This laptop has traditionally had compatibility issues with Linux, these issues have almost completly been ironed out in recent distros. Overall the most stable has been Debian lenny.
I decided to try the new ubuntu as ubuntu is generally known for its superior hardware compatibility. Was I disappointed.
I don't know how compatibility got reduced from the previous version. Ubuntu 8 effortlessly worked. This version however is error ridden.
If you still want to run it you will probably face the blank screen.
Press F4 during startup to boot in safe mode. Then there will be a screen with "Loading....", type
startx
and press enter, if it does not work use Ctrl+Fn keys to switch console then try.
After that I had a few missing icons, after this I gave up.
Monday, June 8, 2009
ipod not scrobbling: last.fm
I just reinstalled Itunes, and my ipod was not scrobbling. All you gotta do is either go to diagnostics -> ipod scrobbling and click manually scrobble or reinstall your ipod firmware by restoring in itunes. Beware this will erase all tracks, alarms, settings in your ipod. However you can back up ur tracklist on a playlist.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Google maps: Offline without an internet connection
Recently I went on a trip which required me to have interactive maps, but i did not have an internet connection, thats when I stumbled upon GMap Catcher, it is a python based application which allows offline caching AND backing up of the caches. You can even specify the level of zoom upto which the map should be downloaded, and both the road maps and sattelite maps are downloadable. Very useful tool indeed.
http://code.google.com/p/gmapcatcher/
To run the linux version, just extract
cd
python maps.py
Center the map to where you want it and just click download, the latitude and longitude are already set to the current center of the map, choose the zoom level and you are good to go. Just check the 'offline' button to view the downloaded content offline.
And yes to backup, just go to your home folder, view> show hidden files, and just copy the .googlemaps folder to back up the whole cache.
http://code.google.com/p/gmapcatcher/
To run the linux version, just extract
cd
python maps.py
Center the map to where you want it and just click download, the latitude and longitude are already set to the current center of the map, choose the zoom level and you are good to go. Just check the 'offline' button to view the downloaded content offline.
And yes to backup, just go to your home folder, view> show hidden files, and just copy the .googlemaps folder to back up the whole cache.
Recovering Linux installation after windows install
Since window does not detect GRUB, if you wanna add a windows installation later or recover your existing installation, you end up invariably losing your linux installation.
To recover it, insert the installation disk, enter the text based recovery, when the console opens up type
chroot /mnt/sysimage
This is where your system is mounted on the recovery console.
Then,
grub-install hd
like, hd0,hd1 etc. And reboot.
To recover it, insert the installation disk, enter the text based recovery, when the console opens up type
chroot /mnt/sysimage
This is where your system is mounted on the recovery console.
Then,
grub-install hd
like, hd0,hd1 etc. And reboot.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Nvidia Drivers: Debian Lenny on acer aspire
The following commands ought to help you out (First configure /etc/apt/sources.lst) based on the link in the previous post):
apt-get install module-assistant
apt-get install nvidia-kernel-common module-assistant
m-a -i -t prepare
m-a clean,a-i -i -t -f nvidia-kernel-source
depmod -a
apt-get install nvidia-glx nvidia-glx-dev nvidia-xconfig xserver-xorg
m-a auto-install nvidia-kernel${VERSION}-source
Then add this to /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Section "Module"
Load "glx"
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Driver "nvidia"
EndSection
To the respective sections else,
Finally restart X server.
apt-get install module-assistant
apt-get install nvidia-kernel-common module-assistant
m-a -i -t prepare
m-a clean,a-i -i -t -f nvidia-kernel-source
depmod -a
apt-get install nvidia-glx nvidia-glx-dev nvidia-xconfig xserver-xorg
m-a auto-install nvidia-kernel${VERSION}-source
Then add this to /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Section "Module"
Load "glx"
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Driver "nvidia"
EndSection
To the respective sections else,
Finally restart X server.
Bluetooth not working, Debian Lenny: Acer 4520
Just installed debian lenny, everything worked out of the box except Nvidia and bluetooth.
For bluetooth, the solution is simple, just go to synaptics (assuming its configured for non free, if not refer http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/apt-howto/ch-basico.en.html).
Just install the Acerhk-source package and restart X, then bluetooth will work.
The reason for this error is that Debina does not configure extra keys for this model.
For bluetooth, the solution is simple, just go to synaptics (assuming its configured for non free, if not refer http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/apt-howto/ch-basico.en.html).
Just install the Acerhk-source package and restart X, then bluetooth will work.
The reason for this error is that Debina does not configure extra keys for this model.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Elections in India
Many people claim electioneering in India is a sham, with people having convictions as diverse a larceny, looting and murder standing up for elections.
This leads to a country wide apathy among youth towards the political process, a very worrying trend. There are sites promoting boycotting the elections, this is a very wrong approach in my opinion. As Maurice Chavez puts it "If you don't vote you get morons incharge", and that has been the situation all along.
I tried a google search for the manifestos of all the alphabet soup parties BJP,INC,UPA,BSP,AIADMK...ad infifnitum. Coudn't find a single one, instead found a buncha forums and ads prmoting everything from country wide socialism to nationwide genocide. Even the lok sabha website has no details on my constituency's MP (one Mr. Ananth Kumar Bangalore South), the browser just hangs and crashes. This is complete alienation, no manifesto, no details am I just supposed to vote for a symbol.
Also the campaigning is horrific all i see is the Lalu's Maya's and Gowda's threatning an vying for seats like its some commodity in their control. A overhaul is in order right about now and boycotting the process is definitely not the solution.
I think this election is dependent on the youth of India, lets bring about lasting change. I urge all to get their voter's ids made, and exercise their franchise on D-Day.
This leads to a country wide apathy among youth towards the political process, a very worrying trend. There are sites promoting boycotting the elections, this is a very wrong approach in my opinion. As Maurice Chavez puts it "If you don't vote you get morons incharge", and that has been the situation all along.
I tried a google search for the manifestos of all the alphabet soup parties BJP,INC,UPA,BSP,AIADMK...ad infifnitum. Coudn't find a single one, instead found a buncha forums and ads prmoting everything from country wide socialism to nationwide genocide. Even the lok sabha website has no details on my constituency's MP (one Mr. Ananth Kumar Bangalore South), the browser just hangs and crashes. This is complete alienation, no manifesto, no details am I just supposed to vote for a symbol.
Also the campaigning is horrific all i see is the Lalu's Maya's and Gowda's threatning an vying for seats like its some commodity in their control. A overhaul is in order right about now and boycotting the process is definitely not the solution.
I think this election is dependent on the youth of India, lets bring about lasting change. I urge all to get their voter's ids made, and exercise their franchise on D-Day.
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