Programs dont work and i dont know what i am doing!

Asked by Eric

I am new to linux as most of you can probably tell :P and i just have one question, I used the add/remove program to get some of the other software that comes along with the OS and am having a really hard time getting the programs to even start up.

I dont know if that makes any real sense but, the programs will either not load at all or start and then half way through a load screen just shut off. i dont get a error message or anything, just a blank screen and a frustrated user.

If anyone has any idea what i am doing wrong could they send me a reply that will put me in the right direction.

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Olivier Lemaire (olivier-lemaire) said :
#1

You should spend some time reading the Ubuntu Starter Guide :
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu_Edgy

If really new to Linux (and some other Unices flavors), don't be shy and google search "linux beginner guide" as Unix is somewhat different from other popular OSes (say Microsoft TM Windows...). These kind of guides are translated in most languages, and additionnal good books exists too (Say O'Reilly for example).

Welcome on Linux, Welcome on Ubuntu!

Cheers,
--
lem

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williamts99 (williamts99) said :
#2

I am kind of confused because of your other support request. What programs are you trying to run that are not working? And on which operating system are you trying to run them on?

Best Regards,

Williamts99

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williamts99 (williamts99) said :
#3

Sorry, got you confused with another person. But the questions still stand.

Williamts99

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Eric (dirtface) said :
#4

I am running Ubuntu and some of the programs that i get from the Add/Remove feature dont work at all or start to load and the just stop working and shut off.
I have some basic knowledge of Linux, so i know that KDE stuff doesn't work on Gnome and i am fairly sure thats not the problem. Some of the programs that don't work might be considered unnecessary, but i would still like to use them.

Programs that dont work;
Azureus
80% of the games (my kids where mad at that one)
rythmbox (switched to XMMS, and now have no problem)

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Eric (dirtface) said :
#5

I kinda got caught up in typing that last messege but thank you for that link to a starter guild.

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williamts99 (williamts99) said :
#6

Which version of Ubuntu are you running? Also, what kind of video card is in your machine?

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Eric (dirtface) said :
#7

i think its Ubuntu 6 but I'm not entirely sure it could be 5 or something and i am using a Geforce XFX 5500 256mb video card

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williamts99 (williamts99) said :
#8

Running the following in the terminal will tell you what version of ubuntu you are using.

cat /etc/issue

Also, the latest version is 6.10
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GettingUbuntu

Best Regards,

Williamts99

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