[Solved]What is wrong with my version of KDE?

[theAdmiral]

I just installed Kubuntu 8.10 on my laptop. I am trying to update it with 200+ updates. I cannot do it because partway through it it crashes and throws a screen full of colored characters and symbols. I think I remember this happening on a previous install, and we resolved it by updating KDE. How do I do that?

Thanks,
theAdmiral

*NOTE*: I am reviving this post because the problem is recurring, even though I have updated everything. My computer runs at idle for awhile then all of a sudden, BAM!, the screen goes crazy with these crazy symbols and characters of all different colors. Could someone help me fix this, please?

Thanks,
theAdmiral

[Ptero-4]

Re: What is wrong with my version of KDE?

you might want to go to the console (press ctrl+alt+f1) and type:

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm stop

To shut down the GUI, then type:

sudo aptitude safe-upgrade

This should get you through without crashes. And then type:

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm start

To restart the GUI.

[stephen46710]

Re: What is wrong with my version of KDE?

Hi,

just a simple tip from me if your are at all unfamiliar with the command line, try installing 1 packet called synaptic before you do any updates and use that program to control your software environment because I find it very simple to use and far more flexible than the Adept package manager.

Good luck.

Stephen

[theAdmiral]

Re: What is wrong with my version of KDE?

you might want to go to the console (press ctrl+alt+f1) and type:

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm stop

To shut down the GUI, then type:

sudo aptitude safe-upgrade

This should get you through without crashes. And then type:

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm start

To restart the GUI.

Hello, Ptero-4.

Thank you for the advice, but it didn't work. I followed it, and when I entered the first command, the screen showed a "Battery Check" and that it was "OK". Then just a cursor on the next line. No prompt. I tried, for giggles, without a prompt, to enter the second command you gave me, and the cursor went to the next line and continued to blink without any action. Thanks for your help. What should I do now?

Thank you,
theAdmiral

[Fintan]

Re: What is wrong with my version of KDE?

I concur with stephen.
Use synaptic and or even better:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

from the terminal (kmenu->system->terminal

Synaptic is rock solid, adept is well.....not very adept

I use synaptic to find out which package versions are coming my way and do the above command on a regular basis.

apt-get is very solid.

This way you will get an error message if something goes wrong.

I hope this helps