Three problems I belive are related

To get better help please tell us something more about your computer brand and model
Are you using Ubuntu 7.10...?
Please tell also if you are using Ubuntu 32 or 64 bits...

Thank you

Thank you marcobra,

yes i am using 7.10 , i just installed it as a dual os system about two weeks ago, installed from a "live cd" I downloaded from the Ubuntu website.

the audio has never worked correctly, it took some time for me to get the optical device to read dvds or cds, but I did have that working, can't remember how now, but will soon enough.

I have a Maxdata eco 4100 ie it is a german built laptop with mostly japanese internals, very reliable (it puts up with me!)
intel celeron m processor 1.73 GHz // samsung mp 0804h disc drive, i386 (i believe, but do not know how to verify that except that my windows programs are win32)
xga tft display
ac 97 compatable stereo sound with 3d sound effects -- realtek high definition audio,

I just found out that firefox browser will play quicktime videos, but that is it
and as i recall from watching the videos on ubuntu there is suppose to be some sort of an option
i can choose when watching a live streaming video, but i am given no option, and i am not told that
the system is broke, it just does nothing.

but now I have absoluty no sound at all
and I cant play cds or dvds, bummer

well until i get this figured out, I guess I willspend more time with windows os, YUK
I think I have played around too much now, you know with installing and uninstalling,
i was trying to make things work,

I have plenty of ram, 1gb, and still plenty of disc space

well, as you can tell from this report, i am not that computer knowledgible, but i endeavor to learn, that is why i stick with ubuntu, i just feel once i get the hang of it, I will be there!

ok, enough for now,
thanks again
btimb

For Audio follow the way as I did to get rid of low volume: In terminal type alsamixer and unmute all the channels by pressing the key M and press UP key to increase the volume of each channel to maximum. Now i get proper sound on my laptop

And for that flash thing: I also have used Gnash, its still not mature, i too faced watching youtube vids on it. So i removed gnash and installed flashplugin. For that get connected to net and type at the terminal:
sudo apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree
A small package will be downloaded and that package will download the complete flash plugin from the adobe site(not 100% sure which site), then you should get your flash working in Firefox. These are my personal experinces.

Thank you Manish,

here there is another problem which was just confirmed to me as I tried to follow your instructions.

I tried to access alsamixer through the terminal but I am told "no such device", yet i know it is there. So I tried to reload, reinstall -- whatever, still the terminal says "no such device".

this is not the first time I have tried to access a device through the terminal and been told the device does not exist,
all this time I thought it was me !!!

oh well, i will keep trying.

though I appreciate your efforts
btimb

ok i like ubuntu and will try again,

QUESTION: CAN ubuntu be uninstalled and reinstalled (i am convinced that somewhere along the line I made a fatal error, hence my system does not work right)
                    IF SO, what effect does it have on the hard drive, if any?
                    AND, any pointers on that, should I decide to do that
thanx again
tbt

As a side note, even if you do actually install flashplugin-nonfree, you would receive Bug 173890. More information here: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=636397

ok,
the problemsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss i have are not being addressed here,

SOMEONE PLEASE, tell me how to get rid of ubuntu so that i can reinstall,

now my system is reading my mic as speaker,

wtfo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To reinstall you should back up your data first and then just install using the live CD. Select the Ubuntu partitions for installing to (they will be formatted so you will lose all data). No reason to remove Ubuntu before reinstalling.

If you do want to remove Ubuntu you just need to delete the Ubuntu partitions. If you don't have a live CD or Ubuntu installed, however, you will need to restore the Windows bootloader to MBR (master boot record) to be able to boot Windows.

Great Cyrus Jones,

after dinner I shall do that !!!

