Grant permission?

Hello, in order to run EasyUbuntu, you have to enter the Super User password.
The SU password is the one you entered for the first user account, during installation.
This password is also used to perform most administrative tasks such as updating, installing new packages, apt and aptitude, install from source a.s.o.
Just try that and good luck ;)

Apologies, but I need more a more detailed step-by-step how to.

I can see EasyUbuntu if I click on Applications >System, but cannot find it using Thunar file manager.

When I open EasyUbuntu, the menu that tells me to grant permission extends beyond the bottom of the screen, so that I cannot see whether there are any commands to execute down there.

So I do not know how to locate the EasyUbuntu file in the file manager (which I presume I need to do to grant permission), nor do I know how to initiate the permission protocol via the terminal.

I would appreciate further advice, please.

Thanks again.

I have seen this problem before, too, when I was installing on a machine with a video card and monitor that didn't support sufficient resolution. I have forgotten at which screen resolution the problem occurs.

TO THE USER: Suggestions:
1. I seem to recall that if you blindly type in your password and hit Enter, it will install.
2. Try only checking one box of packages to install. The list will be short enough that it will all fit on one screen. Using only the keyboard (not the mouse), get your cursor to the right place (you might have to use the Tab key), enter your password, and hit enter. (The precise keystrokes may be different for you.) Remember exactly what keystrokes you used. Install as usual. Then go back and do it again, but with the rest of the packages you want to install. When it gets to the screen from before, type the exact same keystrokes you did before. (To paraphrase Scripture, "We type by faith, not by sight.")

TO THE DEVELOPERS:
The pop-up window scrolls off the screen. Depending on the user's window manager, it may not be possible to move the window or resize it to get the bottom part back on the screen. Potential solutions:
1. put the entry field at the top of the window,
2. put the list on one window (Enter if OK at top) and then pop up another to actually type in the name,
3. get the screen resolution and fit the window inside it, with a scroll bar on the right.

YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY:
This works for me:

1. Open a terminal and type:
      # sudo -s
2. The terminal will as for YOUR password. After you enter it, you will be at a terminal as root.
3. At the prompt, type:
     # easyubuntu
4. From there it fires up and goes just fine for me, without asking for anything.

I'm running on the latest version of Kubuntu and easyubuntu-latest as of this date April 7, 2007.

Postscript, to daafjay,

You do not need to change the permissions on the file. If it's already installed and you can run it, it already has all the permissions you need. If it needs more, it will ask for your password.

But the beauty of Open Source is that you can experiment all you want. EasyUbuntu installs to the directory /usr/lib/easyubuntu. It's basically a collection of scripts you can view/edit/break with a text editor. If you break it, delete the directory and reinstall.

Loye Young

@Loye Young: Thanks for your patience. You understand the problem perfectly.

I will follow these steps, and let you know which worked for me.

I have tried changing screen resolution, but this did not resolve the issue.

One last question: how do I know if EasyUbuntu has installed?

Selecting only one box of packages at a time did the trick, as the whole screen then fit into the window.

I would appreciate someone letting me know how to fix the errors noted in the installation log, which I append below. How do I:
* "fix broken packages"?
* delete "duplicate sources"?
* fetch "Failed to fetch http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/*.*" ?

EASYUBUNTU INSTALL LOG 4/7/2007

INSTALLING MULTIMEDIA

http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/dapper-security/main/binary-i386/Packages.bz2: Sub-process bzip2 returned an error code (2)
http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/dapper-security/main/binary-i386/Packages.bz2: Sub-process bzip2 returned an error code (2)

W: Duplicate sources.list entry http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/main Packages (/var/lib/apt/lists/security.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_dapper-security_main_binary-i386_Packages)
W: Duplicate sources.list entry http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/restricted Packages (/var/lib/apt/lists/security.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_dapper-security_restricted_binary-i386_Packages)

installing package(s) gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly, gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse, gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse, gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg, gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad, libxine-extracodecs, libxine-main1, faad, sox, lame, ffmpeg, mjpegtools, vorbis-tools, libxvidcore4, gstreamer0.10-pitfdll, w32codecs, libdvdcss2, timidity, timidity-interfaces-extra, freepats

INSTALLING WEB

http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/dapper/multiverse/binary-i386/Packages.bz2: Sub-process bzip2 returned an error code (2)
http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/dapper-security/main/binary-i386/Packages.bz2: Sub-process bzip2 returned an error code (2)
http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/dapper-security/main/binary-i386/Packages.bz2: Sub-process bzip2 returned an error code (2)

W: Duplicate sources.list entry http://us.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/multiverse Packages (/var/lib/apt/lists/us.archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_dapper_multiverse_binary-i386_Packages)
W: Duplicate sources.list entry http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/main Packages (/var/lib/apt/lists/security.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_dapper-security_main_binary-i386_Packages)
W: Duplicate sources.list entry http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/restricted Packages (/var/lib/apt/lists/security.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_dapper-security_restricted_binary-i386_Packages)

Please insert the disk labeled:
Xubuntu 6.06.1 _Dapper Drake_ - Release i386 (20060807)
in drive /cdrom/

W: Failed to fetch http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/multiverse/f/flashplugin-nonfree/flashplugin-nonfree_7.0.63.3ubuntu3_i386.deb
W: Failed to fetch http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/g/gstreamer0.10/libgstreamer0.10-0_0.10.6-0ubuntu2_i386.deb
W: Failed to fetch http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/g/gst-plugins-base0.10/libgstreamer-plugins-base0.10-0_0.10.7-0ubuntu5_i386.deb
W: Failed to fetch http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/g/gst-plugins-base0.10/gstreamer0.10-alsa_0.10.7-0ubuntu5_i386.deb
W: Failed to fetch http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/g/gst-plugins-base0.10/gstreamer0.10-gnomevfs_0.10.7-0ubuntu5_i386.deb
W: Failed to fetch http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/libo/liboil/liboil0.3_0.3.7-0ubuntu5_i386.deb
W: Failed to fetch http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/libv/libvorbis/libvorbisenc2_1.1.2-0ubuntu2_i3

