Ubuntu
ubiquity package

Removing Ubuntu & Re-installing

Asked by Roy W. Roth

I made my 1st attempt at evaluating Ubuntu on my laptop computer and it has been a disaster. I sure can use some help. I hope I can intelligently explain the problem(s).

As a retiree, I downloaded Ubuntu 11.04 from a disc in a classroom environment -- i.e. not at home -- which may have caused a wireless recognition problem. To date, I can not access the Internet or emails from Ubuntu at home thru my wireless connection. (I can from Windows XP, the standard OS on the laptop.) With the original download I put Ubuntu into a separate partition on my hard drive so that I could access either Windows XP or Ubuntu when booting the computer, with Ubuntu being the default OS.

In attempting to correct the situation, I re-downloaded Ubuntu from the disc, creating a new partition. No help. I actually did this twice. I now have 5 partitions and am thoroughly confused:

 2 Partitions belonging to Windows XP (I think):
• 7.0 GB NTFS (healthy EISA configuration) -- 14% free space
• 84.9 GB C: NTFS (healthy system) -- 80% free space
 2 Partitions belonging to Ubuntu (I think) -- should/can I delete these? Both of these are indicated as having 100% free space:
• 16.4 GB (healthy unknown partition)
• 1.0 GB (healthy unknown partition)
 1 Partition with free space -- possibly from another attempt to download Ubuntu that I deleted: 2.5 GB free space

I would like to delete all downloads of Ubuntu (cleaning up the partitions?), including the screen that appears on booting the computer, which gives me the option of going to Ubuntu (default) or Windows, and start from scratch to download Ubuntu (probably version 10.10 since I've noted several people having wireless problems with 11.04) from the Ubuntu website.

How do I do this???

RWR

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peter b
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Revision history for this message
delance (olivier-delance) said : 		#1

You will need:
  a Windows recovery CD
  a Ubuntu installation CD
Do you have ?

Revision history for this message
peter b (b1pete) said : 		#2

sorry, your post is confusing; let's clarify some aspects

first, do you have a BOOTABLE UBUNTU CD ? url below shows you how to get and create one if you do not have it.

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download

second, I would recommend using a live CD (that is a bootable live CD that can be used to boot your pc AND have ubuntu available , first option, in all its glory BUT WITHOUT ANY CHANGES to your pc. AS WELL AS , second option, install it to HD) ;

third, with ubuntu 'installed' as mentioned above FIRST OPTION ABOVE (pls notice the quotation marks, that tells you that ubuntu is PRESENT ON MEMORY ONLY) you can use it to do the maintenance you're talking about - deleting partitions, etc. in order to do that first open a terminal and enter at prompt

sudo fdisk -l

command followed by return; the output will identify the HD's and all partitions. pls copy/paste output so we can help you further.

at this time I think that's safer for you to answer questions above then we'll continue.

Revision history for this message
Roy W. Roth (rwroth) said : 		#3

Sorry for my confusion, but that is my present status -- i.e. confusion!

I have a bootable CD that I initially used to load Ubuntu 11.04, which I suspect may have caused the original problem.

What I presently have on my PC, when I turn it on, I am presented with a screen that allows me to either go directly to Ubuntu (which is the default) or to my Windows XP OS. If I do the latter & go to Windows, it operates as I would normally expect, but I'm concerned with the "junk" that is residing in the other partitions and feel that I should clean them up.

If I go to the Ubuntu OS from this 1st screen, I enter the Ubuntu OS, but it will not connect to the Internet thru what would normally be my wireless connection. I believe that this wireless connection was never recognized when I originally downloaded Ubuntu from the CD -- maybe because this operation was done elsewhere, i.e. not in my home.

I feel that I want to clean up the partitions that were created and start from scratch, either reloading from the CD or by loading Ubuntu 10.10 from the Ubuntu website. If I try to overwrite what I have with a new downloading from the CD, without cleaning up the partitions that have been created, I just seem to create another partition.

Does this help?

I hope I'm using this website correctly. It's my 1st time here. Should I correspond directly thru an outside email?