I think somewhere along the way while trying to get my audio to work, I must have done something wrong. (maybe too many installs and uninstalls -- who knows. I have been at this for many days and nights.)
But I like Ubuntu. So I will start with a clean slate, YEEEHA
This has been a great learning experience, though,
and this next time around I will be the wiser.

c u on the other side.
btb

One thing that I have discovered about sound is that System -> Preferences -> Sound can be problamatic. In your home directory (/home/yourusernae) enable hidden files (in Nautilus File Manger: Ctrl-H or View-> Show Hidden Files). Then look for a file called .asoundrc (or something like that) and delete it. The file might not exist, but it's worth a shot before reinstalling Ubuntu.

LOL Cyrus,

I just finished reinstalling Ubuntu,
the good news is I have sound and now
I HAVE TWO UBUNTUS, the new one and the previous one, along with windows os, of course.

I must be a freaking bone head !!! how can i do this

yes i have verified that the other ubuntu is the old os, the one i wanted to overwrite or delete.

ohhh hummmmmm

but thanks for your advice, when i am done in this ubuntu I will go to the other to try your suggestion

have mercy on me !!! I beg

LOL
tbt

hey, maybe I will keep the other for expermental perpusose, ,,,,, but such a waste of disc space

You still have the other older Ubuntu? Looks like you didnt format the old partition. Or you created a new partition while installing the new one. How many entries you have in the GRUB?
One would be
Ubuntu 7.10 2.6.22-14 generic
and the other as
Ubuntu 7.10 2.6.22-14 (Recovery Mode)

Now dont delete the old ubuntu's partition (if you ever wanted) without confirming which GRUB is on the MBR. Now it means that two copied of GRUB is installed on each ubuntu partition, but which of them is on MBR, we have to find out. Goto terminal and type
sudo grub
and then in the grub prompt type
find /boot/grub/stage1
If you get any output like (hdx,y)
then it means that GRUB is installed on the Hard Disk number x and on partition no y of that hard disk. GRUB numbers harddisk and partitions starting from 0. Now if the output came as (hd0,6) then the GRUB is installed on the 6th partition of your first hard disk , 6th partition does not mean you have 6 partitions. You can have sda1 as primary, and sda2 as extended, and you have sda5,sda6 and sda7 as logical partitions in sda2. Then hd0,6 means sda7.

YA, I MOST DEFINATELY HAVE UBUNTU TWICE,

the old partion which is the original ubuntu, and the new partition which is the new ubuntu,
crazy, i know !!!!

I am not sure how to deal with this, or if i want to right now. I will tell you this, the new ubuntu looks a lot different than the origianal one I did at first.

(from memory here) the grub says ubunt 7......generic
                                                        unbut 7......recover mode
                                                         other operating system
                                                          windows bla bla bla
                                                          ubuntu 7.....generic
                                                          AND THEN THERE ARE 4 other ubuntu choices (recovery modes)
that is what my grub looks like (like i said it is from memory, but that is the short end of it)

I am baffled. Both ubuntu's work and windows os works
When I installed the second ubuntu, I followed the same instructions as i did with the first installation thinking that the second would overwrite or completely delete the first ubuntu.

Manish, I am laughing at myself. But I think that eventually I will need to fix this. I have plenty of hard disc space because I am not one of those people that keeps unused programs. If I dont use a program pretty regularily, I dont let it take up space. That is the same way i feel about mail clients, ya they are convenient, but all my mail is web based, so for me, the question is "why eat up disc space?" But that is just me. I see the convenience to a mail client.

What I would probably do in the future is completely delete both ubuntus and reinstall....but.....my problem is that (obviously) I am not a computer wizard or anything close to that -- but i am learning -- and I am not sure how to do that without reformating the entire disc -- hence loosing the only constant, windows os ---- which, by the way, I am looking forward to someday being without !!!!! the pros of ubuntu far outweigh the pros of windows, though there are some very hefty cons to ubuntu -- webcam capability and still even in the new installation of ubuntu I have more powerful sound than i did in the original, but it is only about half of what I have in windows and my earphone jack still does not work in ubuntu -- this really puzzles me. These things are important to me.

enough of this rambling,
I appreciate your time and advice (I have not yet looked at sudo grub yet as I am in windows) but I must ask, If both ubutus have seperate grub, then would one grub be aware of the other???
have a very happy weekend
btimb

oh by the way Manish,

I can't give up on ubuntu now. There is too much public info here now. Hahahaha, I don't want anyone to think I a looser or quiter!

