How to install VMware Server on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

This procedure works: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/VMware/Server

Maybe restart will be needed...

After successful installation, you can manage VMware server via http://localhost:8222.

How to fix gnome-settings-daemon crashing in Ubuntu 9.10 when connecting via FreeNX

The setup of the server: Ubuntu 9.10 64-bit, FreeNX server

The symptom: unable to switch between keyboard layouts, while connected via NX client - when right-clicking on keyboard indicator and choosing Keyboard Preferences, this error message raises:

Unable to start the settings manager 'gnome-settings-daemon'.
Without the GNOME settings manager running, some preferences may not take effect. This could indicate a problem with DBus, or a non-GNOME (e.g. KDE) settings manager may already be active and conflicting with the GNOME settings manager.

(No problem when logged in locally.)

When trying to start gnome-settings-daemon manually, error output is more detailed:

ostry@celsius:~$ gnome-settings-daemon
Xlib: extension "Generic Event Extension" missing on display ":1000.0".
Xlib: extension "Generic Event Extension" missing on display ":1000.0".
Xlib: extension "Generic Event Extension" missing on display ":1000.0".
Xlib: extension "Generic Event Extension" missing on display ":1000.0".
Xlib: extension "Generic Event Extension" missing on display ":1000.0".
The program 'gnome-settings-daemon' received an X Window System error.
This probably reflects a bug in the program.
The error was 'BadRequest (invalid request code or no such operation)'.
(Details: serial 105 error_code 1 request_code 150 minor_code 8)
(Note to programmers: normally, X errors are reported asynchronously;
that is, you will receive the error a while after causing it.
To debug your program, run it with the --sync command line
option to change this behavior. You can then get a meaningful
backtrace from your debugger if you break on the gdk_x_error() function.)

The solution:

start gconf-editor, then open / -> apps -> gnome_settings_daemon -> plugins -> xrandr in it and disable flag "active".

The conclusion:

There are many reports about this issue on the web, but I consider as important, to have this howto summarized here.

Enjoy!

Linux & LightScribe

I have laptop HP EliteBook 8530p and I would like to use LightScribe feature of my DVD burner in Linux (Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala).

As I found out, there are two software tools:

• LaCie LightScribe Labeler for Linux (4L)
  
• Simple Labeler from Hewlett-Packard

Simple Labeler is able to etch text to LightScribe-enabled DVD. User can choose font type. Operation takes 2-3 minutes. LaCie is able to etch images, what is more powerful and the result is more professionally looking, but operation takes longer - 20-30 minutes.

Click here for more detailed article.

But there was one problem - installation deb-files were not available for 64-bit architecture, what is my case. Here is an workaround, e.g. when installing Simple Labeler, I needed to install 32-bit libraries first, and then force installation of 32-bit deb files:

ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ sudo apt-get install ia32-libs
ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ sudo dpkg -i --force architecture lightscribe-1.18.9.1-linux-2.6-intel.deb
dpkg: warning: overriding problem because --force enabled:
package architecture (i386) does not match system (amd64)
Selecting previously deselected package lightscribe.
ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ sudo dpkg -i --force architecture lightscribeApplications-1.18.6.1-linux-2.6-intel.deb
dpkg: warning: overriding problem because --force enabled:
package architecture (i386) does not match system (amd64)
Selecting previously deselected package lightscribeapplications.
ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ sudo ln -s /usr/lib/liblightscribe.so.1 /usr/lib32/
ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ sudo ln -s /usr/lib/liblightscribe.so /usr/lib32/
ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ sudo ldconfig

Then I started Simple Labeler this way:

ostry@elitebook:~/Install$ /opt/lightscribeApplications/SimpleLabeler/SimpleLabeler

I found this workaround here.

In december, I will test these tools in more detail.

---

Yeah, december is here ;). I need to install also LaCie. I found this howto for Ubuntu:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LightScribe. At first, I backed up my most important data, as recommended. Then I issued this command in directory containing file 4l_1.0-r6_i386.deb:

sudo dpkg --install --force-architecture 4l*.deb
sudo ldconfig

and run LaCie this way:

sudo 4L-gui

It seems, that both tools are working all right.

ATI graphic card on HP EliteBook 8530p with Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop Edition 64-bit

The problem: blank screen after activation of the ATI/AMD proprietary fglrx driver via System > Administration > Hardware Drivers and subsequent restart.

The solution: boot into recovery mode -> root console, and then issue:

aticonfig --initial
aticonfig --acpi-services=off
reboot

For more details: google.