Category: Tech Talk & Other Thoughts

Some nerd talk by Brian and other random thoughts

Installing Ubuntu 12.10 on Dell XPS M1730 Laptop

by Brian Thompson 2 Comments

I’ve set out and installed a full working version of Ubuntu 12.10 on my Dell XPS M1730.

To kick things off my keyboard died on the laptop which makes it impossible to do anything during boot up.  After a lot of work trying to get it working again, I gave up and bought a cheap USB keyboard.

I started out by having my computer setup with a RAID 0 with one master partition running Windows 7 64-bit.  After many failed attempts at getting the hard drive partitions setup for Ubuntu I undid the RAID which wiped out windows 7.  I’ll have to re-install Windows 7 hopefully in a dual boot at a later time.

Once the partitions were wiped out I used a USB boot version of Gparted to setup the partitions  as noted in link, but I made boot partition bigger after reading a few other articles (besides the size is so small it doesn’t really matter)

 
Boot Ext4 512MB
Swap Swap 4GB (4096MB)
Home Ext4 remainder of hard drive minus 80GB for later use in Windows 7

 

 

During my install of Ubuntu the screen would just flash colors.  A quick search found that this is really common with Nvidia graphics cards.  I combined a few options suggested on the internet by setting some custom install options.  Press any key when the keyboard logo appears at the bottom of the screen to get to the install menu, go down to install and press F6 then add the following after the ‘–‘with a space befoe the text”nouveau.blacklist=1 vga=771″

I get an error that the blacklist and 1 are invalid options, but when I try an install with just vga=771 I get the flashing colors.  So I’m not sure what the noeveau argument is doing, but it does enough to get the display to work properly.  I didn’t try installing with just the nouveau parameter and without the vga parameter.

With that I could continue with the install.  In the install I choose to manually select the partitions to use.  By double clicking each partition I was able to designate the /boot, swap, /home specifically.

After the install I restarted the computer and had the flashing colors all over again. I followed this article to get things working.  Right after the bios boot, but not before, hold down the shift key.  At the grub menu select Advanced Options then the recovery mode option

I selected the network option and then yes as directed.  Some text scrolled for a while and then is seemed like things just stopped but without taking me to the GUI screen to choose root.  I pressed up and some garbage text was displayed.  I think I followed this by Enter and then a Ctrl-ESC.  This caused more text to be displayed and then rather than going back to the GUI it went into Ubuntu without the flashing colors.  From there I opened up an Xterm window and proceeded to do the commands from the link (pasted below for my information)

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-add-repository ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install nvidia-current nvidia-settings

With that I was now have a Ubuntu setup on my Dell XPS M1730.

This computer will be my media player and I don’t plan to physically use it much especially now that the keyboard is broken.  Things that I’d like to get setup are VNC, SSH, VPN, Samba, XMBC, and iTunes (I really like the genius playlist editor).  I’ll be posting a later blog about this. (Update: 12/29/2012:  Here is the post about the media server)

 

Fun times with Apache 2.4.3, PHP 5.4.3, and MySql 5.5 updates

by Brian Thompson 2 Comments

About a month ago I got a virus on my computer and in my infinite wisdom I used a registry scanner to help clean up the issue.  This scanner also decided to delete some files that allowed my website to work.   I should have just rolled back my windows 7 to the last registry backup, but too late the damage was done.  For the life of me I couldn’t figure out which files it wiped out as it didnt’ have a log of the actions it took.

So I embarked on re-setting up my apache server.  I didn’t keep any of the installation files I used the first go around so I ended up downloading the files all over again. I got apache from Apache Lounge.  I found 64-bit version of php at http://www.anindya.com/php-5-4-3-and-php-5-3-13-x64-64-bit-for-windows/  and don’t forget about the extensions needed on the same webpage.  And MySQL from their own website. Lesson 1:  Save the installation files for future re-use.

Well of course apache, php, and mysql all had updates that caused various issues.  This being my first real upgrade I discovered something quite important that is noted in all the installation files.  First backup the apache and php config files.  Then start with the generic config files (httpd.conf and php.ini-production) and then add back in my unique settings.  I initially tried to just start with my old configuration files and then add in the new default settings, but this is really messy and not the way to do it.

