ubuntu replicates itself -now 8 or 9 copies on laptop and bogging whole computer

It is quite impossible to have more than one operative system running at any one time, if we exclude virtualisation software.

But probably I misread what the problem actually is.

Hi amymeme,
I thought something like that had happened to me once. I had new files and applications popping up all over the place
Turned out the problem was that my keyboard - System/Preferences/keyboard
And mouse - System/Preferences/mouse
were set ambitiously fast

Have you checked those settings?

Yup. The problem is, every time son starts up his computer, he gets and additional copy of ubuntu loaded so that at the moment he is offered 10 different selections of ubuntu and 1 selection of Vista.

amymeme, because Ubuntu is entirely different to Vista, it can easily lead to misunderstanding.
When a computer with ubuntu starts, options vaguely similar to system restore are shown at startup, but that is no indication at all that multiple systems are running, let alone Ubuntu multiply itself.

However, ubunntu does allow for installing a tool called Gparted Partition Editor. If he installs and runs it, its called Partition Editor in the Administration drop down at top window, he can show you exactly how many systems are on the machine.
WARNING!
If it's used for meddling rather than looking, it can wipe the entire computer clean, which is the last thing in the world anyone with a pre-installed operating system would want to happen.

Also, with respect to Vista slowing down, I respectfully suggest that any problems with Vista are problems with Vista.

HTH

So, does this mean that ubuntu creates restore points similar to windows? THat all the ubuntu "OS" shown in GRUB are just restore points, not actually replications of the system? I am not familiar at all with any permutation of Linus - son went away to college, roommate raved about linux, installed on son's computer, went home for the summer and now I have a stark raving lunatic whose computer is not terribly functional and believes he has multiple copies of ubuntu on his computer. I have just begun to learn about ubuntu because of this (and I am the only one in the household with the patience to sort out computer glitches.) I would just restore his system to windows, but he has all sorts of music, etc he does not want to lose (which I can backup to external drive) and he has this belief that some how reformatting will damage his drive. His computer did not come with installation disk, so I would have to use the Sony Vaio restore function, not exactly a full restore.

Incidentally, he says that ubuntu is also painfully slow and almost unusable.

I hesitate to put any kind of partition editor on his system because....boys will be boys. I guess I could install then delete it after viewing partitions.

amymeme - Congratulations on your patience! You are correct about restore points, with the caution they only refer to updates, not user data. The other option at start is similar to safe boot.

I think you'll agree that any system would soon become painfuly slow if the owner resented having it on his computer and neglected properly maintaining the system.

I suggest that before installing, check Vista Hard drive info to ensure it is not overloaded with data. If that does prove to be the case, and you are prepared to accept the customary disclaimer (I've used Gparted many times with no problems) you will have the option to shrink Ubuntu access to the hard drive, and increase Vista access. Data is colour coded, so it's easily seen what data is on each partition.

All the same, that sort of change cannot be easily if at all undone, and as I become accustomed to "Seniors Moments" I never mess with gparted inside time constraints.

HTH

HTH

amymeme,

I am not sure i understand your problem.. Are you saying there are multiple boot entrys in the Grub bootloader window.

When it asks what operating system you want to load into

ubuntu 8.04
ubuntu 8.04 recovery
ubuntu 8.04 memtest
Windows Vista/Longhorn

That is how it should look. Are you saying there are way more Ubuntu entries?

OK, Here goes - When I open up the lid of the laptop, a black screen comes on, immediately says GRUB something or other (too fast for me to catch) then a list similar to yours above but

ubuntu 8.04 kernal 2-6-24 generic
ubuntu 8.04 kernal 2-6-24 recovery
ubuntu 8.04 kernal 2-6-24 generic
ubuntu 8.04 kernal 2-6-24 recovery
(Same)
(Same_
ubuntu 8.04 kernal 2-6-16 generic
ubuntu 8.04 kernal 2-6-16 recovery
ubuntu 8.04 kernal 2-6-14 generic
ubuntu 8.04 kernal 2-6-14 recovery
ubuntu 8.04 memtest
Windows Vista

and it takes forever to start up ubuntu - initially my son loved the OS and tried to get me to switch, too. But now, he is not a happy camper. So, is this normal or not? I really want to get him off my computer (actually his dad's) because he uses a lot of AIM and even with norton 360 I get a lot of spy ware (and today, first time ever, a virus was found on routine scanning) He claims ubuntu cannot get viruses but I wonder if that is the problem.

