Ubuntu linux guide for 32bit and 64

Important links:

http://www.ubuntuforums.org
http://ubuntuguide.org
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=31094

I would say that ubuntu, gentoo, and slackware are the 3 kings of linux distributions. Ubuntu is aimed for newbies... to learn linux. It uses the debian apt-get to install programs on commandline.. and synaptic for graphical installation. I tried it, like it, and I'm sticking with it. ANyways enough of introductions!!!

The first thing you should decide is whether you want a 64 bit distro or 32. With 64... nothing is really faster... compile times are slightly faster and barely noticeable. But you will run into more headaches... Namely... 32 bit programs that are closed source havne't been ported to 64. For instance... the flash plugin , win32 codecs(so you wont be able to watch most porn), java... etc.... So I would advise 64 bit only if your not planning to use linux as your main OS and just want to hack away and learn stuff. you *can* run 32 bit apps under 64 bit but it is a headache. Here is a link on how to do that if you are interested: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=24575&page=4&pp=10

THE GUIDE

Install the ISO image for the architecture that you want, 32 or 64. After you dl the image... you have two choices. you can either burn it to a cd or you can install from the ISO without even burning. I would suggest for convenience and so maybe if you want to pass the distro on to other pals.. that you burn a cd. But if not here is a link on what to do: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=28948

You should defragment your windows harddrive.. and then use a tool such as partition magic to repartition your hard drive into two partitions... 1 for windows and 1 for linux. Once you have done that you are ready to install. But first........

Before you begin your installation you will need to Dl a file to your windows desktop: http://sourceforge.net/projects/ndiswrapper
Install ndiswrapper... because the one that comes with the 32 bit distro does not work (and there isnt even one that comes with 64).
NOTE:this program is for wifi. So.. if you have a cable and can plug your laptop in you can just DL this file after you install. But i'm going to assume that you don't have a cable and tell you how to install by accessing your windows partition from linux.

IF YOU ARE going to install the 64 bit distro... you will also need to dl the 64 bit drivers for your wifi: http://www.linuxant.com/driverloader/drivers.php

BEGIN THE INSTALLATION

It should be pretty straight forward... you have to manually edit the partition table and create a partion in the empty space that you have (from using a repartitioning tool from windows to make room). You can almost do this blind!

ONCE IT IS INSTALLED

It will autodetect everything... BUT your wifi card. THe first step you will need to do is download gcc (a compiler) and linux-headers (source files so you can install things) from the CD since they are not installed by default. you can use the commaned line.. or Synaptic from the system menu. WHen you install the headers.. make sure you get the ones with the name that ends in your architecture:from terminal:

sudo apt-get install linux-headers-2.6.10-5-386

OR

sudo apt-get install linux-headers-2.6.10-5-amd64-generic
sudo apt-get install gcc

THE NEXT STEP

once you have those installed... you need to access your files from your windows partition.. your ndiswrapper, and your wifi drivers. Go to applications and system tools and open a ROOT terminal. Type:

mkdir /mnt/storage

THis is a file that will be your storage point. next type:

mount /dev/hda1 /mnt/storage

THat will mount your first partition on your hard drive to /mnt/storage . I'm assuming that you will leave windows as your first partition. next:

cd /mnt/storage
ls

ls .. is the list command and it will help you navigate through the directories in windows. just remember.. to get into documents and settings.. to get to your desktop you need to put quotes . like this:

cd "documents and settings"

You will need to next copy your drivers files into linux. If you are doing 32 bit:

cp Drivers/bmcwl5.* /home/notig

NOTE: you replace notig with whatever your home user is. THis will copy bmcwl5.sys and bmcwl5.inf to your home directory. After you do this next you will need to get ndiswrapper.. from wherever you installed it, and use the cp (copy) command . Put it in your home directory as well. IF your 64 bitting.. copy your 64 bit drivers too

cp "documents and settings"/joseph/desktop/ndiswrapper-1.1.tar.gz /home/notig

Next: you should probably exit out of root and start using the regular terminal. Youl wil notice that "sudo" is before each command. that gives you super user privileges. Switch user to your user and type cd.
That will automatically bring you to your home directory. Next:

sudo ln -s /usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.10-5 /lib/modules/2.6.10-5-386/build

