[00:21] hey all! [00:43] hello thewrath [00:44] thewrath: long time no see. How have you been? === sillytones is now known as semitones [05:26] How does one get a just a bit smaller screen rotatable cube for the workspace ? [05:27] tvdavies, you can set the size in rotate cube generally [05:27] depends on your tweaks [05:28] Would that be in 'CompizConfig Settings Manager' ? [05:29] tvdavies, yeah [05:30] There are 4 tabs to select from, none which have to do with the size. I use Ubuntu Linux 10.04 [05:32] type zoom on the search in compiz tvdavies [05:35] When I did, there are two selections to choose from, one - 'Enhanced Zoom Desktop' and the other is 'Zoom Desktop'. [05:36] it's confusing but there is a change in size depending on the number of windows open and the separation distance settings of those windows. there is also a minimum size of cube size somewhere, I forget just play with it I guess? [05:36] ok [05:37] tvdavies, it has been a long time since I used lucid and I'm on gnome 3 so when you find it and adjust it it will work immediatly, it is a slider. [05:37] tvdavies, look in rotate and cube and raised windows plugins for starters [05:38] Yeah, I kind of think so. I see alot of sliders in the areas to tweak for a certain visual effect. Its a matter of them responding when I test to see if it'll work. [05:39] tvdavies, luckily you don't have to restart compiz to see results [05:40] yeah, another thing we can say about Linux. Still testing here. I see also that in the controls for rotating the cube, there is some response that I am getting. [05:41] Timestep can be like a ping pong ball coming at you. [06:02] We'll...that's pretty good. Some more experimenting to go...but, I am having fun in the meantime. This is good. :D [11:53] afternoon === dude is now known as Guest37183 === yofel_ is now known as yofel [17:06] I've read all I can about making changes to the GRUB boot order, and trying to change the amount of previous upgrades, except I have not been able to make the list smaller for selectivity purposes. I just want to see the last 2 upgrades in GRUB, and the Windows 7 selection choice. I use Lucid Lynx 10.04 Ubuntu distro, and GRUB 1.98 Please advise. :D [17:11] tvdavies: do you want to juts remove them from the list? Or actually get rid of the old kernels [17:11] just to remove them from the list. [17:11] with legacy grub it's 10 times easier ;) [17:12] but there's benefits in using grub 2 [17:12] bioterror: indeed - but we've not got that .... [17:13] i just remove the old kernels [17:13] i leave the last one that worked, and the latest [17:13] me too [17:13] actually, i dont even do that much anymore ;) [17:14] i kinda let them pile up... but ideally thats what i do [17:14] tvdavies: try Start up manager https://help.ubuntu.com/community/StartUpManager [17:14] i see no advantage to hiding them, when you just remove the olde kernels, and run sudo update-grub, and all is good [17:14] we'll...I don't know anything about legacy grub, but I know I have GRUB 1.98, and after reading much on the internet about manipulating GRUB by myself, I have not been able to actually find the list in my Ubuntu system. [17:15] tvdavies: you can find the list, but again, i say just remove the kernels.. you wont be able to boot them if they are not in that list [17:15] ok, I'll look at the link first; it seems after reading your comment people that I should remove the old kernels. [17:15] you can open up synaptic for example and search linux [17:15] tvdavies: hang on - try this instead of sum - http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1287602 [17:15] or, make a note of the verions you want to remove and search those [17:16] ok, I'll be right back soon after reading a few things here for you continued support if you are still around. Thank you for helping me and being there. [17:18] Did you people just use Synaptic Package Manager to make your GRUB changes to reduce the size of the GRUB gui that comes up, all the while removing the old kernels ? [17:19] i use a package manager... usually apt or aptitude [17:19] thats what i decided to do about it [17:19] sometimes i use lowlatency kernels for audio, and want to re-order GRUB or something more advanced [17:20] ok, ummm...what do I select in Synaptic Package Manager to remove old kernels ? [17:20] tvdavies: you dont have to use synaptic [17:21] there wont be a 'remove old kernels' button [17:21] ok [17:21] search for lionux-image and you'll see them [17:21] you would open whatever package manager you are comfortable with, and search for the kernel packages [17:21] whoops - linux-image [17:21] hobgoblin: those show in the software center? [17:21] I'll look for linux-image [17:22] holstein: oh - no idea - never use the thing [17:22] * holstein trying... [17:22] I'll have a look [17:22] when I type in linux-image a whole bunch of things come up. [17:23] tvdavies: are you using synaptic [17:23] and what version of ubuntu are you using [17:23] yes [17:23] yeah, i see it in the software center too [17:23] holstein: all I see is generic - which is not much use [17:23] I am using Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx [17:24] tvdavies: doesnt matter [17:24] i search linux-image in the software center and i see a nice list [17:24] tvdavies: in the list you now are looking at click the button above the installed or not column - that is the one that has some ticks in it [17:25] should order them with the installed things at the top - go down the list to find the ones you want to remove - right click and mark for complete removal [17:25] http://imagebin.org/180890 [17:25] holstein: in a clean install oneric I have the generic thing only [17:26] Hmmm...I am now in the Ubuntu Software Centre, and there is a 'Generic Linux kernel image' available. Do I install that ? [17:26] im running 10.04 [17:26] and you can see i dont keep things as clean as i used too ;) [17:26] tvdavies: i wouldnt do anything you are not comfortable with [17:26] tvdavies: look at that image http://imagebin.org/180890 [17:26] +1 [17:26] I think I see what you are tyinf to point out to me in that last hyperlink. [17:27] I find it all easier and quicker in synaptic :) [17:28] hang on [17:28] yeah, synaptic is still my fav for it too [17:28] but, tvdavies , i would remove the kernels i want gone from that list [17:29] which, would be the bottom 6 generic kernels [17:30] So, what I gather, is that in the software centre, in order to remove the old kernels, I would just check them off to be removed there which would inadvertently remove them from the GRUB list that I would see for my multiple boot system, right ? [17:30] tvdavies: thats the idea [17:30] if you dont need/want them, then thats what i would do [17:31] ok, I see said the blind man. Let me try it out. Hang on please, and I'll let you know how I make out. If I need to reboot, I'll come back here to let you know how things worked out. [17:32] tvdavies: i remember loading up an installation in virtualbox, and testing/breaking that one when i was learning [17:34] holstein: this is software centre looking for linux-imag http://imagebin.org/180892 and then looking for linux-image http://imagebin.org/180893 [17:37] BTW, how do I figure out which version of Linux kernel is on my system without having to go to the GRUB menu ? [17:38] hobgoblin: you know, i had to reload the search once, like the *-center was buggy or something [17:38] this is the 10.04 version of it though... [17:38] yes, I have 10.04 LTS [17:38] tvdavies: uname -a will tell you what you are running [17:39] i suggest keeping that one *and* one earlier [17:39] sometimes you can get a kernel update to the latest that could break something [17:39] holstein: I only ever use it if I'm looking for something for someone else - luckily as I'm oin xubuntu I still had synaptic without installing it [17:40] hobgoblin: this is probaby the 4th or 5th time ive opened it [17:40] :) [17:42] Yes, I want to keep my latest kernel and the previous. That would be wise and safe. Please note that Ubuntu Software Centre did not install 'Generic Linux kernel image', nor did it show previous kernels installed. I have Linux Vostro-1520-Laptop 2.6.32-34-generic #77-Ubuntu SMP Tue Sep 13 19:40:53 UTC 2011 i686 GNU/Linux as the most recent kernel installed. [17:42] tvdavies: there are lots of ways to get what you want... you can try synaptic for example [17:43] or look in your menu list, and search by the version #'s [17:43] I appreciate the comment about doing this in VirtualBox to try out. That would be ultimately safe, but would take quite a long time to do. [17:43] nah... installs are like 10 minutes these days [17:43] save a snapshot, and do your worst :) [17:45] yes, right...we'll