Hello Ubuntu...goodbye Ubuntu

9 years ago

I have WinXP and have used Lotus123 for years (started when it was THE spreadsheet software). Now XP is out and Lotus won't be updated for Win 8 - the perfect storm. Seemed like an excellent opportunity to convert to Ubuntu.

In prep, I spent considerable time first converting all my spreadsheets to Excel and then to LibreOffice, the office suite of Ubuntu. (Excel could work with Lotus but Libre couldn't; Libre could, however, work with Excel). Not everything converted smoothly, and I had to redo some Lotus formulas that stymied Excel.

Finally, with all converted and backed up, I put new life into the old Win XP by adding Ubuntu. Making my way around this new OS was frustrating and yet fun too. Sadly, however, I've given up and ordered a new Win 8 desktop today.

The initial install of Ubuntu went smoothly and I was patting myself on the back. A new window opened, informing me of a newer version. "Sure" I clicked. WRONG. The new version really messed up the screen display. Not knowing better, I kept looking for a button I must have pressed.

After considerable searching in the blind, I learned that Ubuntu doesn't play nice with Nvidia (yep, this XP has it). Tried downloading a recommended PPA (2 days ago I wouldn't have had a clue what this was!) and I was so happy to see the screen return to "normal". My happiness was short lived though as the screen suddenly went black. All I knew to do was reboot...and reboot...and reboot. This happened repeatedly.

So, I reinstalled the "old" Ubuntu. Now the screen says on but graphics and text are squashed to short and fat!

Life is too short. The new HP should be here in about a week. From reading about Win 8, I suspect my computer challenges aren't over - I'LL BE BAC.C.K.

June

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

owbist
9 years ago
June you might consider using Kingsoft Office Suite for your Lotus 123 once you get the new computer and have aclimatised yourself with the new operating system.
juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the hint Owbist. I do have Kingsoft on my tablet but didn't think about using it for the desktop. One of those instances where we tend to overlook the closest solution. - June
Related Discussions
Question for Mozilla Firefox users
Q
Comments (57)
hello, the machine is only 3 years old,yes i did destroy all the data on it after i formatted.i still have the larger drive but it won't read it. last night a neighbor gave me a windows 2000 disc and i formatted the drive again and it worked;it saw the full capacity of the drive and is ready to use, however when i try to bring the second drive with 225 + gigs of data on it it will not see it no matter how i switch things around bios won't read it, so i took it out, the drive i have working is set to master and is the only drive in the pc but bios says it is a secondary slave drive but it is on the primary ide channel and set to master!!everything in bios is set to auto detect drives,but as soon as i connect the other drive as a slave drive and reboot, the computer freezes and gets stuck on the post screen and hangs.funny thing is when i take that drive and put it in the hard drive enclosure that converts regular drives to use with usb and plug it into the computer i am on right now and reboot, windows comes up and says : found new hardware,mass storage usb device,your hardware is installed and ready to use,it even gives me a new drive letter,shows the drive as a western digital drive but... when i click on the drive letter it says please insert a disk into drive j....hmmm
...See More
XP Windows upgrade to 32-Bit Windows 7
Q
Comments (7)
When you speak of upgrading "my Dell computer", you're not speaking of installing an upgrade over top of XP are you? If so, I misunderstand, so disregard the rest of my post. :) So I'm assuming you intend to purchase a retail version of Windows 7 and do a clean install. In the first line of your post you mention 512 MB of RAM, a date, and then 2.00 GB of RAM. Does that mean it now has 2.00 GB of RAM or maybe 2 1/2 GB of RAM? Either way, I'm no expert but I'd think 512 MB is less than enough, but either 2 or 2 1/2 GB would be fine. I don't know much about Office, but wasn't Office 2003 was the last version that had the old style menu, before the newfangled ribbon came along. According to this, your Office 2002 would not be compatible but according to this, Office 2003 would be. Would your 2002 macros work in 2003? I don't know. Would it be worth the expense of buying a retail version of Windows 7, as well as Office 2003(or at least Word)? To me, probably not, to you, only you can decide. Personally, since it works, I'd probably just continue using it. Continue running a good real-time AV, occasionally scanning with a couple on-demand malware tools(Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware come to mind), use Firefox or Chrome(lie detected), using the WOT add-on(trusting it somewhat less than fully), and being careful what I open(email) and what I install. Just my opinion though. Edit: GrammerGrammar Edit2: Spelling This post was edited by chuggerguy on Thu, Jan 23, 14 at 3:10
...See More
IPv6 a concern?
Q
Comments (4)
Kim Komando also had info today since it is IPv6 day Are you ready for coming changes to the Internet? and the link to test your's Test your IPv6 connectivity.
...See More
Linux problem with sound
Q
Comments (3)
Need to know more about what Linux your are running, I assume one of the windows-like. I'm not expert on Linux, but have "played" with it a bit. In general drivers are more problematic than when running Windows. Do a Google on Linux and you'll find some forums that specialize on Linux, I would guess. This forum is in the most Windows, I believe.
...See More
Elmer J Fudd
9 years ago
Having just set up a couple of Win 8 PCs for the first time, and having returned one, here's what I did. It's my suggestion to you:

