2009-03-13

openSUSE 11.1 with GNOME on ThinkPad

Notes
  • Most is same as KDE; expended with more details.
  • CentOS is solid, but most parts are rather dated, and cannot do some jobs I want it to. So it's not for my personal use.
  • SUSE is famous for KDE support, and I'm also a K fan. But current KDE brings me too many problems.
  • I'm using openSUSE 11.1 i586 DVD.

Install
  1. Boot from DVD.
  2. Choose screen size using F3 at GRUB screen. (NOTE: this affects boot screen and tty; higher resolution will get larger tty view, and slower output speed if tty is often scrolled)
  3. Proceed to summary page:
    • Add additional language support.
    • Search and remove beagle-related packages, except libbeagle1.
  4. Finish install and log in your account.
  5. DON'T move any widgets on panel, lock them and the panel ASAP. Otherwise it's likely to move them accidentally and hardly to place them decently again.
  6. Configure fonts to use "Subpixel smoothing (LCD)".
  7. In "Control Center" > "Sessions", remove "SUSE" greeter, uncheck "Visual Assistant".
  8. Run SaX2, disable middle button's "Emulate Wheel".
  9. Run gconf-editor, in /apps/gedit-2/preferences/encodings/, add GBK in proper positions.
<Status>
  • Suspension works.
  • Hibernation works, but not effective. After you hear first beep, the screen blanks until next beep, and system goes suspension immediately, so you need to wake it up again.
  • Working Fn: F2, F3, F4, F7, F12, brightness, media control, and ThinkLight
  • Page navigation keys work.
  • Display is 16-bit even if shown 32-bit in configuration dialog.
  • A little sluggish to drag windows.
  • Banshee doesn't play mp3.

Network
  1. Better than KNetworkManager, GNOME NM provides more connection options.
  2. Setup a DSL, and get connected.
  3. Wireless works. If you disable and re-enable wireless network in NM, the indicator works.

NTFS
  1. Reference: opensuse.org
  2. By default, NTFS is not writable for normal user.
  3. Modify NTFS entries in /etc/fstab so they look like:
    /dev/disk/by-id/ata-XX...XX-partX /windows/C ntfs-3g user,users,gid=users,fmask=113,dmask=002,locale=en_US.UTF-8 0 0
  4. Remount all NTFS partitions, or reboot.

Update
  1. The basic repos (OSS, Non-OSS, update) are already set. Switch to lupaworld.com for faster speed.
  2. Addons from update:
    • Fluendo mp3 (NOTE: unlike Amarok, Banshee is doing well with this codec.)
    • Microsoft fonts
    • Flash player

Repositories
  1. YaST now has a priority system for software repos. Use it properly to prevent unwanted updates.
  2. In use:
  3. Others:
  4. Search software at opensuse.org.

Video
  1. Enable nvidia repo.
  2. Do an update.
  3. Reboot.

Multimedia
  1. Reference: opensuse-community.org
  2. Enable packman and libdvdcss.
  3. Install:
    • ffmpeg
    • libdvdcss
    • gstreamer-0_10-ffmpeg
    • gstreamer-0_10-plugins-bad
    • gstreamer-0_10-plugins-ugly
    • libxine1-codecs
    • w32codec-all
    • smplayer (the best Linux video player I say)
    • mplayerplugin-in
  4. Set preferred player for some video formats in nautilus.
  5. Help mplayer to locate rm/rmvb codec:
    1. mkdir -p /usr/lib/RealPlayer10/codecs
    2. ln -s /usr/lib/codecs/drvc.so /usr/lib/RealPlayer10/codecs/drvc.so

Qt SDK
  1. NOTE 1: up to this writing, libqt4 in openSUSE has some issue. Any program linking to it could sometimes remove focused editable text.
  2. NOTE 2: if you use default libqt4-devel, the release build mode will have '-g' option enabled. You need to modify the system's mkspecs/common/g++.conf to prevent having large debug version binary.
  3. NOTE 3: the SDK is of version 4.5.0, while 4.4.3 is shipped with openSUSE 11.1, if executed directly in OS might have potential issues.
  4. Download SDK from qtsoftware.com.
  5. Install libqt4-devel first to ensure all dependencies are ready, then remove libqt4-devel.
  6. chmod and install qt-sdk.

Optional software
  • p7zip
  • amule
  • blender (3D modeling)
  • wireshark (packet analyzer)
  • chmsee (worse than kchmviewer, but avoid import of whole kdelibs3)
  • picasa (F-Spot is awkward)
  • audacity (audio editing)
  • furiusisomount (mounter for iso, nrg, mdf)
  • filezilla
  • java-1_6_0-openjdk-devel
  • python-idle
  • subversion
  • git
  • wine
  • PlayOnLinux (A good way to manage wine apps)
  • VMware (6.5.1 needs kernel-source)
  • Games:
    • armagetronad (NOTE: package armagetron provided in SUSE repo doesn't work)
    • frozen-bubble
    • xlogical
    • solarwolf

aMule
  1. Reference: amule.org (firewall)
  2. Reference: amule.org (ed2k links handling)
  3. Install amule from packman.
  4. Open firewall ports (TCP: 4662, UDP: 4672 4665) in YaST.
  5. Configure firefox with ed2k link handler.
    1. open about:config
    2. New Boolean network.protocol-handler.external.ed2k value true
    3. New String network.protocol-handler.app.ed2k value /usr/bin/ed2k
    4. New Boolean network.protocol-handler.expose.ed2k value false
    5. Open any ed2k link, firefox should prompt for an application to launch.
    6. The default ed2k is not working for me. Choose other, locate /usr/bin/ed2k, and check remember option.
    7. Once confirmed amule correctly receives the link, delete the string we previously added in about:config.

Wine
  1. Some programs cannot be run in NTFS.
  2. Copy them to ext3, and wine it.
  3. Some dlls need to be in wine's system32:
    • mfc42.dll
    • msvcp60.dll
    • zlib1.dll
  4. Working programs:
    • StarCraft
    • ePSXe (once emulation started, don't press ESC for menu, otherwise it won't receive any key input when resumed)
    • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Disable "Soft smoke edge" and "Depth of view")
  5. Issue
    • Chinese Windows programs don't show characters well.

Fingerprint
  1. Configure in YaST.
  2. Working with GDM and tty login.
  3. Unlike Windows, only one fingerprint can be stored per user. You need to select you account before swiping.

Issues
  • You must switch on integrated WiFi to get external PCMCIA WiFi card working in NM.
  • The chess game doesn't show me any pieces when I switch to 3D view.
  • It's GNOME: middle button always paste things when you're unawared. Hope GNOME can disable this "feature", or at least offer a decent way to.
  • Sometimes Banshee refuses any playback command, while its GUI is not freezed.
  • Monsoon (BT client) is unstable, crashes sometimes.
  • I haven't found any way to hot-plug Ultrabay drive.
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2009-03-12

openSUSE 11.1 with KDE on ThinkPad

NOTE: Please refer to my another post about GNOME.
Prologue
  • Default install brings you nearly ready-to-use OS.
  • Centralized YaST control center makes SUSE the most friendly distro I've used.

Install
  1. Boot from DVD.
  2. Choose your screen size using F3. (NOTE: this is the screen size of installation process, tty and boot splash. Your runlevel 5 screen size can be changed in your DE.
  3. Proceed to summary page:
    • Add language support if you need to.
    • Search and remove beagle-related packages. (NOTE: I don't like beagle, so do it if you're alike. And if you're not removing it here, it will call a handful of dependency when you do it later.)
  4. Finish install and log in your account.

Status
  • Display is 16-bit even if shown 32-bit in configuration dialog.
  • Amarok doesn't play mp3.

Network
  1. It seems KNetworkManager does not provide a way to connect xDSL.
  2. In YaST: Turn NM off, setup a DSL, and use '/sbin/ifup dsl0' to get online.

Update
  1. Disable update applet if you don't like it.
  2. The default repositories (OSS, Non-OSS, update) are already set. So Update directly.
  3. What takes my attention from update:
    • fluendo mp3 support (NOTE: this mp3 codec seems producing a lot of static noise.)
    • Microsoft fonts
    • Flash player

NTFS
  1. Reference: en.opensuse.org
  2. Default NTFS does not allow normal user to write.
  3. Modify NTFS entries in /etc/fstab so they look like this:
    /dev/sda1 /windows/C ntfs-3g user,users,gid=users,fmask=113,dmask=002,locale=en_US.UTF-8 0 0
  4. If you don't want to reboot, remount all NTFS partitions.