RWR

Revision history for this message
peter b (b1pete) said : 		#4

your last post has 8 paragraphs - I'll address all of them by number below

- para 1- no comment

- para 2 - great, you DO HAVE a 11.04 CD ; as far as original problem you mention (I assume the wireless connection) we'll address that later. now, for the time being let's try and get a WIRED net connection working so you can 'talk' with us while logged in ubuntu. pls connect your pc to your router using an ethernet cat5 cable available at any computer store for approx $5 (it has 4 pairs and rj45 connectors at both ends). power up/reboot your pc and boot/log in into ubuntu. do you have a web connection now ?

- para 3 - that's another piece of good news . caution pls - win CAN NOT READ partitions where linux/ubuntu is installed to BUT IT CAN READ AND WRITE partitions that either win or ubuntu MAY HAVE WRITTEN data to. as far as 'junk' is concerned pls remove it (ie files/data) while in win or ubuntu WITH CAUTION (I'm talking here STRICTLY about user data ; NEVER remove system files, you may render your pc un-operable. as far as removing partitions we'll discuss that later after more info provided.

- para 4 - no problems ; re wireless see my comments on para 2 above.

- para 5 - just a comment - you use ...'new downloading from the CD'... pls use the word INSTALLING from CD (you download a file with .iso extension and CREATE a CD for installation.

- para 6 - yes

- para 7 - yes, what you've done is ok.

- para 8 - no comment

summary - everything looks ok in terms of os basic functions EXCEPT your wifi connection in ubuntu and your desire to delete unwanted HD partitions. I'll address these topics below (in order to get them solved you MUST, first, be familiar/fully conversant with ubuntu's Command Line Interface or CLI) so here we go

pls boot and LOG IN ubuntu

- 1 -in my first post I said ....'in order to do that first open a terminal and enter at prompt

sudo fdisk -l

command followed by return; the output will identify the HD's and all partitions. pls copy/paste output so we can help you further.'.....

so far I received NO answer - pls provide it.

- 2-additionally, pls run commands in a terminal as follows (in order listed)

lspci -vnn
sudo ifconfig
sudo iwconfig

pls copy/paste output so we can help you further.

you can read and become familiar with disks and partitions

https://help.ubuntu.com/8.04/hardware/C/disks.html

as well as the ubuntu natty guide - v informative

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Natty

Revision history for this message
Roy W. Roth (rwroth) said : 		#5

OK, I entered the 4 commands provided, copied & pasted the information onto a flask drive, moved it to my desktop & copied & pasted it again. Here is the information. Does it help??

Roy

Information from the Ubuntu/laptop screen:

roy@roy-VGN-FE770G:~$ sudo fdisk -1
[sudo] password for roy:
Sorry, try again.
[sudo] password for roy:
fdisk: invalid option -- '1'

Usage:
 fdisk [options] <disk> change partition table
 fdisk [options] -l <disk> list partition table(s)
 fdisk -s <partition> give partition size(s) in blocks

Options:
 -b <size> sector size (512, 1024, 2048 or 4096)
 -c switch off DOS-compatible mode
 -h print help
 -u <size> give sizes in sectors instead of cylinders
 -v print version
 -C <number> specify the number of cylinders
 -H <number> specify the number of heads
 -S <number> specify the number of sectors per track

roy@roy-VGN-FE770G:~$ lspci -vnn
00:00.0 Host bridge [0600]: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS, 943/940GML and 945GT Express Memory Controller Hub [8086:27a0] (rev 03)
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: agpgart-intel

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller [8086:27a2] (rev 03) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 16
 Memory at d0100000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=512K]
 I/O ports at 1800 [size=8]
 Memory at b0000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=256M]
 Memory at d0180000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256K]
 Expansion ROM at <unassigned> [disabled]
 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: i915
 Kernel modules: intelfb, i915

00:02.1 Display controller [0380]: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS/GME, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller [8086:27a6] (rev 03)
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: fast devsel
 Memory at 44000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=512K]

