Desktop Linux
- Thread starter Da Nag
- Start date
Pat Anderson
New member
OK, last night's and today's frustrations!
Tried twice now to install Ubuntu over the Debian - the Ubuntu CD runs s...l...o...w but each time I got to Step 5 of 6 - the disk partition screen. Both times it ran to 28% on the progress bar, and then just stopped - no more disk activity, no nothing - for hours. Fortunately, it did not destroy Debian, which still boots and runs fine EXCEPT for previously noted video issue (640 x 480 is only choice, only shows me about 1/4 of typical web page). Interestingly, the Ubuntu CD seems to deal just fine with the graphics adapter - looks dang good.
I assume that all I would need to do is edit some text file, but I don't where to look or which file. Here is the hardware:
Video adapter: VIA S3 UniChrome 3D
Monitor: Sony Trinitron Multiscan 15sf (old as dirt but STILL the best monitor I have...)
So, any Linux guru want to point me to what file I need to edit so I can have graphics a little better than how it used to be in 1984??
Thx in advance!
Tried twice now to install Ubuntu over the Debian - the Ubuntu CD runs s...l...o...w but each time I got to Step 5 of 6 - the disk partition screen. Both times it ran to 28% on the progress bar, and then just stopped - no more disk activity, no nothing - for hours. Fortunately, it did not destroy Debian, which still boots and runs fine EXCEPT for previously noted video issue (640 x 480 is only choice, only shows me about 1/4 of typical web page). Interestingly, the Ubuntu CD seems to deal just fine with the graphics adapter - looks dang good.
I assume that all I would need to do is edit some text file, but I don't where to look or which file. Here is the hardware:
Video adapter: VIA S3 UniChrome 3D
Monitor: Sony Trinitron Multiscan 15sf (old as dirt but STILL the best monitor I have...)
So, any Linux guru want to point me to what file I need to edit so I can have graphics a little better than how it used to be in 1984??
Thx in advance!
I dont know and not a Linxu expert. Was MD5 ok?
Until the gurus arrived, I would dl it again and burn a copy with verfiy and reinstall.
UB Install forum
http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/debian ... blems.html
Post an update and solution.
good luck
Until the gurus arrived, I would dl it again and burn a copy with verfiy and reinstall.
UB Install forum
http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/debian ... blems.html
Post an update and solution.
good luck
Pat Anderson
New member
Back to the top.
Went out and grabbed a fresh Ubuntu ISO Sunday night, tried it on a different computer in Fall City. The CD runs MUCH faster, I tried the programs on the CD - Open Office, Firefox, etc. - all loaded and ran fine. The Install program also ran fine - right up to Step 5 of 6 - it gets a little farther, it gets the message on the screen "scanning disks" so I now know it was not actually doing anything destructive on the computer at Birch Bay. With the new CD on the Fall City computer, the progress bar runs to 50% - and then just quits doing anything. So I seem to have exactly the same problem with a new install CD on my Fall City computer that I had with the old install CD on my Birch Bay computer. Long story short, I just cannot seem to install Ubuntu.
Too bad, too, because it looks nice - but I just don't know what to try next...
Went out and grabbed a fresh Ubuntu ISO Sunday night, tried it on a different computer in Fall City. The CD runs MUCH faster, I tried the programs on the CD - Open Office, Firefox, etc. - all loaded and ran fine. The Install program also ran fine - right up to Step 5 of 6 - it gets a little farther, it gets the message on the screen "scanning disks" so I now know it was not actually doing anything destructive on the computer at Birch Bay. With the new CD on the Fall City computer, the progress bar runs to 50% - and then just quits doing anything. So I seem to have exactly the same problem with a new install CD on my Fall City computer that I had with the old install CD on my Birch Bay computer. Long story short, I just cannot seem to install Ubuntu.
Too bad, too, because it looks nice - but I just don't know what to try next...
Pat Anderson
New member
Oodles of hard disk space. The second thing I tried was using the partition editor supplied on the Ubuntu CD, I think it is Gparted - I resized the Windoze partition to 60 gigs and created a new Linux partition of about 20 gigs, worked fine - Windoze still boots and runs, but Ubuntu doesn't find the new Linux partition. I could wipe everything out I guess and make it all a Linux partition - but I still don't have confidence that Ubuntu would install...