You said that your earphone does not work in ubuntu, Just open Sound Control and check the level in "Headphone" section, check that its not mute or the level is low. Bring it to maximum an then try. Another problem that I face is that when i plug in my headphone, sound from the speaker also comes. Actually as we expect, speaker should be muted if we plug in the headphone, I have to manually mute the speaker channel from "Sounds Control".

And you second question: Whether two GRUB's are aware of the other? Well, I dont think so. I think we can have 5 GRUB's installed on our comp, but only one can be placed on the MBR. I hope you understand what is a MBR. If not, I suggest to google and find out yourself... No! No! Am not relucting to help, but I want people to stand on their own feet. :)

And by the way, I have seen first time, such a big listing in GRUB selection menu.
Thanks! You too have a happy weekend...

Hello Manish,

Ok I did the research on MBR , ya, still am lost. But that is ok. I have a better understanding of Grub and how it works -- but not a total grasp.

Secondly,
nowhere on my system applications , places or preferences can I find anything called "sounds control", or even headphones or earphone controls So that will still be a work in progress

thirdly, and for your information amusement the following may intrigue you:

in the file browser under " COMPUTER " of my second installation of Ubuntu I have the following :

"Disk" total capacity 12.9 GB used 461 MB
               I believe this represents my "D" drive or partition in Windows os

"Disk 1" total capacity 18.6 GB used 13.8 GB
                I believe this is drive C of my windows os, and obviously the location of Windows os

"Disk 2 total capacity 22.8 GB used 5.3 GB
                I beleive this is my first UBUNTU install (this one I need to get rid of !)

"File System" total capacity 11.2 GB used 2.8 GB
                This is my current location and second install of UBUNTU

This is a format I have a better understanding of. And like I say it is only for your information, if it is of any use to you that is great.

Later daze,
btimb

You can see a speaker icon besides the date on your taskbar. Right click on it, and check Advanced Control or something. You will find all the options inside..

And for a better understanding of disks arrangement, i need that you paste the output of the command
sudo fdsik -l
the -l is actually a small 'L'
Just giving the partition format its a bit difficult to guess the disk order and naming, whether they are primary or logical (this also makes a difference)

Now i came to know what you did. While installing Ubuntu you resized a partition and installed it, that's why you got two copies of the OS

Well to find which GRUB is on the MBR, just do as directed, goto terminal, type
sudo grub
and then type ate the grub prompt
find /boot/grub/stage1
and paste the output of this command

So now in next post you have to give two infos... One of the sudo fdisk -l and another or find/boot/grub/stage1

After giving the two info removing the first installation will be easy, otherwise i have to make replies on guesses which can be dangerous if i make any mistake

Hello Manish,

ok, some of the info you require,
i could not pull anything up on the find/boot/grub/stage1 as you will see below
the volume issue: I see and found I have many options, i will experiment with the controls, it appears some of the default settings are set to be muted, I will look into the variations at another time

once again I thank you for your time !!!

Disk /dev/sda: 80.0 GB, 80026361856 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 9729 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xb5d3b5d3

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 2422 19454683+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 3316 6699 27181980 f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sda3 6700 9729 24338475 83 Linux
/dev/sda5 3316 5002 13550796 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda6 6563 6699 1100421 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7 * 5003 6490 11952328+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda8 6491 6562 578308+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
grub> find/boot/grub/stage1

Error 27: Unrecognized command

grub> find/boot/grub/stage 1

Error 27: Unrecognized command

grub>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ok, hmmmm,

btimb

oh, sorry, i just made a small mistake in the command,there is a space between find and /boot/grub/stage1, the correct command is
find /boot/grub/stage1

And from the output you gave, shows that 1st installation is on sda3 which is the primary partition and second installation is on sda7 which is logical, now the point is finding out whose GRUB is on the MBR before deleting any partition.

