1st encounter with LINUX and Ubuntu
Way back mid 2007 when I visited a co- worker and aided him with for a desktop
assembly project(he was then on a way the build his own desktop with cheaper parts as
possible).
He consulted me for parts and some network adapters this and that.He asked me if
theres a network adapter that supports roaming mode,cheap and with a 3 to 5 years
warranty.I gave him the list from that I know(linksys and netgear).But really didnt
bother why he did ask for roaming capabilities or such.The next day I came back to
check him quite surprised me,well he already got internet access,but he was not
subscribe to any ISP nor even on any dial up,I found out he was doing a piggy back
on his next door neighbors wifi(and he is still doing it till now without the real
owner knowing a single thing!!),I then wondered how he did it since it was secured
with a WPA encryption and way back then the only program I knew to crack such wifi
encryption is the WEP CRACKER(a bootable program) but it will not work if you have
WPA as a encryption,he then showed me the trick,the computer is actually equip with
air hack and air snorrt he then showed me how it works.I said cool well gave me the
program and I will install it on my computer,he said it wont work with windows.Way
back he aleady got Suse installed up and running.He gave me the CD for the LINUX Suse
along with the magazine called Linux Format along also with another linux live cd
Ubuntu feisty fawn.But realy didnt bother about it,I dont want to mess with a system
that Im not familiar or installed that OS and Im comfortable with the WEPcracker that
I got.But then I read the walkthrus inside the mag and even watched the videos about
troubleshooting and installation process,quite easy its like installing windows.
That didnt catch my interest thou but when my cousin purchased a second hand
desktop running in the older pentium model,barely its a barebook computer without OS
he than asked me if I do got a cd for windows xp or alike or if we can purchase an
OEM XP for lower cost or even get the pirated version,I said none all I got is a
linux OS given to me,We tried installing Suse and it works,he is contented about
it,since he just want the basic open office and paper works stuff.(Thats My first
success with LINUX!!).
But we didnt bother to join any LUG's(linux user group) since we have some ideas
already where to get help and what to do if in case the OS would crash(luckily it
didnt )my cousin then was used to joining forunms at www.LinuxHelp.net and we really
dont have problems with the computer so we didnt bother at all!,,But we managed to
get an account from sourceforge.net,,for some interesting software of course.)
Another shot on Linux came to me when I was looking for a network resource book for
Cisco in a local book shop,when I stubbled to a book entitled LINUX BIBLE 2007
authored by Christopher Negus, its a great buy for only 350 pesos, a 900 plus page
book that gives almost complete guides and everything about Linux from installation
to administering ,from programing to gaming,,plus it comes with 2 disc with 16
different LINUX distribution..(BINGO!!!!) I didnt wasted any time and did purchased
the book
and when I got home ,immediately I tried to run the disc
it comes with major linux distribution including
knoppix,slackware,fedora.ubuntu.suse,
redhat,damn small linux,linspire,gentoo,and some other distro inluding the famous
security tool BACKTRACK(which already comes with airhack and air sniff) and it also
comes with all of the links to download drivers and resources needed.
A year and a half past since then.But Ubuntu Hardy Heron is some how quite a
challenged,I got the disc as a freebe from and australian mag called PC USER
australian..the disc also comes with a vmware player and a opensource vmware machine
shop,its meant for installing Ubuntu as a virtual machine,wow so I can run my Vista
and this Os at the same time!!Well I may gave it a try since I also need a mirror OS
(back up) and I may need to install and run programs compatible only with Linux,
As instructed by the disc and the mag,,Have a copy of the Ubuntu iso 1st and burn it
on a disc, and you will have a live disc , then install the vmware machine shop then
the vmware player.So I followed the instruction,unfortunately it didnt work at 1st I
got the error unable to find image ,then the 2nd attempt was less successfull I
managed to have the Ubuntu installed as a virtual machine but I dont have internet
access on it!? but the host computer which is vista got internet still working fine
very odd!I made some diagnostic like setting the ubuntu adapter to NAT to roaming but
it didnt work,I did check the ip on the vmadapater but I m getting no connectivity
but wireless internet on the host (vista) still works.I also wondered if its alright
to have a single vmadapter ,but I have 2 nic cards 1 for lan and 1 for wlan?! I
though I got a busted disc.
I then decided to email pc mag 1st since I got the disc form them,I got a quick
respond but with little help since they will not be liable for any damage and since
it is licensed as freeware GPL,but they gave me some trouble shooting steps,one who
memailed me was an au ubuntu user,which the gave me instructuion about launchpad
(didnt have a clue about that,when he gave me the au,forum site of ubuntu)
So I did sent an email to ubuntu and the au forum,,some even emailed me personaly and
said that they have the same problems and how they got it resolve(thanks to them)
So I followed the steps
.They suspected its about incompatibility,so I ran a new test since I have the live
disc of Ubuntu hardy I tried running the OS as a live disc without hard drive
installtion by simply booting fro the live disc!
Bingo!! Got the problem,theres an error messgae at the top right hand corner saying
that my drivers are not supported for the wireless,I figured out I my need to install
compatible drivers in my case it will come from madwifi since the adpater is from
atheros,But it doesnt make sense,its a virtual OS so it will be dependent on the host
which is vista.I the decided to upadte the drivers on the host computer,got it
updated and I did run the ubuntu live disc,same message.! One thing crossed my mind
generic driver issues on windows! since most windows OS already comes with generic
drivers that may have cause the device to recognise the generic not from the orignal
manufacturer,I consulted the store where I purchase the computer(since its still in
warranty),they forwared my concern to the direct company that supports the HP
brand,with some 5 mins talk with the tech he is convince its a driver issue he then
tried to disable the wlan card but eneded up in with the famous BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH
(BSOD)memory dump.ok so we need a uninstaller,a registry cleaner and the manufacturer
driver,the tech smiled and told me a the truth its a product known issues for your
computer model!We can fix it but your computer had to stay for 2 days since we will
request the resources first at the HP HQ.
So the computer was fix after 2 days,I also asked the tech to gave me some drivers
and utilities for HP,he gave it including some inf's but with the disclaimer we
cant help you with the linux! agreed
Now Im back to square one,Again I reinstalled vmware machine shop.and the vmware
player then run mouned the live disc
It works!!
also I now have 2 vmadapters now I got it wmadapter 1 will integrate with the LAN and
vmadapter 2 will integrate with the WLAN(wifi),,its like an ICS(internet connection
sharing in windows)
I then run a complete test to check if I got the entire packege installed
even trie the totim player and sooner I have a parokya ni edgar video in flv playing
Also I did check the virtual terminals(we can access it by key combinations
crtl+alt+f1 thru f6,)
And of course my favorite: telnet (you may have the idea why)
it works now.And just when I though its over I found 1 minor problem,usb and card
integration,times it will display on ubuntu times not
somehow its no integrating well with the vmmachine.
Well thats fairly easy I just started the service for mass storage device on the host
windows machine,and it works.I also started some services for the vmware
And to wrap it up I made some tweaks for the firefox in my ubuntu
I simply typed "about:config" in the address bar and added some stuff including the
layout and some stuff that will enable me to load the page much faster
Wheww wow after almost 3 days I got it working,one challenging installation.A very
rewarding task!
Since then I got no problems with the Ubuntu .Im also glad that they will support Ubuntu hardy heron LTS with 2011 frame,Still Im worried with there fast pace cyle.
How about you guys!?
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