Brent":16kkx9ox said:
Pat Anderson
New member
Well OK!!!! I must have held my breath just right, because for no apparent reason, Ubuntu ran the installer to a successful completion on my Fall City computer!!!! It is a thing of beauty, on our way to becoming a Windoze free zone in Fall City!!! Not completely free yet, I could not bring myself to completely wipe out Windoze, I told Ubuntu to resize the existing partition and use the free space. We'll run dual boot for a while to make sure we can do everything we need to do, then maybe just run the sucker again!!! Now to take the CD back to Birch Bay and give it another try there.
Pat,
Good for you!!
After your pioneering effort I am more interested in converting to Linux. But I think I will wait till next winter when I have more time. I am now getting ready to go north to SE Ak this summer.
Please keep us informed as you learn the ins and outs of Linux.
Larry H
Good for you!!
After your pioneering effort I am more interested in converting to Linux. But I think I will wait till next winter when I have more time. I am now getting ready to go north to SE Ak this summer.
Please keep us informed as you learn the ins and outs of Linux.
Larry H
Pat Anderson
New member
Well, it may not be as interesting as the Cruises of Wild Blue, but I will...current frustration, getting little HP C3180 printer to work. Downloaded hllip-1.7.2.run, now learning about sudo and sh commands - need to install it from the command line in a terminal. No success yet, don't understand enough Linux commands other than ls (like dir) and cd...
Larry H":1kxxgmxl said:
Pat Anderson":1f4bvhsn said:
Troubleshooting from afar is never easy, but...were you attempting a dual-boot installation from the start? I was assuming you were wiping out the drive, and installing only Linux, A dual-boot situation as you describe might explain the problems you encountered, and would have nothing to do with Linux...
Depending on a gazillion factors, the physical location of ANY boot partition on a disk can make or break an install. When dual booting and only using one disk, if the Linux boot partition (or Windows boot partition, if you installed Linux first) may need to be near the "start" of the disk. This is particularly true on older hardware.
If you (or the OS installer) attempts to create the boot partition too far out, the symptom you described occurs - the system hangs when attempting to load the OS. I'm not aware of any installer that's smart enough to take this situation into account...which is why most dual-boot instructions recommend using a second hard drive, if an existing OS is already present.
If you plan on installing multiple OS's on the same drive, it's not extremely difficult - but you'll often avoid the pitfalls above if you start with a blank disk, and partition accordingly. Still, given how inexpensive hard drives are these days, I'd just spend $50 and add a second one in, and install Linux there - it will be able to read the original Windows drive fine, if you need any of the data there.
Pat Anderson
New member
Actually, Ubuntu was hanging at Birch Bay just before it asked me to make the choice of resizing the existing partition or wiping it out - it was hanging while scanning the disks before starting up the disk partitioner. Not sure what the difference was, but anyway it worked at Fall City, and I am in business!
Now I am having a heck of a time trying to get the printer to work. My printer, an HP Photosmart C3180, is listed as a supported device for hplip, the HP imaging, scanner and printer driver suite...downloaded hplip, and have been trying to install, has to be done from the command line. I moved the downloaded file off the desktop to my home directory, fired up the terminal window, and tried several commands, none worked - here is what I think it is supposed to be (per the installation instructions from HP):
sudo -i sh hplip.7.2.1.run (or whatever the exact name of the downloaded file was).
"sudo -i" executes whatever follows as root user for administrative tasks.
"sh" is the command interpreter.
"hplip.7.2.1.run" (or whatever) is the name of the program to run.
Results have included "Can't find hplip...," "Can't open binary file," and something else - but mostly, it can't find it. I am in the right folder. I am pretty sure I have typed it correctly. Does my command line look right?
Now I am having a heck of a time trying to get the printer to work. My printer, an HP Photosmart C3180, is listed as a supported device for hplip, the HP imaging, scanner and printer driver suite...downloaded hplip, and have been trying to install, has to be done from the command line. I moved the downloaded file off the desktop to my home directory, fired up the terminal window, and tried several commands, none worked - here is what I think it is supposed to be (per the installation instructions from HP):
sudo -i sh hplip.7.2.1.run (or whatever the exact name of the downloaded file was).