 Capabilities: <access denied>

00:1b.0 Audio device [0403]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family High Definition Audio Controller [8086:27d8] (rev 02)
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 45
 Memory at d01c0000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: HDA Intel
 Kernel modules: snd-hda-intel

00:1c.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 1 [8086:27d0] (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
 Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
 Bus: primary=00, secondary=02, subordinate=03, sec-latency=0
 I/O behind bridge: 00002000-00002fff
 Memory behind bridge: c8000000-c9ffffff
 Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 00000000c0000000-00000000c1ffffff

 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: pcieport
 Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1c.1 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 2 [8086:27d2] (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
 Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
 Bus: primary=00, secondary=04, subordinate=05, sec-latency=0
 I/O behind bridge: 00003000-00003fff
 Memory behind bridge: ca000000-cbffffff
 Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 00000000c2000000-00000000c3ffffff

 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: pcieport
 Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1c.2 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 3 [8086:27d4] (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
 Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
 Bus: primary=00, secondary=06, subordinate=07, sec-latency=0
 I/O behind bridge: 00004000-00004fff
 Memory behind bridge: cc000000-cdffffff
 Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 00000000c4000000-00000000c5ffffff

 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: pcieport
 Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1c.3 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 4 [8086:27d6] (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
 Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
 Bus: primary=00, secondary=08, subordinate=09, sec-latency=0
 I/O behind bridge: 00005000-00005fff
 Memory behind bridge: ce000000-cfffffff
 Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 00000000c6000000-00000000c7ffffff

 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: pcieport
 Kernel modules: shpchp

00:1d.0 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #1 [8086:27c8] (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 23
 I/O ports at 1820 [size=32]
 Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1d.1 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #2 [8086:27c9] (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 17
 I/O ports at 1840 [size=32]
 Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1d.2 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #3 [8086:27ca] (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 18
 I/O ports at 1860 [size=32]
 Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1d.3 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #4 [8086:27cb] (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 16
 I/O ports at 1880 [size=32]
 Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd

00:1d.7 USB Controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB2 EHCI Controller [8086:27cc] (rev 02) (prog-if 20 [EHCI])
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 23
 Memory at d03c4000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]
 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: ehci_hcd

00:1e.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge [8086:2448] (rev e2) (prog-if 01 [Subtractive decode])
 Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
 Bus: primary=00, secondary=0a, subordinate=0e, sec-latency=32
 I/O behind bridge: 00006000-00006fff
 Memory behind bridge: d0000000-d00fffff
 Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 0000000040000000-0000000043ffffff

 Capabilities: <access denied>

00:1f.0 ISA bridge [0601]: Intel Corporation 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge [8086:27b9] (rev 02)
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0
 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel modules: leds-ss4200, iTCO_wdt, intel-rng

00:1f.1 IDE interface [0101]: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller [8086:27df] (rev 02) (prog-if 8a [Master SecP PriP])
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 18
 I/O ports at 01f0 [size=8]
 I/O ports at 03f4 [size=1]
 I/O ports at 0170 [size=8]
 I/O ports at 0374 [size=1]
 I/O ports at 1810 [size=16]
 Kernel driver in use: ata_piix

00:1f.2 IDE interface [0101]: Intel Corporation 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7 Family) SATA IDE Controller [8086:27c4] (rev 02) (prog-if 8f [Master SecP SecO PriP
PriO])
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 19
 I/O ports at 18d0 [size=8]
 I/O ports at 18c4 [size=4]
 I/O ports at 18c8 [size=8]
 I/O ports at 18c0 [size=4]
 I/O ports at 18b0 [size=16]
 Memory at d03c4400 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]
 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: ata_piix

00:1f.3 SMBus [0c05]: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family SMBus Controller [8086:27da] (rev 02)
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 10
 I/O ports at 18e0 [size=32]
 Kernel modules: i2c-i801

06:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection [8086:4222] (rev 02)
 Subsystem: Intel Corporation Device [8086:1050]
 Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 44
 Memory at cc000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: iwl3945
 Kernel modules: iwl3945

