Ubuntu 12.10 Laptop Issues

Over the past several days I have been attempting to get Ubuntu running the way I want it to on my laptop.  This has been easier said then done.  I have a Pavilion g7 laptop running Windows 8 out of the box.  Windows 8 isn't my choice of OS, but one I can live with for things like playing certain games, and producing our YouTube videos.  However, for everything else, I'd really prefer using Linux.

After disabling Secure Boot in my laptop's BIOS and imstalling Ubuntu 12.10, I had to run Boot-Repair from the Ubuntu 12.10 Live DVD to repair Grub 2 and make it bootable.  So far so good.  The issue began when trying to install my proprietary display drivers for the A8 APU my laptop is running.  The default OpenGL drivers seemed to do ok, but every once in a while the screen would flicker for a brief second.  Not a big issue, but one that made me feel like I was loosing my mind.

I followed numerous guides and tutorials on various Ubuntu blogs, YouTube videos, etc.  And every single method I used returned the same issue.  The driver would install, I could see it and test it as long as I didn't reboot.  The catch is that to fully utilize the drivers I was forced to reboot anyways.  Upon reboot, my Ubuntu setup would boot straight into a TTY session with no LightDM login or GUI of any kind.

Some methods required purging the recent changes to bring LightDM and the GUI back.  But that didn't always work; resulting in reinstalling Ubuntu about 3 times.  After the third installation, it started getting old.  After doing some research, I have found several sites mentioning that the drivers seem to work in Ubuntu 12.04.  Dropping down from Ubuntu 12.10 to 12.04 isn't a big deal to me.  I have been using the LTS releases for a long time anyways.  And with Steam now on Linux, I really want to get into some Counter Strike: Source action on my Linux install.

So, with the Ubuntu 12.04 Live DVD in hand; I plan on installing Ubuntu again and seeing if the Legacy drivers in fact work under 12.04 as many have claimed they do.  If everything goes well, I hope to be reporting back with success soon.

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Windows 8: Where is the Start Menu?

A few weeks ago Microsoft made the Windows 8 Developer Preview available to the world.  One of the biggest changes coming to Windows 8 is it's user interface.  Swapping the default desktop that everyone has come to know and love; they will be moving forward with the 'Metro' interface.  A quick glance at it will bring to mind the user interface for the new Windows Phones.  I've ranted a little about this in the past, concerning how the interface is probably fine for touch based devices and tablets that will run Windows 8.  But not necessarily for the desktop experience.

So it's no surprise that Microsoft would eventually open up about the new interface and tell us why they decided to change it up.  In simple terms, they found out that Start Menu usage dropped around 11% since Windows Vista hit the world with a thud.  The same thing has been discovered with Windows 7 and that supposedly more user's now than ever are pinning shortcuts to their taskbars.  So, in the way that big corporate American business often think; this usage drop means you have to reinvent the wheel and do something completely different.

In my opinion, I think they were just looking for something to change it up with so they can make a splash with news, headlines, and garner attention from the world.  I interact with people from various industries through the course of every week in my line of work.  And I have never noticed any of these people 'pinning' applications or shortcuts to their taskbars.  

Obviously, Microsoft's aim was to 'dumb down' the user interface so much that using it becomes almost mindless.  Personally, at this rate I have no intention of upgrading to Windows 8 (and it's still far enough out, I could change my mind).  But with this interface and Microsoft's point of view being that their user's are mindless drones who need big square tiles to click on to stay happy...No thanks.  That might be what helps me jump full on into Linux.

And FYI, Microsoft is also claiming that there has been a 54% drop in Control Panel usage as well.  So, I wouldn't count on a common sense place to make hardware/software setting changes in Windows 8 either (just my prediction).  If you want to read the full article swing by (there are more stats listed there as well):

PCMag.com: Microsoft Explains Why the Start Menu Needed to Die

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A little more from the Windows 8 Secure Boot Front

An article on PCWorld seems to have a little more information concerning the Windows 8 Secure Boot feature.  A feature that may have the potential to prevent user's from installing alternative operating systems like Linux or even older versions of Windows.  And it seems like Microsoft may be leaving some of the decision in the hands of the computer manufacturers as to whether or not their products may have the ability to disable the UEFI key and Secure Boot features. 

Secure Boot seems to stem from a good hearted origin; it was put in place to prevent malware from being able to manipulate boot options.  However, I can't help but feel like there are other reasons involved.  Maybe to counter act those who are using non-genuine copies of Windows?  Or to ensure that their operating system will not be replaced?  Both seem to be the byproducts of Secure Boot.  Regardless, if these features are implemented in the final release of Windows 8 (and it's release is still well enough out there); I can imagine someone out there will find a way to circumvent this. 

When it comes down to it, the whole scenario feels like the freedom of your hardware is starting to drift away more than it ever has before.  I say as long as the OS is genuine leave us alone.

