Ubuntu Tutorials

Continuing the series on upgrading Ubuntu to 8.10 “Intrepid” today I’ll outline using a downloaded CD for the upgrade.  If you already have the CD downloaded there is no need to use one of the previous methods and use your bandwidth.  You already have the packages available on the CD, and you can use that as a source.

What you’ll need to do is insert your 8.10 “Intrepid” CD into the machine to be upgraded.  You should recieve a graphical notification that a new version is available and the upgrade process should begin.

If for whatever reason this process does not start automagically you can manually begin the process with the following:

gksu "sh /cdrom/cdromupgrade"

If you are a Kubuntu user you can begin the process with this command:

kdesu "sh /cdrom/cdromupgrade"

Good luck.

Continuing my series on how to upgrade to Ubuntu 8.10 “Intrepid” I now bring you steps on how to upgrade your Ubuntu Server installation.  Again, these steps are nearly as simple as a desktop upgrade.  The Ubuntu development team has done a really great job of making upgrading simple and painless.

First of all you’ll need to install the upgrade management utility:

sudo aptitude install update-manager-core

Once that is installed (it may already be there, YMMV), start the upgrade manager:

sudo do-release-upgrade

Simply follow the on-screen instructions at this point.  Note: The upgrade manager will alert you that upgrading via remote ssh connection is not suggested, however I have done it multiple times without issue.  Again, your milage may vary.

Enjoy

Upgrading from Ubuntu 8.04 to Ubuntu 8.10 desktop can be very simple, and can be managed by the integrated update-manager tool.  Here I’ll outline a method for upgrading in just a few easy steps.  Before you dive into the upgrade there are a few things to verify:

1. Be sure that you’ve applied all available updates to your current system.
2. You should also read the Ubuntu 8.10 “Intrepid” release notes, to be aware of any known issues and workarounds.

After you’ve completed the two preparation steps you’re ready to move on to the upgrade.  One thing to keep in mind at this point is that this will use the network to complete the upgrade.  If you’re doing this on release day it may be slow due to the heavy load on the servers.  You may try alternate mirror locations for improved speeds.

To begin the upgrade use the key combination “ALT-F2″ within your Gnome Desktop to launch the run-dialog.  Within that entry dialog enter:

update-manager

Click the “Check” button.  If there are any remaining updates to Ubuntu 8.04 you’ll be prompted to install those.  Once all updates are applied you will see a new dialog notifying you that a new release is available.  Click “Upgrade” to begin the upgrade process.

Simply follow the prompts and you’re done.  This process will download the updates needed, notify you of what will be installed, upgraded or removed and allow you to cancel or continue when you’re ready.  Enjoy!

I have seen a few questions in IRC and the forums lately regarding upgrading Ubuntu machines.  I thought I would toss out a reminder on the best, supported, methods of upgrading your machine and how to avoid (hopefully) some common pitfalls.

Upgrade Preparation

The first step towards an upgrade is to backup any mission-critical data that you may need.  Things like your documents, presentations, homework, etc.  I have never had an issue with an installer breaking and losing my data, but its simply just a good idea.  I’d hate to not have done the “just-in-case” and look back in regret.

Back up all your data by copying or archiving everything from /home/username, including those hidden folders.  This will include your personal files and personal configuration and settings.

Upgrade Requirements

It is worth pointing out that two things are required before you’ll be able to cleanly upgrade your machine.

1. Your machine is completely up to date on its current release.
2. You understand that upgrading is only supporting between single releases or LTS to LTS releases.  (ie; 7.04 -> 7.10 -> 8.04 is OK, 6.06 -> 8.04 is OK)

Once you understand these simple requirements you’re ready to begin.

Upgrading Your Machine

I have outlined upgrade steps in the past, which you may want to refer to for further details (a lot of feedback in the comments section), and I’ll also review them here.

No matter the version you are currently using you can be automagically offered an upgrade by using the Update Manager tool.  This tool can be found via “System > Administration > Update Manager” or via launching it by way of the Run Application Dialog:

ALT+F2 "update-manager"

As mentioned above you need to make sure your machine is up to date on its current release before you’ll be offered the new version.  Do this by clicking “Check” to check for any available updates.

Apply all available updates (these should not normally be delayed, very rarely do updates cause any breakages).

