Linux Format forums

Re: RE: ubuntu 8.10

Stationmaster — Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:46 pm

Author: Stationmaster

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:46 pm

gn2 wrote:

Whizz the hard drive out of it, put it away in a safe place, fit a new blank one and all your fear of partitioning will melt away.

Put the hard drive in an external caddy either as a NAD or USB connection.

Then you can boot into the required Windows program when required or you could download crossover7 which extends a welcoming hand to MS product in a Linux environment.

My wife's computer has Ubuntu on an external drive and Winders in the CPU.

[Mainly due to too many problems trying to get her internet connection to work under LINUX/Ubuntu three different modems worked fine on other machines but refused totally to allow access via her machine under windows or linux, and defeated a network engineer we called into look at why it would not work...]

Booting into the USB connected Ubuntu disk is a bit of a pfaff, manual selection in Bios once the caddy is powered up, but nowhere near as frustrating as loosing access to all our online banking facilities whilst trying to set up a working broadband connection.

Re: ubuntu 8.10

daveginboav — Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:00 pm

Author: daveginboav

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:00 pm

Success! After a search around the net, plus 1 or 2 hints from people who have posted here and on other threads I decided I would try an edit of /etc/X11/xorg.conf.
Here is what it looked like before I started:-

QUOTE
# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# Note that some configuration settings that could be done previously
# in this file, now are automatically configured by the server and settings
# here are ignored.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
Device "Configured Video Device"
EndSection
END QUOTE

Fairly empty, I think you will agree. I kept a copy of the orginal, just in case, and created the following (remembered my old vi commands):- (I've omitted the repeat of\ the hashed comments)
QUOTE
Section "Device"
Identifier "Trident Microsystems CyberBlade XPAi1"
Driver "trident"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 28-51
VertRefresh 43-60
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Trident Microsystems CyberBlade XPAi1"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Modes "1024x768"
EndSubsection
EndSection
END QUOTE

After this, I rebooted with no effect.
However, I then re-tried gn2 advice of System > Preferences > Screen Resolution. This time it showed 1024x768 as a choice - so I tried it and it worked! Yippee!
I also learned about the "e" key when booting and I know that the multi-boot screen is in effect the grub screen - so thanks all.
I don't pretend to know whether all the bits in the xorg.conf file are necessary, or whether that is the best way of achieving things. But I do know it worked, and if I learn a better way sometime then good. In the meantime, I will now take things a bit further. I think I'll do the download upgrades next.
End of this thread I think. Thanks all. Oh BTW - I picked up the new mag today and in the next issue it covers "Inside xorg.conf". Who needs LXF?

Re: ubuntu 8.10

daveginboav — Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:59 am

Author: daveginboav

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:59 am

Many thanks for your patience and efforts gn2. It is
VGA compatible controller: Trident Microsystems CyberBlade XPAi1 (rev 82)

Will try your trick in grub - but I don't see a grub screen - just the ubuntu bar. I'm an old (many years ago) Unix sys admin person and I'm sure I van remember how to use vi. So if there is a script I could edit - just let me know where. For instance, if the System > Set Preference > Screen Resolution is a front end to something then perhaps I could edit that backend?

I have also noticed this thread with similar probs
http://www.linuxformat.co.uk/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=9494

Re: ubuntu 8.10

fiorghael — Thu Feb 05, 2009 3:49 am

Author: fiorghael

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 3:49 am

Dave,

Are you writing a book or doing a review about us linux people?

Hope the results of your 'research' will be available and well-'articulated' to us all.

Re: ubuntu 8.10

lok1950 — Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:41 am

Author: lok1950

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:41 am

Is there not a way to pick both the driver and monitor with a GUI fedora has system-config-display that allows picking the driver and the proper monitor definition surely Ubuntu with it's user focus has an equivalent

Enjoy the Choice

Re: ubuntu 8.10

gn2 — Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:18 am

Author: gn2

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:18 am

What graphics adapter does it have?

A thing to try would be at the Grub screen, press e to edit the boot instructions, at the end of the text press space and type: xforcevesa

This will force use of the vesa driver which should enable you to set the correct resolution.

Re: ubuntu 8.10

ollie — Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:43 pm

Author: ollie

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:43 pm

It looks like you don't have the correct graphics driver installed. You need to look at the specs of your system and make sure Ubuntu is using the correct software. 800 x 600 is VGA default when the graphics aren't detected properly.

Re: ubuntu 8.10

daveginboav — Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:08 pm

Author: daveginboav

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:08 pm

Thanks for the encouragement Liquidator. Solving the screen issue is now my main quest.
gn2 - thanks for the advice, but I should have said I have tried that and the interface only permits me to gop as far as 800 x 600.
In my research to date so far, I think I may not have articulated my problem as well as is required. I don't think the problem is one of resolution - the number of pixels per inch or centimetre. Its simply about the fact that the screen image is not filling the entire size of the screen - in my case 12". It is just plonked in the middle with a huge ugle black border all the way round. It may not make Ubuntu inoperable - but it certainly does not make it a pleasant experience. I hope my second hand ebay purchase can be made to work. Will keep readers informed of any progress.

