Gizmo phone NOW RESOLVED

[carfree]

I downloaded and installed LinuxMint 2.1 today and its seems to work very well except that, when I make a test call on my Gizmo phone, ( http://www.gizmoproject.com/index.html ) although the phone I'm calling rings there is no voice to be heard on the other phone.

Gizmo works just fine on Ubuntu Dapper 6.06.

Has anyone else had this and found a fix for it?

[scorp123]

although the phone I'm calling rings there is no voice to be heard on the other phone.

Did you check the mixer settings? Maybe the volume level for your microphone is too low? Or maybe it's even set to mute?

[carfree]

although the phone I'm calling rings there is no voice to be heard on the other phone.

Did you check the mixer settings? Maybe the volume level for your microphone is too low? Or maybe it's even set to mute?

Thanks.

I've tried going to Systems - Preferences - Sound but have not been able to create any sounds.

I went to the volume control (top RHS of screen) and un-muted but still no luck.

[scorp123]

I went to the volume control (top RHS of screen) and un-muted but still no luck.

Maybe you have to enable it in some way as sound source for recordings? e.g. on my system the microphone is mute per default, and usually "Line in" is selected as recording source, not the microphone. Can you please test your setup, e.g. via synaptic install something like "audacity" (a program for editing sound recordings ... but beware the GUI may look really ugly!) and then try if you can record anything at all via the microphone? Also, maybe this is a stupid question: but you did check the cables, right? There is no chance that your wife or your kids stumbled over some cables and now the microphone isn't even plugged in? I am just asking ... sometimes such things happen.

[carfree]

I went to the volume control (top RHS of screen) and un-muted but still no luck.

Maybe you have to enable it in some way as sound source for recordings? e.g. on my system the microphone is mute per default, and usually "Line in" is selected as recording source, not the microphone. Can you please test your setup, e.g. via synaptic install something like "audacity" (a program for editing sound recordings ... but beware the GUI may look really ugly!) and then try if you can record anything at all via the microphone? Also, maybe this is a stupid question: but you did check the cables, right? There is no chance that your wife or your kids stumbled over some cables and now the microphone isn't even plugged in? I am just asking ... sometimes such things happen.

Thanks for your interest.

Gizmo was working fine in Ubuntu Dapper, immediately before I switched to Mint, so I thought that there would be a LOT better chance of it working here than if I had switched to, for example, Linspire.

Theres no wife, or kids here, just bicycles.

I did use the headset in my XP computer today (the only place I can play .wmv movies) and it worked just fine there.

[scorp123]

the only place I can play .wmv movies

Hmmmm ... with mplayer and the w32codecs package this shouldn't be a problem on Linux. Put these lines into your /etc/apt/sources.list (or alternatively enable these repositories via synaptic):

Code: Select all

# MEDIBUNTU repository, replacing PLF which has shut down
# http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/www/
deb http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free
deb-src http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free

Please also visit their site http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/www/en/repository.html and read how to add their GPG keys or else you might be getting errors when you try to download something from this repository.

And from there on lots of non-free multimedia programs and codecs should be available on your system, e.g. via synaptic ... Playing *.mov or *.wmv files shouldn't be a problem anymore from there on. Exception to the rule: files containing DRM (e.g. files specifically released for Windows Media Player 10) still won't work.

As for your sound problems: Please try recording something as I suggested in my previous posting. It's probably some mixer or recording setting.

Regards,

Scorp123

[carfree]

the only place I can play .wmv movies

Hmmmm ... with mplayer and the w32codecs package this shouldn't be a problem on Linux. Put these lines into your /etc/apt/sources.list (or alternatively enable these repositories via synaptic):

Code: Select all

# MEDIBUNTU repository, replacing PLF which has shut down
# http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/www/
deb http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free
deb-src http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free

Please also visit their site http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/www/en/repository.html and read how to add their GPG keys or else you might be getting errors when you try to download something from this repository.

And from there on lots of non-free multimedia programs and codecs should be available on your system, e.g. via synaptic ... Playing *.mov or *.wmv files shouldn't be a problem anymore from there on. Exception to the rule: files containing DRM (e.g. files specifically released for Windows Media Player 10) still won't work.

As for your sound problems: Please try recording something as I suggested in my previous posting. It's probably some mixer or recording setting.

Regards,

Scorp123

Thanks again.

I will try all this tomorrow.