0a:03.0 CardBus bridge [0607]: Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Cardbus Controller [104c:8039]
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 168, IRQ 16
 Memory at d0007000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
 Bus: primary=0a, secondary=0b, subordinate=0e, sec-latency=176
 Memory window 0: 40000000-43fff000 (prefetchable)
 Memory window 1: 48000000-4bfff000
 I/O window 0: 00006400-000064ff
 I/O window 1: 00006800-000068ff
 16-bit legacy interface ports at 0001
 Kernel driver in use: yenta_cardbus
 Kernel modules: yenta_socket

0a:03.1 FireWire (IEEE 1394) [0c00]: Texas Instruments PCIxx12 OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller [104c:803a] (prog-if 10 [OHCI])
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 16
 Memory at d0006000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=2K]
 Memory at d0000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: firewire_ohci
 Kernel modules: firewire-ohci

0a:03.2 Mass storage controller [0180]: Texas Instruments 5-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD) [104c:803b]
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 17
 Memory at d0004000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: tifm_7xx1
 Kernel modules: tifm_7xx1

0a:08.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Intel Corporation PRO/100 VE Network Connection [8086:1092] (rev 02)
 Subsystem: Sony Corporation Device [104d:81ef]
 Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 20
 Memory at d0005000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
 I/O ports at 6000 [size=64]
 Capabilities: <access denied>
 Kernel driver in use: e100
 Kernel modules: e100

roy@roy-VGN-FE770G:~$ sudo ifconfig
eth0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:13:a9:46:d2:a7
          inet addr:192.168.1.102 Bcast:192.168.1.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
          inet6 addr: fe80::213:a9ff:fe46:d2a7/64 Scope:Link
          UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
          RX packets:1325 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:941 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
          RX bytes:1757031 (1.7 MB) TX bytes:92085 (92.0 KB)

lo Link encap:Local Loopback
          inet addr:127.0.0.1 Mask:255.0.0.0
          inet6 addr: ::1/128 Scope:Host
          UP LOOPBACK RUNNING MTU:16436 Metric:1
          RX packets:8 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:8 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:0
          RX bytes:480 (480.0 B) TX bytes:480 (480.0 B)

wlan0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:18:de:08:e5:be
          UP BROADCAST MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
          RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
          RX bytes:0 (0.0 B) TX bytes:0 (0.0 B)

roy@roy-VGN-FE770G:~$ sudo iwconfig
lo no wireless extensions.

eth0 no wireless extensions.

wlan0 IEEE 802.11abg ESSID:off/any
          Mode:Managed Access Point: Not-Associated Tx-Power=15 dBm
          Retry long limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:off
          Power Management:off

Revision history for this message
peter b (b1pete) said : 		#6

....'OK, I entered the 4 commands provided, copied & pasted the information onto a flask drive, moved it to my desktop & copied & pasted it again. Here is the information. Does it help??'......

answer: YES and NO - please see below several things/issues

1 - DID YOU RUN THE CMDS on the pc that you have problems with ? OR on the pc that is ALREADY connected to the net ? it is v important/mandatory that the commands are RUN on the pc with the PROBLEMS that MUST BE solved.

that is the reason that that I asked you to ....'now, for the time being let's try and get a WIRED net connection working so you can 'talk' with us while logged in ubuntu. pls connect your pc to your router using an ethernet cat5 cable available at any computer store for approx $5 (it has 4 pairs and rj45 connectors at both ends). power up/reboot your pc and boot/log in into ubuntu. do you have a web connection now ?'..... PLEASE DO THAT and respond -it IS v important for many reasons among them see pt 2 below.

2 - cmd I was asking output of IS

sudo fdisk -l

pls NOTICE last character l (it is lower case L) NOT 1 as I could see on your post (sudo fdisk -1) ; pls RE-RUN the command as listed on my posts and copy/paste output . NOTE - if you would have done what I've asked you to on my prev post and repeated on 1 above YOU COULD have copied/pasted the command I LISTED ON MY posts and avoid the typo (1 instead of l) I hope you see my point.