Some more info about your hard disk partitions:
sda1 is primary partition with windows as NTFS Filesystem
sda2 is the extended partition which contains the logical partitions from sda5 to sda8
sda3 is again primary partition which has the first installation of linux of filesystem ext3 (maybe)

sda5 is logical partition inside sda2 extended which is your D: partition of NTFS
sda6 is logical partition inside sda2 extended which the swap partition of your first installation
sda7 is logical partition inside sda2 extended where second ubuntu is installed
sda8 is logical partition inside sda2 extended which the swap partition of your second installation

A hard disk can only have 4 primary+extended partitions summed together and unlimited number(logically) of logical partitions inside an extended partitions, but its advised not to have more than 16 logical partitions.

Now i need the output of the grub command to continue

Manish:

Is this the info you asked for?
(I was expecting pages and pages)

grub> find /boot/grub/stage1
 (hd0,2)
 (hd0,6)

just as a side note, i have alsamixer and am able to access it, but no where is there any mention of headphones/earphone jacks, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, but that is not an important issue at this time.

I do appreiciate your time !!

btimb

Yes! That what i was expecting, I understand you could be expecting pages and pages... I also expected the same when i started using ubuntu and was asked to paste the output of the command

This means that you do have two copied of GRUB in each installation, damn it, now figuring out which copy is on the MBR,
type sudo cat /boot/grub/menu.lst
OR
copy paste the contents of the file /boot/grub/menu.lst

This will make it clear whether you can safely delete it. Am dead sure that the GRUB on MBR is of the new installation, but dont want to take chances. :)

Holy Buckets, Manish

this is more of what i expected,
I see i will have a long way to go before i even get out of the crib to crawl !!

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=fd411bb5-bf49-4865-a994-b960e2eaa1b5 ro

## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,6)

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic
root (hd0,6)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=fd411bb5-bf49-4865-a994-b960e2eaa1b5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,6)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=fd411bb5-bf49-4865-a994-b960e2eaa1b5 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic

title Ubuntu 7.10, memtest86+
root (hd0,6)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-386 (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-386 root=UUID=e27b4204-19b0-49c6-b1b6-5e49ac5fe2e6 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-386
savedefault
boot

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-386 (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-386 root=UUID=e27b4204-19b0-49c6-b1b6-5e49ac5fe2e6 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-386
savedefault
boot

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-rt (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-rt root=UUID=e27b4204-19b0-49c6-b1b6-5e49ac5fe2e6 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-rt
savedefault
boot

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-rt (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-rt root=UUID=e27b4204-19b0-49c6-b1b6-5e49ac5fe2e6 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-rt
savedefault
boot

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=e27b4204-19b0-49c6-b1b6-5e49ac5fe2e6 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic
savedefault
boot

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=e27b4204-19b0-49c6-b1b6-5e49ac5fe2e6 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic
savedefault
boot

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, memtest86+ (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
savedefault
boot

romantimothy@romantimothy-laptop:~$

kudos k u d o s,

HAHAHAHAH

It worked. I now have a drive "f" ntfs in windows
and you were right, nothing below window os in grub is mountable, good deal !!!!

I am so happy, I can not see the forest through the trees !!

Thank you very much Manish,

Now I can start to enjoy UBUNTU, I am a little wiser thanx to you , and a few others who inputted some wisdom.

I wa surprized it only took 6 seconds to format, I expected hours. So naturally, the first thought was that I did something wrong, but it looks good, the initial UBUNTU is gone. After I reformated sda3 I got a crash report, but I figure that is probably the norm, or at least it should be.

I will be spending 90% of my time in Ubuntu. The only real reason I need windows for is to cam2cam chats with friends and family in asia and europe; and maybe if i want to listen to web radio, but i am sure i can find a replacement for that here. I also know that there are webcam programs available in ubuntu, it is a matter of me being comfortable with it. And eventually I am sure there will be a trouble free flash player for firefox browser. Right now it does not look good for adobe,,,,,but that is neither here nor there.

