Help with repositories/codecs

[AlphaSigmaOne]

I've been milling over the decision to switch to Linux for some time, but after a recent deluge of viruses, I finally decided to do it.

But I'm lost...

I'm trying to update and install all the necessary repositories and codecs, however nothing seems to be working as it should.

I've tried to follow the various FAQS, Wikis and other documents, but the more I read the more confused I become.

I followed the repository guide at psychocats.net, but after I edit the source file and ran an update I got an error message that read:

 Could not connect to archive.canonical.com:80 (1.0.0.0), connection timed out Fetched 4B in 2m5s (0B/s) Failed to fetch [url]http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/dists/dapper-commercial/Rele[/url]                               ase.gpg Could not connect to archive.canonical.com:80 (1.0.0.0), connection timed out

and it stalled at 99%.

I tried running an update in Adept Manager as well and it also stalled at 99%. Also, anything else I tried to do in the program seemed to time-out eventually.

Also I tried to follow the codec guide at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats

When I tried to installed RealPlayer and Firefox (among other programs), I received a different message that read:

"There was an error commiting changes. Possibly there was a problem downloading some packages or the commit would break packages."

When I try to install the windows codecs, I fail to connect and it times-out yet again.


At this point I figure I'm going to have to try a fresh install because I've pretty much managed to screw things up. However, before I do, I'd like to know what it is I'm doing wrong so I can prevent any problems in the future.

Thank you for any help.

[Fenyx]

Re: Help with repositories/codecs

I'm not really sure which documents you read, and what changes you made, but here are a few things you could take note of:

1. You could simply remove the line in your sources.list that contains the http://archive.canonical.com line. That repository will be useful, only if you want to install Opera 9, Real Player, and another program I fail to remember.

2. You actually don't really need RealPlayer. With the proper codecs installed, Kaffeine can play .rmvb files. Of course, if you really want to install it, you still can. (I'm just not sure how...)

3. You don't need special repositories for Firefox. It's one of the main programs that's easily downloadable. (it's in "main").

You might want to check these instructions on how to add the multiverse repository for the codecs, using Adept:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Kubuntu

For the w32codecs, if you can't use wget, you can try to download the .deb file directly by going to this site:
http://packages.freecontrib.org/ubun...ree/w32codecs/
Just right-click on the w32codec .deb file and Save Link As.

Hope that helps. You probably don't even need to reinstall Kubuntu. We could try to help with what you have

You could probably start by posting your /etc/apt/sources.list

[Josh]

Re: Help with repositories/codecs

I'm also using the repo list from psychocats, and haven't had any problems with the conical repo. May I ask, are you in the U.S. and what kind of connection are you using?

Also, you may be able to get the packages simply using the terminal, ie
sudo apt-get instal libxine-extracodecs.

Josh

[AlphaSigmaOne]

Re: Help with repositories/codecs

^
I am in the US and I'm using a DSL connection.

This is my source list:

## Uncomment the following two lines to fetch updated software from the network
 deb [url]http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper main restricted
 deb-src [url]http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper main restricted 

## Uncomment the following two lines to fetch major bug fix updates produced
 ## after the final release of the distribution.
 deb [url]http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper-updates main restricted
 deb-src [url]http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper-updates main restricted 

## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from the 'universe'
## repository.
## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to
## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in
## universe WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu security
## team.
deb [url]http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper universe
deb-src [url]http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper universe 

deb [url]http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper-security main restricted
deb-src [url]http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper-security main restricted 

deb [url]http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper-security universe
deb-src [url]http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper-security universe 

deb [url]http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper multiverse
deb-src [url]http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper multiverse 

deb [url]http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper-backports main restricted universe multiverse 

deb [url]http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu[/url] dapper-commercial main 

deb [url]http://packages.freecontrib.org/plf/[/url] dapper free non-free
deb-src [url]http://packages.freecontrib.org/plf/[/url] dapper free non-free

[AlphaSigmaOne]

Re: Help with repositories/codecs

I've been reading and trying various things all day.

One thing I've thought of is could it have something to do with my NIC card?

It's an on-board LAN, and one thing I've noticed is it hardly works at all with Ubuntu.

[Emerzen]

Re: Help with repositories/codecs

Here's the easiest way to get a working sources.list:

http://www.ubuntulinux.nl/source-o-matic

Follow the instructions on the GPG keys at the top of the site. Once you've created a list, copy it as it will be a web page. Use Kate (or any test editor) to save the file to your desktop w/ the name sources.list.

Next, go to /etc/apt . Rename your sources.list file there to sourcesoriginal.list. Then copy your new list from the desktop over to the folder. Open Adept (I prefer Synaptic which you can download first), reload the list, and apply changes. The plf and Seveas repo's are frequently down, so you know.

If you don't want to go through all this, I recommend installing Automatix, which will install all the multimedia stuff for you. Here's the link:

http://www.getautomatix.com/

[AlphaSigmaOne]

Re: Help with repositories/codecs

Nothing seems to be working. I can't even get Firefox to install; I get the same error message.

I even tried installing Ubuntu, but I was even less successful with that.

[empcrono]

Re: Help with repositories/codecs

I didnt read through this just the oj posters post and i advise you go with the command line in kubuntu or debian period. it just seems to work a lot better.

[Emerzen]

Re: Help with repositories/codecs

I also suggest using Automatix to install a plethora of programs including Firefox and the codecs. It will change your sources.list while it's doing this. When you're finished, it will ask if you want to revert to your original sources or keep the new one.

http://www.getautomatix.com/

[PDR60]

Re: Help with repositories/codecs

I'm also in the US and have been pretty successful at the sources.list. Try this method. It has worked for a bunch of folks that have used this How-To.

http://www.linuxloader.com/modules.p...&pid=28&page=9

PDR60

[Josh]

Re: Help with repositories/codecs

You may want to see this post...

http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/index.php?topic=7768.0

Josh

[brad]

Re: Help with repositories/codecs

Thanks everyone! I was able to download XMMS from http://www.debian.org/distrib/packages and get some skins from there too. The ones from Win Amp also worked quite well, just had to move them over to the skins folder, don't need to unzip first as XMMS already knows how to do this.

Also found lots of codec and plugin help in http://www.getautomatix.com/wiki/ind...u#Introduction and https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Re...74003fde7daed5

Got it all working no problem. Codecs, plugins, AVI, WMV, sound issues etc...

TIP: If using Automatix, don't try to upload too many packages at one time, just do like two or three at a time. You can always add more later on once Automatix is installed. Worked for me!

Thanks to all and please pass on this information to any others who are having codec, video sound or plug in issues.

Brad