Archive for the ‘ubuntu’ Category

Windows 7 on a Inspiron 510m

Feb 11th, 10 / 0 Comments

My ancient old knackered laptop (recently upgraded with a brand new 1Gb stick of RAM) had been running Ubuntu for a number of years, and was getting to the point where a OS re-install was necessary. I’ve been getting increasingly annoyed with the university wireless not playing nicely – so decided to give Windows 7 a try (since I can get it nice and free!)

Install was a breeze, OS booted fine first time, all drivers found and installed by Windows Update – apart from one…

Seems I was stuck with the 640×480 VGA resolution driver, Intel doesn’t think their 8XXGM series drivers work well with 7. Never fear – a bit of Googling revealed this site: http://www.groundstate.net/855GMWin7.html, which contains instructions for tricking 7 into installing the old drivers! Result! Although Seb may have had a slight point on this weeks Tech 107 (episode 3) about Macs being easier due to them not needing separate driver install. Ah well.

So – I’m now officially off Linux and 100% Windows again. Lets see how long it lasts this time!

computers, mac, tech 107, ubuntu, windows, Windows 7

Linux Adventure #2: Networking

Mar 15th, 08 / 1 Comment

Well, we all know that the main uses of a computer are:

  • MSN
  • Wikipedia
  • Porn

All of which require the internet. So obviously, my new Linux box (mLinux – I’ll explain some other time) must be connected to the internet! "No problem", thought I, "I’ll slap in that USB dongle I got ages ago and never use!"

So in went the Belkin Wireless G Adaptor (F5D7050), and up popped the "dysonHub" network! Score! Not quite…

Enter the password, and Ubuntu will connect fine, but absolutely nothing happens. No internet = no MSN, Wikipedia or Porn! Damn!

The adventure must be halted at this point – I must have internet to continue!

belkin, linux, Linux Adventure, ubuntu, wireless

Linux Adventure #1: Installation

Mar 12th, 08 / 0 Comments

Step number one in my adventure on the road down Linux Lane went surprisingly easy!

Slapped in the shiny new Ubuntu 7.10 disk, and installed it with no problems. Probably is a good point to mention that the PC I’m using is an old machine with a 20.5Gb HDD that was liberated from a local primary school when they chucked it out. What a waste!

Anyway, the only error I got was the lack of internet connection for a system update, and something about commenting a line in a file :S Didn’t really understand that, I’m more of a GUI guy if I’m honest!

Next came the peripherals… Mouse and keyboard worked (obviously), and then I realised I only have 2 USB ports on the computer! Enter my trusty old Belkin Hub, which worked out of the box (read: dusty cupboard) and gladly accepted the mouse, my pen drive and the USB Network Card (discussed later)

Everything working so far, played a few games… everything’s hunky-dory!

Until the time came to start on t’internet…

belkin, linux, Linux Adventure, ubuntu

One man and a Linux distro

Mar 12th, 08 / 0 Comments

Here beginneth my journey with Ubuntu 7.10, my voyage of discovery into the world of Linux!

You may remember from previous posts that I have dabbled in the ‘dark arts’ before, but this time I’m going for it hard and strong!

First task… installing the damn thing!

linux, stupid ideas, ubuntu