3 - this POINT IS VALID IF THE CMDS WERE RUN on the pc with problems ONLY

the wifi should work with a little help which I'll give it to you PENDING answers to above (just for your info for the time being - there IS a wifi interface present called wlan0 but the connection is not configured/no AP associated with wlan0); there is also a WIRED interface present called eth0 ; if you do what I've asked you to do previously and on pt 1 above you (your pc) WILL HAVE ACCESS to the net by means of a WIRED conn'n first; after I receive answers to above you'll HAVE wifi access to the net too.

Revision history for this message
Roy W. Roth (rwroth) said : 		#7

I will try to do what you are requesting, directly from Ubuntu on my laptop -- connected directly by cable to the Internet -- tomorrow. I am presently not familiar with Ubuntu's operations -- working on the Internet, finding the Ubuntu website, copying & pasting, etc, but will try. I did do the 4 commands on the Ubuntu OS on my laptop -- evidently including the one with the incorrect "l", which I will repeat tomorrow.

Also, I'm not sure whether answering via the Ubuntu site (as I'm doing now) is correct, or answering via the emails that I receive.

Thanks for bearing with me.

RWR

Revision history for this message
peter b (b1pete) said : 		#8

a new trip/journey always starts with one, first step. I salute your determination to follow a new road.

if you used win in the past ....'working on the Internet, finding the Ubuntu website, copying & pasting,'.... these basic operations are pretty much the same.

now I understand (I hope that is the case) THAT the pc WITH problems to be solved IS your LAPTOP.

IN THIS case comment 3 on my last post IS VALID - IT STANDS - .....'there IS a wifi interface present called wlan0 but the connection is not configured/no AP associated with wlan0); there is also a WIRED interface present called eth0 ; if you do what I've asked you to do previously and on pt 1 above you (your pc) WILL HAVE ACCESS to the net by means of a WIRED conn'n first; after I receive answers to above you'll HAVE wifi access to the net too.'....

so, in summary, just do (command sudo fdisk -l) on the LAPTOP ....'the incorrect "l", which I will repeat tomorrow.'.... and copy/paste output so we can see it.

....'Also, I'm not sure whether answering via the Ubuntu site (as I'm doing now) is correct'....

answer: YES, IT IS VERY CORRECT - you're doing it OK1. just keep on doing it like this (pls understand that your problems may affect other users/interested parties and the resolution to these problems may help other people, the ubuntu community etc. this is part of how the open free ubuntu operates - sharing solutions to all concerned - ubuntu/linux is an open and free os NOT a closed for pay os like win.

pls do not despair, what you're doing is just fine; it is the first step on this road called linux/ubuntu; I took the first step earlier and v happy that I did it. I still follow this road and have no intention on abandoning it.

Revision history for this message
Roy W. Roth (rwroth) said : 		#9

to peter p

Sorry, but between having to sign in to this website, copying the Command, etc, while in Ubuntu on my laptop, it's taken a while.

Here is what I received from copying what I received when using sudo fdisk -l Does it help?
RWR

Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x0e0680d9

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 1 914 7341673+ 12 Compaq diagnostics
/dev/sda2 * 915 11997 89021808+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 11997 14594 20856833 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 11997 14139 17200127+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 14465 14594 1037312 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Disk /dev/sdb: 2062 MB, 2062548992 bytes
16 heads, 32 sectors/track, 7868 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 512 * 512 = 262144 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x0e226435

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 7868 2014192 e W95 FAT16 (LBA)

Revision history for this message
peter b (b1pete) said : 		#10

all looks just the way it should - for your info

- there are 2 HD's ie sda and sdb

- sda has partitions as follows :
sda1 contains your pc win INSTALLATION files that allows you to re-install win in case you need to do it. it is a primary partition
sda2 INSTALLED system files . it is a primary partition.
sda3 is an extended partition that contains other partitions/volumes called logical partitions sda5 and sda6 see below
sda5 contains linux ubuntu / directory
sda6 swap area

- sdb is more likely a usb pen drive with one partition sdb1 and for sure it is a data fat16 partition

in summary : PLS DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE ANY partition ON HD called sda - you'll render your pc inoperable ! this concludes the first issue - your desire to clean/remove partitions - .

second issue - lack of wifi connection. please run on your LAPTOP (the pc where you DO NOT have wifi connection) cmd as follows

sudo iwlist wlan0 scan

pls copy/paste output so we can see it. we'll continue after that. tu.

