. The UI is pretty > snappy too and just works. I have yet to see any other solution work > nearly as well and be nearly as accessible to non-tech savy users. > > >From an end-user perspective, having a good, well laid out remote with > a responsive UI is wonderful. You'll never go back once you've had > it. > >

Sept. 15, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by John Stoffel

I hate to say it, but I'm a Tivo convert, with a dual tuner premiere I got earlier this year after my 9 year old series 2 finally bit the bullet. The big payoff was not having to re-train the wife. *grin* And it just works. I'd love to do a MythTV box at some point, but cable cards, HD and all this is a huge hassle when I don't have the time. And honestly, the Tivo remote is the best by far. The UI is pretty snappy too and just works. I have yet to see any other solution work nearly as well and be nearly as accessible to non-tech savy users. >From an end-user perspective, having a good, well laid out remote with a responsive UI is wonderful. You'll never go back once you've had it. John --

Sept. 15, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by Eric Martin

Getting it working on mine was a small pain, mainly because I'm using what was bleeding edge at the time (no drivers). My big sticking point is that I can't record analog channels past 27 for some reason on one of my cards, and I've never had the time to figure out why. As for regular maintenance, it's fine as long as you don't mess with it too much. 90% of the time the maintenance comes because I've broken something, or forgotten to update a driver when I upgrade the kernel (I'm running in on Gentoo). I too have a Charter DVR (I caved for my wife) and I hate the new UI. Also, it doesn't always work and the mythbox has save my @$$ on occasion. Granted, it won't get full acceptance until it can record Mythbusters properly, and that's not happening until I finish school (this coming May). Also, I have some scripts that I run as cronjobs to backup the database that have been amazingly helpful, I use them at work for all of our MySQL databases as well. I'd be happy to post them if anybody is interested. On 09/15/11 11:07, joel d wrote: > Hi, > > I am re-working our TV to HDTV currently and trying to decide on a DVR. > Currently I use Charter's DVR and not impressed with their DVR layout/features. > > Currently I am looking at either the DirectTV whole house DVR option > or building a Myth DVR box(s). > > Not sure I want to bite off the Myth though due to needing 2 machines, > tuner card, and chunks of my time (vs turnkey for an "appliance"). > > I have read the docs at MythTV website but am asking current Myth users: > > 1) Others are running for Myth hardware (front and back end specs) > > 2) Any estimates on install startup hours and monthly maintenance hours. > > 3) Any tips for a quick & smooth Myth install in late 2011 > > My current plans include a video source of HD via satellite from Dish > or DirectTV and am leaning towards a Samsung 55" LCD/LED set. > > I got the impression around three years ago that Myth was a "techie > time intensive" thing to setup and run. > I could be all wet on that impression or it may have changed. > > Thank you, > > Joel > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug -- eric GnuPG Fingerprint = D1C4 086E DBB5 C18E 6FDA B215 6A25 7174 A941 3B9F

Sept. 15, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by Tim Keller

off even! On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 12:02 PM, Tim Keller <turbofx(a)gmail.com> wrote: > I can't speak to mythtv since it's been a very long time since I played > with it, but I recently had to switch from the DirecTivo the Directv DVR and > I have to say, I'm rather NOT impressed. > > It's very laggy (press a button, wait 1/2 a second to respond) > > Skippy... you see it on things like cartoons... it'll skip ahead 1/2 a > second... very loud blips... > > I know this is just me whinny, but in the dark, I find that the remote just > sucks. It's bulky and there's approximately 10 more buttons then you really > want. Plus the buttons are laid out in such a way that you can't just grab > the remote the remote and know how your hand is placed on it... > > Oh yeah... get of my lawn! > > > On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 11:51 AM, brad <bkn(a)ithryn.net> wrote: > >> On Thursday, September 15, 2011 11:07:15 AM joel d wrote: >> > Hi, >> > >> > I am re-working our TV to HDTV currently and trying to decide on a DVR. >> > Currently I use Charter's DVR and not impressed with their DVR >> > layout/features. >> > >> > Currently I am looking at either the DirectTV whole house DVR option >> > or building a Myth DVR box(s). >> > >> > Not sure I want to bite off the Myth though due to needing 2 machines, >> > tuner card, and chunks of my time (vs turnkey for an "appliance"). >> > >> Why would you need 2 machines? >> >> > I have read the docs at MythTV website but am asking current Myth users: >> > >> > 1) Others are running for Myth hardware (front and back end specs) >> > >> I have an HVR-1600 and HVR-2250. >> >> > 2) Any estimates on install startup hours and monthly maintenance hours. >> > >> This is very dependent on how you plan to use it, and if others plan to >> use >> it. I don't watch a lot of TV but i do have it record a few programs. >> >> Install Hours: Significant time commitment is usually needed. I know that >> configuring the remote was most difficult for me. This information is >> coming from >> almost two years ago, when i last installed. >> >> Month maintenance Hours: less than an hour, typically. >> >> > 3) Any tips for a quick & smooth Myth install in late 2011 >> > >> I use ubuntu with mythtv packages. I'm also running 10.04 since upgrading >> can >> be a major headache; so i try to stick with the Long Term releases. >> >> > My current plans include a video source of HD via satellite from Dish >> > or DirectTV and am leaning towards a Samsung 55" LCD/LED set. >> > >> Getting HD on mythtv can be a little difficult sometimes, depending on >> your >> cable provider. Don't expect to be able to simple connect the coax to your >> MythTv tuner and get all the channels since many of them (typically all of >> them except broadcast channels) are scrambled and you need to run though >> the >> cablebox to unscramble. I currently have the cable box output connected to >> my >> MythTv box and a firewire cable connected from my MythTv box to the >> cablebox to >> change channels. It works fine, but i can't watch and record something at >> the >> same time on non-broadcast channels. >> >> > I got the impression around three years ago that Myth was a "techie >> > time intensive" thing to setup and run. >> > I could be all wet on that impression or it may have changed. >> > >> Things are getting easier to setup. It especially helps if you have an >> HDTV >> with a VGA 15pin or DVI input. As i said above the remote control is often >> times a headache. >> >> All this being said. Since i have the know-how, i much prefer my mythtv >> over >> any cable company's DVR. >> _______________________________________________ >> Wlug mailing list >> Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org >> http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug >> > > > > -- > I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their > constituents as "consumers". > -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

