Linux File System

Linux file system hierarchy from binarysignal.org

Part 1:

Part 2:

Changing Default Operating System in GRUB

After installing Ubuntu on a PC that was already running Windows XP, there is now a Linux boot loader (GRUB) that appears whenever the PC boots up. It will automatically start Ubuntu instead of Windows XP unless Windows is manually selected with the arrow keys when the boot loader appears.

In order to change the default operating system back to Windows XP, and change other settings such as the boot delay time, start Ubuntu and do the following:

  1. Open the Terminal (Applications>Accessories>Terminal)
  2. Type: sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst, then press Enter
  3. Enter password if asked, then press Enter

This should open a new window with the GRUB settings.

Changing ##default num changes the default operating system. The default is “0″, which is the top entry that you see when the boot loader appears on start-up. Changing this to a higher number will change the default highlighted entry in the boot loader. This may take a couple of tries if you are unsure of how many entries there are.

Changing ## timeout sec changes the number of seconds the boot loader will be displayed before booting the default entry. The default is “10″. Save any changes and exit the Terminal. The next time you reboot, GRUB should have the new settings applied.

(This has only been tested with Ubuntu, but may work with other Linux distros using GRUB.)

Firestarter – Linux Firewall

firestarter.jpg

Firestarter is an Open Source firewall program that has an easy to use graphical interface. It is available in an RPM package for Fedora, Red Hat, SuSE, and Mandrake Linux distributions. For ubuntu and debian based distributions, it can be installed using the apt-get tool (Type apt-get install firestarter in the Terminal window). Ubuntu users need to have the “universe” repository enabled. Gentoo users can use the Portage system to install. There is a set-up wizard the first time you run Firestarter that allows you to select your firewall preferences.

Install Ubuntu Video Drivers with “Envy”

Info about Envy from albertomilone.com:

“Envy” is an application for Ubuntu Linux written in Python and PyGTK which will:
1) detect the model of your graphic card (ATI and Nvidia cards are supported). However “Manual installation” is also available
2) download the right version of the proprietary driver for your ATI or Nvidia card from ATI or Nvidia’s websites
3) handle the dependencies (compilers, OpenGL, etc.) (according to your OS version and kernel) required to build the module
4) install/uninstall the driver
5) set up your xorg.conf (i.e. the configuration file of the Xserver) for you (according to your system specifications)
6) restart the Xserver for you (if you wish so) (this feature is available only in the textual interface)

Fixing Windows XP Master Boot Record (MBR)

After installing a Linux distro on a Windows XP machine, the GRUB boot loader, or other Linux boot loader, will appear when the PC boots. It gives you the option of which operating system to start. GRUB usually makes Linux the default OS, so it will start automatically when the PC is turned on.

If you ever delete the Linux distro and don’t have Windows set as the OS that will boot when the PC is powered on, Windows might not start and will give an error message.

An easy way to fix the Windows XP master boot record is to use the Windows Install CD.

  1. Insert the Windows XP Install CD and reboot the computer.
  2. When “Press any key to boot from CD” appears, press any key.
  3. When the “Welcome to Setup” screen appears, press R to enter the Recovery Console.
  4. When asked which Windows installation to log onto, enter the number for the correct Windows install, then press Enter.
  5. Type the Administrator password or just press Enter if there isn’t one.
  6. Type FIXMBR and press Enter.
  7. It will ask if you are sure you want to write a new MBR. Type y and press Enter.
  8. It should say “The new master boot record has been successfully written”. Type exit and press Enter to reboot the computer.
  9. Remove the Installation CD as soon as the computer powers up so it won’t boot from the CD again.
  10. The computer should now boot into Windows.

Display a Text Banner at WinXP Login

  1. Click start
  2. Click Run…
  3. Type regedit in the Open: box and click OK
  4. Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
  5. Open SOFTWARE
  6. Open Microsoft
  7. Open Windows NT
  8. Open CurrentVersion
  9. Click on Winlogon
  10. On the right side, double click on LegalNoticeCaption
  11. In the Value data: box, enter the text that you want displayed in the caption bar of the banner, then click OK
  12. On the right side, double click on LegalNoticeText
  13. In the Value data: box, enter the text that you want displayed as the message in the banner, then click OK
  14. Reboot the computer

Speeding up the Windows Program Menu

To change the delay time of the All Programs menu in WinXP:

  1. Click start
  2. Click Run…
  3. type regedit in the Open: box and click OK
  4. Open HKEY_CURRENT_USER
  5. Open Control Panel
  6. Click on Desktop
  7. Over on the right hand side, double click MenuShowDelay
  8. Change 400 to a lower number, 0 being no delay, and click OK
  9. Restart the computer

Removing Windows XP Paging File Before Defragmentation

To remove the Windows paging file for a more thorough defrag, follow these steps:

  1. Click on start, then Control Panel
  2. Performance and Maintenance
  3. System
  4. Click on the Advanced tab
  5. Click the Settings button under Performance
  6. Click on the Advanced tab
  7. Click the Change button under Virtual memory
  8. Select No paging file under Paging file size for selected drive, then click the Set button. Click OK on all open boxes.

After removing the paging file, reboot the computer and defragment the drive. When defragmentation is finished, follow the same steps above but select System managed size, and click the Set button. Reboot the computer again and a new paging file will be created.

Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) Guide

ubuntu-88x31.gif

Ubuntuguide.org offers a reference guide for version 7.04 of Ubuntu Linux.

Portable Apps for USB Devices

PortableApps.com offers a collection of programs that can be installed onto a USB flash drive, portable hard drive, or other storage device. PortableApps can be used on any Windows computer. Some of the programs include: