Re: Advice please - meeting tomorrow Tuesday 9pm?

Kevan Quinn <[email protected]> Mon, 27 Jun 2016 21:37:32 +0000
Newsgroups gmane.org.user-groups.linux.dunedin.general
Message-ID <[email protected]>
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Hi Alex et al


Unfortunately, it's a PC rather than a laptop, otherwise bringing it to a m=
eeting would have been a great idea. It's the machine for the kids to do th=
eir homework on, so I need to get it back up and runing asap. I think I'll =
try your live CD backup-update idea and install a clean copy of Ubuntu 15.


Thanks for your helpful suggestions.


PS If anyone has knowledge of how to set up a large red cursor (preferably =
flashing), please let me know. My wife is profoundly deaf and partially sig=
hted and has difficulty finding the small white cursor.


Thanks again.


Kevan

________________________________
From: Alex King <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, 27 June 2016 9:29 p.m.
To: Kevan Quinn
Cc: DunLUG
Subject: Re: [dunlug] Advice please - meeting tomorrow Tuesday 9pm?


Keyboard and mouse unrecognised is a pretty unusual problem.


I'd say you have two options.  Either re-install, or bring it to a Dunlug m=
eeting for others to have a look at (it's a laptop?)

If you're going to reinstall, you can boot from a Ubuntu CD into a "live" s=
ystem, and use that to copy any files you need to save off to an external h=
ard drive first.  (i.e. documents, your /home directory, or the whole files=
ystem if it will fit on your external drive.)  Then download the version of=
 Ubuntu you want, burn it to a CD, and install from that, wiping your exist=
ing install.  (Actually you might be able to install over the top and save =
your current /home files, but I don't know enough aobut Ubuntu - someone el=
se might)

If you want some of us to have some fun while rescuing your system, bring i=
t to a Dunlug meeting.  The meeting times are nominally <https://calendar.g=
oogle.com/calendar/[email protected]=
ogle.com> https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=3Dl30lu7nrct2ekm3s=
[email protected]) but no-one actually goes unless there=
 is traffic on the list first.  The next time slot is tomorrow.  I couldn't=
 make it to that until 9pm, Tuesdays clash for a lot of us (for different r=
easons) Then there is a meeting scheduled for Wednesday 13th July, 7.30pm. =
 If either of those appeals, email the list.

Cheers,
Alex

On 27/06/16 10:36, Kevan Quinn wrote:
Hi Alex

Hooked it up to Ethernet and booted. It started Ubuntu 15 but reported syst=
em problems. Keyboard and mouse unrecognised, so I can't do anything. Advic=
e?

Kevan

________________________________
From: Alex King <[email protected]><mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, 26 June 2016 7:22 p.m.
To: Kevan Quinn
Cc: dunluG
Subject: Re: [dunlug] Advice please


OK, so maybe there is a problem with the internet connection?


Try:

ping -c5 8.8.8.8


and


ping -c5 www.google.co.nz<http://www.google.co.nz>


to check the internet connection and see if either or both give you "64 byt=
es from ....." (success).


If it's a laptop connected through wireless, then things breaking during th=
e upgrade can cut off internet access and put you in a catch-22 where it's =
difficult to fix without internet.


If it's using ethernet (plug-in) internet connection it's less likely to br=
eak.

On 26/06/16 19:15, Kevan Quinn wrote:

Sure. I tried a few things and found that tab highlighted the ok, then ente=
r accepted the license. Download failed, as did the resolving and sub-proce=
ss.

Kevan

On Jun 26, 2016 7:11 PM, Alex King <mailto:[email protected]> <[email protected]=
.nz><mailto:[email protected]> wrote:

Yes, the apt and aptitude commands may require input.


There are different forms that input can take (i.e. what's known as curses =
and tty frontends), so it's difficult to give give a comprehensive answer.


However, it's difficult to go really wrong, usually the default answers are=
 fine, and it should be possible to reconfigure later differently if needed=
.