Sept. 15, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by Tim Keller

I can't speak to mythtv since it's been a very long time since I played with it, but I recently had to switch from the DirecTivo the Directv DVR and I have to say, I'm rather NOT impressed. It's very laggy (press a button, wait 1/2 a second to respond) Skippy... you see it on things like cartoons... it'll skip ahead 1/2 a second... very loud blips... I know this is just me whinny, but in the dark, I find that the remote just sucks. It's bulky and there's approximately 10 more buttons then you really want. Plus the buttons are laid out in such a way that you can't just grab the remote the remote and know how your hand is placed on it... Oh yeah... get of my lawn! On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 11:51 AM, brad <bkn(a)ithryn.net> wrote: > On Thursday, September 15, 2011 11:07:15 AM joel d wrote: > > Hi, > > > > I am re-working our TV to HDTV currently and trying to decide on a DVR. > > Currently I use Charter's DVR and not impressed with their DVR > > layout/features. > > > > Currently I am looking at either the DirectTV whole house DVR option > > or building a Myth DVR box(s). > > > > Not sure I want to bite off the Myth though due to needing 2 machines, > > tuner card, and chunks of my time (vs turnkey for an "appliance"). > > > Why would you need 2 machines? > > > I have read the docs at MythTV website but am asking current Myth users: > > > > 1) Others are running for Myth hardware (front and back end specs) > > > I have an HVR-1600 and HVR-2250. > > > 2) Any estimates on install startup hours and monthly maintenance hours. > > > This is very dependent on how you plan to use it, and if others plan to use > it. I don't watch a lot of TV but i do have it record a few programs. > > Install Hours: Significant time commitment is usually needed. I know that > configuring the remote was most difficult for me. This information is > coming from > almost two years ago, when i last installed. > > Month maintenance Hours: less than an hour, typically. > > > 3) Any tips for a quick & smooth Myth install in late 2011 > > > I use ubuntu with mythtv packages. I'm also running 10.04 since upgrading > can > be a major headache; so i try to stick with the Long Term releases. > > > My current plans include a video source of HD via satellite from Dish > > or DirectTV and am leaning towards a Samsung 55" LCD/LED set. > > > Getting HD on mythtv can be a little difficult sometimes, depending on your > cable provider. Don't expect to be able to simple connect the coax to your > MythTv tuner and get all the channels since many of them (typically all of > them except broadcast channels) are scrambled and you need to run though > the > cablebox to unscramble. I currently have the cable box output connected to > my > MythTv box and a firewire cable connected from my MythTv box to the > cablebox to > change channels. It works fine, but i can't watch and record something at > the > same time on non-broadcast channels. > > > I got the impression around three years ago that Myth was a "techie > > time intensive" thing to setup and run. > > I could be all wet on that impression or it may have changed. > > > Things are getting easier to setup. It especially helps if you have an HDTV > with a VGA 15pin or DVI input. As i said above the remote control is often > times a headache. > > All this being said. Since i have the know-how, i much prefer my mythtv > over > any cable company's DVR. > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