In apache, Order commands are depreciated are now depreciated  as noted in these two links (1 and 2) so I had to make several updates to the httpd.conf file to correct this.  Additionally, several changes were made to the LoadModule selections.

 #new for 2.4.3 update
LoadModule access_compat_module modules/mod_access_compat.so
LoadModule allowmethods_module modules/mod_allowmethods.so
###This is needed for SSL to work in update
LoadModule socache_shmcb_module modules/mod_socache_shmcb.so
#changed with 2.4.3 update
#LoadModule authz_default_module modules/mod_authz_default.so
LoadModule authz_core_module modules/mod_authz_core.so
#changed with 2.4.3 update
#LoadModule authn_default_module modules/mod_authn_default.so
LoadModule authn_core_module modules/mod_authn_core.so

With the updates I was/am having issues with wordpress so I updated that again too to version 3.4.2 and still noticed the problem with numeric links and have blogged about it here.

But after all of that I appear to be back up and working.  I did notice during this whole process that the use of Location in the httpf.conf file to make sure certain webpages use https rather than http was not case sensitive.  I’m still working on this and hope to post about it again when I understand things, but for here is a link the my forum post about the topic

Cyanogen 7.2.0 Update on my Evo Shift

by Brian Thompson Leave a comment

The stable release of CM 7.2.0 was released on June 16 and of course I jumped right in on day 1 and did an update to my phone. Updating from a previous version is much much much easier than the first install noted in my previous post (Installing a Cyanogen 7 on my Evo Shift). All I had to do was download the image and install the ROM in recovery mode.

For some reason the bluetooth wasn’t working, but after a series of Dalvik Cache resets and phone resets something corrected itself and now everything appears to be working fine.

As for performance I got a 48.487 & 50.716 MFLOPS Single Thread on Linkpack.  On Quadrant I had a 2273.  Both are better than my 7.2 rc2 scores.  I’m sure if I did a compare to Lisa’s phone (stock ROM) it would blow away her scores.  I wonder if she will ever break down and ask me to do an update for her too.

Update 1:  Bluetooth is not fully working.  When a call is initiated by the phone has a crackling sound when the phone initiates the connection. Reported as Cyanogen issue 5349.

Installing a Cyanogen 7 on my Evo Shift

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Below are the steps that I took to updating my Evo Shift from 2.3.3 to cyanogen 7.2 RC2.  So far RC2 seems really stable.  I haven’t tested the bluetooth yet, but so far everything else seems to be working just fine (no crashes and no reboots).  It is running much better than the stock phone with root.

5/27/2012 Update:  Well I’ve learned a few things since the first post.  First, bluetooth works just fine.  Second, I didn’t format my SD card right to allow a partition to be used as internal memory.  I’ve updated the steps below to capture this.  Finally, here are a few performance test after a reboot results Linpack Single Thread: 50.87, Multi Thread: 37.398, Quadrant Standard: 2182

Backing up the Phone

Evo Shift

  1. Install ROM Manager, Titanium Backup Root, SMS Backup & Restore, Astro, and Disk Usage to the phone (not sd card),
  2. Optional: ROM Manager Touch Mod if a power user
  3. Backup SMS text with SMS Backup
    1. Make sure you backup to SD card
  4. Using Disk Usage, see if there are any large caches worth deleting.
    1. I noticed google maps and Pulse had a lot of space.
  5. Do a backup using ROM Manager Backup
  6. Do a backup using Titanium Backup
  7. Optional:  To be safe just copy the whole SD card to a folder on your computer.  If you do this then you can skip steps 8-11.
  8. Copy to a computer the non-app files.  This includes all your pictures (DCIM folder), any ringtones and notifications, downloaded files from browsers
    1. If you do not need to re-partition your SD Card this step can likely be skipped, but I think it is a good idea just in case
  9. Copy to your computer the ROM Manager Backup file.
    1. Mine was in the clockworkmod folder
  10. Copy to your computer the Titanium Backup backup files.
    1. Mine was in the TitaniumBackup folder
    2. optionally:  You can copy your backups to Dropbox or google Drive from the App
  11. Copy to your computer the SMS Backups
    1. Mine was the SMSBackupRestore folder (the .xml file)

Flashing the Phone

I followed several wiki forums and suggestions to create my sequence of steps, but this link (http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/HTC_Evo_Shift_4G:_Full_Update_Guide)  by far was the most helpful.

