The latest version of the Linux operating system Ubuntu was released last Thursday, and can be downloaded here. All I can say is that it is a huge step forward from the previous version, in terms of compatibility and robustness. This is the first time Ive been able to install Ubuntu and have all my hardware work without having to use the command-line (I have included terminal commands for simplicity). If you have any questions regarding the setup of anything in this post, shoot me a question in the comments section, Ill try to help you the best that I can.
I will give a short rundown on my install of Ubuntu on my Gateway MT3422 laptop, along with how to set up the extra 'cube' style effects in this version. Click any of the thumbnails for a full-res picture.
Whats new: Wubi installer
The Wubi installer is amazing. Basically it allows a user to install Ubuntu without the hassle of setting up a Linux partition, swap partition etc. Instead, it installs under Windows XP or Vista just like any other program. It sets the entire Linux partion within a file, which can then be mounted during bootup via a menu.
It can also be uninstalled via the Add/Remove function of windows if so desired. This is a huge step in making Ubuntu and Linux in general a main stream option for novice users. (to access your windows harddrive from within Ubuntu type 'cd /hosts/' in terminal), unfortunately, you cannot access your linux data-files within Windows via this install method). The only caveat with this method of install is that the computer cannot enter sleep, hibernate or standby modes, due to the way it mounts a file instead of a true partion. However, a full partion install is available.
Getting the wifi to work:
Unfortunately, my wifi did not work on my fresh install of Ubuntu. Fortunately, it was painless to get working, even with the WPA Personal encryption. I must say, this is a first for Ubuntu, in my experience. First I had to connect my laptop to my network via an ethernet network cable, and was instantly connected to the internet. My next step was to install ndiswrapper, and its graphic frontend. This is an application which alows the use of windows drivers within Linux. In the past, Ive always had to revert to ndiswrapper via the command line, however, this time around the ndiswrapper frontend worked for me.
To install ndiswrapper and its gui via termanal, type:
sudo apt-get install ndiswrapper-common ndisgtk
Once installed, I downloaded the windows drivers for my wifi card, and extracted them to an empty, easy to find directory. My laptop has a Realtek RTL8185 chipset, and the proper driver can be downloaded here (be sure to select the RTL8185L chipset. The file includes drivers for several versions of Windows, I used the one for Windows XP. Even though I have 64-bit hardware, I chose to install the x86 version of Ubuntu. I would assume that if you are running the 64-bit version of Ubuntu, then you would want to use the 64 bit version of the driver, however, this is untested). I then launched the nwiswrapper gui, selected the rtl8185.inf driver I had downloaded, and was set.
If you have another wifi card, duplicate my process, but use the drivers for your own card. These can usually be found on the internet from the hardware manufacturer.
From here you can use the network toolbar applet to connect to your wifi network. This is enabled to run automatically on a fresh Ubuntu install, however, if you are having trouble finding it, or it doenst appear to be running you can launch it by typing 'nm-applet' within terminal. Then, left click on the little network icon on your panel, and it should list all of the local networks Ubuntu has detected and are broadcasting their SSIDs (pictured). Connecting to an encrypted network is as easy as selecting the correct encryption method your wireless router is using, and entering your password. Ubuntu will offer to store your password within keyring, and it is recommended. If for some reason your wireless router is not broadcasting an SSID, you can manually type one in by left clicking the network icon, and selecting 'Connect to Other Wireless Network...'. (pictured) There is also an option to 'Create New Wireless Network', if you wish to create a temporary Ad-hoc connection between 2 computers. There is an option for a manual configuration, but this is nether needed nor recommended.
Video drivers:
The video worked well on my laptop after the install, but I knew that the drivers on the disk were not the best they could be. For that, you have to install the 'restricted drivers', which is just a fancy way of saying it cant be bundled as 'open source' with Ubuntu. Fortunately, it is just a few clicks to enable.
1. Click on the System> Administration> Hardware Drivers menu
2. Check the 'Enabled' button (If available with your video card)
3. Reboot
Fun Video Effects, aka Cube Effects:
Since Ubnutu 7.10, compiz has been included. Compiz is a project to add the flashy desktop effects people are used to seeing with modern operating systems. (this only works for me once I load the restricted drivers(see above). It may be different for you). However, to get the most out of it, you have to install the settings manager. Its a simple process:
Within terminal type:
sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager
This will give access to the settings manger. From here, you can enable desktop effects such as the 'Desktop Cube' effect, 'Rotate Cube' and 'Cube Reflection'. Now, when you hit and drag the center mouse button (or both buttons together) you can view all your Workspaces on a cube (see picture at the top of post). There are many other effects which can be enabled (Note: in order to see a full 4 sided cube, you must enable 4 workspaces. The default for Ubuntu is 2. This can be done by right clicking on the Workspaces Icon selector, usually near the trash icon, to the lower-right corner of the desktop. Hit 'Preferences' then select 4 workspaces).
