My Linux Mint 13 Mate Annoyances ...

[tommyb.]

Please help me to fix these Linux Mint 13 aka Maya annoyances, I use the 64-bit Mate version. BOLD means latest, newest found

*** UNSOLVED ***
(1) Netspeed Applet crashes when running in muliti instances, ie twice onto panel (adding needs several attempts/on reboot it crashes except for one On another box (32-bit) it seems to be working fine ooh well (edit Feb08,13)
(2) NumLock at LoginScreen auto activation doesnt work (old workaround under LM 11 not either)
(3) ATI 4570 graphics card - Special drivers needed? .... If using flgrx better use "older" of the 2 choices given!? ** SEE POST 7

(4) Asking too many times for admin rights approval (i.e. after opening Software Mgr the first install needs elevated rights - fine, but the 2nd right after???)
(5) Compiz/hot corner for desktop switching not working
(6) NO linux mint mate dropbox icon overlays http://db.tt/7z4Gwwd8 UPDATE: ONLY partially solved **

(7) Can t change default file manager from "caja" to "Nautilus"
(8) UMTS signal strength bar NOT shown https://dl.dropbox.com/u/14695906/Signal%20strength%20not%20shown.png
(9) Confusing choices given when removing/changing sd-cards ***

(11) Software Manager hangs when using search function despite using "SSD"
(12) fprint-demo setup/use


*** FIXED ***
(01) HowTo connect to UMTS modem and local ftp server at the same time http://goo.gl/cJpdS
(02) HowTo use gOpenVPN
(03) Sound not working
(04) HowTo mount/use floppy USB drive http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14695906/Howto%20floppy%2010.10
(05) Bluetooth now working (not perfectly, but ..) http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14695906/bluetooth

(06) ACER 57xx series: ON/Off touchpad button not proberly working http://goo.gl/mC1BP
(07) SSD tweaks needed - Swap Space is being used! (working on it --- SEE Answer Post 2)
(08) Auto Wlan device start cant be stopped with previous working Ubuntu tweak http://db.tt/nel6HgvW
(09) NO linux mint mate dropbox icon overlays http://db.tt/7z4Gwwd8 UPDATE: ONLY partially solved **
(10) Using file cleaners like bleachbit ok to use on SSDs? --- SEE Answer Post 4

(11) Installing "Multisystem" (an USB stick multiple OS program of french origin) http://db.tt/rEBhl023
(12) Installing "VMWare player 4.03 or Workstation 8.0x" http://db.tt/RZpOCvSa
(13) Installing nmap 6.0 problem solved http://goo.gl/7qsfe
(14) Mouseclick via touchpad not working http://db.tt/66VsJUyY
(15) Skype Multiinstances ---> SEE below

(16) Updating to GIMP 2.8 http://db.tt/fwiZo51T
(17) dnscrypt stopped working? http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=107096 or as download http://tinyurl.com/bo23o5s
(18) Adding transmission blocklist http://goo.gl/IQWrE

(19) Ubuntu tweak now officially supports LM13 Mate http://ubuntu-tweak.com/
(20) Update to caja 1.4 went through without problem http://goo.gl/eQN4W

Thank you! - Perhaps my annoyances have some public interest I will try to update this page as I go along

NOTE on dropbox problem:
** no overlay when going directly to folder "Dropbox" under MATE using caja (default file manager!), opening thru left click on running "dropbox app" uses Nautius, hence works with latter


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On a personal note I can tell that I am now happier after having used Linux Mint MATE 64-bit for a couple of days, let's see in a ***

[xenopeek]

(4) SSD tweaks needed - Swap Space is being used!

See my SSD tweaks here: viewtopic.php?f=90&t=79503#p461796

As for disabling swap; if you have enough memory (at least 2 GiB, but perhaps 4 GiB, depending on what you use the computer for), and don't need to hibernate, yes you can disable swap. To do so, edit your /etc/fstab file and remove the line for the swap partition (post contents of your /etc/fstab file if in doubt). Afterwards, boot from the Linux Mint installation CD/DVD/USB and start GParted. Use that to remove the swap partition, and then increase the size of another partition to re-use the disk space that became available.

[tommyb.]

(4) SSD tweaks needed - Swap Space is being used!

See my SSD tweaks here: viewtopic.php?f=90&t=79503#p461796

As for disabling swap; if you have enough memory (at least 2 GiB, but perhaps 4 GiB, depending on what you use the computer for), and don't need to hibernate, yes you can disable swap. To do so, edit your /etc/fstab file and remove the line for the swap partition (post contents of your /etc/fstab file if in doubt). Afterwards, boot from the Linux Mint installation CD/DVD/USB and start GParted. Use that to remove the swap partition, and then increase the size of another partition to re-use the disk space that became available.

THANK YOU! Very nice and easy to follow tutorial....Only thing I wonder, why isnt it all done when MATE is being installed? Linux Mint doesnt see an SSD automatically yet

Is using a file/disk cleaner like "bleachbit" OK to use on an SSD?