Repeat the update process until you are notified that a new release is available.  You’ll see something similar to this:

If you are still on a previous version of Ubuntu the “available release” may vary, of course.

Remember, if you are upgrading from Ubuntu 7.10 you can upgrade directly to the latest release of 8.04.  If you are using anything previous to that you’ll need to repeat these steps for each release until you arrive at 8.04.  Yes, this might take some time if you are very far behind.

If you are using Ubuntu 6.06 you should be notified that 8.04 is available and you can upgrade directly.

I was looking at some of the most popular posts on my blog, as reported by my awstats installation, and I noticed that one of the most popular is a post outlining common keyboard shortcuts for Compiz-Fusion on Ubuntu 7.10.  Apparently everybody loves their eye-candy!

I thought, now that Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy” is released, I’d update the basic configuration suggestions and hopefully help a few more of you get your bling-on.

The Compiz-Check Script

Recently I saw a post over at Forlong’s Blog releasing a script that will check your hardware in regards to Compiz support.  From the article:

Compiz-Check is a script to test if Compiz is able to run on your system/setup and if not, it will tell you the reason why.

If you’ve had issues with Compiz support in the past I’d suggest running this script and pay attention to the output towards reasons why it appears to be unsupported.  In some cases it is simply a matter of poor hardware.  In other cases its only a matter of software changes, and may help you get things going.

To download and run the script:

wget http://blogage.de/files/3729/download -O compiz-check

chmod +x compiz-check

./compiz-check

If everything comes out as “OK” you should be able to activate Compiz as seen in the Compiz configuration instructions.

Driver Support With Envy

Another very useful tool I’ve found is the Envy tool, which will install required non-free driver support for nvidia or ATI cards for you.  I’ll admit that I’ve only used this occasionally, considering I have intel graphics cards on my main laptops, but in the situations where I have needed it things have worked great.

If you are using Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy” you can try the newer EnvyNG, which is available in the universe repository.  How to install EnvyNG on Ubuntu 8.04.

If you are still using a previous version of Ubuntu you can try the legacy version of Envy, instructions here.

Are there any other common tips that I’ve missed?  If you know of any other great resources for Compiz support tests, nvidia or ATI driver installation, or basic Compiz tweaks please comment and share with the rest of us.

UPDATE: This tutorial has been updated for VMware Server 1.0.6.  See the updated instructions here, at How To Install VMware Server 1.0.6 on Ubuntu 8.04.

Now that most of the modern world has upgraded to Ubuntu 8.04 I’ve begun to see comments regarding VMware Server no longer working.  You may have used my previous article, Installing VMware Server on Ubuntu 7.10, which has worked great.  Now that 8.04 “Hardy” is installed things have become a bit more complicated unfortunately.

The problem is that VMware has not updated their latest versions to make use of the latest kernel, GCC or gnome libraries.  So, we’ve got two options.

1. Wait for a new VMware release and hope they patch everything.
2. Follow the rest of this tutorial and get your hands dirty on the terminal.  We can make it work, but we have to hammer it into submission.

So, I’ll assume because you’re still reading that you’ve opted for the hammer into submission option.  Let’s get started.

Downloading the Requirements

The first step, of course, is to download VMware Server 1.0.5.  You’ll have to agree to the EULA (actually twice.  Once before download and once during installation.  Remember, VMware is free-as-in-beer but not free-as-in-speech.)

The second step is to install some development tools that we’ll need to get things running.  Use the following command or click the package names to install the requirements:

sudo aptitude install build-essential linux-kernel-devel linux-headers-generic xinetd


The third step is to download one more tool to help in the manual build process for VMware Server 1.0.5.  What we need is a script which will help in the custom config hosted at Google Code.  Download the vmware-any-any-update-116.tgz.

You will also need to generate a serial number to run VMware Server.  Visit this link to register and generate the number of codes you might want. Remember to print the codes or write them down because in my experience they are not emailed to you.