  1. Skipped downgrade from 2.3.4 to 2.3.3 since I never did the update (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1558532)
  2. Reboot into recovery
  3. Select One: (A) Partition SD Card to use it as internal memory (I think this is the best option) or (B) SD Card not as internal
    1. Partition SD Card to use it as internal memory
      1. Partition SD Card with SD Ext = 4096MB and  SWAP = 256MB
      2. Shutdown Phone and take out SD Card
      3. Using Minitool Partition Wizard, delete the EXT partition and apply the change.  Then to the same partition section create an ext3 partition. Note:  I’ve read several other forums that have had mixed results.  I tried a FAT32, ext2, and an ext 4 before I found the ext3 to be recognized correctly.
    2. Partition SD Card with SD Ext = 0 MB and  SWAP = 256MB
  4. Restart phone
  5. Download ROM, kernel, and Google apps and place files in root (/mnt/sdcard/) of the SD card
    1. ROM: CM7 nightly 255 (http://download.cyanogenmod.com/?type=nightly&device=speedy or here since the link was broken http://ftp.sh.cvut.cz/MIRRORS/cyanogenmod/nightly/speedy/ select cm_speedy_full-255.zip)  or CM 7.2 RC2 (http://download.cyanogenmod.com/?device=speedy&type=RC select update-cm-7.2.0-RC2-plusfixes-speedy-signed.zip)
    2. Kernel: Scary Kernel 3 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1010934)
    3. Google Apps: Gapps (http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/Latest_Version#Google_Apps)
  6. Restart the phone in recovery mode
    1. Power off the phone.  Then while holding down on the volume button press power.
  7. Select the option to Wipe data/factory reset.
  8. Then select the option to Wipe cache partition.
  9. Select Install zip from sdcard, Choose zip from sdcard, Select nightly ROM
  10. Select Install zip from sdcard, Choose zip from sdcard, Select Kernel
  11. Select Install zip from sdcard, Choose zip from sdcard, Select Gapps

Setting the phone backup

This section is widely variable.  Here are a list of things that I have done

  1. At the first startup enter in your google id and go through the other startup questions
  2. If you selected Partition SD Card to use it as internal memory above then go to Google store (now called Google Play) and download Link2SD.  In Link2SD press Menu->Storage.  If the SD Card 2nd Part shows that there is space then partition worked fine.  If not then use Minitool Partition Wizard to format the ext3 partition to a different type (repeat unit Link2SD recognizes the SD Card 2nd Part)
    1. I think the partition type is dependent on the phone.
  3. Titanium Backup
  4. Copy the Titanium Backup files to your SD Card.
    1. If you did a backup to Dropbox or Google Drive then re-connect those accounts
  5. In Titanium Backup
    1. Select Menu->Batch->Restore missing apps + all system data
      1. This will get all your programs back
    2. Then, Menu->Market Tools->Market Doctor->User & system Apps
      1. This will make sure all your programs are connected with the Market
  6. In Google Play, download all the updates to your phone
  7. Go to SMSBackupRestore and restore the backup created
  8. Optional: Go to Menu->Settings->CyanogenMod settings->Performance->CPU Settings.  As recommended on another forum set Governor to Smartass ( used Scary), Min CU Frequency to 122 (I used 245), Max CPU Frequence to 806 (I used 1209), Select Set on boot
  9. Copy back your non-app files
  10. From here you are somewhat backup and going.   My experience is that many of the apps still forget the login and some other things.  But with having a new ROM there are several tweaks and settings to play with

 

Password Required ???

by Brian Thompson Leave a comment

Here is something weird that keeps happening with my router.  Occasionally I have to go into the router and delete the password files.  There shouldn’t be any passwords as the permissions are set to public, but Win7 keeps asking for a user/password.  All of my attempts at guess a generic password have failed.  Instead I have to telnet into my router and delete the secrets.tdb and passwd.tdb files in the /opt/etc/samba directory.