[carfree]

the only place I can play .wmv movies

Hmmmm ... with mplayer and the w32codecs package this shouldn't be a problem on Linux. Put these lines into your /etc/apt/sources.list (or alternatively enable these repositories via synaptic):

Code: Select all

# MEDIBUNTU repository, replacing PLF which has shut down
# http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/www/
deb http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free
deb-src http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free

Please also visit their site http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/www/en/repository.html and read how to add their GPG keys or else you might be getting errors when you try to download something from this repository.

And from there on lots of non-free multimedia programs and codecs should be available on your system, e.g. via synaptic ... Playing *.mov or *.wmv files shouldn't be a problem anymore from there on. Exception to the rule: files containing DRM (e.g. files specifically released for Windows Media Player 10) still won't work.

As for your sound problems: Please try recording something as I suggested in my previous posting. It's probably some mixer or recording setting.

Regards,

Scorp123

OK, I'm sitting here with my dunce cap on.

Audacity installed with no obvious problems but I got this error message when I tried to open it:-

Error Initializing Audio

There was an error initializing the audio i/o layer.

You will not be able to play or record audio.

Error: Host error.

I then tried the 'medibuntu repository' link and also got an error message:-

Not Found
The requested URL /www/en/repository.html was not found on this server.

Can I just paste your suggested code into '/etc/apt/sources.list' ? Anywhere in particular?

Kind regards.

[carfree]

the only place I can play .wmv movies

Hmmmm ... with mplayer and the w32codecs package this shouldn't be a problem on Linux. Put these lines into your /etc/apt/sources.list (or alternatively enable these repositories via synaptic):

Code: Select all

# MEDIBUNTU repository, replacing PLF which has shut down
# http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/www/
deb http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free
deb-src http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free

Please also visit their site http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/www/en/repository.html and read how to add their GPG keys or else you might be getting errors when you try to download something from this repository.

And from there on lots of non-free multimedia programs and codecs should be available on your system, e.g. via synaptic ... Playing *.mov or *.wmv files shouldn't be a problem anymore from there on. Exception to the rule: files containing DRM (e.g. files specifically released for Windows Media Player 10) still won't work.

As for your sound problems: Please try recording something as I suggested in my previous posting. It's probably some mixer or recording setting.

Regards,

Scorp123

OK, I'm sitting here with my dunce cap on.

Audacity installed with no obvious problems but I got this error message when I tried to open it:-

Error Initializing Audio

There was an error initializing the audio i/o layer.

You will not be able to play or record audio.

Error: Host error.

I then tried the 'medibuntu repository' link and also got an error message:-

Not Found
The requested URL /www/en/repository.html was not found on this server.

Can I just paste your suggested code into '/etc/apt/sources.list' ? Anywhere in particular?

Kind regards.

BTW, I did download the ISO again, burned a new CD and did a total re-install, first thing today, 'just in case'.

[scorp123]

Not Found, The requested URL /www/en/repository.html was not found on this server.

Yeah, those nice guys are working on their web site over Christmas!? Just go to their main site: http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/ ... and then there should be something about their repositories in the menu, e.g. "Repository How To". Follow that link please, that's the right page.

Can I just paste your suggested code into '/etc/apt/sources.list'

Probably yes, just put the whole block e.g. towards the end of your sources.list ...

As for your sound problems ... Are you sure your soundcard is even working? Sorry if this is a stupid question ...

Regards,
Scorp123

[carfree]

Not Found, The requested URL /www/en/repository.html was not found on this server.

Yeah, those nice guys are working on their web site over Christmas!? Just go to their main site: http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/ ... and then there should be something about their repositories in the menu, e.g. "Repository How To". Follow that link please, that's the right page.

Can I just paste your suggested code into '/etc/apt/sources.list'

Probably yes, just put the whole block e.g. towards the end of your sources.list ...

As for your sound problems ... Are you sure your soundcard is even working? Sorry if this is a stupid question ...

Regards,
Scorp123

Thanks for hanging with me here.

Since you mention it ( Are you sure your soundcard is even working? ) I actually don't know. I use a USB device, ( http://tinyurl.com/ymt7kl ) which my headset plugs into and is supposed to obviate the need for a soundcard.

It works perfectly on 3 other computers but I don't know how to test it for sound on this machine, other than making a phone call.

Unfortunately I don't know how to open /etc/apt/sources.list

# MEDIBUNTU repository, replacing PLF which has shut down
# http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/www/
deb http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free
deb-src http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free

Kind regards.

[scorp123]

Since you mention it ( Are you sure your soundcard is even working? ) I actually don't know. I use a USB device, ( http://tinyurl.com/ymt7kl ) which my headset plugs into and is supposed to obviate the need for a soundcard.