And still I need to find a way to optimize my audio, or sound system. But that is not a big priority. I have sound better than what I had before, so that is a step in the right direction.

Take good care my friend.
I am sure that not only I benefited from you time and efforts, as this is a public forum. (I only hope I did not embarrass myself too much -- but then who cares)

Manish, incase you should be wondering, I did not stay in windows tooooooo long. I am in ubuntu, and very pleased.

thanx again !!!!!

And now you can make those 5 entries below windows to disappear. Just type at the terminal
sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst
and delete the following line at the end

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-386 (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-386 root=UUID=e27b4204-19b0-49c6-b1b6-5e49ac5fe2e6 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-386
savedefault
boot

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-386 (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-386 root=UUID=e27b4204-19b0-49c6-b1b6-5e49ac5fe2e6 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-386
savedefault
boot

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-rt (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-rt root=UUID=e27b4204-19b0-49c6-b1b6-5e49ac5fe2e6 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-rt
savedefault
boot

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-rt (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-rt root=UUID=e27b4204-19b0-49c6-b1b6-5e49ac5fe2e6 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-rt
savedefault
boot

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=e27b4204-19b0-49c6-b1b6-5e49ac5fe2e6 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic
savedefault
boot

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=e27b4204-19b0-49c6-b1b6-5e49ac5fe2e6 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic
savedefault
boot

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for an existing
# linux installation on /dev/sda3.
title Ubuntu 7.10, memtest86+ (on /dev/sda3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
savedefault
boot

And now i can say... You cant crash your entire ubuntu, unless you work logged in as as super admin(called root user in linux) , but thanks to ubuntu developers, they have locked that account so that newbies dont mess up their systems by default.
Try opening /boot/grub/menu.lst using browser, edit it and try to save, you wont be allowed as you dont have enough priviliges. that's the beauty of linux,otherwise in a multiuser system, even a n00b can crash the system by editing a system file which is very common in windows.
To edit any file which you cannot, you have to gain admin privileges, that sudo prefix is responsible for asking the system to elevate you to admin privileges when you want to do any major configuration chanegs

And another point: Linux is not just another operating system. Its a lifestyle, a piece of software that gives you a place to learn something. Linux users are known to be active in forums and mailing lists for helping out other people.
Linux helps people form society. Society spreads happiness and curbs violence. In other words Linux not only supports Freedom but also spreads PEACE!!

And i am one of those such warriors(for spreading peace in the society) to help out other people. When you gain enough knowledge, come back to help other people where you sought help once upon a time....

Just a side note to what Manish said: I totally agree. However, I would like to add that Linux is just a small part of this philosophy. Whether or not you consider Linux only the kernel of the OS and GNU/Linux the OS, free software is a better term. Sorry if I sound too Stallmanist. If you are interested in the philosophy or just the greater community you should check out the GNU project http://www.gnu.org/ and FSF http://www.fsf.org/ .

Manish and Cyrus Jones,

I apologize to you Manish for not answering your last response, the fact is i never got it delivered to my email, Hmmmm!!

But Cyrus I did get your post today. Thank you , both of you. And I agree.

The free software is a life style, to be learned and appreciated. Of course it would not remain free if those who stuck with it and learned from it did not share their expertise and experiences. I have offered a few tid-bits of information I learned from experience. Don't know that if in my infancy I was of much use. But I tried. And I believe I will continue to grow with gnu/linux; specifically, for now, UBUNTU.

I like Ubuntu. It lacks a lot. OR.....wait.... maybe it is just that I have much yet to learn. I think that is the better answer. So I stay with, read from the question sections and whatever information I can get from the web. And this is how I learn this os system.

thank you both for pointing out the positives: freedom, to learn, grow, and become part of a community (and free software to try and keep, if i like it, or not keep if it does not suit my needs. --- cant get that anywhere else !)

respectfully , I thank you again
btimb

I too agree that Ubuntu lacks a lot. This is also a part of the philosphy- "Accept your shortcoming humbly and try to remove them".

