Showing posts with label linux. Show all posts
Showing posts with label linux. Show all posts

Friday, April 22, 2016

Deleting Windows viruses through a Linux live CD

According to Katherine Noyes of PC World, you can Fix a Windows Infection Using Linux. You can use the live CD (or USB flash drive) for any Linux distribution. As an example, Katherine presents a procedure that lets you scan for Windows viruses through an Ubunutu 10.10 live CD.


For example, if you have a Windows PC that a virus has converted to a boat anchor, you can shut down, reboot through the live CD without installing Linux, and then use the antivirus utility on the CD. After deleting or quarantining the virus, remove the CD and reboot through Windows. Hopefully, your Windows again runs normally. If so, thank the penguin.



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Dual booting Ubuntu and Linux Mint


Most Linux enthusiasts know how to install both Linux and Windows on the same PC, and then boot either; this is known as dual booting (or multibooting). However, dual booting two Linux distributions is not as easy as dual booting one Linux distribution with Windows.

Ubuntu and Linux Mint are both popular Linux distributions. If you wish to compare them on the same PC (such as an older, spare PC), this document can help you dual boot them.

Creating a boot-repair live CD - Before you can dual boot Ubuntu and Linux Mint, you need to create a boot-repair live CD as follows:
  1. Download the newest boot-repair-disk.isodisc-image file.
  2. Burn (write) the ISO file to a blank, writable CD.
  3. Label your CD as "Boot Repair Disc."
Installing Ubuntu and Linux Mint - To install both Ubuntu and Linux Mint on the same PC, do the following:
  1. Download a 32-bit Ubuntu live-disc ISO file, burn it to a DVD, and then use that DVD to install Ubuntu as the only operating system.
  2. Install all Ubuntu updates, and then reboot your PC.
  3. Download a 32-bit Linux Mint live-disc ISO file, burn it to a DVD, and then use that DVD to install Linux Mint, as a second operating system, alongside Ubuntu.
  4. Install all Linux Mint updates, and then reboot your PC.
Note: Until after you have run your boot-repair CD according to the section below, you can boot only Linux Mint.

Running your boot-repair CD - Your boot-repair CD lets you repair your boot process, which includes the GRand Universal Bootloader (GRUB). To run your boot-repair CD, do the following:
  1. Install both Ubuntu and Linux Mint on the same PC according to the section above.
  2. Place your boot-repair CD into the optical drive, reboot your PC. and then follow the boot-repair prompts.
  3. As explained in the section above, boot your boot-repair disc as a live disc, and then follow its prompts.
  4. When you see the Boot Repair window, click Recommended repair (repairs most frequent problems). Be patient, each boot-repair phase usually requires more than the "several minutes" that it promises.
After you have run your boot-repair CD successfully, you can boot to either Ubuntu or Linux Mint through GRUB.






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Saturday, March 26, 2016

Installing Linux into a specific partition

Multibooting more than one Linux operating system (OS) can help you compare precisely how each works on your PC. While installing a Linux OS, you might wish to install it into a specific partition on your hard disk or solid-state drive (SSD). This document can help you create a new logical partition and then install a new Linux OS into it.

Authors note: In my experience, multibooting Linux operating systems works best with Ubuntu and Ubuntu-based operating systems.

Creating a new logical partition
You can add a new Linux OS to a PC on which you have already installed at least one other OS. For example, your multiboot configuration might include two partitions and an extended partition, as follows:
  • Partitions /dev/sda1 and /dev/sda2 contain an MS Windows 7 OS.
  • Extended partition /dev/sda3, contains three logical partitions for Linux. Allow at least 20 GB for each Linux OS.
  • Logical partition /dev/sda5 contains your Ubuntu Linux OS.
  • Logical partition /dev/sda6 contains the Linux swap file. Note: Regardless how many Linux operating systems you plan to install, you need only one swap partition (approximately 2 GB).
  • Logical partition /dev/sda7 contains your Linux Mint OS.
You need to create a new logical partition before you can install a third Linux OS into the above example configuration. As shown in Figure 1, you can use the Gnome Partition Editor (GParted) to create a new logical partition, such as /dev/sda8.
Figure 1 - Creating a new logical partition, /dev/sda8.
Installing Linux into a root partition
While installing Linux into a specific logical partition you must define that partition as root. To install a new Linux OS into your new logical partition, do the following:
  1. Download an ISO image file of the Linux OS that you wish to install, and then burn it to a DVD to create a live disc. Alternatively, you can use an ISO image to create a live usb drive.
  2. Boot the live disc and then begin installing your new Linux OS. When you see an Installation-type window similar to Figure 2, select Something else, which lets you install your new Linux OS into your new logical partition.
  3. Click Continue to display a window to similar to Figure 3, select (highlight) your new logical partition, and then double-click it to display an Edit-partition window as shown in Figure 4.
  4. In the Use-as dropdown menu, select Ext4 journaling file system.
  5. Checkmark the Format the partition box.
  6. In the Mount-point dropdown menu, select "/" to define your new logical partition as root.
  7. Click OK to close the Edit-partition window, and then click Install now. Note: Do not try to skip steps 4 through 7. Omitting them displays an error message, "No root file system is defined. Please select this from the partitions menu." For more information, see Ask Ubuntu.
  8. Install your new Linux OS and then reboot your PC to display a Grand Universal Boot (GRUB) menu similar to Figure 5. In this example, Zorin OS 6 is the new Linux OS. Note: If your GRUB menu does not display, you can restore it through an open-source Boot Repair CD.
    Figure 2 -  On the Installation Type menu, you select "Something else" if you
    wish to create a partition into which you can install your new Linux OS.
    Figure 3 - Selecting (highlighting) your new logical partition.
    Figure 4 - Double-clicking your new logical
    partition displays an Edit-partition window.
    Figure 5 - Your GRUB menu should include your new Linux OS, such as Zorin OS 6.