do that. That's smart. Ok, now when I used Synaptic Package Mgr, I did not see previous versions of my kernel loaded. What should I search for to see the previous versions in order to uncheck them to remove them ? [17:45] linux-image [17:45] yup, or the version #'s [17:46] k, hang on [17:46] why dont you run syanptic - do the search - make it list them properly - then do a screenie for us to look at [17:49] ok, I am removing all but the two latest kernels using Synaptic Package Mgr as I type this. [17:52] what is the terminal command to update now the grub ? [17:52] tvdavies: sudo update-grub [17:52] synaptic should have run it - bu tif not sudo update-grub [17:52] but, it probably did it ^^ yeah [17:54] ok, I am now going to reboot, and come back here to this chat and let you know how successful I was due to your help. Now I am going to go around the darkside of the moon Houston. [17:58] holstein, and hobgoblin....it worked totally, and successfully. Now I have a shorter boot list on my GRUB gui, and all is well. Splashdown !!! :D Yippie :D [17:58] cool [17:58] :) [17:59] You people have been such a help to get through all the rigamarole on the internet in regards to getting the right instructions to manipulate GRUB. [17:59] tvdavies: anytime... now you know a bit more about package manipulation [18:00] Thank you...yeah...the next thing to work out is wireless connectivity. I think that my DELL WLAN card is stubborn. It used to work with a older kernel on this machine I am using. I'll have to come back here sometime, maybe today to discuss this in more depth. [18:01] tvdavies: if you can plug it in to wired internet, look for a proprietary driver popup [18:02] ok, talk to you later. Gotta go. You're the best. [20:45] i just installed ubunutu studio off a usb on some random laptop i have hanging around. Selected no additional packages (as I was having issues with these) selected ubuntu from the menu and now I just have a blinking cursor [20:45] is that correct? [20:45] or has something gone wrong? [20:46] tpyo: im going to guess graphics card [20:46] oh awesome... the screen has now gone completely blank after like 10 minutes of leaving it in this state. [20:46] ah... this sounds interesting [20:46] you might want to try and get to the desktop with the live CD [20:46] or USB... [20:46] did X (your graphical system) work when you ran it live ? [20:47] And what graphics card do you have ? [20:47] so i would need a different package on the USB than the bootable image to test this? [20:47] or is it just a different option? [20:47] tpyo: nope, same installer... let bodhi_zazen know what the hardware is [20:47] i forget exactly what the gfx is on the device but its some intel integrated gfx chipset [20:48] it was previously a windows lappy [20:48] OK, well re-boot ... [20:48] you could start reading some #'s off the bottom, side or top of the unit and we can all google for the GPU [20:48] At the boot menu, boot to a recovery shell [20:49] k, lemme google the info I have in the bios to find the gfx [20:49] You will then have a command line, and from there you can look at the hardware, and install the driver [20:50] If that is sounding too complicated, boot windows and look from there [20:51] no, thats fine, whats the command to query the hardware from the console? [20:53] looks like i get some cute errors while booting the recovery console [20:54] failed command: READ FPDMA QUEUED [20:54] WRITE too [20:55] i usually spend some time with some live CD's testing hardware [20:55] but it does eventually find its way to the recovery menu [20:55] running a memory test real quick, and the hard drive [20:55] i want to drop to the root shell prompt? [20:56] i run lspci from there, and look at the hardware [20:56] aha [20:57] VGA Compatible Controller - Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Intefgrated Graphics Controller (rev 07) [20:57] which is also the Display Controller [20:58] pretty much every line returned by lspci is an intel jobby [20:58] is that typically a problem? [20:59] intel hardware? a typical problem? [20:59] usually intel is well supported [20:59] ah okay [20:59] anyways, you have options [20:59] k [20:59] i like options [21:00] oh and out of interest, what does "lspci" stand for? So that I might remember it better [21:01] well, ls is list typically [21:01] tpyo: [21:02] http://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/oneiric/man8/lspci.8.html [21:02] ls = list [21:02] so, list pci hardware? [21:02] pci = pcidevices [21:02] thats how i think of it [21:02] lsusb too [21:03] Learning to read man pages is a skill under-emphasized to new users =) [21:03] thanks, that will help me remember it :) [21:03] explanation + reference to man page is best [21:04] tpyo: best way to learn the command line is to use it ;) [21:04] yeah... i have only recently been getting into man pages [21:04] yes, I would love to be able to do this [21:04] First few sections here : http://linuxcommand.org/ [21:04] alas I am mired in 15 years of pure windoze experience [21:04] i usually google, but i was stuck without internet access, and sorted something not too trivial out by referencing man pages, and -help flags :) [21:05] ugh, tell me about it... im presently in an internet cafe in Iceland [21:05] They seem a foreign language at first, well they are a foreign language at first [21:05] cause I still have no internet access at home yet [21:05] but one day they will click [21:06] well im used to developing in managed languages where things are expressed in full [21:06] not C based development environments where name lengths are restricted [21:06] and commands have smaller names [21:06] :) [21:06] so.... i guess the next thing to check would be performing a memory and HDD test from the USB key? [21:07] to just check these areas are okay [21:07] then following this (if they're okay) finding some sort of mechanism to manually install my display drivers? [21:07] or well.... all drivers for that matter [21:11] weird when I try to "check the disk for defects" from my usb installer I get "The CD-ROM you have inserted is not a valid Ubuntu CD-ROM. Please change the disk" [21:12] when I "test memory" it states: "cannot load a ramdisk with an old kernal image" [21:15] well perhaps it would be prudent to recreate the usb image [21:16] which application would you recommend to make bootable usb images? [21:16] i used unetbootin to make this one [21:17] unetbootin is fine [21:18] we sort of need more information on your card to get it working [21:18] I understand it is an intel [21:18] but that is not saying much as in general most intel work [21:19] where would I be able to obtain more information about the device? [21:19] " Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Intefgrated Graphics Controller (rev 07)" was about as detailed as the output from lspci got [21:19] http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/catalog/component/pci:2A42:8086-VIDEO [21:20] my device wasn't listed there [21:20] i have [21:20] http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/TravelMate-8371-Laptop/4366204/product.html#none [21:20] i mean... if that list is supposed to be comprehensive... that is [21:22] the link i just posted contains the string: "Intel GMA 4500MHD Graphics Card" [21:22] If that is the model, you have Graphics Controller Model: GMA 4500MHD [21:22] hmmm but thats not what lspci returned.... [21:22] but that link I posted is the correct "brand" Acer Travelmate 8371 [21:23] but i dont know if the components for that brand were always fixed [21:23] I had to switch a 10.04 laptop install from a laptop with Nvidia video to one with Intel. I get the dialog during startup telling me X cannot find the Nvidia video adapter. I select "create new config" and X starts up fine. However this does not stick after a reboot, I have to redo the "create new config" after each reboot.. How do I save the new config?? [21:23] did you state earlier there would be numbers on the back of the device that might be more accurate? [21:25] tpyo: that video card looks as if it is going to be difficult to get the graphics card working [21:25] It appears you need the same driver as the GMA500, and support for that card sucks [21:26] http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/how-kick-your-friends-face-gma500 [21:26] You can try this : https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupportComponentsVideoCardsPoulsbo [21:26] Or this : https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Poulsbo [21:27] Personally I use gentoo for this problem [21:27] http://en.gentoo-wiki.com/wiki/Acer_Aspire_One_AO751h [21:28] but unless you want to start compiling your kernel and such, of all