Linux Quest Continues

As everybody is suggesting that Xubuntu best suits my laptop's 256 MB RAM, I decided to download this light Ubuntu. It started last Thursday (Friday is a holiday, I have some time to spare).

I went to my Aunt's house to use her DSL connection. But it proved to me that it's slow, 10-20kbps. Then, a "brilliant" idea popped into my mind. I had been using my powerful N73 phone to download softwares and files from the net. So maybe, it can also download files which are 600MB big, just a theory that time. I am faced with the following problems: first, I need a 1GB Mini SD (I was still using the 128 MB SD included in the Nokia package); second, I need to find a fast proxy. To solve my first prob, I called my sis to buy me the Mini SD (worth 400 pesos) in the city. You will say, why not pay someone to download and burn the file? Though buying the SD was an expensive move, it will be handy for my future big time downloads. I was able to got hold of two fast proxies, 40-60 kbps (thanks to atomintersoft.com), though unstable yet had proved to be efficient. I simultaneously downloaded the 9.04 and 8.10 versions but the 9.04 link slowed at 25% so I decided to cancel it and stick with the later version. How was this possible? I used two versions of a mobile downloader and ran them at the same time because my phone can handle two connections at a time. The 8.10 downloaded successfully after 7 hours. The crazy part ends and another problem had risen.

I finally learned how to properly burn the iso image to a disk using Nero (thanks to MD and Mr. Steven). I inserted the disk and run the installer. Yahoo! I arrived at the language, keyboard, time zone settings, and when I reached the partitioning stage, flunk! I received a red note. Failed to partition. I asked Mr.Slackwaredave for some suggestions on what to choose during partitioning since he's running Xubunutu on his PC, but he can't remember the partitioning process. Then, I go to MD and he suggested that there should be an option with the sda something. But I haven't seen it when I ran a second installation. As you had observed, I don't give up easily. So, I searched the net and it had been fruitless. Only one move is left. I can give up my D: drive. I burned the files in drive to a CD and some were transferred to C:/. I used the Disk Manager to repartition it and make the 3GB free space (not indicating whether it's ntfs or fat32). I ran the installation again and choose the option with the "use the drive with large continuous space" in the partition stage. Tada, it installed within 30 mins! The version doesn't have a screenshot application and the print screen is not functioning as a copy button, so, there's no pic for this. By the way, the D: is where I had installed Ubuntu, bye-bye Ubuntu and welcome Xubuntu.

I like the way how Xubuntu looks compared to Ubuntu but it seems that the Kubuntu has more pre-installed applications.

My long weekend was spent on this trial and error experience.


Sunday, June 14, 2009 4:38:03 PM

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On Linux

As my Windows OS crashed due to Win32 virus, I was faced with the problem on how I will retrieve my precious files. I got interested to Linux when I read somewhere that some people are using it to retrieve their files.

I had the resource of unlimited and reliable DSL while I was staying in a dormitory. It had become my hobby to download softwares, antivirus, tools, editors, etc. then I burn them in a CD (I haven't upgraded to DVD RW) and compile them or lend to my classmates and friends if they need them. The first Linux I downloaded was Puppy because of it's small size (easy to download) and for the sake of my curiosity. I ran it and I got impressed with the fast speed of internet browsing. It had become my OS whenever I need to surf the net during my college days. I can even watch the movies stored in my HD. It's preloaded with apps but I don't know how to add one and configure the theme. I had looked for more distro and downloaded Zenwalk, Freespire, the newly released Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon (that time) and Alinux (iso is still on my laptop because it won't fit on a 700mb CD).

To solve my problem, I used Puppy because I am somewhat familiar with it already. I successfully retrieved them and transfer them to my sis laptop. But when the stage of OS installation came, my laptop won't install any OS, it turns off everytime I reached the partitioning and formatting. The Linux live CDs that I had downloaded before were also no use, not one was booting properly and I can't get to the installation screen. Due to desperation, I tried and tried and finally installed Windows. The next day, the new Ubuntu and Kubuntu CDs that I ordered from shipit.ubuntu.com arrived, much to my surprise but it missed the exciting part of my experience.

Having lots of Linux in my CD case now, I tried them all last night to know why they won't boot. The Gutsy Gibbon that I have downloaded has a Wubi installer inside, I installed it and was able to ran the Live CD but it only gave me an unresponsive desktop. How come that the instruction says just reboot and it will do its task automatically? The Zenwalk and Freespire are leading me to the Caldera DOS DR boot and MD suggested that I type startx but the command is not valid. Then, I tried my newly arrived Kubuntu and Ubuntu CDs but still the unresponsive desktop and white screen. I thought it was my RAM but MD said he had run Ubuntu on a 192mb RAM. So, I can also ran it to a 256mb one.

I am persistent and won't just give up. I want to know why the Ubuntus are acting like that. I read some blogs and was able to discover the F4 SAFE GRAPHIC MODE during installation. I did it and voila, the desktops are now working on both Kubuntu and Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope. The Kubuntu ran faster than Ubuntu even it was loaded with lots of graphic effects. I don't know why. I am still in doubt if I will install it as a permanent OS (along with Windows) since it's running slower than normal under my laptop specs. 

There's also an Xubuntu on which my specs will be suited but my prob is how I will download it. The fast connection that I have is at my Aunt's house and I haven't got the time now. I had taken a snapshot of the Kubuntu desktop.


Sunday, June 7, 2009

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Gonna Try Linux

I just recently ordered a free copy of the new Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope and Kubuntu from shipit.unbuntu.com. They said if you can go away with this OS, you have an advantage in programming so, I want to try gaining an advantage. My programming background was only in VBasic and our stat softwares. I had been applying these learning in the HTML programming on which I have no knowledge to start off. But since it's only a question of what has to follow and what are produced with the commands, I think I can have a grip of it in time.

Shipit will take at most 6 weeks for the CDs to arrive. I don't mind it as long as I can have the CD. Also, I am still learning In-Design and Flash making so, that won't be a problem. Doing the self-education is not that kind of hard if there are examples to imitate.

One problem for me is, these OS requires higher RAM and large memory space. So, I think I have to upgrade because I want to have Ubuntu in virtual drive, Linux and Windows in one laptop.

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