Cannot access Desktop Activities

[Don]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

I'm not sure how to interpret them either. When I put one of the probes in each ear, the resistance between them reads "infinite." Hence the problem.

[dibl]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

I'm not sure how to interpret them either. When I put one of the probes in each ear, the resistance between them reads "infinite." Hence the problem.

[Don]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Update: I also ran voltage tests. A couple of wires that should be around 5V were at 0V. I spoke with the PSU manufacturer, who agreed that the PSU has gone belly up. I'm going to swap in a different power supply this evening and see what happens.

[dibl]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Sorry to hear it, but it's good to have a working theory of what's wrong. Computer PSUs have come a long way, in both quality and design features, over the past 25 years. Of course, with 130 watt CPUs and monster GPU cards, and the many (accurate) voltages needed to power a modern system, they need to be better. I noticed the good ones are getting pricier too. :P

[tatewaki]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Hey Don

Have you tried changing the HDD order in the BIOS? I know i have seen the same grub error because my order of HDD was wrong.

[Don]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Well, scratch one theory. I swapped in a new power supply, and the machine still will not boot. I tried booting to a Kubuntu CD and got the first two screens (choose language and the five options for what sort of installation). I chose to run it from the CD rather than doing a reinstall. Screen goes black; nothing happens, even though the CD is spinning. I'm guessing at this point that I have to be thinking motherboard (which, as Snowhog pointed out a couple of days ago, is still under warranty).
I could try shifting the boot order of the HDDs, as tatewaki suggested, but it seems to me that if it won't even boot properly to a CD, my trouble probably lies elsewhere. Is that wrong?

[dibl]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

it seems to me that if it won't even boot properly to a CD, my trouble probably lies elsewhere. Is that wrong?

I don't think you're wrong there. It seems a very little stress (electrically speaking) and it blinks out. hdd boot sequence is irrelevant when you're booting the CD.

Do you get any "beep codes" from that motherboard, when you power it on? If so, the user docs should tell you how to interpret the beeps.

Hmm, upon reviewing the entire thread, I'm now wondering about that BFG video card. Do you have another you could swap in, to test with a Live CD boot?

[Don]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Dibl, I'll see what kind of card is in my daughter's machine and whether it's Linux compatible. If so, I can swap it. (She's away; I won't even get into trouble.)

[dibl]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

She's away; I won't even get into trouble.

Right -- just don't let the smoke out of it!

[woodsmoke]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

I've reread the thread and couldn't seem to find this but have you removed the CPU to check for thermal paste?
woodsmoke

[Don]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

The Dibl strikes again! It boots just fine with a different video card, either onto a CD or onto my HD. That does seem to narrow down the culprit. (My original problem, not being able to get into Desktop Activities, remains, but that feels pretty minor at this point.
Proceeding on the evidence that it's the graphics card, do folks have suggestions as to a replacement? I don't need anything fancy--no 3D graphics necessary (although it wouldn't be bad to have them. I just want something that will work out of the box with Kubuntu and that's of reasonable quality.

[Snowhog]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

You're going to invoke debates as to 'nVidia' vs 'ATI' with your last question. However, I 'think' that you will be better off with a decent 'slightly older' ATI card over nVidia. But don't quote me on that.

The development of proprietary nVidia Linux drivers 'lags' behind the development/release of the latest nVidia cards. I believe that ATI does a better job with its Linux drivers.

Others will chime in on this one I'm sure. Stay tuned.

[dibl]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Snowhog is right about it being a matter of opinion. I personally have had great success over the past 5 or 6 years with a series of Nvidia GPUs, all on cards made by EVGA. I don't know where you live or what your budget is, but a quick look at Newegg indicates that this one would probably be a winner on your motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130562

I will admit to being prejudiced against the ATI cards, due to a real bad early experience trying to get one to run Kubuntu. However, I have recently been reading that the fglrx drivers actually are not up to speed to support their latest 4xxx and 5xxx series cards. So I don't think you want one of those, unless someone can testify to a model that works right with the latest X.org drivers.

[Don]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Dibl, you've been spot-on with everything else, so why not with this? I've ordered it. Thanks for the tip. Best to everyone for the new year.

[dibl]

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Uh-boy, I feel the responsibility weighing me down already ....

Well, you said your motherboard was still under warranty, so I made a leap of faith that the video interface is PCI-e. If that's not the case, better cancel that order quick. :P