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Mircosoft Pushing to Lock Down Secure Booting in Windows 8

Microsoft is no doubt taking some heat today.  After announcing this weekend that they are pushing for a secure boot feature to be enabled with Windows 8.  What does this mean?  It means user's wouldn't have the option of installing alternate operating systems on the same hard drive.  In short speak, no more Linux installs/dual boots.

I will be the first to go on record at this site and say if that is the case, I'll not be upgrading.  I know Microsoft has an audience of customers who only want to use their computer for basic computing everyday.  Who only surf the web, handle business and banking and call it a day.  However, there is also a huge audience of people who don't want to be locked down.  I am one of these users.

I believe that every computer owner/user should have the right to choose how and what they do with their hardware.  After all, if you buy a car from Ford and decide to overhall it a year later.  Does Ford stick their nose in your business and tell you not to do it?  Nope.  Why?  Because they have made their money and it's none of their freakin' business.  Simple as that.

The same should be applied to Microsoft.  So what is the deal?  Microsoft's push is to force all alternative operating systems to include a secure key that would allow it to be compatible with future booting routines.  This is part of the UEFI (United Extensible Firmware Interface).  And is a load of crap.  If you actually do some digging, you'll find out that they are requiring the same thing with their previous operating systems.

Want to dual-boot Windows XP Pro with Windows 8?  Only if you have the UEFI key.  I'm sure for Microsoft's legacy Operating Systems that will not be such a difficult task as they will no doubt make it available for those who need it.  But I'm sure they will not be as open to Linux users.

So far from what I have read and seen concerning Windows 8, I am not impressed.  Granted, I haven't checked out the Windows 8 Developer Preview yet.  But at this point, I may be planning on migrating straight to Linux if it gets to this point.  Sorry Microsoft, it's been a good run.

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Windows 8 News of the Week

Windows 8 has a new BSOD (Blue Screen of Death)

The previous look of the BSOD

If you have ever used a Windows computer, ever; you have probably seen a BSOD or Blue Screen of Death at one point or another.  If you remember right, it has always been somewhat scary looking in appearance and layout.  To the average computer user, it is full of crazy looking numbers and terrifying white text on a blue background.  But to the computer tech it is filled with useful information about what failure occured to cause the BSOD and what the Stop error is.

However, with the upcoming Windows 8 making news lately, a screen shot of the new BSOD from Windows 8 has been leaked from what is supposedly the Windows 8 Developer Preview.  And let me go on the record to say, as a PC technician; if I were to service a computer for someone who kept getting the new BSOD, it would be a bad day for all soon thereafter.  Take a look:

Windows 8 Developer Preview BSOD

Yep, that is a frowny face.  And another thing to notice is there is very little information on this BSOD about what the issue is that caused the error.  There is a reference to a an error (in small printer under the frowning face and apology for the issue).  But we all know Windows errors can be somewhat vague.

So, to Microsoft I say: "Thank you for removing a tool many of us use to help your existing customer base keep a happy computing experience..."

And I will also go on record to say that I haven't seen the developer preview of Windows 8 (I'm not a developer so no surprise to me).  But this is the first report of the new BSOD so take it lightly (at least until more confirmations are made to be on the safe side).  Plus, if this is indeed from the Developer Preview copy, there is no guarantee that it won't change between now and release day (at least somewhat).
Source: TechCrunch

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Microsoft shows love to ARM devices

Second in Windows 8 news from the week, Microsoft has made another announcement about Windows 8.  One that will not surprise the world as heavily as the new interface layout did; however, is huge from the business standpoint of things.  Previously, manufacturers could only ship products (i.e.: computers) with Windows preloaded if they adhered to the Intel x86 architecture.  Since we already now that Windows 8 will be fitted onto tablets, and there are a lot of tablets out there (and upcoming release products) that are running on the ARM architecture, Microsoft will start allowing ARM products to be shipped with Windows 8 loaded on them.

Source: CNN

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Future Windows 8 ARM devices can't run x86 Apps?  WTH?


So this week Microsoft now doubt dazzled the world by releasing the info that Windows 8 will run on ARM devices.  ARM devices are typically mobile devices of some sort.  Usually in the form of small notebooks and tablet devices.  So, it's great that Microsoft is spreading the love right?  Well, sort of.  They back pedaled somewhat when they added an addendum to that release note.  Even though Windows 8 will run on ARM architectures, there isn't the compatibility there to allow it to run x86 apps (applications from the PC).  So, if you were hoping to grab a copy of  something like 'Adobe Reader'; unless the software developers directly port it over to the new architecture, you'll only run it on an Intel x86 based machine (i.e.: your PC).

I'm sure Microsoft will be one of the first to port their software, otherwise you'll not be able to run very much besides the operating system at launch on these ARM devices if they don't.  Will other developers follow suite?  I'm sure they will.  But I'm also sure for a while at least; there will be some slow adoption from some software developers to make sure people have a demand for these ARM devices running Windows 8.  After all, it takes time to port software and re-write code; and time is money in the corporate world.

Source: SlashGear

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