Calling all Linux Experts: I've got a million questions...

[nvidia]

Hi guys,
I really like to start using Linux.. But i'm a noob. Everytime i install linux i will have some problem or the other and ill just format the drive containing Linux. But this time i thought, i could start to learn something from this forum.
I'm using Ubuntu that was given in Digit December DVD.

Back to my topic -
First i need to install my graphics driver. It asked me to log in as root.. With great difficulty i logged in as root. When i double click on the file which has a .run extention, it opens a dialog box and there i chose "run in terminal"
I get an error there... It says - " ERROR: You appear to be running an X Server; Please exit X before installing. For further details, please see the section INSTALLING THE NVIDIA DRIVER in the README available on the Linux driver download page at www.nvidia.com"
Well.. What do i do?

[ray|raven]

Since you are running ubuntu, it has the restricted drivers manager,
if i remember correctly,
try installing you driver through it, instead of manually.

Regards,
ray

[nvidia]

Where can i find that "restricted drivers manager" thing?

[SunnyChahal]

I too have decided to start using linux 2day.And i too get many probs when i install linux
I have Dled ubuntu7.10 64 bit alternate cd and ubuntu 8.04 alpha 4 64bit.which one should i install??
i hope nvidia8800 doesnt mind me questioning on his thread.
I asked here coz i didnt want to start a new thread

[ray|raven]

System > Administration > Restricted Driver Manager

Regards,
ray

[nvidia]

^^No problem if you question here Sunny.. Even ill get to learn more

I tried that Restricted Drivers Manager thing. When i click on enable option, it says

Enable the Driver?

NVIDIA accelerated graphics driver (latest cards)

This driver is required to fully utilise the 3D potential of NVIDIA graphics cards, as well as provide 2D acceleration of newer cards.

If you wish to enable desktop effects, this driver is required.

If this driver is not enabled, you will not be able to enable desktop effects and will not be able to run software that requires 3D acceleration, such as some games.
Cancel / Enable the driver

But when i click on Enable driver, it asks me to insert the cd -

Please insert the disk labeled:
Ubuntu 7.10 _Gutsy Gibbon_ - Release i386 (20071017)
in drive /cdrom/

Which CD to insert??

[SunnyChahal]

the ubuntu cd u got with digit

[praka123]

@both of u guys-finish ur installation and use "vesa" driver for graphics to boot into Gnome.then configure internet and d/l using restricted driver manager the nvidia driver 169.09 -supporting the nvidia 8xxx series(expect more better driver later)

Dont give up so soon.. the xorg.conf u guys needs to use should be generated later by running below commands after installation and login into Gnome in vesa mode.

install latest nvidia-driver from restricted manager;then run in a terminal "telinit 1" to a root terminal.now run:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

select "nvidia" as driver and finish.
later in the same vtty,
edit using "nano" editor the "device" section of ur /etc/X11/xorg.conf as:
in a terminal "sudo nano -w /etc/X11/xorg.conf"
browse to below section and edit as below

Section "Device"
	Identifier	"nVidia Corporation"
	Driver		"nvidia"
	BusID		"PCI:1:0:0"
	Option          "AddARGBVisuals"        "True"
        Option          "AddARGBGLXVisuals"     "True"
        Option         "RenderAccel" "true"
        Option         "DisableGLXRootClipping" "true"
        Option          "NoLogo"        "True"
        Option          "UseEdidDpi"   "FALSE"
        Option          "DPI"   "96 x 96"
EndSection

add below lines in a new line after "section device":

Section "Extensions"
    Option "Composite" "Enable"
EndSection

save by pressing "CTRL+O" and exit as "CTRL+X".

press "ctrl+D" to exit the terminal,now it will boot into ur Gnome desktop.
see,if graphics are smooth.check Direct rendering by opening a terminal(in menu Applications>Accsrs>terminal)

glxinfo |grep direct

^check whether it shows "yes" or "NO"
If "Yes" ur Graphics is configured properly

Try this guys!dont leave this in a jiffy

[nvidia]

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

the ubuntu cd u got with digit

Tried that. Got this error -

Another synaptic is running

There is another synaptic running in non-interactive mode. Please wait for it to finish first.

[shady_inc]

Regarding the CD-ROM thing, Go to System>Administration>Software Sources.Enter your password.Under "Ubuntu Software" tab, uncheck the entry under "Installable From CD-ROM/DVD".

[SunnyChahal]

@ praka thnx a lot

[praka123]

OK.I checked the gutsy nvidia version which is 100.14.19 which supports 8xxx series partially only.
you should get latest nvidia driver 169.09 for full support which unfortunately missing in default Ubuntu gutsy installation.for that,you have to wait for the new drivers to hit gutsy.although this driver is provided with hardy beta .

