My Little Ubuntu Guide

Ok, I’ve updated the Feisty How To as well as the Ubuntuforums.org version. I’m trying to make them more clear and understandable, even for a newbie. Please let me know if I’m succeeding at that. If you have suggestions and updates of your own they are more than welcome!

Oh, by the way, I should state the obvious. I’ve done a clean install using the Official Alternate CD Release and everything is perfect! This time I can even read SD cards from my Card Reader! Yeah! But I’m still listing it as not working since Sony cards still won’t read.

And if any of you are savvy enough, I’d like to create some scripts from this guide to automate the install process. Let me know!

Later!

Comments(0)

Ok, I’m taking the plunge now, after using the Beta feisty for about a few weeks successfully, I’ve just downloaded the latest official Live CD from Ubuntu.com and am about to blow my system away. Before I do here’s a quick “lesson” for you newbies:

NEVER do this unless you have either backed up your system entirely or have seperate partitions and don’t format the one with your stuff on it! What I did is create three partitions on my 160GB drive. The first is a 30Gig for the System itself. The second is a 1Gig for Swap. The third is a 120Gig partition that I assign to /home.

Now, when I do a “blow away” clean install of linux I make sure that after booting into the live CD I delete all my settings in my home directory EXCEPT for my firefox and thunderbird, since these contain my favorites and email. The other hidden directories, those with a “.” in front of the name, I usually delete all of them. Unless, of course, there’s some type of file in them that is necessary later. This ensures a clean install. And I never, of course, format the home partition. Just the swap and root (30gig) partition get formatted.

Ok, it’s off to the install process!

Wish me luck!

Comments(2)

Finally got my Feisty working 100%! Yeah! Check it out under the “How To’s” Category. I know I know, a lot of rebooting, but that’s the only way I found for it to really effectively and “cleanly” install.

Comments(0)

***NEW: You can now do almost everything using a script package I created and tested…AND IT WORKS. See below, Method One.***

Also please note my system hardware:
Dell Inspiron 6400
ATI X1400 128 MB (not shared) - Works after config.
BCM4311 (Dell 1390) WiFi - Works after config.
BCM4401 LAN - Works
160 GB HD - Works
DVD Writer - Works
2 GB RAM - Works
15.4″ LCD w/ 1280×800 Res. - Works
Firewire - Works
Intel 82801G High Def. Audio - Works
Synaptic Touchpad - Works
56K Modem - Not Tested
Ricoh MultiCard Reader - Doesn’t Work

METHOD ONE — INSTALLING IT THE EASY (SCRIPT) WAY

INITIAL INSTALL & PREP

1. Install base Feisty from the Alternate CD: Download ISO Here. Make sure you place a check in the box that reads “Check here if you need the alternate desktop cd suited for computers with less than 256MB of RAM”.

2. After creating a CD, boot from it and choose the Text Install option.

3. Follow prompts and when the option to choose resolution appears, also select the 1280×800 option.

4. After your system finishes installing it will prompt you before rebooting, ensure you have a network cable connected, and when it boots into the new system you’ll see an error about X. Use your arrows to select NO, hit ENTER and then OK to get to the black login screen. You’ll see an error regarding BCM43xx appearing, ignore it and type as if it wasn’t there. The command line can’t “read” that error so don’t try to backspace over it, etc. Login using your username and password.

5. Create a folder called “install” by doing the following:
Code:

sudo mkdir -p ${HOME}/install

Go into that new folder now:
Code:

cd install

6. Download the script package that suits you best, the first is with VMWare and the second is without. Only download the one you need (I prefer with VMWare):
For the script package with VMWare:
Code:

wget http://www.mylittleubuntuguide.com/files/feistydell.tar.gz

OR … For the script package with no VMWare:
Code:

wget http://www.mylittleubuntuguide.com/files/novm/feistydell.tar.gz

7. Unzip the package by typing the following:
Code:

tar xzvf feistydell.tar.gz

8. Type the following command before starting to make the first script executable. It will make all others executable so don’t worry about any of the other files:
Code:

sudo chmod +x step1

9. Now execute the 1st script:
Code:

./step1

Pay attention as it will prompt you during this and you need to respond appropriately. If it has a Y/n option for installing something, always choose Y.

10. After the system reboots X still won’t start, login to the black login screen (X still errors out), go into the install (cd install) directory and type the following to run the 2nd script:
Code:

./step2

Again, Pay attention to the prompts. If it’s the VMWare version you’ll be prompted to configure VMWare. Defaults are usually ok on that. You’ll see some of the prompts twice as it’s running a patch, just choose the same options.

Your system will reboot automatically and after it comes up you’ll have X. To login to Beryl, before you login select the GNOME with XGL session from the Options>Sessions menu in the bottom left corner. ENJOY!

