Ubuntu Linux 7.04

SrDriver · Jul 15, 2007

For those thinking of running Linux on your computer checkout the following web page.
Link To Info About Ubuntu Linux

I have an AMD 64 processor and am running the 64 bit version. For other processors there is a 32 bit version.

I have one hard drive and when I installed it, I can now boot into either Windows XP or Linux.

As always when doing something of this nature, make sure that you backup everything before installation.

I had no trouble.

About the only driver I needed was for my printer which only took a few minutes in locating and installing.

This system has a 250 gig drive and now it is partitioned with Windows XP being on on partition of approximately half Windows and half Ubuntu Linux.

Ubuntu Linux is freeware.

Ubuntu Linux is freeware.

simple_gifts · Jul 16, 2007

Technically Ubuntu is OSS (open source software); freeware can have a host of licensing limitations set by the author that OSS is not bound by.

ANYWAY... highly recommended; been using Ubuntu for years.

Dell is now distributing Ubuntu based PCs.

SrDriver · Jul 16, 2007

Quote:

Technically Ubuntu is OSS (open source software); freeware can have a host of licensing limitations set by the author that OSS is not bound by.

ANYWAY... highly recommended; been using Ubuntu for years.

Dell is now distributing Ubuntu based PCs.

I am sold too.

I like the dual boot feature as there is some things that I still do in Windows.

Before I retired we used Unix at work along with Windows and a couple of other operating systems.

Greggy_D · Jul 16, 2007

Is wireless easier to setup in 7.04? Especially with encryption?

simple_gifts · Jul 16, 2007

I have an Averatec laptop and the wireless hardware was detected, unforuntately, I have no access pt to see if it actually works.

SrDriver, you are aware of

http://getautomatix.com/

correct? Installs Java, flashplayer, Acrobat Reader, Skype, Crossover Office, Nvidia drivers, audacity, etc etc etc including decoders for proprietary multimedia formats (which are illegal in the US without getting a license)

SrDriver · Jul 16, 2007

Thanks much for the link! I am using the 64 bit version of Ubuntu and found some programs that I have been hunting for!

Thanks again!

ToyotaNSaturn · Jul 16, 2007

Wireless in Ubuntu (or any other laptop) can still be a sticky point. I just installed 4 different distros with the express purpose of having a 100% working laptop without any goofy post configuration on my part.

After I got the 4th distro, SuSE Enterprise Desktop 10 with the brand-new SP1, the wireless card STILL wasn't totally recognized and thus would not work. If I would have spent the time with the other 3 distros (Ubuntu 7.04, PC Linux 2007 and Fedora 7, this fix would have worked for them, too) Wound up needing to install the latest firmware package, then add a load-line to the boot loader. Easy, really, but finding this info took some time.

The laptop in question is a 1.6Ghz Pentium4-M, 1GB RAM, 60GB 7200rpm drive, built-in Intel 2200 wireless NIC. Install the latest firmware 'ipw2200' from http://ipw2200.sourceforge.net/ or http://atrpms.net/dist/common/ipw2200-firmware/ipw2200-firmware-2.4-8.at.noarch.rpm.html then add the "acpi=noirq" to the boot loader line. I remember the "no IRQ steering" thing from years past on a different O.S., but I was surprised that it wasn't enabled by default. Then the wireless worked. An optional 3rd command must be issued to iwconfig to tell it to use OPEN key-based WEP, if you use WEP at all.

At least the fix is easy as it really didn't take too long to find nor fix.

Maybe the next version of Ubuntu can include this in the next release? Seems like wireless is never "easy" on any OS, save for Mac OSX.

Crashbox · Jul 17, 2007

I've been wanting to try Kubuntu on my laptop PC for a while now for that very reason- wireless. Sadly, Window$ seems to be the only OS that it works with.

Yeah, Linux rocks big-time.

ToyotaNSaturn · Jul 17, 2007

what flavor wireless NIC do you have?

For what it's worth, I've found that the PCMCIA Netgear ones work 1st try.

Greggy_D · Jul 17, 2007

That's what is stupefying to me. If the Linux crowd created a painless wireless (with encryption) installation, use of Linux would take off. That's the only thing stopping me from using it right now.

Wireless is pretty darn painless on XP and Vista, IMHO.

simple_gifts · Jul 17, 2007

http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=136
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessCardsSupported

Greggy, It is not the fault of the Linux crowd, it is the firmware providers (wireless card makers)

http://kerneltrap.org/node/4818

quote
Currently, the OpenBSD project is focusing on wireless networking technology, working to convince hardware manufacturers to make the firmware for their wireless cards freely distributable. It sounds simple enough, but the effort has taken much persistence and perseverance. Many of today's corporations require the signing of non-disclosure agreements and other legal red tape prior to making firmware or documentation available, requirements that don't measure up to OpenBSD's standards for freedom.

Manufacturers just don't want to make the firmware available without a NDA.

Part of the challenge in getting a linux system fully operational are set backs such as these. I reward the companies who support the OSS business model by buying their products.

The mindset of most linux users is they would rather spend 4 hours getting a wireless setup to run correctly, then have it run flawlessly for years than have it work "out of the box" (e.g XP and Vista) and spend 40x the time maintaining the system and searching down registry cleaners, adware eliminators, uninstallers, AV, etc etc.

In the 7 years I have been using Linux, I have never once installed one utility to maintain or correct a system problem. A little effort at the beginning of the install seems like time well spent for me.

-Thomas

Greggy_D · Jul 17, 2007

I stand corrected. Thank you, SG.

Still, I feel that (regardless of who's responsibility it is) wireless needs to work "out of box" for wide acceptance/use of Linux. I know this is a deal breaker for many.

SrDriver · Jul 18, 2007

Web Site for info on how to generate a list of installed software in Ubuntu Linux and how to restore it when you reinstall for any reason.

Link To Web Site

Crashbox · Jul 18, 2007

Quote:

what flavor wireless NIC do you have?

For what it's worth, I've found that the PCMCIA Netgear ones work 1st try.

It's the (grouse-grumble) Broadcom 4315??? wireless which is known not to be Linux-friendly. HP Pavilion laptop DV8500 purchased last year.

Ubuntu Linux 7.04

Similar threads