That might be the problem. Do you get any music or sound effects, e.g. when you login? I am not sure that this thing is working under Linux. There are lots of such adapters out there for which the manufacturing companies do not release the specifications (so that people working to improve Linux could write any drivers), and so many adapters might not work under Linux. My experience so far is that if the system requirements say that old Mac OS 9 or MS-DOS are supported then the hardware in question might work in Linux; but that's no guarantee though. Your best bet would be to check some online compatibility lists, e.g. here:
http://www.linux-drivers.org/

Given that nowadays PCI-based and SoundBlaster-compatible cards are very cheap you might have better success with one of those. Most of those old-fashioned soundcards are very well documented and there are only very few which won't work in Linux.

BTW, shouldn't your computer have an on-board soundcard of some sorts? Most modern computers have that. Maybe that one is working OK and you don't even need to buy a new one at all? Can you please check your system settings again if there is a soundcard listed in your system?

It works perfectly on 3 other computers but I don't know how to test it for sound on this machine, other than making a phone call.

Did you ever try to play music? Also there should be sound effects when you login and logout from your graphical environment. Did you hear any sound effects?

Unfortunately I don't know how to open /etc/apt/sources.list

Please open a terminal ... I think there are other non-terminal ways to do this but I don't know them

OK, in there type this command ... and when it asks you, please type your password (for security reasons your input won't be echoed back, you have to quasi type blindly):

Code: Select all

gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

GNOME's editor should open with the sources.list loaded. So now you can just copy and paste this stuff into the list:

Code: Select all

# MEDIBUNTU repository, replacing PLF which has shut down
# http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/
deb http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free
deb-src http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free

Save and close the file. You should be back in the terminal. Now you should install the GPG keys by following the instructions given in Medibuntu's "Repository Howto". Again, just copy and paste: Mark the relevant command with your left mouse button ... leave it marked, click onto the terminal window, and just click into it with the middle mouse button (alternatively: left + right mouse button at the same time). If you did it right then the text you just marked in your browser should now be 1:1 in the terminal window. From there on you just need to hit the "Enter" key to execute the command.

Don't forget to execute sudo apt-get update as mentioned on their page.

From here onwards you can close the terminal again (type "exit" into it or just close it with your mouse), and via "Add/Remove Software" you should now have plenty of new stuff available in the multimedia section. I suggest these packages (maybe you'll have to search for them):

mplayer
mozilla-mplayer
w32codecs

Once these are installed most sites with video content should work, and playing QuickTime or WindowsMedia videos shouldn't be an issue any more.

Regards,
Scorp123

[carfree]

Since you mention it ( Are you sure your soundcard is even working? ) I actually don't know. I use a USB device, ( http://tinyurl.com/ymt7kl ) which my headset plugs into and is supposed to obviate the need for a soundcard.

That might be the problem. Do you get any music or sound effects, e.g. when you login? I am not sure that this thing is working under Linux. There are lots of such adapters out there for which the manufacturing companies do not release the specifications (so that people working to improve Linux could write any drivers), and so many adapters might not work under Linux. My experience so far is that if the system requirements say that old Mac OS 9 or MS-DOS are supported then the hardware in question might work in Linux; but that's no guarantee though. Your best bet would be to check some online compatibility lists, e.g. here:
http://www.linux-drivers.org/

Given that nowadays PCI-based and SoundBlaster-compatible cards are very cheap you might have better success with one of those. Most of those old-fashioned soundcards are very well documented and there are only very few which won't work in Linux.

BTW, shouldn't your computer have an on-board soundcard of some sorts? Most modern computers have that. Maybe that one is working OK and you don't even need to buy a new one at all? Can you please check your system settings again if there is a soundcard listed in your system?

It works perfectly on 3 other computers but I don't know how to test it for sound on this machine, other than making a phone call.

Did you ever try to play music? Also there should be sound effects when you login and logout from your graphical environment. Did you hear any sound effects?

Unfortunately I don't know how to open /etc/apt/sources.list

Please open a terminal ... I think there are other non-terminal ways to do this but I don't know them

OK, in there type this command ... and when it asks you, please type your password (for security reasons your input won't be echoed back, you have to quasi type blindly):

Code: Select all

gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

GNOME's editor should open with the sources.list loaded. So now you can just copy and paste this stuff into the list:

Code: Select all

# MEDIBUNTU repository, replacing PLF which has shut down
# http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/
deb http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free
deb-src http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free

Save and close the file. You should be back in the terminal. Now you should install the GPG keys by following the instructions given in Medibuntu's "Repository Howto". Again, just copy and paste: Mark the relevant command with your left mouse button ... leave it marked, click onto the terminal window, and just click into it with the middle mouse button (alternatively: left + right mouse button at the same time). If you did it right then the text you just marked in your browser should now be 1:1 in the terminal window. From there on you just need to hit the "Enter" key to execute the command.

