problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

[dazedboy]

Hello, everyone. I just got my Kubuntu 9.04 CD in the mail and set it up on my computer where I can still use Windows XP Pro (dual-boot). I like the easy-to-use interface and I really enjoy using the built-in applications, especially OpenOffice, but I do have a few issues:

1) There is no sound when I use Kubuntu. After the desktop loads, a pop-up message appears telling me that the audio device failed. The only sounds I get are a few rare beeps on my computer's internal speaker.

2) I can't play back videos on the media player.

3) I can't figure out how to change Grub to where Windows XP Pro is the default system to boot instead of Kubuntu.

The computer I'm using is a Dell Precision 210 (older model system) with two 20gb hard drives (one for XP, one for Kubuntu), 1gb of SD-RAM (4 x 256mb) installed and a 700mhz Pentium III processor. The video is Nvidia Riva TNT2 AGP, and the sound is Crystal WDM Audio.

[13thSlayer]

Re: problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

Answer to 3)Look here. Also, it's better to make sure that you've installed [K]Ubuntu on a different partition then your windows one.
Answers to 2) and 1) Look for drivers... They are certainly the problem.

[arochester]

Re: problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

1) Look at http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3099811.0 scroll down to question #6. No Audio.

2) If you mean commercial, encrypted videos then you need to install the Medibuntu Repository. Instructions here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu . Note that it is a 2 part installation 1) Add the repository 2) Get the GPG key. Then install the decoder which is called: libdvdcss2

[dazedboy]

Re: problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

Thanks for your help. I'll look at the article about issue #3. Audio and video playback aren't really a high-priority concern for me right now. Once I get the Internet configured with Kubuntu, I'll get the appropriate drivers. Or could it be that the audio device I'm using (Crystal WDM) isn't compatible with Kubuntu...I have a Sound Blaster Live card put away. Maybe if I put that in and installed it, it might work. Is that a good idea?

[dazedboy]

Re: problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

arochester: I had downloaded videos from the Internet a while back and made a DVD-ROM. When I click on a file, all I saw was a black screen. I'll take your advice and get Medibuntu just to be safe. Thanks for your help.

[dazedboy]

Re: problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

Also, it's better to make sure that you've installed [K]Ubuntu on a different partition then your windows one.

Slayer: I have a seperate hard drive for Kubuntu. I didn't install it on the same hard drive that I have Windows on.

[arochester]

Re: problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

I had downloaded videos from the Internet

What format are they in? What is their extension?

[dazedboy]

Re: problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

What format are they in? What is their extension?

archester: Most of the videos I have are in .wmv and .avi formats.

By the way, I decided to install my Sound Blaster card I had put away. Kubuntu recognized it so now I have sound.

[dazedboy]

Re: problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

Answer to 3)Look here.

slayer: I tried using the methods in that article, but when the terminal asked me for my password, it wouldn't let me enter it. I kept pressing the keys but nothing showed up on the prompt. I also tried editing the file with Kate but the program wouldn't let me save the edited file because I didn't have "permissions", even though I am the only one who uses the system. Is there any other way I can change Grub to make Windows the default OS to boot?

[arochester]

Re: problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

To play .wmv (Windows Media Video) you need to install w32codecs (or w64codecs if you have a 64 bit machine).

.avi can play on a variety of media players. Perhaps the most versatile is vlc.

Generally, make sure you have installed kubuntu-restricted-extras

There is audio/video advice at http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=766683

[13thSlayer]

Re: problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

Answer to 3)Look here.

slayer: I tried using the methods in that article, but when the terminal asked me for my password, it wouldn't let me enter it. I kept pressing the keys but nothing showed up on the prompt. I also tried editing the file with Kate but the program wouldn't let me save the edited file because I didn't have "permissions", even though I am the only one who uses the system. Is there any other way I can change Grub to make Windows the default OS to boot?

Don't open kate like that. Execute the following (either in a terminal or in Krunner): "kdesudo kate", then open the file with it. It will give you permissions. or just use "kdesudo kate /boot/grub/menu.lst" More on that: here.
Also, terminal is set to NOT show the password when you enter it, not even a **** row of some kind.

[dazedboy]

Re: problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

To play .wmv (Windows Media Video) you need to install w32codecs (or w64codecs if you have a 64 bit machine).

.avi can play on a variety of media players. Perhaps the most versatile is vlc.

Generally, make sure you have installed kubuntu-restricted-extras

I just did that a few moments ago and now everything plays. Thanks for the tips!

[dazedboy]

Re: problems with Kubuntu 9.04...no sound and no video playback

or just use "kdesudo kate /boot/grub/menu.lst

Slayer: I did that and I was able to change Grub. Now Windows XP Pro is the default OS in the boot menu. I must have used the wrong command in the Terminal before. Thanks for your help!