TheMatt: need help with this FAQ you posted

**Kalim** · 12-19-2006, 06:33 PM

Here it is: Linux FAQ

Using Ubuntu 6.10 or 6.06 LTS:

When I type in the relevant command in terminal,

Quote:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

I get options talking about keyboard, mouse, PCI's etc that I didn't think existed nor am I sure what to type there.

After..

Quote:

# You will now be shown a GUI. Select your graphics chipset. If you don't know, use Everest and go to Display > GPU. Press enter to continue.

..I get something completely different. Not..

Quote:

# Now select the resolution of your monitor. You can select as many as you need. Use the space bar to put an asterisk next to a resolution.

I'm trying to set my resolutions and display straight as its beyond bad. There are at least 8 different pages of options to set and type out using this method I haven't seen covered anywhere.

I'd appreciate some help please

Thanks.

**TheMatt** · 12-19-2006, 08:13 PM

Odd, I just get an option to change the screen resolution. This is what it looks like for me (see screenshots below). Perhaps if you could post some screenshots, that would help.

**Kalim** · 12-19-2006, 10:24 PM

Matt,

Sucess! Well in one department.

I was now able to get into the screens. It was after uninstalling Automatix2 for some reason which I thought may be conflicting.

But now I get these screenshot warnings and no change:

1: The first screen using sudo I see is what you see
2: So is the 2nd
3: The 3rd screen is an error?

4: Shows the screenshot of where I was able to make 85Hz and 1024x768 config.. not in the opened box.. the option there was not available. But in the system tray icon options that are being pointed to and I have no idea where they came from

5: Look @ my CPU usage while I'm not doing anything and 5 minutes after starting the system.. it being fully loaded by a while now. I get 100% jams everywhere no matter what I open.

BTW the Firefox install that came with the install is badly faulty. Its giving me too many errors and weird behavior overall.

Thanks.

**K-B** · 12-20-2006, 04:20 AM

Did you manually customize you xorg.conf file sometime?
Wow, too bad you're having so many problems.

**Kalim** · 12-20-2006, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbalona

Did you manually customize you xorg.conf file sometime?
Wow, too bad you're having so many problems.

LOL if only I knew how to. No I haven't touched it till now

My screen display is much much better. What worked is changing to Best Contrast in System>Preferences>Fonts.

----------
EDIT:

Resolved these:
5: Look @ my CPU usage while I'm not doing anything and 5 minutes after starting the system.. it being fully loaded by a while now. I get 100% jams everywhere no matter what I open.

BTW the Firefox install that came with the install is badly faulty. Its giving me too many errors and weird behavior overall.

----------

Thanks.

**TheMatt** · 12-20-2006, 12:02 PM

Do thing in the FAQ again. If you don't see your chipset there, it is important you choose the vesa driver rather than some random one. Select the screen resolution. The final thing is saying that it is just backing up xorg.conf, I get the same thing. Then restart X (reboot), and it should detect the highest possible resolution your monitor can support and use that.

About your CPU usage. In edgy (I don't think it is a problem in dapper), there is an annoying little process that can eat up your CPU usage. I'm not sure if this exact one is your problem, but it is worth a try:

Code:

sudo killall apt-index-watcher

In the console.

**Kalim** · 12-20-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMatt

Do thing in the FAQ again. If you don't see your chipset there, it is important you choose the vesa driver rather than some random one. Select the screen resolution. The final thing is saying that it is just backing up xorg.conf, I get the same thing. Then restart X (reboot), and it should detect the highest possible resolution your monitor can support and use that.

I'll give it a whirl when I get back home from work in around 30 minutes, thanks.

Quote:

About your CPU usage. In edgy (I don't think it is a problem in dapper), there is an annoying little process that can eat up your CPU usage. I'm not sure if this exact one is your problem, but it is worth a try:

Code:

sudo killall apt-index-watcher

In the console.

Will I have to repeat this every time I boot up Edgy?

Also, I downloaded some installs from Applications>Add/Remove and none of them start up?

Like Sysinfo for instance. I didn't see any mention of KDE etc on there, as far as I understood, they should work in all environments and GNOME. However, after installation I click their menu entries and get nothing coming up!

Thanks.