Slow package installs?
Because everyone and their mother is downloading packages for Ubuntu this weekend, the severs are pretty slow. You can fix this by selecting System>Administration>Software Sources.
Within the Software Sources window that appears, under the Ubuntu Software tab, there is an option to "Download From: sever name".
All in all, I think Ubnutu 8.04 is the strongest version yet, and is a real challenge and threat to Windows Vista. Best of all, its Open source, and as such, totally free and modifiable.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) is here
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10 comments:
I can't get my ethernet connection to work, and the Network Settings interface isn't offering any help. Any advice on what to do?
hmm, I would have to assume that your router connects independently from your computer, thats how most networks connect. If you are able to connect normally with the same hardware, under a different os, I would have to assume that your ethernet driver is not working. Try googling the card type and model number and "ubuntu ethernet driver" I will have to look later to tell you step by step how to determine your ethernet card. you may be able to find that out from your computer manufacturer or motherboard maker, if its integrated into the MB.
Thank you very much for a very clear and easy to follow guide to using the ndiswrapper. Worked like a charm for me!
Awesome explanation on getting an RTL8185 working properly under 8.04 Ubuntu. Thanks heaps.. helped me configure my girlfriends PC in no time. :)
Thank you Very much for your straight forward no nonsense instructions on the Cube and how to make it four sided. I had a two sided flipping wall. LOL That cube thing is sooo cool it's not even funny. I have been working with computers for 30 years have used many operating systems mostly Windows all the way back to before DOS. Until I read the review from PC World between Ubuntu and Fedora they picked Ubuntu I downloaded it and installed it with NO problems. I had bought Suse Linux off the shelf some years ago and it was the first software I had ever seen that came on a DVD. It installed well also, but I could never find a video driver for any of my computers. Ubuntu just works!!! If I can get it to do everything I do in Windows I will park Windows on a back seat!!! Hurray! Sorry so long.
Question: I found a software firewall, but have not found so far any type of Linux ubuntu 8.04.1 Anti-virus or anti-spyware? Is there such a thing and if so which one do you recommend?
Thanks Again!
after i put the cmd in the terminal it to get the cube effect it asks me for my password but when i try to put it in none of the keys on the keyboard work. can you help?
its a 'security feature' of bash(ubuntu terminal) so that people cant see how many keys your password is. just type your password and type enter and it should either accept or say 'invalid password' or something along those lines.
Thanks for the great instructions on using ndiswrapper.
I'm using Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid) and trying to get my wireless drivers to work as well. There's a bit of inconsistency though. Windows says my card is a Realtek RTL8185 but Ubuntu "lspci" command says it's a Realtek RTL8187SE.
So I downloaded both drivers and installed them both following your instructions. But when I click "Configure Network" in the ndiswrapper GUI it says "Could not find a network configuration too."
Do you have any other tips on what else I can do? Just FYI this is on an MSI Wind U120-024US.
Just FYI I found another guide (in french) that worked perfectly:
http://julienpecqueur.com/tutoriaux/install_driverwifi.html
I don't speak french but you can just copy the commands and follow the screenshots. Very helpful and worked like a charm!
hmm, deoz, i did a quick google search and came up with http://forums.msiwind.net/debian/rtl8187se-drivers-for-ubuntu-and-deb-packages-t4954.html
im guessing youve seen it, but if not, it should help. i would personally try the native drivers that are aprt of the kernel since 2.6.27, which is the kernel installed with intrepid. ndiswrapper was just sort of a hack i had to do back when linux didnt really have any drivers. i have found with my card (and others have been complaining as well) that the signal strength icon for nm-applet shows a poor signal all of the time. otherwise im able to run perfectly, with no other configuration, even with wpa-aes encryption. the msi wind is a nice laptop, im jealous, ive been eyeing it lately myself. theres lots of people out there with them, im sure someone else has written about it. i still think your best bet is to uninstall ndiswrapper, any drivers, and then start over with the link i pasted above. i dont think i could help much more than that without the hardware in front of me. i hope that helps.
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