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    Friday, February 26, 2016

    How to install Linux Mint


    Linux Mint is a popular distribution of the free, open-source Linux operating system. Before deciding whether to install it, you can evaluate it through its "live disc," which runs independently of any operating system previously installed on your hard drive.
    Creating a bootable Linux Mint disc - A bootable Linux Mint disc is a live disc. To create your Linux Mint disc, do the following:
    1. Go to Download Linux Mint and choose a version to download.

    2. According to the processor in your PC, click either 32-bit or 64-bit to display a page that lists Primary download mirrors.
    3. According to your location, select a nearby mirror, click on it, and then wait for your Linux Mint ISO file to download.
    4. Create your bootable disc by burning your ISO file to a writable CD or DVD.

    Evaluating Linux Mint - Before installing Linux Mint, you should evaluate it through its live disc To evaluate Linux Mint, do the following:
    1. Create a bootable Linux Mint disc according to the section above.
    2. Place your bootable Linux Mint live disc into your optical drive, and then reboot your PC to run through the "live disc."
    3. Experiment with Linux Mint to determine whether you wish to install it on your hard drive. For more information, see the Linux Mint official user guide.
    4. If you decide to install Linux Mint, continue according to the section below. Note: To exit the live disc without installing Linux Mint, click Live session user, (upper right corner), click Shut Down, click Restart, remove the disc and then press Enter.

    Installing Linux Mint - To install Linux Mint on your PC, do the following:
    1. Evaluate Linux Mint according to the section above, and then Click Install Linux Mint.
    2. Select your language, and (as prompted) verify the your PC meets minimum requirements.
    3. Select how you wish to install Linux Mint. For example, if you have replaced the motherboard in your PC, you need to select Erase everything.

    4. In the Where are you? window, select your time zone.
    5. In the Keyboard layout window, select your keyboard.
    6. In the Who are you? window, type your name and password. The other fields are automatic.

    7. After the installation completes, click Finishedto close the installation program, and then click Restart to boot your PC through its installed LInux Mint.
    8. Use the Update Manager to install the newest software changes to Linux Mint.


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    Tuesday, February 23, 2016

    Using Shutter to take screenshots in Linux

    The procedures in this document can help use the Shutterscreenshot tool for Linux. You can capture your entire desktop, an active window, or any rectangular area you select. Shutter lets you save your screenshots directly as JPEG image files. In contrast, pressing PrtScn (Print Screen) to capture a desktop, or Alt+PrtScn to capture an active window, lets you save your screenshot only as a PNG file. If you want a JPEG, you must separately convert it from a PNG.

    You can install Shutter through the software-application catalog in your Linux operating operating system. For example, for Ubuntu, you can use the Ubuntu Software Center.

    Configuring Shutter
    To configure Shutter, do the following:
    1. Open Shutter to display its window as shown in Figure 1.
    2. Click the down arrow at the right of Selection, and then select Advanced selection tool. This lets you resize your selection rectangle before you take a screenshot.
    3. In the Shutter toolbar at the top of the desktop, click Edit, and then click Preferences to display its window as shown in Figure 2.
    4. Set Image-format to jpeg, Directory to Desktop, select (check mark) Include cursor when taking a screenshot and then set the capture delay to 15 seconds.
    Figure 1 - Shutter lets you take a screenshot as a Selection, Desktop, or Window.
    In Ubuntu 11.04, the Shutter toolbar is above your desktop, at the left.
    Figure 2 - My recommended Preferences are setting Image-format to "jpeg,"
    Directory to "Desktop," selecting (check marking) "Include cursor when
    taking a screenshot" and setting the capture delay to "15" seconds.
    Capturing your desktop
    To take a screenshot of your desktop through Shutter, do the following:
    1. Start Shutter, click the down arrow at the right of Desktop, and then click Capture all Workspaces to take the screenshot and place an icon for its new JPEG on your desktop.
    2. In the Shutter window, close the image tab by clicking on its X, and then minimize the Shutter window.
    3. Double-click the new icon to display an image similar to Figure 3.
    Figure 3 - A desktop screenshot.
    Capturing an active window
    To take a screenshot of an active window through Shutter, do the following:
    1. Select a window to activate it. For example, I activated the Calculator window as shown in Figure 3.
    2. Start Shutter, click the down arrow at the right of Window, and then click "Active Window" to take the screenshot and place an icon for its new JPEG on your desktop.
    3. In the Shutter window, close the image tab by clicking on its "X," and then minimize the Shutter window.
    4. Double-click the new icon to display an image similar to the fourth image above.
    Figure 4 - An active-window screenshot.
    Capturing a rectangular area
    To take a screenshot of a rectangular area through Shutter, do the following:
    1. On your desktop, group whatever items you plan to include in your captured rectangular area.
    2. Start Shutter, click Selection, use your mouse to draw a rectangular area, and then press Enter to take the screenshot and place an icon for its new JPEG on your desktop.
    3. In the Shutter window, close the image tab by clicking on its X, and then minimize the Shutter window.
    4. Double-click the new icon to display an image similar to Figure 5.
    Figure 5 - A selected-rectangular-area screenshot.