**Kalim** · 12-22-2006, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMatt

Do thing in the FAQ again. If you don't see your chipset there, it is important you choose the vesa driver rather than some random one. Select the screen resolution. The final thing is saying that it is just backing up xorg.conf, I get the same thing. Then restart X (reboot), and it should detect the highest possible resolution your monitor can support and use that.

Well, I did this and upon reboot I lost all the options available for refresh rates. The only one that remained was 60Hz.. which isn't the rate I use in Win installs but 90Hz instead. Changing the resolution again didn't change the rate options

EDITED and CUT:

Quote:

However, I'm not complaining! You know why?
Because for some reason although it makes my screen too small, it doesn't affect display and I can now look at it pretty perfectly oddly.

I take that back! 10 minutes after and its unbearable to look at the screen! I need at least 75Hz. I'd like some hep here please

Quote:

About your CPU usage. In edgy (I don't think it is a problem in dapper), there is an annoying little process that can eat up your CPU usage. I'm not sure if this exact one is your problem, but it is worth a try:

Code:

sudo killall apt-index-watcher

In the console.

Yes, I tried this and the reply was "no process killed" which to me means, there wasn't any here. Oh well, Edgy is running much better today after many updates so I'll let it run.

A question... how do I become root in terminal and whats bash?

Thanks.

**Kalim** · 12-22-2006, 06:13 AM

Don't want to bombard the thread, but just to update.. I now only would appreciate and need an answer to this >>

Quote:

A question... how do I become root in terminal and whats bash?

I am aware that once I type sudo, the password it asks me is to makes me root anyway. But is there no way to type a command to put me in root?

Also I noticed when trying to delete/move files, all were only allowed by root. So I have to run as root in file browser to do that. Didn't figure out a way but to add right-click context menu's through a shell extension script for GNOME.. so I used that and it gives the option for:

Scripts>

gedit-root
root-nautilus-here
search-here

Exactly what I required!

So now I can move/delete files from home/home/usr/bin etcetera.
I also figured out where my profiles were stored so that I can move them and change them as required.. i.e. as in Thunderbird, Firefox etc. Just like in Win, they were hidden in /home/home/. So now having access to them showed me why when installing through terminal you have to enter the directory location (cd) followed by ./name, which I didn't understand before as it wasn't the file name

Right now, after removing many downloads that were broken or not runnable on GNOME, I have it all working and set perfectly as I would like, with much hep from you guys

Thanks.

**TheMatt** · 12-22-2006, 04:58 PM

This should help you modify your xorg.conf to get the correct screen resolution:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=1557025
PLEASE back it up first! You can always copy it back if something gets messed up.

About the high CPU usage. Open up the process table or whatever it is in GNOME. You should be able to sort by what is using the CPU the most. If one process is using it a lot, just google it and see what it does. It might not be necessary or might be a known issue in Edgy.

Sorry you are having so many troubles with Ubuntu.

**Kalim** · 12-22-2006, 08:36 PM

Thanks Matt

The CPU usage is caused by GNOME itself, thats why I haven't done anything about it. The res. I'll try the commands, but I think I'd like to stick with it as its looking better now.

For now, my only query as mentioned in the last post is this:

Quote:

how do I become root in terminal and whats bash?

Thanks.

**TheMatt** · 12-22-2006, 10:16 PM

Well, I usually use sudo, but you can create a root shell by going to Session > New Root Shell. Just type your password, and you will have root access to everything. It is not recommended, however, because with the root shell, you don't know when you are modifying a sensitive (root owned) area, but in a normal shell, you are told that you need to be root, and you can just type sudo as necessary.

As for the bash, I honestly don't know that one. I know it is a command, but that is about it. I am no guru, I just know enough to get by in linux. Perhaps Kablona or someone else will jump in and provide the info.

**Kalim** · 12-22-2006, 10:43 PM

Thanks Matt!

All resolved now.

With the bash command... I found this and am now aware of it more than needed: Linux Journal

Quote:

While originally written by Brian Fox of the Free Software Foundation, bash is now maintained by Chet Ramey. In this article, Chet explains the nhistory of shells and then goes on to explore features specific to bash.

Bash is the shell, or command language interpreter, that will appear in the GNU operating system. The name is an acronym for the "Bourne-Again SHell", a pun on Steve Bourne, the author of the direct ancestor of the current Unix shell /bin/sh, which appeared in the Seventh Edition Bell Labs Research version of Unix.