Start with just using enter and spacebar, or you might need Y or N or to ty=
pe numbers to choose an option.


If you're seeing a blue screen the the ok is surrounded by <> and lines, it=
 could be a text "button" that's activated with the spacebar.


Do you mind if I post back to dunlug so google can help the next person?


Cheers,

Alex

On 26/06/16 18:40, Kevan Quinn wrote:
Hi Alex

Thanks for your response.

I ran the first command (opting for the default no when prompted) and it co=
mpleted.

I then ran the second command, which soon brought up a text screen that I'm=
 stuck in. It's a MS EULA license agreement. At the bottom it has <Ok>

Is it requiring input? should I type <Ok> ?

Kevan
________________________________
From: Alex King <[email protected]><mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, 26 June 2016 3:50 p.m.
To: Kevan Quinn
Subject: Re: [dunlug] Advice please


I guess you mean a text login prompt, a black terminal screen?


Try logging in with your username and password.  ( You should get a $ promp=
t)


Then become "root" with the following command:

sudo su


(Enter your password, you get a # prompt)

Now try the following commands, and let us know what they result in:


dpkg --configure -a
apt-get -f install
aptitude update
aptitude safe-upgrade
aptitude full-upgrade


(if those executed without error messages you could try restarting the comp=
uter by typing "reboot".)


Cheers,

Alex


On 26/06/16 15:39, Kevan Quinn wrote:
Hi all

I was running Ubuntu 14.04 when notice of an upgrade to 15 came through. I =
accepted it and alllowed it to download and run. It got almost all the way =
through but didn't seem to finish. I left it and went to bed. The next morn=
ing my 13 year old daughter got to the PC first. I don't know if whatever s=
he did had an effect, but now it won't start an o/s. I'm left at a login pr=
ompt without any Ubuntu knowledge. Can anyone guide me please?

Thanks

Kevan



_______________________________________________
DunLUG mailing list
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
http://lists.ethernal.org/listinfo/dunlug
DunLUG Wiki - http://dunlug.kallisti.net.nz/