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    Thursday, February 11, 2016

    Adjusting your Linux Mint display resolution

    Linux Mint is a popular distribution of the Linux operating system. Linux Mint has a relatively-high default resolution, such as 1400 X 1050, at which many people over 30 find text hard to read. This document explains how to select the recommended display driver for your Linux Mint PC, and then adjust the resolution of your Linux Mint display to a lower value, such as 1152 X 864, to make screen text easier to read.

    Note: The procedures below apply specifically to Linux Mint 15, Cinnamon, and generally to all other recent editions of the Linux Mint distribution.

    Selecting the Recommended Display Driver
    To select the recommended display driver for your Linux Mint PC, do the following:
    1. Click Menu (at lower-left corner of its screen) to display the menu.
    2. Click the System Settings icon (third down at left) to display the System Settings window as shown in Figure 1.
    3. As shown in Figure 2, scroll to the Hardware section, click Device Drivers, type your password and then click OK to display the Driver Manager window.
    4. If you are not already using the recommended driver, select it and then click Apply Change.
    5. Reboot your PC, and then adjust your display resolution according to the procedure below.

    Figure 1 - The System Settings icon in the Linux Mint
    menu lets you display the System Settings menu.
    Figure 2 - The Device Drivers icon lets you display the Driver Manager window.
    Adjusting Your Display Resolution
    To adjust the display resolution of your Linux Mint PC, do the following:

    1. Select the recommended display driver according to the procedure above.
    2. Click Menu (at lower-left corner of the screen) to display the menu.
    3. Click the System Settings icon (third down at left) to display the System Settings window.
    4. Click Switch to Advanced Mode (at lower left), scroll to the Hardware section and then click Display to display its window as shown in Figure 3.
    5. In the Resolution field, click the drop-down arrow to display all available resolutions.
    6. Click a resolution to select it, and then click Apply to momentarily blank the screen and then display your selected resolution for 30 seconds. If you like your new resolution, click Keep this Configuration. Otherwise, Linux Mint restores your original resolution at the end of the 30 seconds.
    Figure 3 - The Display window lets you adjust the resolution of your display.


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    Monday, January 18, 2016

    Alternatives to Skype for Linux

    This document describes several alternative applications to Skype for Linux:
    • Brosix Personal
    • Ekiga
    • Google Hangouts
    • Linphone
    Each application above implements its own technology to enable unlimited, free communication with your friends and family, provided they share your network. Additionally, Ekiga and Linphone enable setting up paid accounts for non-network calls.
    Brosix Personal
    Brosix Personal, for individuals, is a client application that enables free communication with anyone on the Brosix secure, public, worldwide network. Brosix Enterprise, for businesses and organizations, enables setting up and managing a private network for a business or organization. To install Brosix on your particular distribution of the Linux operating system, go the Brosix Linux Download web page. Your PC must have an Intel processor. You can download an Ubuntu package, a Fedora package, or a Linux portable archive (for other Linux distributions).
    Ekiga
    Ekigais a client application that enables free communication with other Ekiga users. To make calls outside of the Ekiga network, you need to set up a Diamondcard Voice Over Internet Protocol account. To install Ekiga on your Linux distribution, go to the Installing Ekiga on Linux web page. Alternatively, you might be able to install Ekiga directly through the software repository for your Linux Distribution. For example, if you are running Ubuntu Linux on your PC, you can install Ekiga directly through the Ubuntu Software Center.
    Google Hangouts
    Google Hangouts is a free, Internet application that enables communication among friends and/or family members. If you have any Google account, such as Gmail, you can set up Google+, set up Friends and Family Google Circles, and then download a Google Hangouts plugin (See Getting started with Google+ Hangouts). You can set up a video conference with as many as nine people.
    Linphone
    Linphoneis a free client application that enables Internet communication with anyone through any Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) paid subscription VOIP service. If you choose the Linphone Free SIP service, you can make free calls to anyone on the Linphone network. You can download the Linphone for Linux source files as a TAR.GZ archive file. Alternatively, depending on your Linux distribution, you might be able install Linphone directly through its software repository, such as the Ubuntu Software Center.


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