OK, at this point we should have all of the requirements, now we can get to work…

Installation and Configuration

Let’s unpack the VMware archive that we downloaded and run the VMware installer.  NOTE: After some basic configuration it will ask you to run vmware-config.pl.  DO NOT RUN vmware-config.pl, WE ARE NOT READY YET.

tar xf VMware-server-1.0.5
cd vmware-server-distrib
sudo ./vmware-install.pl


When it asks you to run vmware-config.pl you want to answer “no” and this is where the vmware-any-any-116.tgz patch comes in.

cd ..
tar xf vmware-any-any-update-116.tgz
cd vmware-any-any-update116
sudo ./runme.pl

After this runs it will ask you again if you want to run vmware-config.pl.  At this point select “yes”.

The Last Step

If you attempt to run vmware at this point you might notice that it spits out some nasty errors and complains at you.  There is one more thing we need to setup. (Hey, VMware, if you’re reading this will you please incorporate these fixes into your official download already!)

Basically VMware is missing and complaining about some cairo libraries and gcc.  So, the simple fix for this is to point to them by using a symbolic link:

sudo ln -sf /usr/lib/gcc/i486-linux-gnu/4.2.3/libgcc_s.so /usr/lib/vmware/lib/libgcc_s.so.1/libgcc_s.so.1
sudo ln -sf /usr/lib/libpng12.so.0 /usr/lib/vmware/lib/libpng12.so.0/libpng12.so.0

At this point you should be able to launch vmware and enjoy some virtualization goodness.  Please stay tuned for virtualization updates regarding virtualbox and the new KVM!

sources: I want to throw a big thanks to my buddy Igor for helping figure out these tweaks.  Check out his blog, with these and other instructions, here.

UPDATE: based on some of the comments below I’ve added the “-f” to the symbolik link options.

I’ve blogged in the past about setting up extended display on the MacBook (second gen), but I thought I’d update the post for Ubuntu 8.04.  I notice there are some small differences, which are likely caused by the updates to Xorg.  I’ll post my steps and my xorg.conf file below.

Extended Display on the MacBook

First, I tried to use the new Screen Resolution tool but it did not detect either monitor properly.  It does detect the MacBook display when it is the only display, but when my external monitor is plugged in everything gets screwed up.

I had to do things by hand using xrandr, and I had to add three lines to my xorg.conf file.  There isn’t much to it, but not as straight-forward as it could be with the graphical tools.

1. The first step is to figure out the sum of both resolutions.  ie; 1280×800 + 1440×900 = 2720 x 1700.  Take the resolutions from your MacBook (which should be 1280×800) and add it to the resolution of your external monitor.  Make note of the result.
2. Update your xorg.conf file to include the new, combined, resolution (example below)
3. Restart X (logout & login or ctrl-alt-bkspace)
4. xrandr –output VGA –auto
5. xrandr –output VGA –above LVDS

Here is a copy of my xorg.conf file.  It is default except for the three additional lines:


# xorg.conf (X.Org 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 xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man 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 command:
#   sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section “InputDevice”
Identifier    “Generic Keyboard”
Driver        “kbd”
Option        “XkbRules”    “xorg”
Option        “XkbModel”    “pc105″
Option        “XkbLayout”    “us”
Option        “XkbOptions”    “lv3:ralt_switch”
EndSection

Section “InputDevice”
Identifier    “Configured Mouse”
Driver        “mouse”
Option        “CorePointer”
EndSection

Section “InputDevice”
Identifier    “Synaptics Touchpad”
Driver        “synaptics”
Option        “SendCoreEvents”    “true”
Option        “Device”        “/dev/psaux”
Option        “Protocol”        “auto-dev”
Option        “HorizEdgeScroll”    “0″
EndSection

Section “Device”
Identifier    “Configured Video Device”
EndSection

Section “Monitor”
Identifier    “Configured Monitor”
EndSection

Section “Screen”
Identifier    “Default Screen”
Monitor        “Configured Monitor”
Device        “Configured Video Device”

# added SubSection “Display” until EndSubSection
SubSection “Display”
Virtual 2720 1700
EndSubSection

EndSection

Section “ServerLayout”
Identifier    “Default Layout”
Screen        “Default Screen”
InputDevice    “Synaptics Touchpad”
EndSection

Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron” is released!  Definitely cause for celebration with many, many new features and improvements!  I figure a hot search item for the next little bit will be regarding how to upgrade.  I thought I’d share a collection of links that will hopefully cover enough of the bases to cover everyone.  Remember, the interweb tubes are going to be fairly clogged today so don’t be surprised if core Ubuntu sites take forever to load or don’t load at all.  I notice the Ubuntu Wiki is already overloaded this morning.  I’m hoping I’ve covered enough of the bases with recent posts to get everyone covered.