Comments(1)

Ok, the kernel thing was a really dumb idea! It hosed my system. So now I reinstalled, only this time did a Feisty Fawn Beta install and am determined to get Beryl working! Will report back…

Comments(0)

Ok, so I ran into a problem with the latest Edgy kernel (2.6.17xxx) and VMWare. The problem is any network activity in the VMware guest OS causes the VM to lock up and if my host is fully engaged in the VM the host is locked also, for a period of exactly 5 minutes.

The problem is very mysterious and no one has really found a solid “fix”, even in the VMware forums. However, after I upgraded to the newest kernel via Feisty Beta the problem disappeared. This led me to beleive that the problem is the kernel. So, because I don’t want to run a beta right now on my system, since I cannot get Beryl working, and other reasons, I’m going to attempt to update just my kernel to 2.6.20xx.

After a post on www.UbuntuForums.org, I was directed to a thread here (thanks to NeoLithium): http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=311158

So I’m following this guide and will post back my progress and success/challenges.

Comments(0)

Initial Setup

1. Install base Edgy install.
2. After install, open the sources file:
Code:

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

And uncomment all entries that begin with “deb http” or “deb-src” except for the CD ROM, make sure it’s commented out

3. Next update by entering the following, twice.
Code:

sudo apt-get update

4. Now open your Software Sources in: SYSTEM > ADMINISTRATION > SOFTWARE SOURCES
and make sure all the boxes under “Downloadable from the Internet” are checked. Click “CLOSE” and then “RELOAD”

5. Go to: SYSTEM > ADMINISTRATION > UPDATE MANAGER
and first click “CHECK”, then click “INSTALL UPDATES”

After your updates are finished installing, REBOOT

After a reboot, create a working folder for the following install steps. Just a way to keep your system clean. Go into your home folder and create a folder called “install” or something. Now open terminal and go to that directory before you proceed.

6. Now you’re going to get some tools for future steps.
Code:

sudo apt-get install build-essential module-assistant build-essential fakeroot dh-make debconf libstdc++5 linux-headers-$(uname -r)


7. Update again, just in case, and install any updates that appear in the top right corner.
Code:

sudo apt-get update


Now you’ll install your wireless device

1. Clean your system by entering the following code. Disregard errors as you may not have ndiswrapper.
Code:

sudo rmmod ndiswrapper
sudo apt-get remove ndiswrapper-utils


2. Download driver files. Unzip them.
Code:

wget http://www.jrdw.com/linux/wireless/bcmdrivers.tar.gz
tar -xzvf bcmdrivers.tar.gz


3. Download latest Ndiswrapper, I’ve included th latest at the time of this edit. Unzip it.
Code:

wget http://superb-east.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/ndiswrapper/ndiswrapper-1.38.tar.gz
tar -xzvf ndiswrapper-1.38.tar.gz


4. Blacklist the bcm43xx firmware drivers that come default.
Code:

sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist


Add the following line to the end of the file and save your changes:

blacklist bcm43xx

REBOOT NOW

After a reboot open a terminal and go to the same folder you created earlier.

5. Get into the ndiswrapper folder it created when you unzipped it. The [TAB] represents using your TAB key to finish the name of the folder.
Code:

cd ndis[TAB]


6. Begin the install process. Do the following multiple times, until you see some error about no files or directories or something.
Code:

sudo make uninstall


7. Main install process
Code:

sudo make
sudo make install


8. Installing drivers, first in your terminal go to the folder that unzipped earlier with the driver files in it.
Code:

cd bcm[TAB]
sudo ndiswrapper -i bcmwl5.inf
sudo ndiswrapper -l


NOTE: If you don’t see a message that says driver present, hardware detected, you may have problems.

Code:

sudo ndiswrapper -m
sudo modprobe ndiswrapper


9. Test your wireless. You may need to reboot, however a reboot won’t suffice, you’ll need to shutdown and then restart. Your WIFI light should illuminate when successful.
Code:

sudo iwlist scanning


10. Before trying to connect to a network I recommend installing Wifi-Radar to make your life simpler. It manages your wireless networks. To install and use it open Synaptic Package Manager and search for “wifi-radar”. Install it and then run it from the Applications–>Internet menu.

Now time to install ATI drivers!

1. Disable Composite Extension - In Ubuntu Edgy the Composite extension is enabled by default, however, fglrx does not yet support Composite with DRI. In order to disable Composite you have to edit the xorg.conf file:
Code:

sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf


and add these lines at the end of the file:

Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "AIGLX" "off"
EndSection


2. Update System & Install the 8.28.8 ATI Driver in the Ubuntu Repos. For instructions on installing the proprietary drivers, click here: http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Ubu…allation_Guide
Code:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install linux-restricted-modules-$(uname -r) #Okay if it is already installed
sudo apt-get install xorg-driver-fglrx


3. Now you can run:
Code:

sudo aticonfig --initial


4. Run the ATI config script
Code:

sudo aticonfig --overlay-type=Xv


5. Reboot and you should see your new res. Login and type “fglrxinfo” at the terminal to see if the ATI driver is loaded. Check for direct rendering by typing:
Code:

glxinfo | grep direct


You should now be able to install Beryl without problems.