Revision history for this message
Roy W. Roth (rwroth) said : 		#11

To peter p -
Reference the 2nd issue, here is what I have from the CMD sudo iwlist alan0 scan:

wlan0 Scan completed :
          Cell 01 - Address: 00:14:BF:AF:2E:76
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=38/70 Signal level=-72 dBm
                    Encryption key:off
                    ESSID:"linksys"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                              24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000275a6e58b3
                    Extra: Last beacon: 1568ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 00076C696E6B737973
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B962430486C
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 2F0100
                    IE: Unknown: 32040C121860
                    IE: Unknown: DD06001018020005

Will this help establish the wireless Internet connection?

RWR

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Roy W. Roth (rwroth) said : 		#12

Sorry, typo when I entered the scan. It was as you gave me: sudo iwlist wlan0 scan (which I copied & pasted from your message).

RWR

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peter b (b1pete) said : 		#13

yes it does.

ok, if you look on the desktop upper panel on the right side of it, next (to the left of the sound applet) you'll see the NETWORK applet. right now you must see there 2 bold arrows one pointing up the other down; that tells you that the pc/ubuntu IS CONNECTED to the net via a WIRED ethernet connection that is eth0 , see above my posts.

now I could see that there is an ACCESS POINT with ESSID lynksys (see your last post ....'ESSID:"linksys"'.....) that ubuntu wifi wlan0 interface HAS detected.

if you want to use the wifi wlan0 interface to CONNECT to the net INSTEAD of th WIRED eth0 interface then just right click on the network applet (the two arrows now) on the upper panel and you'll see in the window that opens ALSO the connection ESSID

linksys

besides the wired eth0 connection. there are further down in the window other options. the option Enable wireless MUST BE TICKED and another option - Edit connection if clicked on should open another window that allows you to enter your wifi wlan0 configuration ie connection name, if DHCP used, keys, passwords, whether wlan0 is the default (automatic) connection when ubuntu booted up etc.

pls give it a try and see how you're progressing with this task; it is a very straight forward process. as usual, if in doubt/not sure about ANYTHING BETTER ask BEFORE proceeding. I saw lots of situations that users took on themselves certain procedures without being aware of consequences and pure and simple wrecked their good working os. You have a good working natty try to keep that way.

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Roy W. Roth (rwroth) said : 		#14

For some reason I'm not immediately able to answer via my laptop thru the wired Internet (i.e. I don't seem to be able to get to the Ubuntu Q&A website) but I am answering via my desktop.

I did look into your instructions in my Ubuntu on my laptop and found:
1) right clicking the NETWORK applet (up/down arrows) only gave me 2 highlighted links -- "about" & "lock to panel", BUT
2) left clicking did give me the numerous links you mention, and, Enable wireless is checked
3) I clicked on Edit Connections, and under the 'wireless' tab, observed the name "Auto Visitor" which was the connection (20 days ago) that the laptop was connected to wirelessly away from home, when the Ubuntu was installed. No other connection is noted.
4) If, at this point, I try to ADD another wireless connection, I am asked for information such as SSID, Mode (infrastructure or Ad-hoc) & BSSID -- all of which, I'm afraid I don't know. Do I have to know this information before proceeding to add another wireless connection?? Shouldn't Ubuntu be able to pick it up, as it evidently did with the "Auto Visitor" connection?

RWR

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peter b (b1pete) said : 		#15

- first -when you clicked on the arrows do you see the connection (the word)

linksys

on the window that opened ?

please tell me yes or no (IF yes then continue as outlined under third point below and following pts; IF no then go to second pt below make sure that its conditions are met THEN continue with the following pts)

- second - is your router set up to work/have available/allow WIRELESS connections ? please make sure that wireless is enabled on the router ; pls read its manual/instructions as of how to do it. ALSO/MANDATORY - make sure that the keyboard combination keys that some pc makers set up to ENABLE or DISABLE wifi ARE IN AN ENABLED position - read your laptop manual , it should tell you more re this and how to do it if present.