those choices, I would [21:28] use another laptop [21:28] If I had to use Linux, I would start with Arch [21:28] If Arch did not work, gentoo [21:28] you sir are the awesomesauce [21:28] finding all this niche information so quicklt [21:28] and sparing me hours of potential confusion [21:29] i salute you [21:29] * tpyo salutes bodhi_zazen [21:29] okay I can easily earmark another lappy for this purpose then [21:30] thanks for sparing me hours of suffering :) [21:31] tpyo: you can try this [21:31] o [21:31] http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=6450032 [21:31] but it is for an older version of Ubuntu and that I know is no longer supported [21:31] I do not have that exact card, but, support is going to be spotty at best [21:32] considering this is my first install [21:33] and the symptoms given in that thread dont exactly match my own [21:33] ill just earmark a different laptop [21:33] for the ubuntu install [21:33] this one was going to be given to a lovely girl in Hamburg anyway.... to run windoze [21:33] More recent threads on your card look like this [21:33] http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1457530&highlight=Intel+GMA+4500 [21:33] so i'll grab one of my spare Dell Inspirons instead :) [21:34] Check the video card first [21:34] from windows [21:34] and tell us what it is [21:35] im pretty sure it was listed in one of your earlier links [21:35] lemme check quickly [21:36] hmmm [21:36] : Intel HD Graphics 3000 [21:36] that isn't the same piece of crap is it? [21:39] the make/model of the laptop im NOW considering to use is a Inspiron N5040 [21:39] if that helps [21:39] tpyo: probably easier if you fire up the desktop [21:39] you could try a custom xorg.conf with the vesa driver [21:39] ah well its not with me atm [21:39] You can test all your hardware from there, including graphics and wireless [21:39] because my office is an internet cafe *cries* [21:40] If it works out of the box -> install [21:40] hi there anyone having any trouble with lubuntu and older dell's I installed lubuntu 10.10 and after install got busy box. I then tried to install lubuntu 11.10 and now the VGA is blown out (I think ) anyone seen or had any troubles like this ? [21:40] I tryed to install other vga that I have laying around and still nothing no bios nothing [21:40] bobweaver: pull up a chair... thats similar to what tpyo is going though i think [21:40] sweet [21:41] I have 7 more of these computers that i need to put os's on [21:41] i usually just try live CD's til soemthing works, and note the kernel, driver and take a look at and copy the xorg.xonf if there is one [21:43] I think that this is a little different I cant even get to bios like something may have shot the board [21:43] bobweaver, bodhi_zazen identified an issue with specific intel gfx cards that dont play nice with linux [21:43] I will try more graphics cards now [21:43] ah... that shouldn't effect the bios though [21:43] I have about 20 of them [21:43] yeah, youd want to test the hardware bobweaver , then move on to OS [21:44] oh hardware is good [21:44] tested last night broke out the om meter ande all [21:44] the conversation we were having was around Intel GMA 4500MHD cards and derivitives [21:44] static matts the whole 9 yard [21:44] how do you test the bios with an om meter? [21:44] they dont play nice with Linux, basically [21:44] hardware [21:45] these are old poweredge 1400 [21:45] Dell [21:45] well, i dont want to split hairs about if the bios is hardware or software... all im saying is, if you dont get to a bios screen, then its notihing to do with the OS [21:46] holstein: but I did have it before [21:46] I installed lubuntu [21:46] bobweaver: before the hardware broke ;) [21:46] lol [21:46] could be [21:46] bobweaver: if you want, and if its easy, just unplug the hard drive [21:47] then, you'll know its not lubuntu [21:47] sure [21:47] l9ike I said I have 8 of these things [21:49] nota [21:49] ziltch [21:50] trying new graphics card [21:50] i pull the hard drives if its easy... hten you can force the power on and off... hwatever.. really mess around til you get a live CD working [21:51] yeah I pulled the hardivew from power and from board [21:51] but getting power out the vga port [21:52] ()_o [21:54] nothing [21:55] one more box if happens there then debian [21:56] yeah, but you have the hard drive unplugged [21:56] yup [21:56] and no [21:56] tryed both ways [21:56] bobweaver: what video card ? [21:57] let me look up specsc [21:57] specs [21:57] they are old Dell poweredge 1400 [22:02] Is there any way to restore Ubuntu to "factory" defaults without doing a fresh install? [22:02] sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop [22:02] that will just install [22:03] Erm [22:03] all programs and what not that come out of the box [22:03] Will it get rid of everything I have on my ubuntu partition? [22:03] no just add stuff [22:03] Bugger [22:03] !purekde [22:03] If you want to remove all !Gnome packages and have a default !Kubuntu system follow the instructions here « http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/purekde » [22:04] there is also gnome ect [22:04] I just want to make it like i had noting on my PC, just a fresh 11.10 install [22:04] Without all the hassle [22:06] bodhi_zazen: 00:-e.0 VGA compatible controler: ATI technoligys Inc Rage XL [1002:4752 ](rev 27 ) [22:09] jimmie: also take a look at bleachbit [22:15] bobweaver: support for that card also looks spotty [22:15] Ubuntu 10.04 might work [22:16] yeah I just DL bios hope that I can get it back [22:17] they are servers I should just make into servers ? not desktops [22:17] bobweaver: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1430887 [22:17] If you need servers , yes [22:17] If you need desktops, fine inexpensive graphics cards ? [22:18] got about 20 of them ok maybe 15 in box somewhere [22:18] graphics cards that is [22:19] Try Ubuntu 10.10 or 10.04 [22:19] cool will do I gave lubuntu 10.10 a shot but got busybox after install [22:20] So it worked live ? [22:20] Yeah [22:20] but not post-install ? [22:20] check the md5sum of the iso [22:20] both 10.10 and 11.10 [22:20] yup [22:20] all good there also [22:21] busybox is not a graphics driver problem [22:21] What partition did you install into ? [22:21] You using RAID ? [22:22] sda1 [22:22] only one HD [22:22] pulled others [22:22] for testing [22:22] busybox is an emergency shell in the initramfs [22:23] if you are getting that your initramfs is bad [22:23] or you have some unusual hard drive ? [22:23] not that I know of [22:23] let me see what kind they are [22:24] I think mamtor [22:24] Try this [22:24] http://www.tuxtrix.com/2009/12/solving-busybox-black-screen-problem-in.html [22:24] boot the live CD [22:24] sudo -I [22:24] sudo -i [22:25] mount /dev/sda1 /mnt [22:25] The edit your grub menu [22:25] Better , when you boot ... [22:26] drop to a grub command and boot from there if you know how [22:27] https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2 [22:27] ohhhh noooooo [22:27] I am idiot [22:27] ok when installing I said overright all and installl [22:28] it said that there was only 9.1 gigs I thought that that was small [22:28] \could I have overwrote the bios ? [22:29] I doubt it, you will see your bios when you boot, no ? [22:29] Nope [22:29] I do Not see it [22:29] You might have over written a recovery partition ? [22:30] Well you boot, bios starts, passes off boot to grub -> grub passed to initrd -> busybox [22:30] so I would imagine it not a bios problem [22:33] I would boot the live CD and change the kernel line in grub from root=UUID to root=/dev/sda1 [22:34] ok just pulled HD out and it is a Quatum 3.5 series [22:36] other graphics card is not working either [22:36] what card is not working ? [22:36] lol [22:37] ok so stock is not working VGA and also old one that i have laying around is not working [22:37] I will pull one of firewall box [22:38] In general, you are going to get the best support / results (IMO) with Ubuntu 11.10 and perhaps a non-gnome version (kubutnu, xubuntu, or lubuntu) [22:40] yeah these where donated to me so I thought that I would sell one to pay for a month membership to local hackerspace [22:40] that is why I started to install desktop on it [22:41] Just donate the boxes to the hackerspace for a 6 month membership =) [22:41] there was open filter on it before I installed 11.10 . Oh and I got the boxs form the old hackerspace [22:41] :>) [22:42] so they 100% do not want them back [22:42] Wonder why ? [22:42] I mean if a hacker space threw them out ... [22:42] =) [22:43] but OK , you can probably use them for something [22:43] Slitaz ? [22:43] googleing [22:44] Wow that is cool [22:44] 30mb [22:44] Oo [22:45]