Re: ubuntu 8.10

TheLiquidator — Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:13 am

Author: TheLiquidator

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:13 am

To follow up on one quick point, I don't think that Windows will have been corrupted by the process. In simple terms, I believe it merely found things different than the last time it ran so it noted the changes and checked it was still OK.

Glad you seem to be getting there!

Re: ubuntu 8.10

gn2 — Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:50 am

Author: gn2

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:50 am

System > Preferences > Screen Resolution.

RE: ubuntu 8.10

daveginboav — Tue Feb 03, 2009 11:55 pm

Author: daveginboav

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 11:55 pm

Normally, I'd agree with you gn2 - but I'm in this to learn and then pass on my experiences. Not everybody will be able to afford another disk or may have less skill/confidence with a screwdriver than a logical conundrum.
Right a quick update.
Despite the advice and the resolve - I went back to the cover disk with the same repetative consequences - no mattr what I did. Good old (sacrilige?) Windows managed to repair itself each time.
eventaully I booted the live cd version and then used the facilities to do a partition. I had to fiddle a bit and somehow managed to shrink the XP partition and created a new one.
I then ran the install routine and now I have a duel boot system - although XP was corrupt again to begin with and then it mended itself.
Now the next problem.
This old Toshy laptop - 12" screen aint that big - but in netbook terms its quite big Ubuntu only occupies the central part of\the screen in 800 x 600 size - despite me changing the stretching section in the BIOS - which only impacts the boot up bits - not the final screen.
I hope this is fixable. Dont say I should have gone to specsavers
Anyone got any good clues?

RE: ubuntu 8.10

gn2 — Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:26 pm

Author: gn2

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:26 pm

Whizz the hard drive out of it, put it away in a safe place, fit a new blank one and all your fear of partitioning will melt away.

RE: ubuntu 8.10

daveginboav — Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:15 pm

Author: daveginboav

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:15 pm

Very many thanks for the advice Liquidator. I tried yesterday installing from the basic iso image which also came with the Jan disc. I seemed to be more in control and felt more confident, but still bottled it when it came to the partitioning bit. I also got a little sidelined trying to ensure I could get back to XP if everything went belly up. I used a freebie version of ACRONIS true image but for reasons I cannot fathom it does nor produce a bootable CD. (I am confined to producing the iso on a USB old IDE drive in FAT32 format. I then try burning the image to CD using ROXIO - but it doesn't work.) I only want to do this as a failsafe - given that this Toshy is a second-hand ebay job without any XP install disks.
So my next chapter is to pre partition my disk as advised. I am also going to continue trying with a reversion plan of having an image of my current XP I could get back if needs be.
I'll keep all interested updated - but dont hold your breath - not enough time for this project.

RE: ubuntu 8.10

TheLiquidator — Mon Feb 02, 2009 1:03 pm

Author: TheLiquidator

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 1:03 pm

I agree that partitioning during the installation can seem a white knuckle ride. It does take a leap of faith to hit that "partition" button and then let ubuntu do it's stuff. Generally you won't have a problem, unless you pick the use all the disk option- in which case you will wipe XP. Also, had you gone fully through the process I would expect XP to do a scandisk anyway as you alter things like the MBR and XP would need to record the changes.

I say "generally, because there is always an element of risk involved, particularly when this is being done as part of the installation. My preference would be to partition first, in which case you can get the gparted live cd from http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php. It is far safer IMO to partition a drive that is not active than one that is.

My recommended procedure:
1. Defrag XP
2. Backup all key files
3. One concern I have is that I suspect XP may be taking up anything up to half of your drive already, so consider whether you actually need all your Windows applications.
4. Run the GParted cd and setup partitions. I would set up 3 new partitions :- Root, home (for your personal settings) and swap. 1GB swap will probably do for you. I think you will also have to set up an extended partition and then set up logical partitions within it for the home and root partitions - think that's right but someone will correct me if not- due to limitations on the number of partitions can have. It's not vital to have a separate home partition but if you do it will mean you can do upgrades and reinstalls without losing all your settings.
5. Run the ubuntu installation. During the partitioning process all the partitions will now be shown. You can assign the Mount points to the various partitions but ensure you do not select "format the partition" when dealing with the Windows one - simply give it a mount point. The installer will then leave that partition alone. You can tell ubuntu to format the others.

Sorry it's a bit long winded.

ubuntu 8.10

daveginboav — Sun Feb 01, 2009 1:17 pm

Author: daveginboav

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 1:17 pm

A bit new. I bought a second-hand laptop - Toshiba Protege 4100 1GB memory - 20MB disk with a view to loading Ubunto, learning and evenually contributing to the community.
Tried the Jan coverdisk but suffered probs. I tried the live version without any hitches and from within tried to do an install which would have kept my XP. It got to the partitioning bits and at point I bottled it. At first I thought it was going to make a seperate partition and load itslef onto it. Fine I thought. But the next screen gave me an impression it was going to wipe out my old o/s and just install itself totally. I aborteed by cancelling and quiting.
Subesequent re-boot presented problems I have never seen in XP before - but I could tell was just doing the old DOS equivalent of chkdsk and mending sectors.
Part of me wants to go for a total install (I have other computers) - but another part says I should do just a partial. One of my ideas was to write about the experience - not necessarilly for profit.
Any help or advice, greatly received.