User:KTucker/ple/Install Ubuntu/Maveric

At the time of writing (when this page started - Nov./2010) I was using Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat). The process described includes remnants of previous installs (Lucid Lynx and older), so be careful. The information is intended only as a reminder for myself (under my PLE) - shared for the benefit of others aspiring towards libre knowledge ideals who might find some of the software interesting to explore (not as a recipe for successful installation).

Caution: System Specific
N.B. The following might not work on your system for a variety of reasons (different hardware, different software versions, etc.). Ensure important data on your system is backed-up before trying anything.

Most of the installs occurred on a Toshiba R600 Q10 attached to an Acer X243w monitor.

Operating System

Best is to do a fresh install.

1. Backup everything of importance on your system
2. Download the latest ISO from http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
3. Make a bootable USB flash drive or CD-ROM etc. (I typically use a 4GB USB flash drive)
   • Menus: System/ Administration/ Startup Disk Creator ...
4. Boot the machine from the newly created bootable live Ubuntu
   • What happens next depends on how you want to set up various operating systems on your computer.
     • Links to tutorials etc.:
       • Ubuntu Documentation > Community Documentation > Installation
       • Please add ...

Configurations

Note: throughout '$' - is the command prompt (don't type it).

Screen Resolution

No problems since Lucid Lynx.

Resolution gdm

Problem: resolution not detected correctly by gdm (using the Acer X243w only).

Solution: In a terminal type:

$ xrandr

displays allowed resolutions. Choose the highest (or the one you want for gdm) and type:

$ cvt 1920 1200

(substitute for 1920 1200 to match the resolution you want to use)

produced:

# 1920x1200 59.88 Hz (CVT 2.30MA) hsync: 74.56 kHz; pclk: 193.25 MHz
Modeline "1920x1200_60.00"  193.25  1920 2056 2256 2592  1200 1203 1209 1245 -hsync +vsync

With this information, all I needed to do was:

$ sudo gedit /etc/gdm/Init/Default

and after the lines:

PATH="/usr/bin:$PATH"
OLD_IFS=$IFS

paste the following (from above - i.e. substitute VGA1 and the resolution with what you get/want):

xrandr --output VGA1 --mode 1920x1200

Source of this wisdom: a posting by sharaq - on this Ubuntu forum.
sharaq suggests posting 3 lines into /etc/gdm/Init/Default - which might be necessary for you if the above does not work.

Network

To make the wireless network connect automatically:

Menus: System/ Preferences/ Network Connections
Wireless Add or Edit ..., and under Wireless Security select "Connect automatically" [Apply].

Passwords

Forgotten Keyring Password

Removing the default.keyring file causes the system to ask for a new password for it.

$ rm ~/.gnome2/keyrings/default.keyring

or (e.g.)

$ mv  ~/.gnome2/keyrings/default.keyring.bak

See menu: System/ Preferences/ Passwords and Encryption keys.

Free Software?

Ubuntu is criticised for making it too easy to install non-free software.

Does anyone know of a way to check a system for non-free software and help remove it?

In synaptic, the restricted and multiverse repositories are selected by default.

The "multiverse" component contains software that is "not free", which means the licensing requirements of this software do not meet the Ubuntu "main" Component Licence Policy.

The onus is on you to verify your rights to use this software and comply with the licensing terms of the copyright holder.

This software is not supported and usually cannot be fixed or updated. Use it at your own risk.

Unselect them.

Install vrms :-)

$ sudo apt-get install  vrms

and run it. Find ways to not need anything that comes up.

Update manager

If you are not installing on the first day of release, install all updates.

Menus: System/ Administration/ Update Manager

...

and update regularly and whenever possible.

Customise Grub

$ sudo apt-get install grub2-splashimages

$ sudo gedit /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme

Change line:

 WALLPAPER="/usr/share/images/desktop-base/moreblue-orbit-grub.png"

as required.

Peripherals

Printing (and scanner)

Plug in the printer/scanner (USB Epson Stylus CX5900).
Ubuntu tries to configure it.
Missing driver.
Searches.
Closest is CX5800 or CX6000.
Try 'CX5800 - CUPS+Gutenprint v5.2.5 Simplified [en] (recommended)

Alternatively, try to print something - dialogue for drivers appears - go with default recommended.

Install XSane via Synaptic or:

$ sudo apt-get install xsane

It will also install GIMP (if you have not installed it already).

Sharing: Synergy

Synergy enables one to use one keyboard and mouse on multiple computers on a network.

$ sudo apt-get install synergy

Make a config file: see documentation.

Then place the config file in /etc/synergy.conf

Set up shortcuts on the server and clients.

File Manager Preferences

e.g. Nautilus: Edit preferences List View ... List Columns ..., etc.

Personally: I add owner group permissions.

Install Software

See notes for Oneiric.