Well can I know from which country are you both from? Just for information. By the way am from India.

yes,
Manish, I am from the USA, the great state of Wisconsin -- and freezing my UBUNTU off !!!!
how about you?

Me from India...
Presently am pursuing my Bachelor's degree in engineering at Manipal University. Hope you heard the name! Its quite famous abroad... Has centers all over the world.

Thanx Manish,

No I have not heard of that University, but i am sure it is as famous as you say; and once you graduate, I am sure even more famous ! Right?

You know I dont use Ubuntu as much as I would like. One of the great features is it's natural ability to be healthy, ie, no viruses -- you know. So when i am using Ubuntu, I feel a lot safer. But herein a problem does lie. No matter what application i down load, I still can not get streaming videos to work in the Firefox browser. I even went as far as to disable (and at one point uninstall) both Adblock plus and No Script. Still the same crap. Very, very very, un-nerving for me, since I get a lot of my news and information from my browser!! Hence, Ubuntu has forced me to step into the unsafe streets of Microsoft Windows -- (you know i say my prayers and take all my talismen with me ) -- haha.

I just did some more research and found that in the 6.06 edition of ubuntu there seemed to be a similar problem, though the fix is never really addressed. The questioner was just told that it was fixed in Gutsy, Ha, I dont think so!
I speak from experience here.

This is my second download and installation of Gutsy, I had the exact same problem the first time. My point here, is: if security is my main concern, and the most volnerable I can be is when i am watching or downloading streaming video and I can not do that in the most secure system I have available, what is the point of it ??

I still will not give up on Ubuntu. I am only a little frustrated. OH and to make matters even worse, I found out that my Lexmark1270 printer was about useless in this Ubuntu os. Pity ! I was advised to check out a site that offered an IBM driver, but i could not download it. So I gave up on the idea of printing (for the time being) in Ubuntu. I know that sooner or later I will get it all worked out and be very happy. I am only happy that I took the good advice of some greatful Ubuntu user, don't get rid of your old o/s until you know you are satisfied with the new one. But I think of all I have learned.

Hey, you have a great day
and remember to study long is to study wrong.
(i dont know if that is true, it is only an excuse
i used once when I failed to finish my homework)
btimb

other than that, It is great to have.

Streaming Videos? I dont watch streaming videos but I have heard that Totem Media Player can do the required. And so you asked in Firefox browser? U mean flash? If its flash videos, then have you installed the flash plugin? If not, dont get it from the Package Manager, its a bit buggy, download this and install
http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=53648&stc=1&d=1198033466

Printer Problems? Printer is that area of linux where problem still persists and I/we acknowledge it, the printer support is greatly improved in Ubuntu Gutsy, in other distros you wont be able to do more than what you did here.

How stange is this, Manish

The squeeky wheel gets the grease,
Not 5 mins ago I got an answer to the "fix" of the bug in firefox in reference to the flash player,
and I downloaded the fix, and it is really fixed, wow, it works, it really works !!!!!! (Jim Henderickson -- probably not spelled right, sorry jim -- provided the information in the firefox questions page.

If I was not so happy I would cry, I even have my pandora.com radio station working, yeeeha!!!!

Streaming videos, flashplayers, (you see, that is the extent of my knowledge -- i did not know there was a difference between them)

as far as the printer goes, I do have a back up HP -- have not tried that one yet, but from what I read it is prefered by gnu/linux

ok, I can rest now,
it took a month but I have sound and video coming from my browser
thanx all
btimb

Now you want to know what was the problem?
Adobe Flash 8 is used for flash plugin in Firefox usually though its free alternative gnash is available but still incomplete.
Adobe rolled out "Update 4" of its flash 8 which was highly buggy and never got installed properly... So the link which i gave you was of "flash 8 update 3"

The new version is coming soon, will be available in the repos soon, but i suggest dont upgrade it.

Word of caution: If you get Ubuntu updates via update manager, check for flash entry in it, if yes, dont install it, i fear its "Flash 8 Update 4" and may again break your flash. Wait for Ubuntu 8.04, its flash is said the stable....