Repositories
  1. Now YaST has a priority system for software repositories.
  2. SUSE Collection: opensuse.org
  3. Packman: gwdg.de
  4. nVidia: nvidia.com (NOTE: web access forbidden)
  5. libdvdcss: linuxin.dk (NOTE: web access forbidden)

Multimedia
  1. Reference: opensuse-community.org
  2. Ensure packman and libdvdcss repo are enabled.
  3. Install:
    • ffmpeg
    • k3b-codecs
    • libdvdcss
    • libxine1-codecs
    • w32codec-all
    • amarok-xine

Qt SDK
  1. Till this writing, libqt4 in openSUSE has bugs.
  2. Download SDK from qtsoftware.com.
  3. Install libqt4-devel first to ensure all dependencies are ready, then remove libqt4-devel.
  4. Install downloaded qt-sdk.

Amule
  1. Reference (firewall): amule.org
  2. Reference (ed2k links handling): amule.org
  3. Install from packman.
  4. Open ports (TCP: 4662, UDP: 4672 4665) in YaST.
  5. Configure firefox with ed2k link handler.
    1. open about:config
    2. New Boolean network.protocol-handler.external.ed2k, true
    3. New String network.protocol-handler.app.ed2k, /usr/bin/ed2k
    4. New Boolean network.protocol-handler.expose.ed2k, false

Optional software
  • unrar
  • p7zip
  • blender (3D modeling)
  • wireshark (packet analyzer)
  • kchmviewer (KDE3 application; Okular is too slow to open chm files)
  • picasa (Better than digiKam)
  • virtualbox
  • Games:
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2009-02-08

CentOS on ThinkPad

Note:
  • This is my memo for future reference. Hopefully it would be helpful to you, too.
  • As of this writting, CentOS is 5.2, RHEL 5.3. Some 3rd party rpms are for the newer kernel, so be aware to choose the right one.

Hardware (main):
  • Model: T61p 8889
  • Intel Core2 Duo T8300
  • NVidia Quadro FX 570M
  • 2GiB RAM
  • Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AG
  • CentOS 5.1 i386 DVD

Installation:
  1. CentOS 5.1 does not support this NVidia card, runs black screen if using graphic mode.
  2. Switch to text mode (linux text). Proceed installation normally.
  3. Reboot into CLI, login root.
  4. Modify /etc/yum.repo.d/* to a fast mirror for update. (centos.ustc.edu.cn, enable 4 repos: os, updates, addons, extras).
  5. adsl-setup to get ADSL connection to Internet.
  6. yum update
  7. vim /etc/inittab, set run level to 5.
  8. Reboot to GDM, login root, add normal user, re-login user.
  9. Lock all applets to panel, preventing accidental move.
<Status>
  • It takes long to start udev at boot time.
  • Default video driver runs sluggishly, CPU shares a high load.

Repositories:
  1. Reference 1: wiki.centos.org
  2. Reference 2: en.wikipedia.org
  3. yum install yum-priorities
  4. vim /etc/yum.repo.d/CentOS-Base.repo
  5. Set to-be-protected entries to priority 1.
  6. Install repo rpms for:
  7. Add RPM Fusion as instructed on: rpmfusion.org
<Warning>
  • Third party repositories may conflict with each other. yum-priorities doesn't work well for me.
  • Better enable one 3rd-party repo at a time.

Video:
  1. Reference: support.dell.com
  2. Install nvidia-graphics from ATrpms.
  3. Edit /boot/grub/menu.lst, remove kernel parameter rhgb. This can reduce boot time significantly.
  4. Reboot.
<Status>
  • GUI responds well. 3D works.
  • Screen brightness Fn no longer display OSD, but functioning. (UPDATE: it works now, though I don't know what I've done to make it work.)

