Synaptic not accessing repositories Mepis 6

I am guessing you're on broadband because you do not mention having to dial up in your post, and if I'm right, all linux users with this problem need to report it to their router manufacturer and have it fixed worldwide.

90+ times out of 100, it is the router, not the computer that is blocking the apt traffic (and ftp too, but only in Linux) and the router manufacturer needs to be advised and have it corrected quick-smart, or boycotted altogether.

Please read http://www.mepis.org/node/10306 to get a feel for the issue and if you think yours is doing the same, check this video I made of a beta release of Mepis showing the exact fault and my work-around.
http://homepages.maxnet.co.nz/map/images/temp/desktop-recording.ogg
To get the same result with SM6, you'll need to use mutilities, not the Old OS Center as in the video.

If yours is doing the same, contact your routers manufacturer and ask for a firmware upgrade.

To see others with the same issues, have a look at
http://www.mepis.org/node/11215?page=1 and start looking about 1/3 way down the page.

This issue does not affect only Mepis, all linux variants that use the apt installer are affected when connected to one of these modems and there are a number of router manufacturers that have inadvertantly disadvantaged linux users while using Linux themselves (for financial gain) in their routers, which is why they need to get it sorted.

Mike P

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Life may not be the party we thought, but while we're here, we may as well dance.
Break M$'s shackles from your feet and free yourself with Mepis

Thanks for the guidance, Mike. Obviously youhave been heavily involved with this modem issue as I believe I read articles by you some time ago. Some added info I can contribute.
1. I am on broadband in Aus with AAPT as ISP. I am set up as DHCP.
2. After previous readings, I downloaded updated drivers for D-Link DL502T modem (smodem supplied by AAPT). I noted the cautions provided by D-Link but went ahead and installed the new drivers. Result was the modem does not seem to work at all. I blame nobody but myself for dabbling where I have have limited knowledge and experience. Hence I purchased what I believe is a commonly used brand ADSL modem, Netgear. Problem with APT continues.
3. I do not have this problem with Xandros so Xandros must have some set-up that negates the problem and hence it seems the problem could be fixed within the distro. Don't ask me how, I know little on the software side of linux.
4. AAPT and Optus and Australia feature in the articles I have read. Does the issue lie with them?. If so. indications are the they care little about supporting linuxusers.
5. This may be related but then again it may be unrelated, but I have installed and removed Red Hat based distros, Centos, Scientific Linux and Mandriva 2007. All connect to internet ok through Konqueror but are slow to connect and slow to navigate web (if at all) in Firefox.

See how complicated things can get or is it that similar but different issues are clouding each other.

I am reluctant to install new drivers in Netgear modem for fear of damaging another modem. I am considering following options:
a. Try fixed DNS addresses? provided by AAPT in their general info pages.
b. Try a new ISP not related to Optus or AAPT
c. Give up and put up with what I have for it's good and bad.

Thanks again for your guidance.
Graham

check out whirlpool.net.au (not whirlpool.com.au, they sell washing machines)
who have some really great forums - someone may even be able to help with the sick modem

I think this is the same problen as mine but am not sure. It's just the DNS thing not bing picked up propley, every time I use synaptic or apt-get I have to change my DNS setings

I just put

4.2.2.1

in my primary and secondary DNS seting in Mepis utilites.

it's under the network interfaces TAB and then go into the DSN TAB,

under static DSN put 4.2.2.1, click apply but leave it open when using synaptic or apt-get

you problem might be diffrent or some thing elce all to gether but it is worth a try, give it a go

this needs fixing in mepis and yes xandros does not seem to have these problems werd!, dont know if there current distros do though

Maybe the problem is that the last link,

ftp://cipherfunk.org/pub/packages/ubuntu/dists/dapper/Release.gpg

isn't reachable.

ftp://cipherfunk.org/pub/packages/ubuntu/dists/dapper/Release.gpg

isn't reachable.

I have previously changed my synaptic settings so that only 1 or 2 repositories are not commented out. No better result achieved.
Graham

Thanks, drlizau. I am exploring that site now, especially the AAPT section.
Graham

My apologies for duplicating replies. I kept getting red alerts that I needed a subject. So I put a subject in and posted but the alert continued.
Graham

I just put

4.2.2.1

in my primary and secondary DNS seting in Mepis utilites.

it's under the network interfaces TAB and then go into the DSN TAB,

under static DSN put 4.2.2.1, click apply but leave it open when using synaptic or apt-get

you problem might be diffrent or some thing elce all to gether but it is worth a try, give it a go

this needs fixing in mepis and yes xandros does not seem to have these problems werd!, dont know if there current distros do though

Thanks samuelmp. Will explore this option. I rely on my son who has greater technical expertise in computers than I have. He is quite knowledgable re Windows (Cert3 in Info Tech) but not Linux. I feel this is a linux software problem or an ISP problem as it does not occur with all distros or apparently not all modems. I like the support and direction I am getting so I'll keep going til I fix it or exhaust all known options.
Graham

My apologies for duplicating replies
Graham

Today I consulted Whirlpool forums here in Oz as a result of this forum. I got a response and an extract follows.