"sudo -i" executes whatever follows as root user for administrative tasks.
"sh" is the command interpreter.
"hplip.7.2.1.run" (or whatever) is the name of the program to run.
Results have included "Can't find hplip...," "Can't open binary file," and something else - but mostly, it can't find it. I am in the right folder. I am pretty sure I have typed it correctly. Does my command line look right?
Wild guess - either "sh" can't be found, or the installer is not executable.
Try the following from a shell:
ls -l
(lists the current directory contents, make sure the hp installer is listed)
chmod 755 hp_installer_filename
(Replace hp_installer_filename with whatever the file name is - this command will ensure the installer is executable)
sudo ./hp_installer_filename
("sh -i" should not be necessary, don't know why the instructions specify it. There's a period in front of the slash - don't leave it out, it's a UNIX thing necessary when executing a command that is in your current directory.)
Try the following from a shell:
ls -l
(lists the current directory contents, make sure the hp installer is listed)
chmod 755 hp_installer_filename
(Replace hp_installer_filename with whatever the file name is - this command will ensure the installer is executable)
sudo ./hp_installer_filename
("sh -i" should not be necessary, don't know why the instructions specify it. There's a period in front of the slash - don't leave it out, it's a UNIX thing necessary when executing a command that is in your current directory.)
Pat Anderson
New member
Thanks, Bill. I will give these a try when I get home! I wondered about the sh too - isn't that what is already running the terminal window?? I had not seen the requirement for the ./ anywhere, but I can sort of understand it I guess. Don't know about the chmod, but if you say so, it will be done!
mikeporterinmd
New member
It is almost inconceivable that sh is not found. sh is usually an
alias for bash, and bash is the normal shell. Get used to file name completion.
Type a unique portion of the file name and then the tab key. bash
will autocomplete the file name for you and save you from excessive
typing and typos.
Mike
alias for bash, and bash is the normal shell. Get used to file name completion.
Type a unique portion of the file name and then the tab key. bash
will autocomplete the file name for you and save you from excessive
typing and typos.
Mike
fordracerguy
New member
Hey guys. This is my first post so let me introduce myself. My name is Chris and my Father in law has a C-Dory and I think his username may be salty-cs. So I should be allowed to post here 
. Anyways, I have used Linux for around 14 years now. Da Nag is right on the money with what he says (rarely do I find someone I completely agree with) and it makes me happy to see posts like this spreading the word. I have used a handful of distributions. I currently use Debian for my servers, and Ubuntu for my personal desktop. I find that Ubuntu supports a wide range of items that in other Linux Distributions you may have to enable support for. My wireless, Fn keys on my laptop, Memory Card slots and various other things like my Bluetooth mouse just plain work. So Ubuntu is definitely the way to go!
Here is a little glimpse into my world:
Chris
. Anyways, I have used Linux for around 14 years now. Da Nag is right on the money with what he says (rarely do I find someone I completely agree with) and it makes me happy to see posts like this spreading the word. I have used a handful of distributions. I currently use Debian for my servers, and Ubuntu for my personal desktop. I find that Ubuntu supports a wide range of items that in other Linux Distributions you may have to enable support for. My wireless, Fn keys on my laptop, Memory Card slots and various other things like my Bluetooth mouse just plain work. So Ubuntu is definitely the way to go!Here is a little glimpse into my world:
Chris
Pat Anderson
New member
OK, not sure how I did it, but I finally got my HP Photosmart C3180 working under Ubuntu with the hplip package...now, next question, how can I connect my Macbook to the Ubuntu computer? It was easy to connect the Macbook to the Windoze network, but Ubuntu does not show up in the Macbook network browser...
I decided to install Linux on an extra computer I have and installed ubuntu 6.10 (the latest version of ubuntu Linux) because of Bill’s input on this thread. A little over an hour to download it, just under 20 minutes to burn it to a CD and slightly less time to install it on the computer (that is fast).