Sound:
  1. Reference: bugzilla.redhat.com
  2. No need to compile and apply the patch.
  3. The ALSA kernel module and driver are not installed by default.
  4. yum install alsa-kmdl-`uname -r` alsa-driver
  5. Reboot.
<Status>
  • Sound works.
  • Boot time udev passes faster. (I forget it's after video or sound)

Wireless:
  1. Reference: kbase.redhat.com
  2. Install iwl4965-firmware from RPMforge.
  3. Reboot.
  4. Enable NetworkManager:
    chkconfig NetworkManager on
    service NetworkManager start
  5. edit /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-wmaster*, set ONBOOT=no.
<Status>
  • NetworkManager applet shows in system tray.
  • Wireless works.

NTFS:
  1. Reference: wiki.centos.org
  2. In order to bring in minimum dependencies, install fuse from ATrpms, and fuse-ntfs-3g from RPMforge.
  3. Add /dev/sda# /media/# ntfs-3g rw,umask=0000,defaults 0 0 to /etc/fstab.
  4. Reboot.

Multimedia:
  1. Enable repo RPMforge; disable all other 3rd-party repo.
  2. yum install gstreamer-ugly gstreamer-bad
  3. Find and install gstreamer-ffmpeg on rpm.pbone.net.
  4. yum install ffmpeg
    • Playable: mp3, wma/wmv, avi
  5. Download and install RealPlayer from www.real.com.
  6. Run RealPlayer, Tools > Preferences > Internet, uncheck all options.
    • Playable: rm/rmvb
  7. yum install flash-plugin; or download and install from get.adobe.com.
<Status>
  • Now system basically runs as expected.

Optional software:
  • From base:
    • Asian language support
    • pidgin
    • gcc-c++
    • gdb
    • freeglut-devel
  • From EPEL:
    • java-1.6.0-openjdk, from EPEL. (RHEL 5.3 has it, so should CentOS 5.3 soon)
  • From RPMforge:
    • unrar
    • p7zip
    • gnochm
    • gconf-editor
    • amule
    • deluge
  • Games (RPMforge):
    • wesnoth
    • armagetronad

Amule:
  1. Reference 1: forums.fedoraforum.org
  2. Reference 2: www.amule.org
  3. Start amule and get error:
    4. amule: error while loading shared libraries: /usr/lib/libcryptopp.so.1: cannot restore segment prot after reloc: Permission denied
  4. According to reference 1, it's SELinux denying the operation.
  5. Solutions:
    • System > Administration > Security Level and Firewall, tab SELinux, set as Permissive
    • Or execute: chcon -t textrel_shlib_t /usr/lib/libcryptopp.so.1
  6. Use server list: www.emule.org.cn.
  7. According to reference 2, allowing KAD to pass firewall needs adding 3 ports (default settings) in Security Level and Firewall:
    • 4662 TCP
    • 4665 UDP
    • 4672 UDP

Qt 4.5 rc1:
  1. Reference: doc.trolltech.com
  2. Qt is downloaded from www.qtsoftware.com.
  3. Install dependent development libraries:
    • QtGui:
      • libXrender-devel
      • libXrandr-devel
      • libXcursor-devel
      • libXfixes-devel
      • libXinerama-devel
      • libXi-devel
      • libXt-devel
      • libXext-devel
      • libX11-devel
      • libSM-devel
      • libICE-devel
      • glib2-devel
    • QtOpenGL
      • mesa-libGLU-devel
    • QtDBus
      • dbus-devel
    • Other:
      • libXft-devel
      • libmng-devel
      • libpng-devel
      • fontconfig-devel
      • freetype-devel
      • libjpeg-devel
      • zlib-devel
      • openssl-devel
  4. ./configure
  5. make -i --jobs=2 (NOTE: sometimes -j could take up all 2GiB memory, use --jobs={your available cores} to come over)
  6. sudo make -i -j install
  7. Install QtCreator from ftp.trolltech.com
  8. Some parts still don't work. (Use make -i to ignore errors)
    • QtTest with error
    • Phonon not enabled

<Parts still not functioning>
  • Fingerprint Reader
  • Active Protection System for Hard drive
  • Intel Turbo Memory (?)
  • Bluetooth is working, but with no GUI command entry.
  • Not many power-saving options, it seems fan is running all the time.
  • Suspend and hibernate don't work as expected.
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