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<p><font style=3D"font-size: 12pt;">Hi Alex et al<br>
</font></p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it's a PC rather than a laptop,&nbsp;otherwise bringing i=
t to a meeting would have been a great idea. It's the machine for the kids =
to do their homework on, so I need to get it back up and runing asap. I thi=
nk I'll try your&nbsp;live CD backup-update
 idea and install a clean copy of Ubuntu 15.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Thanks for your helpful suggestions.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>PS If anyone has knowledge of how to set up a large red&nbsp;cursor (pre=
ferably flashing), please&nbsp;let me know. My wife&nbsp;is profoundly deaf=
 and partially sighted and has difficulty finding the small white cursor.</=
p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Kevan<br>
<font size=3D"2"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt"></span></font></p>
<font size=3D"2">
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<div id=3D"divRplyFwdMsg" dir=3D"ltr"><font style=3D"font-size:11pt" color=
=3D"#000000" face=3D"Calibri, sans-serif"><b>From:</b> Alex King &lt;alex@k=
ing.net.nz&gt;<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, 27 June 2016 9:29 p.m.<br>
<b>To:</b> Kevan Quinn<br>
<b>Cc:</b> DunLUG<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [dunlug] Advice please - meeting tomorrow Tuesday 9pm?<=
/font>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>Keyboard and mouse unrecognised is a pretty unusual problem.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>I'd say you have two options.&nbsp; Either re-install, or bring it to a =
Dunlug meeting for others to have a look at (it's a laptop?)<br>
</p>
<br>
If you're going to reinstall, you can boot from a Ubuntu CD into a &quot;li=
ve&quot; system, and use that to copy any files you need to save off to an =
external hard drive first.&nbsp; (i.e. documents, your /home directory, or =
the whole filesystem if it will fit on your external
 drive.)&nbsp; Then download the version of Ubuntu you want, burn it to a C=
D, and install from that, wiping your existing install.&nbsp; (Actually you=
 might be able to install over the top and save your current /home files, b=
ut I don't know enough aobut Ubuntu - someone
 else might)<br>
<br>
If you want some of us to have some fun while rescuing your system, bring i=
t to a Dunlug meeting.&nbsp; The meeting times are nominally
<a href=3D"https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=3Dl30lu7nrct2ekm3=
[email protected]">
</a><a class=3D"moz-txt-link-freetext" href=3D"https://calendar.google.com/=
calendar/[email protected]">=
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=3Dl30lu7nrct2ekm3sj1r2n52a4c=
@group.calendar.google.com</a>) but no-one
 actually goes unless there is traffic on the list first.&nbsp; The next ti=
me slot is tomorrow.&nbsp; I couldn't make it to that until 9pm, Tuesdays c=
lash for a lot of us (for different reasons) Then there is a meeting schedu=
led for Wednesday 13th July, 7.30pm.&nbsp; If either
 of those appeals, email the list.<br>
<br>
Cheers,<br>
Alex<br>
<br>
<div class=3D"moz-cite-prefix">On 27/06/16 10:36, Kevan Quinn wrote:<br>
</div>
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<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">Hi Alex<br>
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
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<div class=3D"BodyFragment"><font size=3D"2"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt"=
>
<div class=3D"PlainText"><font size=3D"2"><br>
</font>Hooked it up to Ethernet and booted. It started Ubuntu 15 but report=
ed system problems. Keyboard and mouse unrecognised,&nbsp;so I can't do any=
thing. Advice?<br>
<br>
Kevan<br>
<br>
</div>
</span></font></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<div style=3D"color:rgb(33,33,33)">
<hr tabindex=3D"-1" style=3D"display:inline-block; width:98%">
<div id=3D"divRplyFwdMsg" dir=3D"ltr"><font style=3D"font-size:11pt" color=
=3D"#000000" face=3D"Calibri, sans-serif"><b>From:</b> Alex King
<a class=3D"moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">&lt;ale=
[email protected]&gt;</a><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Sunday, 26 June 2016 7:22 p.m.<br>
<b>To:</b> Kevan Quinn<br>
<b>Cc:</b> dunluG<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [dunlug] Advice please</font>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>OK, so maybe there is a problem with the internet connection?</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Try:</p>
<p>ping -c5 8.8.8.8</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>and <br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>ping -c5 <a class=3D"moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href=3D"http://www.google=
.co.nz">www.google.co.nz</a></p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>to check the internet connection and see if either or both give you &quo=
t;64 bytes from .....&quot; (success).</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>If it's a laptop connected through wireless, then things breaking during=
 the upgrade can cut off internet access and put you in a catch-22 where it=
's difficult to fix without internet.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>If it's using ethernet (plug-in) internet connection it's less likely to=
 break.<br>
</p>
<br>
<div class=3D"moz-cite-prefix">On 26/06/16 19:15, Kevan Quinn wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type=3D"cite">