OR

sudo ln -s /usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.10-5/lib/modules/2.6.10-5-amd64-generic/build

This creates a symbolic link from the modules/2* directory called build, that will enable you to install and compile the ndiswrapper utility. NEXT, extract ndiswrapper:

sudo tar zxvf ndiswrapper-1.1.tar.gz

That extracts and uncompresses ndiswrapper into a directory. CHange into the new directory:

cd ndis*

Install ndiswrapper

sudo make install

It should complete without error. Next, move out of the ndiswrapper directory back to your home, cd . Or type ../ .

sudo ndiswrapper -i bcmwl5.inf
sudo ndiswrapper -l
sudo ndiswrapper -m

There you just loaded the driver module and -m makes it so that each time you boot up your computer you do not have to repeat this process.
The name of the 64 bit driver is netbc564.inf . JUst replace it with the bcmwl5.inf . Next type:

sudo modprobe ndiswrapper

At this point you should see the blue e come on for your wifi radio. if it doesnt come on automatically press Fn and F2 to turn it on....... At this point your wifi card is enabled. all you have to do is go to system/administration/networking and configure your wifi card. THe name of the network, password.. and DHCP etc... after that activate it and your internet should work.


AHHhhhhhhhhh. breath, and feel linux goodness NEXT:

Here is a script that will chiefly: update your repositories (/etc/apt/sources.list) , install various codecs... a couple of programs and such.NOTE: THIS IS FOR 32 bit distros only. TYpe:

wget http://download.ubuntuforums.org/ubuntusetup/ubuntusetup.sh

If you want.. open up the file with a text editor to see exactly what it does. Next move to the directory you dled it to and type:

sudo sh ubuntusetup.sh

THERE. you are now practically multimedia ready. watch porn, dvd's whatever!. Next, Installing the ati graphics driver(dont do this yet if your using 64 bit distro... you will need to update your repositories first):

sudo apt-get install xorg-driver-fglrx

Next.. you will have to modify your /etc/X11/xorg.conf File. Instead of telling you what to put in i will just paste mine and you can copy it. BUt first back up :

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.old

type:

sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

remove everything and paste the following (THIS will work for 32 and 64 bit btw)

--------------------------------------------------------------------
# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following commands:
#
# cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.custom
# sudo sh -c 'md5sum /etc/X11/xorg.conf >/var/lib/xfree86/xorg.conf.md5sum'
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

Section "Files"
FontPath "unix/:7100" # local font server
# if the local font server has problems, we can fall back on these
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/CID"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi"
# paths to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "bitmap"
Load "dbe"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "GLcore"
Load "int10"
Load "record"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "keyboard"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "HorizScrollDelta" "0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. Radeon Mobility 9600/9700 M10/M11 (RV350 NP)"
Driver "fglrx"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"

# === OpenGl Overlay ===
# Note: When OpenGL Overlay is enabled, Video overlay
# will be disabled automatically
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "off"

# === Use internal AGP GART support? ===
# If OpenGL acceleration doesnt work, try using "yes" here
# and disable the kernel agpgart driver.
Option "UseInternalAGPGART" "no"

# === Video Overlay for the Xv extension ===
Option "VideoOverlay" "on"

EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
Option "DPMS"
Modeline "1280x800@60" 83.91 1280 1312 1624 1656 800 816 824 841
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. Radeon Mobility 9600/9700 M10/M11 (RV350 NP)"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Make sure you save the file and its written. after this all you will need to do is restart X. you can reboot your computer... OR since its linux and not windows you can just restart the X server. Type:

sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop

Then after you log in type:

startx

THERE!!! congrats.
you can now check your drivers by going into a terminal and typing
fglrxinfo

It should say that your using "ati ......." and not MESA.

type:
glxgears

If you want to run a benchmark.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Some other minor things that you will need to know: you can get wifi working and your ati driver loaded with the 64 bit distro... but you will have to scip that auto script since its for 32 bit distros (it installs codecs, repositories, other stuff).