Don't forget to execute sudo apt-get update as mentioned on their page.

From here onwards you can close the terminal again (type "exit" into it or just close it with your mouse), and via "Add/Remove Software" you should now have plenty of new stuff available in the multimedia section. I suggest these packages (maybe you'll have to search for them):

mplayer
mozilla-mplayer
w32codecs

Once these are installed most sites with video content should work, and playing QuickTime or WindowsMedia videos shouldn't be an issue any more.

Regards,
Scorp123

Thank you. That looks very helpful.

I won't be back to my home computer till the morning but I'm looking forward to making some progress tomorrow.

Kind regards.

[carfree]

Since you mention it ( Are you sure your soundcard is even working? ) I actually don't know. I use a USB device, ( http://tinyurl.com/ymt7kl ) which my headset plugs into and is supposed to obviate the need for a soundcard.

That might be the problem. Do you get any music or sound effects, e.g. when you login? I am not sure that this thing is working under Linux. There are lots of such adapters out there for which the manufacturing companies do not release the specifications (so that people working to improve Linux could write any drivers), and so many adapters might not work under Linux. My experience so far is that if the system requirements say that old Mac OS 9 or MS-DOS are supported then the hardware in question might work in Linux; but that's no guarantee though. Your best bet would be to check some online compatibility lists, e.g. here:
http://www.linux-drivers.org/

Given that nowadays PCI-based and SoundBlaster-compatible cards are very cheap you might have better success with one of those. Most of those old-fashioned soundcards are very well documented and there are only very few which won't work in Linux.

BTW, shouldn't your computer have an on-board soundcard of some sorts? Most modern computers have that. Maybe that one is working OK and you don't even need to buy a new one at all? Can you please check your system settings again if there is a soundcard listed in your system?

It works perfectly on 3 other computers but I don't know how to test it for sound on this machine, other than making a phone call.

Did you ever try to play music? Also there should be sound effects when you login and logout from your graphical environment. Did you hear any sound effects?

Unfortunately I don't know how to open /etc/apt/sources.list

Please open a terminal ... I think there are other non-terminal ways to do this but I don't know them

OK, in there type this command ... and when it asks you, please type your password (for security reasons your input won't be echoed back, you have to quasi type blindly):

Code: Select all

gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

GNOME's editor should open with the sources.list loaded. So now you can just copy and paste this stuff into the list:

Code: Select all

# MEDIBUNTU repository, replacing PLF which has shut down
# http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/
deb http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free
deb-src http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/ edgy free non-free

Save and close the file. You should be back in the terminal. Now you should install the GPG keys by following the instructions given in Medibuntu's "Repository Howto". Again, just copy and paste: Mark the relevant command with your left mouse button ... leave it marked, click onto the terminal window, and just click into it with the middle mouse button (alternatively: left + right mouse button at the same time). If you did it right then the text you just marked in your browser should now be 1:1 in the terminal window. From there on you just need to hit the "Enter" key to execute the command.

Don't forget to execute sudo apt-get update as mentioned on their page.

From here onwards you can close the terminal again (type "exit" into it or just close it with your mouse), and via "Add/Remove Software" you should now have plenty of new stuff available in the multimedia section. I suggest these packages (maybe you'll have to search for them):

mplayer
mozilla-mplayer
w32codecs

Once these are installed most sites with video content should work, and playing QuickTime or WindowsMedia videos shouldn't be an issue any more.

Regards,
Scorp123

Thank you. That looks very helpful.

I won't be back to my home computer till the morning but I'm looking forward to making some progress tomorrow.

Kind regards.

Thanks you very much for the excellent suggestions, I really appreciate your efforts here.

Everything seems to be working now, movies and phone.

After downloading all the codes, I plugged my headset into the original souncard and it works like a champ.

Kind regards.

[scorp123]

Thanks you very much for the excellent suggestions, I really appreciate your efforts here. Everything seems to be working now, movies and phone. After downloading all the codes, I plugged my headset into the original souncard and it works like a champ.

You're welcome. Merry Christmas!