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Problems with VLC in Ubuntu 14.04

Asked by wordsmyth2

Recently installed Ubuntu 14.04/64bit on my AspireE1-531. Worked fine, as usual, then following problems occurred and I can no longer play DVDs using it (Totem works fine): Sound, but no video; screen will not re-size (this button is GREY, not black like the others). I'm a long-time user of Ubuntu and VLC and haven't encountered this problem before. I've installed all required extras as per usual and all I get is a blank white screen and a soundtrack. Anyone else having this problem?

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actionparsnip
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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#1

Not only but also: I Installed 14.04 as a dual boot with 12.04, as a precaution - and VLC works fine with the latter. I've checked Synaptic to see if the repository listings agree - and they do. Oddly, the minimising window on VLC has mysteriously reappeared and functions okay - but I still have that white screen with the movie soundtrack. I have twice re-installed VLC, but the situation persists. It worked fine for the first 48 hours and my work schedule hasn't changed ....

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#2

What is the output of:

lsb_release -a; uname -a; apt-cache policy vlc

Thanks

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#3

On 20/09/14 19:33, actionparsnip wrote:
> lsb_release -a; uname -a; apt-cache policy vlc

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 14.04.1 LTS
Release: 14.04
Codename: trusty
Linux wordsmyth-Aspire-E1-531 3.13.0-35-generic #62-Ubuntu SMP Fri Aug
15 01:58:42 UTC 2014 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
vlc:
   Installed: 2.1.4-0ubuntu14.04.1
   Candidate: 2.1.4-0ubuntu14.04.1
   Version table:
  *** 2.1.4-0ubuntu14.04.1 0
         500 http://ftp.iinet.net.au/pub/ubuntu/ trusty-updates/universe
amd64 Packages
         500 http://ftp.iinet.net.au/pub/ubuntu/
trusty-security/universe amd64 Packages
         100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
      2.1.2-2build2 0
         500 http://ftp.iinet.net.au/pub/ubuntu/ trusty/universe amd64
Packages
wordsmyth@wordsmyth-Aspire-E1-531:~$

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#4

Have you tried renaming the vlc configuration folder, then run vlc. Is it ok then?

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#5

    Thanks for your help, AP. I've been with Ubuntu since 7.10, but
    honestly, I've never had so many problems as I have had with 14.04 -
    and 12.04 still works like a dream. I'm not technologically
    advanced, so could you please explain just how I rename the VLC
    config folder? I was watching a movie last night and everything was
    fine, but when I tried to view a video this AM ... there was only
    that white screen and the soundtrack. LibreOffice is also acting up
    - spellcheck not working - so I'm wondering if I should do yet
    another re-installation of the OS. Or stick to 12.04 ...:-(

On 20/09/14 20:08, actionparsnip wrote:
> Your question #254758 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/254758
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> actionparsnip proposed the following answer:
> Have you tried renaming the vlc configuration folder, then run vlc. Is
> it ok then?
>

Revision history for this message
Best actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#6

Try:

mv ~/.config/vlc ~/.config/vlc.old

Then run vlc.

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#7

Thanks actionparsnip, that solved my question.

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wordsmyth2 (wordsmyth2) said : 		#8

    Followed your instructions and - VOILA! - VLC again working, so
    PROBLEM SOLVED. Still puzzled as to why it lost video, but many
    thanks for your prompt advice - as always! LibreOffice 4 spellcheck
    STILL not working, though. Any suggestions there?

    wordsmyth

On 20/09/14 23:48, actionparsnip wrote:
> Your question #254758 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/254758
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> actionparsnip proposed the following answer:
> Try:
>
> mv ~/.config/vlc ~/.config/vlc.old
>
> Then run vlc.
>