"did you try putting the dns settings manually into /etc/resolv.conf ? This file should be commonly used between most distros.
the lines need to be:
nameserver 203.8.183.1
nameserver 192.189.54.17
nameserver 192.189.54.33

these are in order of preference by the way, and probably best to use in conjunction with a staic LAN IP configuration, as the DHCP client can sometimes reconfig resolv.conf based on what info it gets from the router."
I tried this method, editing my etc/resolve.conf file and hey presto, synaptic connected to all repositories, updated them and then I downloaded kdegames. I'm happy now. I have to see how permanent /etc/resolve.conf remains, but at worst, I can edit it on a needs basis whic is not too often.
Thanks for all the good support I've received.
Graham.

As I said in my earlier post, I spent a long time on this one, and I learnt a few things on the way, like while applying a work-around is a valid and workable method, it does not assist the linux community a single bit by allowing a router manufacturer to continue to use Linux for financial gain while dis-advantaging certain linux users at the core level by omitting one of the most important features, security updates.

Before anybody wails something to the tune of I have and axe to grind, I do not have any issues with any company providing a good product at a reasonable price while using a great system like Linux. What I do require is perfect equality, like full functionality with no compromises, and I have found a weakness in their coding that affects only ftp-type transactions in debian based Linux systems and somehow, while many of the repos used in synaptic are http, somehow, synaptic's dns requests are being rejected or blocked by the modem.

Dont you think it would be better to advise the modem manufacturer of the issue and have them correct the root of the cause, thereby benefiting all linux users and especially the newbies that would otherwise be turned off by the incorrectly inferred "inability to perform the most basic function which is to update itself and install software" when the root cause is outside of their linux box?

Microsofts latest offering is going to drive many to seek alternatives, and I for one think it would be better to have these issues ironed out beforehand.

Mike P
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Life may not be the party we thought, but while we're here, we may as well dance.
Break M$'s shackles from your feet and free yourself with Mepis

Mike
I do not deny what you have to say. However, I am a novice with no technical knowledge but some problem solving skills. In this case, I have found an answer that solves my problem. I do not understand networking, routers, modems etc so I cannot explain to a manufacturer how their product is failing me. I cannot prove or disprove anything about their product because I don't understand what I am doing. What I do know is that I have a solution that has worked for me and that is as far as I can go. But I do owe it to you and others who have offered advice to me, to tell you how I solved my problem. The information may or may not help somebody. In your case, it may reinforce the point you are trying to make to manufacturers. If I try to present a case to manufacturers, my lack of knowledge or expertise may be detrimental rather than supportive of your position. I agree Linux needs to be presented to potential new users as a simple and viable option and I do not want my technical naivity to jeopardise that objective.
Graham

When I contacted D-Link, I pointed them to my initial forum and some others like certain posts in the Ubuntu Forums, Debian forums etc. I have made this easier by posting a link to my screen recording into this forum so you can send the link to your modem manufacturer.

If they use windows, they will need to download and install the oggcodecs plugin for media players before they can view the recording.

So all you need to do is to contact your modem manufacturer, add a link to this post, tell them to look for m_pav and follow the link to the recording. It might not show the interface of your modem, but it will "explain" the problem in full detail, even though I was using a beta or RC release of Mepis to make the recording. There should be sufficient detail within these posts for the manufacturers to work it out if you want to pursue this option.

Cheers

Mike P

--------------------
Life may not be the party we thought, but while we're here, we may as well dance.
Break M$'s shackles from your feet and free yourself with Mepis

Hi, I just have downloadet the mepis DVD, and ooted up, and tried to test it. but I cannot open the repo, I get and error and it stays empty, no packages and no nothing in there, the old skype i cannot use it is always disconnecting, so i tried the new skypo and downloadet it from skype, the debian package, but it will not install it. again an error. I have only such problems with mepis and ubuntu, but not with mandriva based distros. now i am stuck in. Also with every other distro i am connected to etho1, but with mepis i am conected to etho0 and this cannot be, cauce etho0 is no connection, co how it can vbe happen that i am still on the internet? etho 0 is disconnetced. help.

ilanesh, you should make a new post for the problems you are having. did you check the checksums of the ISO?

Hi samuelmp, I did a new post, but still no answer, what is a checksume? am a noob in technicial things.

ilanesh, I responded on your other post:
http://www.mepis.org/node/11575

And it's only been two hours. Please respond on the other thread

Jon