Jhongy
April 28th, 2007, 04:55 AM
For Windows users new to Linux (not just Ubuntu) facing instability or other problems, I'm willing to bet the problems are:
1. Beryl / Compiz
They're work in progress. Unfinished. Certain Beryl themes/settings are sure to crash your comp.
2. Overclocking
Overclocking is all the rage in Windows for power users. However, I've found Linux to be much less forgiving of bad memory than Windows. Bump down the overclock and work back up again; don't assume a stable overclock under Windows will be a stable overclock under Linux. This applies to overclocking anything from the multiplier, FSB to the PCI bus. If "bumping back down" solves problems, I'd recommend a re-install in case dat got currupted during installation.
3. Bad memory
Again, Linux appears to be much more sensitive to memory defects. It's worth testing your DIMMs with MemTest86.
4. Install problems? Badly burned CD
Lots of people comment on how the CD "never even installed" or "Never even booted up" for them on their computer.
I found this the first time I tried Ubuntu, Mandriva and RedHat. Re-burn the CD image on quality media at as slow a speed as you can. More often than not, a Linux distro burned at maximum speed will not even boot.
5. Other unsupported software
It's a windows disease -- surf the 'net and install the first piece of cool software you find. Try to use the Ubuntu repositories whenever possible, as they manage the package dependencies for you; and software you find is more likely to be of a higher quality level.
6. Roundup of other problems:
Screen resolution wrong after new install.
Install your graphics drivers! Just as you would do in Windows. The open source drivers shipped with Ubuntu are fine for some, but not for all resolutions or features. Search the forum if you need to know how to do this.
X server crashes after an upgrade?
Re-install your graphics drivers! They are dependent on the kernel version and won't work after an upgrade. To get back into your system, change the drivers back to the default drivers in your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. For nvidia, for example, you'd change "nvidia" to "nv". Or search the forum!
Everything requires command line work!
No it doesn't! People just get used to the power of the command line. If you see a tutorial with lots of banging away at the command line, ask for an equivalent in "point and click" -- chances are it will be fully or largely possible.
IMO, the above avenues should be explored before bashing Ubuntu, or any other distro for that matter.
1. Beryl / Compiz
They're work in progress. Unfinished. Certain Beryl themes/settings are sure to crash your comp.
2. Overclocking
Overclocking is all the rage in Windows for power users. However, I've found Linux to be much less forgiving of bad memory than Windows. Bump down the overclock and work back up again; don't assume a stable overclock under Windows will be a stable overclock under Linux. This applies to overclocking anything from the multiplier, FSB to the PCI bus. If "bumping back down" solves problems, I'd recommend a re-install in case dat got currupted during installation.
3. Bad memory
Again, Linux appears to be much more sensitive to memory defects. It's worth testing your DIMMs with MemTest86.
4. Install problems? Badly burned CD
Lots of people comment on how the CD "never even installed" or "Never even booted up" for them on their computer.
I found this the first time I tried Ubuntu, Mandriva and RedHat. Re-burn the CD image on quality media at as slow a speed as you can. More often than not, a Linux distro burned at maximum speed will not even boot.
5. Other unsupported software
It's a windows disease -- surf the 'net and install the first piece of cool software you find. Try to use the Ubuntu repositories whenever possible, as they manage the package dependencies for you; and software you find is more likely to be of a higher quality level.
6. Roundup of other problems:
Screen resolution wrong after new install.
Install your graphics drivers! Just as you would do in Windows. The open source drivers shipped with Ubuntu are fine for some, but not for all resolutions or features. Search the forum if you need to know how to do this.
X server crashes after an upgrade?
Re-install your graphics drivers! They are dependent on the kernel version and won't work after an upgrade. To get back into your system, change the drivers back to the default drivers in your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. For nvidia, for example, you'd change "nvidia" to "nv". Or search the forum!
Everything requires command line work!
No it doesn't! People just get used to the power of the command line. If you see a tutorial with lots of banging away at the command line, ask for an equivalent in "point and click" -- chances are it will be fully or largely possible.
IMO, the above avenues should be explored before bashing Ubuntu, or any other distro for that matter.