If someone knows how to fix this I’m all ears.

PS3 Media Server

by Brian Thompson Leave a comment

So back when I wrote that the website was back up I mentioned the PS3 Media Server.  This is a great free program that will allow you you stream pictures, music, and videos from your pc to your PS3.

Well I have been having a bit of a problem, but I just figured it out and thought I’d type about it.

The problem:  Network drive folders are not showing up on the PS3.

The Observables:  Prior to making the PS3 operate as a service everything worked fine.  When I clicked on the “Install as Windows Service” button on the “General Configurations” tab.

The Solution:  After reading through the PS3 Media Server forum I came across this thread which suggested that the solution was how the service was being run.   I added to the thread for my solution, but here it is again.  It turns out that I did have to go into the PS3 Media Server Service settings and from the “Log On” tab change the log to use “This account” and not a “Local System account”. Make sure you use the Browse button, enter your user name and then click “Check Names” button to ensure that the user account name is correct.  For me it came out as ‘.\UserName’ sans-apostrophe. Next type in your password, even though there are dots, and click apply. It should tell you to then stop the service and press start again for the settings to take place. Once I did this my network drives all work. I suppose the other option is to change the permissions on how my drives are mapped, but since this is working I’m done.

Discovering Symbolic Links

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A while back I was trying to do symbolic links in Windows 7 like you can do in Linux.  I didn’t try too hard as I really didn’t have a good need for it at the time.  Well I recently found a good need for symbolic links so I looked a bit harder.   Not too long later I came across several sites that recommended Link Shell Extension.  After messing around with this a while I can say this does exactly what I want….almost.

For my use I want to be able to share some pictures on FTP for friends to download, but I don’t want to let the FTP program, Filezilla, have access to all my pictures.  I also dodn’t really care to have pictures in two places (my pictures folder and in the FTP folder).  With symbolic links I am able to keep the pictures in my personal pictures folder and then create a symbolic link in the FTP folder.   Now I only have one copy of the pictures on my computer and my FTP folder can only see the pictures that I’ve linked.

Before using this I did a quick test.  If you delete the symbolic link the files are not deleted, but if you go into the folder that is linked and delete a file within it the actual file is deleted.    For how I don’t think I need to use hard links as programs seem to work fine with the symbolic (or soft) links.

The one thing that I was hoping to do was to link files from my external hard drives shared through my ww-drt flashed router.  It seems though that the link shell extension program will only work with local files.  For now not a big deal, but I’ll probably keep my eyes out for a solution.

 

Setting up UltraVNC

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I’ve found UltraVNC to be a great free program to maintain the computers that we have.   I’ve now setup all of our computers to use a fixed IP address and each has their own server port.  Our router now fowards the external port calls to each PC.  I’m now able to log in from outside computer or my phone to the computers.

Recently, when I installed uVNC I ran into a problem where once I was logged in the computer wouldn’t respond to any of my inputs.  I checked the settings and the “Disable user inputs” was not checked.  After quite a while I gave up.  I completely uninstalled uVNC from both computers.

When installing I choose to do a full install, downloaded the mirror and vista drivers (though I don’t know if I really use or need them, and choose to not have it setup as a service but rather application mode instead.

Because it was in application mode I opened up the “Edit Settings” icon that came with uVNC.  This is where I think I discovered the problem.  When the application opened I noticed that it loaded all of the old settings (a good thing), but I noticed that the “Disable user inputs” was selected.   Weird since I know it wasn’t selected beforehand.

Well I started up the server side and logged in on the viewer side.  No problems, everything worked just fine.  From there I selected to load it as a service and now I’m all setup.

A couple of quick notes, make sure that you have the firewall disabled or the proper ports configured correctly.  Related to the last note, make sure your networks are setup with the right type Home or public as the firewall rules run may be different for each type.