I then restarted and thought I must have installed Windoze by accident because it displayed a message that there were 139 recommended updates. 74 security updates (I thought only Windoze needed security updates & I had just installed Linux ubuntu latest OS version) 62 other updates were to fix bugs in the OS and some new features. Then there were three other updates that I had no idea what they were. They were not listed so I assume Linux does not have the ability to add complex numbers.
An hour and half later (this made up for the quick install) I got to test Linux.
After an hour of testing Linux, my first impression is I like it. It has many features I like and I like the layout and menus. They are similar to how I personalize my version of Windows XP. I also like the speed of starting the OS. It is within a few seconds of starting as fast as Windows and a little slower shutting down which doesn’t really shut the computer down, it just stops the OS. (I have to push the button to turn the computer off). Now I realize this is not a fair comparison of the two OS’s because over the years I have tweaked Windows XP and this version of Linux is the default install. Once I learn more about Linux, I am sure it can be speeded up.
The network connections (finding a domain, user group or computer) are much slooooower than Windows. This could be because it is a Windows network.
Fire Fox does not display some web pages properly (the width of those sites are not automatically adjusted and you have to scroll sideways to read/view it). This could be a setting I am not aware of.
Loading Excel spreadsheets is a little soower than Windows, and the ones I use do not work. The spreadsheets we use are complex and the office program with Linux crashes every time it executes some of the visual basic code. This may be corrected by rewriting the code using Linux’s version.
When the computer starts it indicates the hard drive is bad (can not find the boot sector) but I have the option to continue and when done so, it will start normally. This probably can be remedied with a bios update or setting in the bios setup. I have an un-partitioned second hard drive in the computer and can not see it or format it. It does show up in the device manager.
The screen resolution is too low (768x1024) but am sure, I just have to find the right drivers in order to increase it. The time and date formats are not displayed properly and there are many other services/features I have not been able to find, adjust or use that I have in Windows. But then one hour is not giving Linux a fair test so I will continue experimenting and playing with it because I really like Linux. I can easily see it taking over the number two spot for PC’s and Apple dropping to third or fourth.
I think it will be fun learning to use Linux and as Jim of Wild Blue always says, did I mention it was free. And when I get stuck, I know where to come to for help.
________
Dave
I then restarted and thought I must have installed Windoze by accident because it displayed a message that there were 139 recommended updates. 74 security updates (I thought only Windoze needed security updates & I had just installed Linux ubuntu latest OS version) 62 other updates were to fix bugs in the OS and some new features. Then there were three other updates that I had no idea what they were. They were not listed so I assume Linux does not have the ability to add complex numbers.
An hour and half later (this made up for the quick install) I got to test Linux.
After an hour of testing Linux, my first impression is I like it. It has many features I like and I like the layout and menus. They are similar to how I personalize my version of Windows XP. I also like the speed of starting the OS. It is within a few seconds of starting as fast as Windows and a little slower shutting down which doesn’t really shut the computer down, it just stops the OS. (I have to push the button to turn the computer off). Now I realize this is not a fair comparison of the two OS’s because over the years I have tweaked Windows XP and this version of Linux is the default install. Once I learn more about Linux, I am sure it can be speeded up.
The network connections (finding a domain, user group or computer) are much slooooower than Windows. This could be because it is a Windows network.
Fire Fox does not display some web pages properly (the width of those sites are not automatically adjusted and you have to scroll sideways to read/view it). This could be a setting I am not aware of.
Loading Excel spreadsheets is a little soower than Windows, and the ones I use do not work. The spreadsheets we use are complex and the office program with Linux crashes every time it executes some of the visual basic code. This may be corrected by rewriting the code using Linux’s version.
When the computer starts it indicates the hard drive is bad (can not find the boot sector) but I have the option to continue and when done so, it will start normally. This probably can be remedied with a bios update or setting in the bios setup. I have an un-partitioned second hard drive in the computer and can not see it or format it. It does show up in the device manager.
The screen resolution is too low (768x1024) but am sure, I just have to find the right drivers in order to increase it. The time and date formats are not displayed properly and there are many other services/features I have not been able to find, adjust or use that I have in Windows. But then one hour is not giving Linux a fair test so I will continue experimenting and playing with it because I really like Linux. I can easily see it taking over the number two spot for PC’s and Apple dropping to third or fourth.
