New to linux, trying to get codecs for Totem 5.10 Breezy

Upgrading is generaly a good thing. As to your problem, could you be more specific? Which codecs are you looking for? Could you describe what it is your trying to do/play? That will help me to figure out what exactly it is that you need to get everything running.

I tried several videos including wmv - all gave errors:

"There were no decoders found to handle the stream, you might need to install the corresponding plugins"

Might want to check out the Restricted Formats page.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats

ok, do you have the gstreamer plugin packages?
gstreamer0.10-plugins-good for example.
WMV plugins should be under gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly i think. Check to make sure those are there. Let me know what you find.

Earlier I'd searched for help on getting the codecs, in Universe and Multiverse. I'd tried this below & it looks like synaptic package mang is broken. I get this error.
------
E: Type 'http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu' is not known on line 38 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list
E: The list of sources could not be read.
Go to the repository dialog to correct the problem.
------

==========
3.

How do I add Universe and Multiverse?

    By default, Ubuntu comes pre-configured with basic and security update repositories. To enable the extra Universe and Multiverse repositories:

       1. Start Synaptic by selecting System → Administration → Synaptic Package Manager from the desktop menu system.
       2. In Synaptic choose Settings-> Repositories.
       3. Click the Settings button.
       4. Tick Show disabled software sources, then click Close.
       5. On the Repositories dialog box click Add. There are three separate repositories; Breezy Badger, Security Updates and Updates. Select each repository and check Officially supported, Restricted copyright, Community maintained (Universe) and Non-free (Multiverse). Ensure you click OK between each repository to save your changes.
       6. You should now see checkboxes next to each repository, scroll through the list and ensure they are all checked.

4.

How do I add backports?

    Backports are newer versions of applications made available for the current stable release of Ubuntu.

       1. Start Synaptic by selecting System → Administration → Synaptic Package Manager from the desktop menu system.
       2. In Synaptic choose Settings-> Repositories.
       3. Click on Add and then Custom.
       4. Paste the following line into the box:

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy-backports main universe multiverse restricted

       5. Click Ok and then click Yes when it asks you to reload. Backports is now available.
==========

does adding apps get easier?

Can not edit line 38 with text editor. Do I need to be su / root to do that, or am I on the wrong path entirely?

And as far as upgrading to a newer version of Ubuntu, it is usually a good idea, and 5.10 is only supported for a few more months.

williamts99, thx! I edited the file & I don't get the error msg. I also see the list again so I think that is good.

Slowly things are starting to feel better to me.

After I use sudo it has me enter my password again & I was concerned about being in the su mode. Do I need to log out after the edit?

Think I'll shut dwn & try Matthew suggestion to get gstreamer0.10 next.

Using sudo before a command runs that command as su. No you don't have to log out after the edit, but you do have to refresh you repositories. You can do that in Synaptic using the reload button. Or you can do it in the terminal with:

sudo apt-get update

Thx folks, I have now upgraded to the ver 1.5.0.8 of firefox & also added AdBlock. I feel like this is a big step for me, I know there is still much more I want to learn.

Still don't have the correct decoders as yet, but I think I'm understanding (a little) how synaptic works.

Next I think I'll move up to 6.10 (edgy?) - Should I install it over 5.10 or just start with a clean hard drive?

User confirmed that the request is solved.

Well, seeing as you are just getting started, you might want to go ahead with a clean hard drive and reinstall with the new version. You will have a much easier/happier time with that.

Thx, I was thinking the same thing.

I have windows on my SATA hd now, I plan to copy that to an old IDE HD
& Install Ubuntu to that fast SATA hd.

I'm really liking Ubuntu a LOT. Even with all the things I dwnlded it
still is working very well, & I have it on an old 3.2GB IDE.

-- williamts99 <email address hidden> wrote:
Your support request #2693 on Ubuntu changed:
https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ticket/2693

williamts99 posted a new comment:
Well, seeing as you are just getting started, you might want to go ahead
with a clean hard drive and reinstall with the new version. You will
have a much easier/happier time with that.

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Sounds like a good plan. If you run into any issues be sure to come back and see us.

Best Regards,

Williamts99