[nvidia]

@praka,
It said "NO" after i did all that
I dont understand the things like "boot into your gnome desktop"

[SunnyChahal]

@praka-i have hardy alpha 4 also.Dled it 2day
shudi install it?? does it have the new look with the dock??
or where can i get the new look of hardy??

[nvidia]

Can somebody atleast tell me how to make fonts look a little more beautiful in Linux?

[hellknight]

Back to my topic -
First i need to install my graphics driver. It asked me to log in as root.. With great difficulty i logged in as root. When i double click on the file which has a .run extention, it opens a dialog box and there i chose "run in terminal"
I get an error there... It says - " ERROR: You appear to be running an X Server; Please exit X before installing. For further details, please see the section INSTALLING THE NVIDIA DRIVER in the README available on the Linux driver download page at www.nvidia.com"
Well.. What do i do?

its simple,
1. firstly copy the drivers to your home folder
2. Then make sure you've kernel-source & GCC packages installed.
3. After that hit Ctrl+Alt+F1
3. Login as normal user and issue init 3
4. Then go to your home folder by cd /home/username
5. then type sh N(followed by tab, it'll complete the driver name)
6. Agree to everything , your drivers will be installed
7. Reboot by issuing sudo reboot command

The other way as explained by other forum members is easier than this which is restricted driver manager

[CadCrazy]

Visit here to see step by step procedure to install nvidia graphics driver provided by nvidia.

[SunnyChahal]

^^
thnx cad.i also had some probs with hardy.

[nvidia]

@cad crazy: I tried your method and everything went fine. I think the graphics driver is now installed
Thanks a loot..
How do i check if its working correctly?

Ive got another problem now...
How do i install the mp3 and other format codecs? I cant listen to music on Linux
But i can hear some system sounds...

[ray|raven]

Try this in a terminal,

glxinfo | grep direct

it will tell you if direct rendering is enabled.

You can use

glxgears

to find the fps

If you got the latest ubuntu,
trying to play a file through totem/rhythmbox will download it AFAIK

Regards,
ray

[nvidia]

^^Hey thanks.. Graphics driver is configured... It said yes!
I did not get your point about the audio thing....
When i play a file a media player thing will open and display the following message -

Search for suitable codec?
The required software to play this file is not installed. You need to install suitable codecs to play media files. Do you want to search for a codec that supports the selected file?
The search will also include software which is not officially supported.
Cancel / Search

When i click on Search, a new window will open which says

Install Multimedia Codecs

under this window i can see two codecs.
When i click on any of the two, another window opens which says -

Confirm installation of restricted software?
The use of this software may be restricted in some countries. You must verify that one of the following is true:

• These restrictions do not apply in your country of legal residence
• You have permission to use this software (for example, a patent license)
• You are using this software for research purposes only
Cancel / Confirm

When i click on Confirm it says

The list of applications is not availabe

Click on 'Reload' to load it. To reload the list you need a working internet connection.
Cancel / Reload

When i press Reload, a window will open which says downloading and then it will disappear.
nothing happens.. What do i do?

[praka123]

^hehe!make sure u have internet connected in ur ubuntu box that app is trying to download from www those necessary plugins!

[nvidia]

^^How do i make sure "ubuntu box" is connected to the internet?
I'm browsing from Ubuntu itself so i guess its connected...
And Btw, is there any way to install it offline? Im on low bandwidth... Just 1 GB limit...

[CadCrazy]

I can send you cd with packages for offline installation if you want

[nvidia]

^^Can you tell me the approximate size which these files will be?
And will they be able to play all the files? Has digit provided it in any of its DVDs?

[CadCrazy]

visit Offline Ubuntu Package Center
and download gstreamer package(around 5 MB) for enabling sound

For online method go here

[nvidia]

^^I installed gstreamer from terminal as you have mentioned in your thread... But it couldnt play the file...
So i thought to reisntall it and typed sudo apt-get install gstreamer*
and then something was displayed in terminal. In the last line it was mentioned to remove gstreamer - type "sudo apt-get autoremove"
I thought if i could unistall and then reinstall the app then the problem would be solved and i used this command in terminal -

sudo apt-get autoremove gstreamer*

And it started to remove almost everything. I closed terminal when it was completed and now i cant see any media players, open offics and the worst thing is i cant use terminal. The icon is seen in Apps > Accessories > terminal.
But when i click on it, it says -

Could not launch menu item
Failed to execute child process "gnome-terminal" (No such file or directory)
(ok)

What do i do??
Should i reinstall Ubuntu to get terminal and others back again??

[CadCrazy]

I think you messed up your ubuntu-desktop package

insert your gusty gibbon cd and press ctrl+alt+F1 to start command prompt and login. then type

sudo apt-cdrom add
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart

[nvidia]

Guys i have heard that there is something like Aero in Linux also... Is it true? How do i enable it??

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by CadCrazy

I can send you cd with packages for offline installation if you want

but he is in bangalore. I can be more useful. I can give it to you personally. Just tell me what you want.