I think it will be fun learning to use Linux and as Jim of Wild Blue always says, did I mention it was free. And when I get stuck, I know where to come to for help.
________
Dave
Pat Anderson
New member
Thought this was kind of funny, email I just received from McAfee. Everybody knows it, nobody acknowledges it - the Emperor has no clothes. I'm sure there is a product they want to sell me - NO THANKS!!!
Dear Patrick B Anderson,
Make Your Computer Fast and Stable in 5 Minutes
Your computer is protected against viruses, and you feel safe and secure. Now it's time to make your computer faster and more stable.
Recent surveys show that an average computer with Windows system is experiencing slowdowns, crashes and serious memory leaks.
Is your computer experiencing the same problems?
Dear Patrick B Anderson,
Make Your Computer Fast and Stable in 5 Minutes
Your computer is protected against viruses, and you feel safe and secure. Now it's time to make your computer faster and more stable.
Recent surveys show that an average computer with Windows system is experiencing slowdowns, crashes and serious memory leaks.
Is your computer experiencing the same problems?
oldgrowth":cjknuru5 said:
No OS distribution keeps their primary installation source up to date with patches - doing so, would cause more problems than it solves. Extensive testing goes into any OS before the source CD is released, and the same testing is not feasible for every application and OS patch that may come along. Just as in the Windows world, there is the relatively rare occasion where a patch breaks something, or removes previously used functionality. When that happens with a patch, you simply back it out.
What you described, is no different than a Windows XP+SP2 installation - Windows Update will download and install tons of patches on a fresh install. Well, actually, it is a bit different...in the Windows world, there's a very real possibility you'll get infected before you can patch the box. :lol:
In practice, even those Linux patches labeled as "security updates" are not critical on the average desktop install, for a number of reasons.
- The vast majority of vulnerabilities discovered, have no known exploit code. This is completely different than Windows patches, which more typically are in response to an existing and actively exploited vulnerability.
- The vast majority of vulnerabilities, are for apps/services that are not used in the typical desktop installation.
- The vast majority of Linux exploits, must be performed AFTER authenticating and logging in to the box. The number of remotely exploitable issues that do not require this access, are very far and few between. And of these, the vulnerable service must be enabled, and no firewall (software or hardware) in place.
BTW, this is another reason I prefer OpenSUSE - it's locked down tighter than a <insert metaphor here>. Aside from the easily managed firewall it has activated by default, it also includes AppArmor - a sophisticated security mechanism that Novell developed for their Enterprise solutions, that has now found it's way into the free/GPL'ed OpenSUSE distribution.
I'm not certain if this is your issue or not, but perhaps the best network speed tip I've seen on Ubuntu - disabling IPV6, and forcing it to use IPV4. I don't want to bore anyone here with the nerd details - primarily, because I don't completely understand them myself. Search for the above at the Ubuntu forums, and make the switch - you'll probably see a significant difference in anything network related.
My home network contains an OpenSUSE server running Samba - connections to it from Windows boxes are indistinguishable from the "real thing", in speed or functionality. We also use Samba heavily at work, with the same satisfactory results.
This is an area where OpenOffice has limitations. Fortunately, it's also an area that Novell (one of the primary OpenOffice developers/supporters) is expending great amounts of development time. Here's a link with a few details. Short version - I'd wait, instead of rewriting your macros. It looks like support for VBA is something seeing active development.
BTW - this is another advantage I see in using OpenSUSE. Being that it's roots are in the commercially supported versions of SUSE, it gets the updates that are often more important to enterprise customers than Ubuntu. Novell is making serious inroads into corporate installations with it's Desktop Linux offerings, which are all SUSE based. They pay particular attention to OpenOffice, as that's one of the major stumbling blocks in converting corporate Windows users.
For you, Dave - I think you would benefit from a dual boot with both Ubuntu and OpenSUSE, and give them both a whirl. I've been working on some docs for my own benefit, that describe the steps I take with an OpenSUSE install - I'll post them once complete.