Sept. 15, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by brad

On Thursday, September 15, 2011 11:07:15 AM joel d wrote: > Hi, > > I am re-working our TV to HDTV currently and trying to decide on a DVR. > Currently I use Charter's DVR and not impressed with their DVR > layout/features. > > Currently I am looking at either the DirectTV whole house DVR option > or building a Myth DVR box(s). > > Not sure I want to bite off the Myth though due to needing 2 machines, > tuner card, and chunks of my time (vs turnkey for an "appliance"). > Why would you need 2 machines? > I have read the docs at MythTV website but am asking current Myth users: > > 1) Others are running for Myth hardware (front and back end specs) > I have an HVR-1600 and HVR-2250. > 2) Any estimates on install startup hours and monthly maintenance hours. > This is very dependent on how you plan to use it, and if others plan to use it. I don't watch a lot of TV but i do have it record a few programs. Install Hours: Significant time commitment is usually needed. I know that configuring the remote was most difficult for me. This information is coming from almost two years ago, when i last installed. Month maintenance Hours: less than an hour, typically. > 3) Any tips for a quick & smooth Myth install in late 2011 > I use ubuntu with mythtv packages. I'm also running 10.04 since upgrading can be a major headache; so i try to stick with the Long Term releases. > My current plans include a video source of HD via satellite from Dish > or DirectTV and am leaning towards a Samsung 55" LCD/LED set. > Getting HD on mythtv can be a little difficult sometimes, depending on your cable provider. Don't expect to be able to simple connect the coax to your MythTv tuner and get all the channels since many of them (typically all of them except broadcast channels) are scrambled and you need to run though the cablebox to unscramble. I currently have the cable box output connected to my MythTv box and a firewire cable connected from my MythTv box to the cablebox to change channels. It works fine, but i can't watch and record something at the same time on non-broadcast channels. > I got the impression around three years ago that Myth was a "techie > time intensive" thing to setup and run. > I could be all wet on that impression or it may have changed. > Things are getting easier to setup. It especially helps if you have an HDTV with a VGA 15pin or DVI input. As i said above the remote control is often times a headache. All this being said. Since i have the know-how, i much prefer my mythtv over any cable company's DVR.

Sept. 15, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by James Gray

If you are concerned with the amount of setup time you might want to check out http://www.mythbuntu.org/ I haven't used it personally. It looks they've automated much of the setup process. On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 11:07 AM, joel d <joelgroup(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Hi, > > I am re-working our TV to HDTV currently and trying to decide on a DVR. > Currently I use Charter's DVR and not impressed with their DVR layout/features. > > Currently I am looking at either the DirectTV whole house DVR option > or building a Myth DVR box(s). > > Not sure I want to bite off the Myth though due to needing 2 machines, > tuner card, and chunks of my time (vs turnkey for an "appliance"). > > I have read the docs at MythTV website but am asking current Myth users: > > 1) Others are running for Myth hardware (front and back end specs) > > 2) Any estimates on install startup hours and monthly maintenance hours. > > 3) Any tips for a quick & smooth Myth install in late 2011 > > My current plans include a video source of HD via satellite from Dish > or DirectTV and am leaning towards a Samsung 55" LCD/LED set. > > I got the impression around three years ago that Myth was a "techie > time intensive" thing to setup and run. > I could be all wet on that impression or it may have changed. > > Thank you, > > Joel > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug >

Sept. 15, 2011

Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by joel d

Hi, I am re-working our TV to HDTV currently and trying to decide on a DVR. Currently I use Charter's DVR and not impressed with their DVR layout/features. Currently I am looking at either the DirectTV whole house DVR option or building a Myth DVR box(s). Not sure I want to bite off the Myth though due to needing 2 machines, tuner card, and chunks of my time (vs turnkey for an "appliance"). I have read the docs at MythTV website but am asking current Myth users: 1) Others are running for Myth hardware (front and back end specs) 2) Any estimates on install startup hours and monthly maintenance hours. 3) Any tips for a quick & smooth Myth install in late 2011 My current plans include a video source of HD via satellite from Dish or DirectTV and am leaning towards a Samsung 55" LCD/LED set. I got the impression around three years ago that Myth was a "techie time intensive" thing to setup and run. I could be all wet on that impression or it may have changed. Thank you, Joel

Sept. 15, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Reminder: WLUG Meeting Tonight 7PM: IPv6

by Eric Martin

I really wanted to go to this but I can't, too much homework. On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 5:53 PM, Chuck Anderson <cra(a)wpi.edu> wrote: > Sorry for the late reminder. Please join us tonight for a talk about > IPv6! > > On Fri, Sep 09, 2011 at 08:48:46AM -0400, Chuck Anderson wrote: > > > Hi folks, > > Our next WLUG meeting is Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00 PM at the WPI > > campus in Worcester, MA USA. The meeting room is in WPI's Morgan Hall > > (building 'H' on the campus map [1]), down the hallway to the right of > > the dining hall entrance. > > > > [1] http://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/WPI/walkingmap.pdf > > > > This month, I'll be giving a talk on Internet Protocol Version 6, > > including basics of how it works, how to configure it on various > > systems, and various issues & benefits to using IPv6. > > > > After the meeting, we'll go out for pizza. > > > > See you all there, > > Chuck > > President, Worcester Linux Users' Group > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > -- Eric Martin

Sept. 14, 2011