Before you do anything set up a restore point. Do that by doing Search, Control Panel, and the result will take you to something that looks like the Control Panel of old. Go to system, system protection, and set up a restore point. The restore point will let you revert back to "out of the box" status as a last resort if your subsequent setup steps need to be undone or reversed.

When it's done, tell Windows to update, and come back in an hour or two.

Start a browser (it'll have Internet Explorer), search for and then download Classic Shell, then go on with life as before.

I gave the Win8 dynamic a try and found no advantages and too many disadvantages. I know the guts of the OS are improved and more efficient and I appreciate that. As for the user interface, I found it to be different but not better and a waste of time.

Good luck.
azinoh
9 years ago
I'm going to make a guess that if nVidia isn't playing nice (as I learned with my 2007 Dell XPS400)...what you really needed is Xubuntu with the XFCE desktop environment. If you're still interested, burn the live DVD and then boot it and see if it runs. Not much to be lost by trying and you may just learn something.

As for myself, I am waiting for Linux Mint 17 XFCE.
zep516
9 years ago
, I found it to be different but not better and a waste of time.

Most everyone knows that by now, have you been in a box ?

This post was edited by zep516 on Wed, May 21, 14 at 18:49
juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
Original Author
9 years ago
Snidely: Thanks for your input. I've been putting together a list of "things-to-do" when the new computer arrives. I hadn't thought of a restore point but it's now in the plan.

Azinoh: Now that I've installed an OS (had never done that before my foray into Ubuntu), I'm receptive to trying your Xbuntu suggestion. If it overcomes the Nvidia problem, I'll have mixed emotions about the new computer. Knowing a new one is coming is liberating, however. I feel so free to try new-to-me things with this current one.

Thank you everyone for reading and offering your input - June
aputernut
9 years ago
When receiving a new PC and I have 3 W7 here and my newest W8, luv all my PC's anyway you should always burn your recover disk ASAP. And yes, Classic W8 is a great idea, a simple download and then you have your start button and desktop mode. The first things I get rid of are all Trial software including Norton etc. then I download AVG2014 Free and Malewarebytes. I have no problems with any of my PC's all are online and run tip top. I fix PC problems almost daily for other folks also free of course.

Here is a link that might be useful: Classic W8
juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
Original Author
9 years ago
Wow - A+ on HP's delivery. The new computer was ordered from HP on Wednesday at 2 PM. It was delivered today - Friday - at noon! And no, I didn't pay for expedited shipping. - June
aputernut
9 years ago
All my PC's are HP's and yes, they are an awesome company to deal with.
emma
9 years ago
I have been buying HP's for years and I also like dealing with them. I had a problem with a computer with an expired warranty, I called they sold me an extended warranted and guaranteed to fix or replace it with one of equal value. The warranty was less expensive than a shop would have charged me.

Hello Ubuntu...goodbye Ubuntu

Comments (10)

owbist

juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
Original Author

Related Discussions

Elmer J Fudd

azinoh

zep516

juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
Original Author

aputernut

juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
Original Author

aputernut

emma

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Hello Ubuntu...goodbye Ubuntu

Comments (10)

owbist

juneroses Z9a Cntrl FlOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Elmer J Fudd

azinoh

zep516

juneroses Z9a Cntrl FlOriginal Author

aputernut

juneroses Z9a Cntrl FlOriginal Author

aputernut

emma

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
Original Author

juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
Original Author

juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
Original Author