INSTALLING SYSTEM

http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/dapper-security/main/binary-i386/Packages.bz2: Sub-process bzip2 returned an error code (2)
http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/dapper-security/main/binary-i386/Packages.bz2: Sub-process bzip2 returned an error code (2)

W: Duplicate sources.list entry http://us.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/multiverse Packages (/var/lib/apt/lists/us.archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_dapper_multiverse_binary-i386_Packages)
W: Duplicate sources.list entry http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/main Packages (/var/lib/apt/lists/security.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_dapper-security_main_binary-i386_Packages)
W: Duplicate sources.list entry http://security.ubuntu.com dapper-security/restricted Packages (/var/lib/apt/lists/security.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_dapper-security_restricted_binary-i386_Packages)

Could not apply changes!
Fix broken packages first.

I'm glad you were able to move onto installation of your packages.

Here's a tip for using forums like this: If you have a new issue, make a new topic thread. There are two reasons why. First, if you make a new topic, and give a descriptive title for it, someone who knows the answer to your question is more likely to find your question. Second, someone coming along later with the same problem will be better able to find the answer without having to post the question all over again.

It is likely that your issues aren't really EasyUbuntu issues, but apt system configuration or perhaps network connectivity problems.

Nonetheless, there are the answers to your questions, in the order you should address them. Here in Texas, we have a saying: "There's more than one way to skin a cat." All of your issues have several potential solutions. I'll give you my favorites. I can't know your precise situation or the precise setup of your system, but I can give you general guidance that works for most systems. Your Mileage May Vary.

(1) Q: how do I know if EasyUbuntu has installed?
      A: It will show up in your menu of programs, like other software does. Depending on your system configuration, you may have to log out and restart X for it to show up on the menu. (On most systems, you can restart X by pressing Cntl-Alt-Backspace at the login screen).

(2) Q: delete "duplicate sources"?
      A: Again, cat-skinning is an art conducive to several approaches. The idea will be to make sure that you list each source only once in your /etc/apt/sources.list file and any files you may have under the directory /etc/apt/sources.list.d/. I have given several options in the answer to question 3157. http://answers.launchpad.net/easyubuntu/+ticket/3157. That should get you on your way. If not, create another question ticket and post again.

(3) Q: fix broken packages?
      A: When the system tells you that you need to fix broken packages, it means that one or more packages have broken dependencies (i.e., the package needs another package in order to work properly.) Fortunately, package manager frontends (e.g., adept, synaptic, apt-get, aptitude, etc.) are usually able to fix the problem automatically.
     My personal favorite is aptitude because it does the best job of keeping track of dependencies, IMHO. It's a near drop-in replacement for apt-get, though in some cases, the syntax is slightly different between them.
    Open a terminal, maximize the window if you are in X, and execute the following command, one at a time:
     # sudo -s [Type in your password if/when prompted.]
     # aptitude update
     # aptitude -f upgrade
    That will likely solve your problem. If it doesn't, open up aptitude in interactive mode and manually resolve the dependencies. The interactive mode comes up simply by typing:
     # aptitude
     Typing the letter "b" when you open aptitude will take you to the first broken package, and the bottom part of the screen will show you what's wrong. If there's a red stripe across the bottom that says something like:
     [1/1] Suggests 1 keep, 2 removals <---- This part will vary
      e: Examine !: Apply .: Next ,: Previous
you can type the letter "e" and aptitude will offer you a solution. If you like the suggestion, type an "!" to apply it. If you don't like the solution, you can use the period and comma to navigate through other suggested solutions.

apt-get can do a similar thing, but doesn't give you the interface that aptitude does, and doesn't offer you alternative solutions the way aptitude does. (By the way, since I've been using aptitude for command line installation, instead of apt-get, I break packages much less often. If a developer is reading this, consider using aptitude instead of apt-get in your programs.)

(4) Q: fetch "Failed to fetch http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/*.*" ?
       A: This is almost certainly not an EasyUbuntu issue because EasyUbuntu is merely calling the normal apt-get installation routine, which every Debian system uses. There are a number of reasons why your system may not download a package. The first thing to do is simply to try again, because you may have merely been unlucky and hit the repository when the repository as a whole or the package in particular were off line.

If that doesn't work, basic troubleshooting time. I will assume that the computer in question is connected to the Internet, and can browse using http. On that computer, open a web browser and verify that you can browse to that file. I usually start from the top and work down. In other words, I start by browsing to http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu and see if I get the relevant directory. Then I work my way down the tree to the .deb in question. (Don't click on the .deb file itself because that will download it using your browser and your package manager won't know where to find it.)

If you are able to navigate to the file, then make sure that all the spellings are precisely correct in your source.list (see above). If you merely copied and pasted the error messages, then spelling is not a concern because the URLs listed contain the packages you are trying to download.

After you've run those traps, run the following:
      # aptitude update
      # sync-available

Look for any error messages. Post the errors to a new topic (with a link to this one) if you still can't get it to work. Don't post the entire history of the melon patch, just the relevant portions. ;-)

After working through the above, give it another whirl. Report back on how it all works.

Happy Trails,

Loye Young
www.IYCC.net
Laredo, Texas