-your screen will dim when you boot up with the 64 bit distro. just brighten it back up.

- your sound will be low... at its highest setting. to make it louder.. look up at the right and right click on the sound .. open volume controls. once there go to edit/preferences ... and select the
PCM2 box. move PCM1 and PCM2 up to make it louder... but you probably wont want it all the way up.

-if your using wifi and you don't have ethernet plugged in... you will notice each time you boot up your computer that it will hang... for awhile.. on configuring network devices. to fix this :

sudo gedit /etc/dhcp3/dhclient.conf

Scroll down to the part where it says timeout 60 .. and change 60 to 5. save and exit.

-you will want to have an embedded video player . first type:

sudo apt-get install mozplugger

Next, DL this file:
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=392

switch to the directory you dl it to and type:

sudo mv mozpluggerrc.txt /etc/mozpluggerrc

Then move to your home directory, cd .

list all the files by typing ls -a . you should see one that says .mozilla. Cd into .mozilla/firefox and delete pluginreg.dat .

sudo rm pluginreg.dat

Restart firefox and test your plugins here:

----------------------------------------------------------------
THats about it! . you should be good to go if your using 32 bit. if your using 64 bit... i can show you how to get semi-multimedia ready .
GO to this website: http://download.ubuntuforums.org/ubuntusetup/sources.list

Copy all of it. next:
sudo cp /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list.orig
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

Replace everything in sources.list with what you copied. NExt comment out two lines with the # :

#deb ftp://ftp.nerim.net/debian-marillat/ stable main
deb ftp://ftp.nerim.net/debian-marillat/ unstable main
#deb ftp://ftp.nerim.net/debian-marillat/ testing main

Leave the middle one and save. Now your repositories are updated. next run this modified script:

open up gedit and paste this into it then save it as ubuntusetup.sh:

--------------------------------------------------------------------

#!/bin/bash
#
# +*** WANRING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING ***----------------------------------------------+
# | ryan (ubuntu-geek) / [email protected] |
# | Purpose of this script is to automate/tweak setting up a new ubuntu system. |
# | |
# | This script installs 3rd party programs and are not supported by canonical/ubuntu. |
# | If this script blows up your installation it's not my fault |
# | |
# | This script has been tested on Hoary Hedgehog 5.04. |
# | ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
# | This script will perform the following functions. |
# | 1. Install beep-media-player, gstreamer0.8-mad (for mp3's) |
# | 2. Enable debian-marillat, universe and multiverse repo's |
# | 3. Install latest java and enable java in firefox |
# | 4. Give you nice forms in firefox |
# | 5. Install streamtuner |
# | 6. Install msttcorefonts |
# | 7. Install latest acrobat reader and firefox plugin |
# | 8. Install dvd playback support |
# | 9. Install w32codecs and dvd libraries |
# | 10. Install gnomebaker |
# | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
# | 5/2/2005 - using backports for java | remove acrobat reader its broke |
# +---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

### global options ###
wget="/usr/bin/wget"
apt="/usr/bin/apt-get"
core_packages="build-essential"
media_packages="beep-media-player gstreamer0.8-mad streamtuner xine-ui totem-xine"
misc_packages="msttcorefonts libdvdcss2 gnomebaker gftp"
#java_jre_url="http://download.ubuntuforums.org/ubuntusetup/jre-1_5_0_02-linux-i586.bin"
firefox_forms="http://download.ubuntuforums.org/ubuntusetup/ff-forms.tar.gz"
#sources_list_url="http://download.ubuntuforums.org/ubuntusetup/sources.list"
misc_fonts_url="http://download.ubuntuforums.org/ubuntusetup/miscfonts.tar.gz"

### functions ###
check_errs()
{
if [ "${1}" -ne "0" ]; then
echo "ERROR # ${1} : ${2}"
exit ${1}
fi
}
### main script starts here ###

### snag the updated sources.list

#cd /etc/apt/ && mv sources.list sources.list.orig && ${wget} ${sources_list_url}
#gpg --keyserver wwwkeys.eu.pgp.net --recv-keys 1F41B907
#gpg --armor --export 1F41B907 | sudo apt-key add -
#check_errs $? "There was an error downloading the sources.list."
#sleep 5