[xenopeek]

I think a SSD doesn't distinguish itself from a normal HDD in the computer. It is just a ATA storage device. Unless you start storing all model names I think there is no way to know if it is a SSD or a HDD?

For example, have a look at the output of:

Code: Select all

sudo lshw -C disk

The "product" field may have SSD as part of the product's name, but no other field says "this is an SSD"...

Bleachbit is fine for use on SSDs.

[tommyb.]

I think a SSD doesn't distinguish itself from a normal HDD in the computer. It is just a ATA storage device. Unless you start storing all model names I think there is no way to know if it is a SSD or a HDD?

For example, have a look at the output of:

Code: Select all

sudo lshw -C disk

The "product" field may have SSD as part of the product's name, but no other field says "this is an SSD"...
>>> Yes, indeed, it says "ATA Disk" among some other information. But how come that Windoow 7 recognizes an SSD (because it changes config, ie defrag excludes SSDs, alignment is set correctly, superfetch deactivated ,,,)

Bleachbit is fine for use on SSDs.

>>> Thanks!

[xenopeek]

Windows 7 probably has the product identifiers in a list, as manufacturers register their products with them.

[tommyb.]

Just a couple of interesting commands for "your" SSD:

Code: Select all

sudo hdparm -t /dev/sda

Code: Select all

sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=testfile bs=512k count=256

[tommyb.]

FYI: **

I installed the offered (older NOT the updated one) FGLRX driver on my ATI 4570 machine (Mint Menu -> ALL -> ADDITONAL DRIVERS). They seem to work, box seems quieter (actually I dont hear any fan noise from graphics card). The updated version that s being offered I dont use (I had problems with it under ATI 4570).
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Only drawback I see is that "plymouth" graphics is baack to older uglier font size (like before under LM 10)
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If anyone knows how to double check how well these drivers work OR has any suggestions pls do so - thank you!

EDIT: ATI help site I found http://mrrichard.hubpages.com/hub/2-Ways-to-Install-FGLRX-in-Ubuntu-1110-Oneric

[tommyb.]

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I guess this has been addressed since long time ago like the USB-floppy issue, but never really solved (from what I gathered).
Specifically when removing an SD-card from SD-card slot 2 choices are given under Nautilus/caja:
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a) Eject AND b) safely remove
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I find it a bit confusing, that utilizing b) safely remove NOT only removes the sd-card BUT also disconnects the sd drive
More cumbersome it seems no reuse of that device until REBOOT???
This procedure stands in contrast when using an USB stick, where using "safely remove" is perfectly working
.
.

[tommyb.]

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Perhaps someone else likes to run Skype in multiple instances . Here is a solution that works on my box:
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http://www.webupd8.org/2012/06/skype-40 ... e-for.html
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Just use this command:
skype --dbpath /tmp/xskype
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Actually, you can run as many Skype instances as you need - just set new database for each new instance, e.g.:
skype --dbpath /tmp/xskype1
skype --dbpath /tmp/xskype2


PS: In case of wanting to install Skype 4.0 --- Most people seem to recommend purging old skype first. I did that and installed Skype 4.0 thereafter .... Result: working fine

[tommyb.]

Does someone know how to fix these annoying hickups when starting "LMs Software Manager" and here typing into search box? And this happens on an SSD

I always like "ubuntu-tweak" as a quick "customizer" tool, ie removal of older linux-image kernels etc.. If, which version can/should I use on my LM 64-bit Mate box? I m confused about which version because of all these "changes" with UNITY. I dont wanna do a trial-error install

Thanks!

[tommyb.]

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Strange ... dnscrypt stopped working today? No more domain name solution, hence no connect? I was using it as 127.0.0.2 DNS proxy (v 0.10) successfully for a few days. Reverting back to old 0.094 version solved it as temp measure.
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Anybody else having an issue too?
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SOLUTION ... http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=107096 ....Thank you!
Packaged http://tinyurl.com/bo23o5s

[tommyb.]

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I dont know why, but with certain procedures I always have problems with . To help me I write my own little how-to_s. Specifically with transmission and their blocklist, which needs to be added manually since v.???.
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In case s.o. needs help --> under public dropbox folder "transmission" http://goo.gl/IQWrE

[tommyb.]

I just discovered that MATE was updated to version 1.4 (by reading thru Mints' sponsor listing)... . Strange that I didnt get it through the "Update Manager" icon procedure. Is this "normal"? I mean I have been getting other updates regularly, even did a "Kernel Image" update marked as 4 and 5.
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I am right now installing MATE 1.4 onto my box (LM 13 MATE 64-bit). I followed the instructions from here*, except last step I did through the "Update Manager" (yes updates show as "2").

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Lets see, if my box restarts after boot
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Seems to work ... except networkspeed applet still buggy with multi-instances, coverthumbnailer not working properly, dropbox overlay icon neither
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* = http://www.noobslab.com/2012/08/install-mate-desktop-14-in-ubuntu.html