<meta content=3D"text/html; charset=3DWindows-1252">
<p dir=3D"ltr">Sure. I tried a few things and found that tab highlighted th=
e ok, then enter accepted the license. Download failed, as did the resolvin=
g and sub-process.</p>
<p dir=3D"ltr">Kevan <br>
</p>
<div class=3D"quote">On Jun 26, 2016 7:11 PM, Alex King <a class=3D"moz-txt=
-link-rfc2396E" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">
</a><a class=3D"moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">&lt=
;[email protected]&gt;</a> wrote:<br type=3D"attribution">
</div>
<div>
<p>Yes, the apt and aptitude commands may require input.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>There are different forms that input can take (i.e. what's known as curs=
es and tty frontends), so it's difficult to give give a comprehensive answe=
r.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>However, it's difficult to go really wrong, usually the default answers =
are fine, and it should be possible to reconfigure later differently if nee=
ded.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Start with just using enter and spacebar, or you might need Y or N or to=
 type numbers to choose an option.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>If you're seeing a blue screen the the ok is surrounded by &lt;&gt; and =
lines, it could be a text &quot;button&quot; that's activated with the spac=
ebar.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Do you mind if I post back to dunlug so google can help the next person?=
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Alex<br>
</p>
<br>
<div class=3D"moz-cite-prefix">On 26/06/16 18:40, Kevan Quinn wrote:<br>
</div>
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<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">Hi Alex<br>
<br>
Thanks for your response.<br>
<br>
I ran the first command (opting for the default no when prompted) and it co=
mpleted.<br>
<br>
I then ran the second command, which soon brought up a text screen that I'm=
 stuck in.&nbsp;It's a&nbsp;MS EULA&nbsp;license agreement.&nbsp;At the bot=
tom it has&nbsp;&lt;Ok&gt;
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div>
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div class=3D"BodyFragment"><font size=3D"2"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt"=
>
<div class=3D"PlainText"><font size=3D"2"><br>
Is it requiring input? should I type &lt;Ok&gt; ?<br>
<br>
</font>Kevan <br>
</div>
</span></font></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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</div>
<div style=3D"color:rgb(33,33,33)">
<hr tabindex=3D"-1" style=3D"display:inline-block; width:98%">
<div id=3D"divRplyFwdMsg" dir=3D"ltr"><font style=3D"font-size:11pt" color=
=3D"#000000" face=3D"Calibri, sans-serif"><b>From:</b> Alex King
<a class=3D"moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">&lt;ale=
[email protected]&gt;</a><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Sunday, 26 June 2016 3:50 p.m.<br>
<b>To:</b> Kevan Quinn<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [dunlug] Advice please</font>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>I guess you mean a text login prompt, a black terminal screen?</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Try logging in with your username and password.&nbsp; ( You should get a=
 $ prompt)</p>
<p><br>
</p>
Then become &quot;root&quot; with the following command:
<pre>sudo su=0A=
</pre>
(Enter your password, you get a # prompt)<br>
<br>
Now try the following commands, and let us know what they result in:<br>
<br>
<pre>dpkg --configure -a=0A=
apt-get -f install=0A=
aptitude update=0A=
aptitude safe-upgrade=0A=
aptitude full-upgrade=0A=
</pre>
<p>(if those executed without error messages you could try restarting the c=
omputer by typing &quot;reboot&quot;.)<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Alex<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<div class=3D"moz-cite-prefix">On 26/06/16 15:39, Kevan Quinn wrote:<br>
</div>
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<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">Hi all<br>
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
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<div style=3D"font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div class=3D"BodyFragment"><font size=3D"2"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt"=
>
<div class=3D"PlainText"><font size=3D"2"><br>
I was running Ubuntu 14.04 when notice of an upgrade to 15 came through. I =
accepted it and alllowed it to download and run. It got almost all the way =
through but didn't seem to finish. I left it and went to bed.&nbsp;The next=
 morning my 13 year old daughter got
 to the PC first. I don't know if whatever she did had an effect, but now i=
t won't start an o/s. I'm left at a login prompt without any Ubuntu knowled=
ge. Can anyone guide me please?<br>
<br>
</font>Thanks<br>
<br>
Kevan <br>
</div>
</span></font></div>
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<pre>_______________________________________________=0A=
DunLUG mailing list=0A=
<a class=3D"moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href=3D"mailto:[email protected].=
org">[email protected]</a>=0A=
<a class=3D"moz-txt-link-freetext" href=3D"http://lists.ethernal.org/listin=
fo/dunlug">http://lists.ethernal.org/listinfo/dunlug</a>=0A=
DunLUG Wiki - <a class=3D"moz-txt-link-freetext" href=3D"http://dunlug.kall=
isti.net.nz/">http://dunlug.kallisti.net.nz/</a></pre>
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