BERYL:

1. Add Beryl repositories.
Code:

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list


Add the following to the end:

deb http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org/ edgy main


2. Add the key
Code:

wget -q http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org/root@lupine.me.uk.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -


3. Now update
Code:

sudo apt-get update


4. Install XGL Server
Code:

sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl


5. Install Beryl and Themes
Code:

sudo apt-get install beryl emerald-themes


Next you’ll configure it. I configure mine to have a separate session so that’s what I’ll cover here.

6. Now create a startup script
Code:

sudo gedit /usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh


I added the following into the empty file just created:
Code:

#!/bin/sh
Xgl :1 -fullscreen -ac -accel xv:pbuffer -accel glx:pbuffer &
DISPLAY=:1
cookie="$(xauth -i nextract - :0 | cut -d ' ' -f 9)"
xauth -i add :1 . "$cookie"
exec dbus-launch --exit-with-session gnome-session


7. Make the script executable
Code:

sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh


8. Create a Login Entry
Code:

sudo mkdir -p /etc/X11/sessions
sudo gedit /etc/X11/sessions/xgl.desktop


Now add the following and save it:

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Xgl
Exec=/usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh
Icon=
Type=Application


9. If it tests okay, add a script to load it automatically every time the Xgl session is loaded. Create the script and paste the following into it as so:
Code:

sudo gedit /usr/local/bin/start_beryl.sh


Now add the following and save the changes:
Code:

#!/bin/bash
#
# Start beryl-manager within gnome-session
#
if (( `ps -A -o comm | grep -c '^Xgl$'` == "1" )); then
DISPLAY=:1 beryl-manager
DISPLAY=:1 beryl-xgl
else echo "${0}: Error: beryl-manager not launched. Xgl not running?"
fi


10. Now make the script executable:
Code:

sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/start_beryl.sh


11. Next add the following to the “Startup Programs” inside Programs>Preferences>Sessions

/usr/local/bin/start_beryl.sh


12. Done! You can reboot and enjoy! Troubleshooting: http://wiki.beryl-project.org/wiki/I…_Edgy_with_XGL

UPDATE: Thanks to nachotronics, the following will fix your screen brightness buttons!

1. Using a terminal, open the blacklist file again:
Code:

sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist


Add the following to the end:

blacklist video


2. Reboot and it should work! Thanks Nacho!

Here’s a little extra fun stuff you can add:

Fan and temp control
1. sudo apt-get install i8kutils gkrellm gkrellm-i8k
2. sudo modprobe i8k force=1
3. sudo gedit /etc/modules
4. add the following line to the end of the file: i8k force=1
5. go to System > Preferences > Sessions > Startup Programs
6. Click ADD and put the command: gkrellm
Now you will see the GKrellm utility load at startup and you can then configure your fan thresholds, etc.

Configure front panel buttons, etc.
1. System > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts
2. Choose custom actions for your special keys, click an action and press the key!

Automatix **For Edgy and Dapper**
1. Visit www.GetAutomatix.com and follow instructions for your distro.

Optional things I did:

Citrix (I use this so it’s optional)
**For Edgy and Dapper**
1. Download 9.0 client for linux here: http://www.jrdw.com/linux/citrix/linuxx86.tar.gz
2. Download and install libmotif3 here: http://www.jrdw.com/linux/citrix/lib…untu2_i386.deb
3. Extract citrix to folder and go to folder with terminal
4. sudo ./setupwfc
5. Install default with Y for all answers. Be careful during the License acceptance as it defaults to reject so if you hold the ENTER key it will exit the install!
6. 3 to quit install

VMWare
**For Edgy and Dapper**
1. Download vmware server tar.gz file from: http://download3.vmware.com/software…1-29996.tar.gz
2. place downloaded file somewhere in a folder in your home folder and using terminal CD into that folder
3. tar xvzf VMware-server-1.0.1-29996.tar.gz
4. cd into the folder it creates
5. sudo ./vmware-install.pl
2. Obtain a free serial at www.vmware.com

IEs4Linux
**For Edgy and Dapper**
1. First get Wine using Automatix.
2. Open a terminal
3. If you haven’t, uncomment the Universe lines in sources.list
4. sudo apt-get install cabextract
5. CD into the directory you want to download the ie4linux package to
6. wget http://www.tatanka.com.br/ies4linux/…-latest.tar.gz
7. tar zxvf ies4linux-latest.tar.gz
8. cd ies4linux-*
9. ./ies4linux
10. You’ll be prompted which IE you want and other options, most options just leave default.

Done and have fun!

Comments(2)