I’ve also linked posts from previous releases.  The steps are generally similar enough to give you a good idea.  Feel free to use them as a reference but not pure-gospel.

Upgrade Ubuntu 6.06 or 7.10 to Ubuntu 8.04

Upgrade 7.10 “Gutsy” to Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy” (ubuntu-tutorials)

Upgrade 6.06 “Dapper” to Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy” (ubuntu-tutorials)

Upgrade from Ubuntu Release Candidate to Ubuntu 8.04 Final (ubuntu-tutorials)

Upgrade Ubuntu Images to Final with Jigdo (ubuntu-tutorials)

Upgrade Ubuntu 6.06 “Dapper” Server to Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy” Server (ubuntu-tutorials)

Upgrade Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) to Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron) Beta (ubuntu geek)

Ubuntu Community Wiki Upgrade Notes (community wiki)

Previous Release Steps

How To Upgrade to Ubuntu 7.10 (ubuntu-tutorials)

Upgrade Ubuntu 7.04 Server to Ubuntu 7.10 (ubuntu-tutorials)

Upgrade Problems?  Try A Different Repository Mirror (ubuntu-tutorials)

Caching Upgrade for Multiple Machines with Apt-Cacher

If you plan on upgrading multiple machines on a single network using the above options please, for your sake and for the sake of the interweb tubes, set up something like Apt-Cacher to make your upgrades more bandwidth efficient!  Basically, if you’ve got two or three machines you plan on upgrading, Apt-Cacher will pull down all the required packages for the first machine & then cache them for the remaining machines.  The second and third (and fourth.. and fifth..) will upgrade tremendously faster and you’ll help unclog the interweb tubes for everyone else

With Ubuntu 8.04 being the second LTS (Long Term Support) release it is also possible to upgrade from LTS to LTS releases.  This means upgrading Ubuntu 6.06 to Ubuntu 8.04.  I have tested this in a previous post, “Dapper 6.06 to Hardy 8.04 Direct Server Upgrade“, which you might also be interested in (that post is regarding the Server and not the Desktop release.)

Upgrading via Update Manager

Step 1: It is suggested that you make sure your BIOS is up-to-date before you try such an upgrade.  This is based on some changes in the latest kernel releases which can conflict with older BIOS firmware.

Step 2: You’ll need to make sure that the dapper-updates software channel is activated.  (See my previous post linked above for an example of which repositories can/should be enabled.)

Step 3: Press Alt-F2 and type gksu "update-manager"

Step 4: Click the Check button to check for new updates.

Step 5: A message will appear informing you of the availability of the new release.

Step 6: Click Upgrade

Step 7: Follow the instructions as the Update Manager utility will walk you through each step of the upgrade.  You will still have a chance to back out after clicking Upgrade if you feel you’re not yet ready.

For more information and other information from the Wiki see: Upgrade Notes

Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron” is now almost final and I want to congratulate the entire team and community for a great accomplishment!  This is another fine release and I feel proud to be part of this community.

For those that now want to upgrade from Ubuntu 7.10 “Gutsy Gibbon” to Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron” you can follow the steps below.

Upgrade Using Update Manager

Step 1: First make sure your machine is current for Ubuntu 7.10.  Launch the Update Manager tool and “check” for any remaining updates.

Press Alt-F2 and type update-manager

Click the Check button to check for new updates.

Apply any remaining updates before you continue to Step 2.

Step 2: If your machine is already completely up to date you can then relaunch the Update Manager tool and upgrade to the next release, Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron”.

Press Alt-F2 and type update-manager

Click the Check button to check for new updates.

A message will appear informing you of the availability of the new release.

Click Upgrade

Follow the instructions as the Update Manager utility will walk you through each step of the upgrade.  You will still have a chance to back out after clicking Upgrade if you feel you’re not yet ready.

It should be noted that this will upgrade your machine via your internet connection and can take quite some time. If you have access to a fast mirror it can be faster, but immediately after a release the interweb tubes tend to clog up. You’ve been warned.

For more information and suggestions from the Wiki see: Upgrade Notes