Thanks for any information.

also, the windows vista/longhorn line is listed twice, when I do the edit command on it, it sas

root (hd0,0)
save default
makeactive
chainloader +1

and the second windows vista/longhorn line says
root (hd0,1)
save default
make active
chain loader +1

amymeme wrote:
> Question #38784 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/38784
>
> amymeme gave more information on the question:
> also, the windows vista/longhorn line is listed twice, when I do the
> edit command on it, it sas
>
> root (hd0,0)
> save default
> makeactive
> chainloader +1
>
> and the second windows vista/longhorn line says
> root (hd0,1)
> save default
> make active
> chain loader +1
>
> Thats without doubt the result of at least one file (Menulst) messed up.
Hi again

If I owned the computer I would reformat the Ubuntu partion/s and start
again, but you may have more patience than me :)

Me again - son is gonna owe me, big time.

I've killed computers before and reformatted BUT there was only 1 partition - how would i go about reformatting just the ubuntu partition(s)? And, how do i go about actually viewing what partitions are on this computer? the gparted thing?

I take it GRUB is not repairable? Can I delete some of the entries? When i used the edit command in GRUB, in all the ubuntu entries not labeled recovery, the last line was "quiet"

And last for now, would the manual installation mentioned above correct the issues or do I need to reformat the partition first?

thank you,

Amy

Just a quick note. before I write any more Grub certainly IS repairable!

The install disk has a partition editor on it, and although there may be only one disk, there is at the very least (without getting ultra technical) two partitions, one for Vista and One for Ubuntu. Using manual disk partitioning, incorporated in the Ubuntu installation, you will see the colour coding I wrote of earlier.

Ubuntu is easy to pick, the file systems Ubuntu chooses is restricted to ext3 and swap.
Vista is (I think) NTFS.

As Vista was installed first, the first partition is Vista. Grub also shows Vista as the first partition.(hd0,0) and possibly a second partition but with that unreliable menu 1st its extremely unlikely.

Please be familiar with the manual I gave the link to before starting and be aware of the main differences other than release (8.04) differences to ensure you are looking at the correct manual to suit choices of install disks.
They are Live 64 and Live i386 and Alternate 64 and Alternate i386 (All usually CD)
HTH

amymeme wrote:
> Question #38784 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/38784
>
> Status: Answered => Open
>
> amymeme is still having a problem: Me again - son is gonna owe me,
> big time.
>
> I've killed computers before and reformatted BUT there was only 1
> partition - how would i go about reformatting just the ubuntu
> partition(s)?

Amy, just a quick summary as I see your problems.
As far as your son is concerned, Ubuntu is virtually unusable.
As far as you are concerned, you want to gain control of your own
computer again, without needless stress on your Linux learning curve.

Given your son's aversion to reformating his HDD, and given Ubuntu is by
far the most flexible system on his computer, it's possible to dedicate
a minimum of one partition (home) to personal data, documents, multi
media files, program settings/passwords etc. In the event of any future
changes to the computer requiring reformat, the home partition can be
left intact indefinately

So the new setup is best with at least three partitions, root, swap, and
home. (swap is a small partition, usually double the size of memory ram
(AMD64) or 2 gig (i386), and can also be left intact indefinitely)

You already have the link to the Installation Manual, here's a
condensed interpretation., including the manual partition option. (I
think this illustrated tutorial will do most to ease your mind)
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-ubuntu-8.04-lts-hardy-heron

One (hopefully) concluding comment. Linux has a distinct security and
trouble free advantage with program installation CD's DVD's but all too
few people use it
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM

HTH

Hi again,

I had son read this thread, and aside from his exception to "stark, raving lunatic" (he prefers "highly agitated") he agrees that the problem is appropriately stated. He did, however, add a few thoughts. Such as, oh - when I was trying to get a dual moniter setup, it wouldn't work and I "think" I tried unsuccessfully to install ubuntu "a couple of times..."

So, I think that perhaps trying to repair GRUB is a waste of energy. I am going to digest the two installation guides suggested by Tang and attempt to reformat the ubuntu partition and reload ubuntu for dual booting. In the meantime, in using his computer, the keyboard does not seem to be functioning as sensitively as it could which may be what he is describing as slow (sometimes I have to hit the click pad 7-8 times before getting a response and his wireless mouse seems to get better performance.) As far as windows, it looks like he has not done any housecleaning in eons, temp files were loaded, he's got a memory hog wallpaper, Norton 360 is corrupt and needs fixing and all sorts of little gadgets running that don't really add a lot of function. And judging from the junk on my computer, he probably is loaded with spyware. His window partition also only has 20% free space and I think Vista likes a lot of maneuvering room (I use XP - not sure I like Vista.)

So, the short of it is, I am going to call this problem solved for now. I will learn what I can about removing and replacing ubuntu and if I have problems, I will post a new question.

Thank you for all your help.

Amy

Thanks Tang, that solved my question.