### lets update the apt repo
${apt} update
check_errs $? "There was an error in apt-get update."
sleep 5

### lets install build-esstential
echo "Additional packages maybe need to be installed select yes if asked"
${apt} install ${core_packages}
check_errs $? "There was an error in ${core_packages} installation."
sleep 5

### lets install media_packages
echo "Additional packages maybe need to be installed select yes if asked"
${apt} install ${media_packages}
check_errs $? "There was an error in ${media_packages} installation."
sleep 5

### lets install misc_packages
echo "Additional packages maybe need to be installed select yes if asked"
${apt} install ${misc_packages}
check_errs $? "There was an error in ${misc_packages} installation."
sleep 5

### lets install misc windows fonts that are not in the msttcorefonts package
echo "Installing Misc fonts"
cd /usr/share/fonts/truetype/msttcorefonts
${wget} ${misc_fonts_url}
tar xvzf miscfonts.tar.gz
rm -f miscfonts.tar.gz
check_errs $? "Misc Fonts Installation has failed..."
sleep 5

### lets install firefox forms
echo "Installing firefox forms"
cd /usr/lib/mozilla-firefox/
${wget} ${firefox_forms}
tar xvzf ff-forms.tar.gz
rm -f ff-forms.tar.gz
check_errs $? "Firefox forms Installation has failed..."
sleep 5

### lets install java
#echo "Installing java"
#${apt} install sun-j2re1.5

echo "If you made it this far job well done."

----------------------------------------------------------

It's basically the same script as the 32 bit users except no java, windows codecs, or flash plugin for mozilla. after you save it run from the terminal:

sudo sh ubuntusetup.sh



END OF GUIDE.

 

Hi NoTiG,

This is a GREAT guide.
Thank you so much, everything worked perfectly for me.
It is users like you who help the spread of Linux.

Many thanks,
Kuba

 

NoTiG...

One more thing. Have you been able to get WINE working in the AMD64 version of UBUNTU?

Thanks,
Kuba

 

Hey thanks

I havent gotten wine to build with 64 bit. Here was a howto i followed: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=29996&page=1&pp=10&highlight=wine+64

and it works great for 32 bit however. Its not impossible to get it working... but i wonder how stable it would be since basically any apps you are running with wine are 32 bit windows apps since there arent any 64 bit windows apps. so you would be running a 32 bit windows app in a 64 bit linux os! .

 

Hi NoTiG,

Yes, I followed the thread. It seems no one has had any luck in compiling Wine in 64-bit mode. That is unfortunate. I am running the 64-bit edition, because MATLAB (computational software) that runs natively in 64-bit.

I was hoping to use WINE to enable ClockGen to overclock the CPU a little bit (1.8->2.1GHz). Any other suggestions???

Thanks,
kuba

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by sonni_kuba

 

Hi NoTiG

1) chroot indeed seems to be a potential winner, should try that tomorrow

2) as far as Linux-64 vs. Windows benchmarks...

I have to say that Linux-64 @1.8GHz offers about a 35% improvement over Windows @1.8GHz, and a 25% improvement over Windows @2.1 GHz. Not bad, huh???

Unfortunately, I don't know how much of this is due to Linux or due to 64-bit, as MATLAB is only available in 32-bits for windows, and I haven't tried 32-bit Linux.

Kuba

 

Hi NoTiG...

Thank you for your recommendations with chroot to set up a 32-bit environment. Indeed, it worked well, and I was able to set-up and run wine. Unfortunately, clockgen does not seem to run very well with WINE. I had been able to get CPU-Z working with 40% of the information reporting, but clockgen cannot start. Thanks for the guide anyways...

Have one more quesiton for you...

Do you think it would be possible to setup a 32-bit UBUNTU, and use chroot to create a TEMP 64-bit environment?

Thanks,
Kuba

 

Does this wireless guide work at getting an INTEL PRO/Wireless 3945ABG working in ubuntu??