LinuxKubuntu HowTo

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The following is a random assortment of issues or things I run across as I install and run Linux (mostly Kubuntu). This is originally written for Kubuntu 8.04.

Contents

Hardware

Special hardware instructions.

Nvidia Drivers

If you installed the proprietary NVIDIA drivers (*buntu 8.10), the new driver will work, but any changes to make won't write to the config file (the program just quits). Here is how to fix that problem.

  1. First, open a terminal session
  2. Type: sudo nvidia-xconfig
  3. Then, Type: gksudo nvidia-settings
  4. Make your changes and/or click "Save to X Configuration file"

The trick here is to have it run in privileged mode. In the K menu, I changed the settings shortcut to run under gksudo every time. Run the menu editor, and change the shortcut command to read "gksudo /usr/bin/nvidia-settings".

Alltel Huawei EX22x

In Kernel versions 6.20.0 and up, this is fairly simple to get working. When it is plugged in, ttyUSB0, ttyUSB1, and ttyUSB2 should appear in /dev:

  1. Use your favorite package manager, or apt-get to install:
    1. Check "kppp" for install.
    2. Check "libncurses5" for install (if you want to try the GUI stats utility discussed later, but you might want to install this anyway).
    3. Check "xterm" for install (Same reason as above, for GUI utility).
  2. Open Kppp and set up a modem on /dev/ttyUSB0
    1. Set up a new connection to dial #777
  3. Use the modems 10 digit phone number and "@alltel.net" for the user name. (e.x. 1234567890@alltel.net)
    1. Use "alltel" (no quotes) for the password.
  4. That's it. Now connect and enjoy.

There is a graphical utility that this author has made, however on Kubuntu 8.10 I was not able to get it to function. It is located here at: http://oozie.fm.interia.pl/pro/huawei-e220/ which also contains some discussion if you are still having issues. If you downloaded libncurses and xterm above, you shouldn't have an issue installing it.

Note: As a note, Firefox seems to like to go in off-line mode if wired/wireless network connections are not available. Just go to "File" and un-select "Work Offline" to get back online with Kppp.


KDE

Everything KDE (X-Windows) related

wine

Cannot use first megabyte error

Run the following when not running wine to fix this error:

user@localhost ~#
sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=0Image:CursorOFF.gif


Common Windows Components

The winetricks script is a lifesaver. The script will install a ton of missing Windows components that may be missing and will get most programs working.

In a console (after installing wine):

user@localhost ~#
user@localhost ~#
sudo sh winetricksImage:CursorOFF.gif

This will open a window with a list of components to install. You can select one or multiple at a time. You can also type the package name in the console.


Modify 'System Menu' Menu

Use your favorite text editor to edit /usr/share/apps/systemview


MP3 Support

To enable MP3 support, run "Adept Manager" and search for the package "kubuntu-restricted-extras" and also "Amarok" if you don't already have it. Amarok will play MP3 files after the extras package is installed.


Games!

Linux can play good games.

Starcraft

Your copy of Starcraft will actually work in Linux using wine. First install wine (Windows emulator) by opening "Adept Manager" and searching for the package "wine" and then install it.

  1. Insert CD and choose setup.exe if prompted, otherwise browse to /cdrom and double click on it. It should start in wine.
  2. If you have broodwar, install that also.
  3. Download and install all patches the same way.
  4. Copy install.exe (from the BroodWar CD if you have it) to the wine Starcraft directory and rename it StarCraft.mpq (or BroodWar.mpq if you have it)
  5. Run as normal and enjoy.


Troubleshooting

Keyboard And Mouse Bug

If the keyboard is having key repeat problems and the mouse is having tracking problems, the following may help. In my case I removed the USB hub from my machine completely and solved it. Maybe it's a USB chip problem?

root@localhost ~#
echo -n -1 > /sys/module/usbcore/parameters/autosuspendImage:CursorOFF.gif
Warning: Must be done as super user (su -), use sudo passwd to set a password


The high-speed module can be unloaded completely (which also helps some, but should only be temporary):

user@localhost ~#
sudo modprobe -r ehci_hcdImage:CursorOFF.gif


Can't find X libraries error while ./configuring

Error: checking for X... configure: error: Can't find X libraries. Please check your installation and add the correct paths!

Install xorg-dev:

user@localhost ~#
sudo apt-get install xorg-devImage:CursorOFF.gif


Qt not found error while ./configuring

Error: checking for Qt... configure: error: Qt (>= Qt 3.3 and < 4.0) (headers and libraries) not found. Please check your installation! For more details about this problem, look at the end of config.log.

Install some missing Qt packages:

user@localhost ~#
sudo apt-get install libqt3-headers libqt3-compat-headers libqt3-mt-devImage:CursorOFF.gif


No KDE headers error while ./configuring

Error: in the prefix, you've chosen, are no KDE headers installed. This will fail.

Install the KDE development packages:

user@localhost ~#
sudo apt-get install kde-develImage:CursorOFF.gif


General

Installing JRE

user@localhost ~#
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fontsImage:CursorOFF.gif
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