VERY GOOD INFO, MANISH

Thanx again,
I have that burned into my memory.
I always try to be aware of what is getting updated.
It seems I have been getting updates almost daily,
well at least the last 10 days it seems that way.
But I dont mind, I figure anything they can fix
is less stress on me !!!

But I am very satisfied with Ubuntu. It is sleek, its fast,
its reliable, it is safe, and it is so cool. But for me it does
requires a lot of attention, only because I have a steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep
learning curve to overcome.
I am back to being in Ubuntu 96.5percent of the time now,
if only, if only, if only, I could find a reasonable way to
convert my yahoo webcam chats, or video conferencing,
then i could abolish my windows os. Ahhh who knows, it may happen yet
\
\
c ya and thanx
btimb

I'm from New York, United States.

btimb: Flash problem- http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=636397
I detailed the issue and gave a fix. The Fixed packages use the new version of Flash, Adobe Flash 9 Update 3. Do not use the fix for Konqueror or Opera versions before 9.50 Beta. The fixed packages will not interfere with normal updates and will fit in perfectly with Ubuntu's package management.

Manish, the package you gave the URL to was the fixed package for Ubuntu 7.10 32-bit. It is a package that has fixed MD5 checksums for Flash 9 Update 3. See the forum thread for more information.

Also, your Lexmark printer should work. I checked http://openprinting.org/show_printer.cgi?recnum=Lexmark-1270
If you need help setting it up, please let me know.

Webcam- Use the program camorama (in repositories) or xawtv (also in repositories) to test webcam. Most webcams should work out-of-the-box.
If all works, then skip to yahoo webcam (below)
If not, see https://help.ubuntu.com/community/EasyCam
Please also let me know what webcam model you have. You can also check https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupportComponentsMultimediaWebCameras

Then for yahoo webcam use the program kopete (in repositories) or GYachI
If you want GYachi, download here: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gyachi/gyachi_1.1.0-1_i386_gutsy.deb

WOW, Cyrus

alot of info there. Thank you very much.

Do not have time at this moment to do all that work. But I will later in this day. Then I will let you know.
Thanx again,

btimb

ps.
I did get the flashplayer to work, Jim Hutchinson offered some advice and a url to help me out. Now, thanks be to the powers that KNOW, I have Flash capabilities in Firefox and am very pleased !!

I appreciate all input. When it comes to computer operating systems I am somewhat of a moran. But I endeavor to learn. (you knonw probably the only positive to microsoft windows is that it really is a braindead operation, I mean one needs only be brain dead to work it -- and believe me I am finding out just how brain dead I was (was-- i say reluctantly).)

Cyrus,

Ok, I am very IMPRESSED !!!

Everything I have read, to include problems in the user question area, clearly states that webcams, expecially Logitech, is not an option in gnu/linux (at least not a stable option). I use Ligitech QuickCam IM Plus. So after reading that several times, i pretty much gave up on the idea.
But, I did as you suggested and have webcam working, at least I can see myself, (all my friends are off line at this moment -- what kind of friends are those ??!!!!!) haha
Also I opted to go with Kopete, only because it was in the repository already and easier for me to install. (Although I do use the terminal at times, I am always afraid I will cause sparks -- know what I mean?)Now I have both yahoo messenger and msn messenger on my desktop in Kopete

Kudos to you , Cyrus. If you dont mind, I will use your advice with others if ever I see a question or problem.

The printer, well, I have my priorities, you know. Thats the next project.

Thanks again.
btimb

That's good news.

"If you dont mind, I will use your advice with others if ever I see a question or problem."
Well that's the point of free software isn't it? We don't monopolize on knowledge or keep it proprietary. Knowledge should be used for the benefit of humans. Pass it along. :-)

Good Luck.

P.S. You don't need to install a package via the terminal. You can just double-clickTM (haha) it and click Install Package. But yes, the termnal is a very powerful tool, but it follows your commands precisely, possibly more precisely then you'd wish. But it will come.