Bash is an sh-compatible shell that incorporates useful features from the Korn shell (ksh) and the C shell (csh), described later in this article.

Quite deep and extensive there

**TheMatt** · 12-23-2006, 03:43 PM

Did you fix the screen resolution and CPU usage problems?

**Kalim** · 12-24-2006, 12:36 PM

The CPU problems: yes fixed
The screen res: not really

For my CRT monitor on that computer, its advised to be at least 85. Mines at 60 right now

**TheMatt** · 12-24-2006, 06:56 PM

Did you try editing xorg.conf? I have read that that fixes it in a lot of situations.

**Kalim** · 12-25-2006, 11:07 PM

You mean edit this section

Quote:

Section "Device"
Identifier "Generic Video Card"
Driver "sis"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 28-64
VertRefresh 43-60
EndSection

???

The Horizontal and Vertical frequencies mentioned there are so low its unbelievable there. I remember using EVEREST with WinXP and seeing what they were there and recall that one of them was 68-110 rather than those values.

Why are most of my components, keyboard, mouse included, registered as generic when they're not?

Won't be doing any config now, I'm too tired. Xmas and work was too busy covering up for a colleague. Started at 4pm and finished now at 6am.

Back in another place to work @ 8am

Thanks.

**Kalim** · 12-28-2006, 04:22 PM

The only bits I edited to make it better are these:

HorizSync 28-64 >>>> to >>>> 30-85Hz
VertRefresh 43-60 >>> to >>>> 50-170Hz

The is how my XP install picked the monitor up. After that, all is right.

Thanks for all the help.

12-20-2006, 04:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
K-B Mod. Linux, Wrench Turner Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,881 OS: Vista, Ubuntu My System	Did you manually customize you xorg.conf file sometime? Wow, too bad you're having so many problems. __________________

12-20-2006, 12:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Do thing in the FAQ again. If you don't see your chipset there, it is important you choose the vesa driver rather than some random one. Select the screen resolution. The final thing is saying that it is just backing up xorg.conf, I get the same thing. Then restart X (reboot), and it should detect the highest possible resolution your monitor can support and use that. About your CPU usage. In edgy (I don't think it is a problem in dapper), there is an annoying little process that can eat up your CPU usage. I'm not sure if this exact one is your problem, but it is worth a try: Code: sudo killall apt-index-watcher In the console. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides Last edited by TheMatt; 12-20-2006 at 12:06 PM.

12-22-2006, 04:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	This should help you modify your xorg.conf to get the correct screen resolution: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=1557025 PLEASE back it up first! You can always copy it back if something gets messed up. About the high CPU usage. Open up the process table or whatever it is in GNOME. You should be able to sort by what is using the CPU the most. If one process is using it a lot, just google it and see what it does. It might not be necessary or might be a known issue in Edgy. Sorry you are having so many troubles with Ubuntu. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides Last edited by TheMatt; 12-22-2006 at 04:59 PM.

12-22-2006, 10:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Well, I usually use sudo, but you can create a root shell by going to Session > New Root Shell. Just type your password, and you will have root access to everything. It is not recommended, however, because with the root shell, you don't know when you are modifying a sensitive (root owned) area, but in a normal shell, you are told that you need to be root, and you can just type sudo as necessary. As for the bash, I honestly don't know that one. I know it is a command, but that is about it. I am no guru, I just know enough to get by in linux. Perhaps Kablona or someone else will jump in and provide the info. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides Last edited by TheMatt; 12-22-2006 at 10:19 PM.

12-23-2006, 03:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Did you fix the screen resolution and CPU usage problems? __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

12-24-2006, 12:36 PM	#15 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,642 OS: Many	The CPU problems: yes fixed The screen res: not really For my CRT monitor on that computer, its advised to be at least 85. Mines at 60 right now

12-24-2006, 06:56 PM	#16 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Did you try editing xorg.conf? I have read that that fixes it in a lot of situations. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

12-28-2006, 04:22 PM	#18 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,642 OS: Many	The only bits I edited to make it better are these: HorizSync 28-64 >>>> to >>>> 30-85Hz VertRefresh 43-60 >>> to >>>> 50-170Hz The is how my XP install picked the monitor up. After that, all is right. Thanks for all the help.