- third - if you want you can delete the wifi connection 'Auto Visitor' that you mention - it confuses your line of thought at this time. once you know and master connections you can easily recreate it; if you want just jot down on a piece of paper all connection entries/set up for future ref when recreating it.

- fourth - when Edit connections option is pressed

1- a NEW window opens called Network Connections
2 - select Wireless tab
3 - you must see listed here linksys ; do you see it ? pls tell me yes or no (normally IT MUST BE otherwise go back to the begging of this post and observe and carry out with care all pts
4 - IF yes then highlight it (just click on it) AND SELECT/click on Add button
5 - a new window opens called Editing linksys or something similar with 4 tabs
6 - tab Wireless
- Connection name should be something that has the linksys in it (ex linksys connection)
- Connect automatically must be ticked/checked
- SSID should be/mandatory linksys
- Mode should be Infrastucture
- MTU should be automatic; ALL other fields - LEAVE them BLANK
7 - tab Wireless Security
- Security should be none
8 - tab IPv4 Settings
- the ONLY entry should be under Method and MUST BE Automatic (DHCP)
9 - tab IPv6 Settings
- the ONLY entry should be under Method and MUST BE Ignore
10 - Save or Ok until all windows are closed.
11 - shut down/power off pc
12 - disconnect ethernet cable from pc and router
13 - power up pc and log in natty

do you see the network applet change from arrows to something different ? do you have a wifi net connection ?

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Roy W. Roth (rwroth) said : 		#16

WOW, what details !
First, to answer the 1st question -- Yes, the word "linksys" appeared along with numerous other links after I left-clicked on the double arrows, including "edit connections" that I had mentioned.

I hope to get to the next instructions later today. Have a Grandchild B-D to attend to.

RWR

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Roy W. Roth (rwroth) said : 		#17

to peter p -

All of the criteria that you asked about seem to have been met.

HOWEVER, as I was collecting specifications from the wireless router for possible use, the power cord accidentally became unplugged -- which I replugged.

Right now, I am able to access the Internet from my laptop thru either Windows OR Ubuntu. So.o.o.o., I assume that the problem all along had to do with the wireless router -- something I believe you may have suspected all along, based on you last communication. Problem solved?? I think so (?), but will see if all remains well over the next few days. Thanks so much for your indulgence,

I'll await your reply before I click the "problem solved" button. I'm just wondering if I've forgotten something.

RWR

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Best peter b (b1pete) said : 		#18

the intent of the details on my post was to give you a full howto on wifi connections using the GUI network applet and make you feel more comfortable managing them in the future.

now that you saw and did a conn'n yourself and are familiar how 'the wheels turn' so to speak I have to tell you that there is a MUCH EASIER and SIMPLER way to achieve same results by just clicking on the connection applet and once the window opens click on linksys (in this case, it may be something else if there is another AP in range) and voila - you're wifi connected to linksys (or another AP within range).

you are wifi connected to your router and net - THIS WAS A SIDE QUESTION of the main topic- I helped you with it because you were honest, diligent and truly interested in learning linux ; the main ticket/question 'Removing Ubuntu & Re-installing' issue was solved on an earlier post as you could see.

 so, this concludes this ticket as far as I'm concerned; I have nothing to add. if you have problems in the future just open another ticket AND PLS ADDRESS JUST ONE ISSUE not two or more - you realize that this ticket is, at best, OF PARTIAL help to the community because a wifi issue is HIDDEN behind 'Removing Ubuntu & Re-installing' question.

all the best and take care.

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Roy W. Roth (rwroth) said : 		#19

With appreciated assistance from peter p, I think this problem has been resolved !!

RWR

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Roy W. Roth (rwroth) said : 		#20

Thanks peter b, that solved my question.