Sunday, October 5, 2008

Installing Ubuntu Netbook Remix on Ubuntu 8.04 & 8.10

This article is ONLY for installing Ubuntu Netbook Remix in Ubuntu 8.04 & 8.10. Newer versions of Ubuntu will not need to add the UNR PPA, the packages are included in the official Ubuntu universe repository.
For newer versions of Ubuntu follow this guide

Netbook Remix is not another edition of Ubuntu, like Kubuntu, or Edubuntu, but rather a collection of seven packages that are installed on top of a standard Ubuntu image. These packages are available for both Ubuntu 8.04 and 8.10

To install Ubuntu Netbook Remix first install either Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron or Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex on your netbook. Then install the corresponding PPA archive to download the seven Netbook packages.


For Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron
In a terminal type:
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

This will bring up your source list. then add these two lines to the end of your source list:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/netbook-remix-team/ubuntu hardy main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/netbook-remix-team/ubuntu hardy main

In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get update
To update your source lists.

Then Install the Netbook Remix packages
In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get install go-home-applet human-netbook-theme maximus ume-launcher window-picker-applet

Now you need to restart the Gnome display manager.
In a terminal type:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart


For Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex
In a terminal type:
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

This will bring up your source list. then add these two lines to the end of your source list:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/netbook-remix-team/ubuntu intrepid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/netbook-remix-team/ubuntu intrepid main

In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get update
To update your source lists.

Then Install the Netbook Remix packages
In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get install go-home-applet human-netbook-theme maximus netbook-launcher window-picker-applet


Configuring Netbook Remix
For Netbook Remix to work you need to set maximus and ume-launcher (if using 8.04) or netbook-launcher (if using 8.10) to your startup programs. Go to System>Preferences>Sessions and add entries for both of these commands.

Compiz-Fusion and Netbook Remix don't play nice together. You should disable Compiz from loading automatically on startup by following this howto.


To Start Ubuntu Netbook Remix

Simply reboot your machine
In a terminal type:
sudo reboot


The Ubuntu Remix Layout

To get the Ubuntu Remix look, remove the bottom pane, by right clicking the bottom panel and selecting the "Delete this Panel" option. Then add the Remix functions to your top panel. Right click the top panel and select the "Add to the Panel" option. You Should Have (but not limited to): GoHomeApplet, WindowPickerApplet, NotificationArea, and VolumeControl.

You can use any theme you'd like, but don't forget to check out the Human-Netbook and DarkRoom (pictured below) theme. They both really bring the Remix look together.

A screenshot of my Ubuntu Remix Desktop:
screen

Have a question or problem that this article doesn't cover?
Ask our Ubuntu Mini 9 Google Group for help.

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

thank you so much, this will be great for my media center

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the information. There will be a lot of people like me that bought a Dell Mini 9 and are receiving it with XP. They're gonna want to install Netbook Remix. I'm going to set up a dual boot and probably use Ubuntu most of the time. Keep up the good work.

Neil J. Patel said...

Hey, thanks for the guide! I'm glad you like UNR :-)

We've just finished updating the ppa to have "real" intrepid packages so things should work better now.

Also, could you change ume-launcher on the intrepid install command to netbook-launcher, as that is the clutter-0.8 launcher specifically for Intrepid (adds support & workarounds for Intrepid).

Thancks!

Joe Dericho said...

i'm not sure if you ran into any problems after installing 8.04 but i have a few comments based on my experience with it.

first, the wireless card did not work after the base install from the 8.04.1 iso. it showed the wl module was enabled in the restricted drivers manager but that it was not in use. it will work after you load the updates which includes a newer kernel.

second, i had no sound. the correct modules were loaded, volumes were up, and channels unmuted but i could not get sound. after a lot of researching, building and loading new alsa modules from source, etc it turned out to be simple configuration option in /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base. i had to add this line at the bottom of that configuration file:

options snd-hda-intel model=dell

after a reboot, i still didn't have sound so i opened up the mixer and noticed a new volume control for speaker. i turned it up and i finally had sound.

Anonymous said...

Are you actually installing lpia or conventional i386 packages?

redDEAD said...

Conventional i386 packages

Anonymous said...

thanks for the site... i've run into a vexing problem with installing Remix. I first installed it successfully in 8.04 before realizing the partition error Dell had made. so i installed 8.10 via usb drive, fixed the sound, and followed the directions here for installing Remix - the installation seems to proceed normally, but when I try to restart the Gnome Display Manager, the screen drops to a console with a blinking cursor that never goes away. Restarting the computer, disk problems are found and fixed with fsck, and the computer then boots normally, but the Desktop Switcher is missing (I can see the Netbook theme installed correctly and netbook-launcher is listed as installed in Synaptic Package Manager). Reinstalling using these instructions or via Synaptic results in the same issue - either no Desktop Switcher or else a black screen if Gnome Display is restarted. Any ideas?

redDEAD said...

set netbook-laucher to load in your sessions

Anonymous said...

Anyone have a solution for this graphical oddity with netbook remix on the mini-9 or at least can anyone confirm the problem? When I boot it looks beautiful, but when I launch any application, the program launches then immediately the netbook-launcher covers it over and dims. I can move the mouse around and the buttons on the app will kind of show themselves, but I can't get the whole window to appear. I can use the 'go home' applet to activate the netbook-launcher again and make it undim. The app-picker doesnt help either as the app will momentarily appear then the launcher will assert itself again and dim. The menu bar at the top also doesnt want to show themselves when the netbook- launcher decides to take over.

Neil J. Patel said...

@anon: Please make sure you don't have Visual Effects enabled (compiz) or Metacity with compositing enbabled (gconf: /apps/metacity/general/compositing_manager should be _disabled_).

Intel graphics drivers cannot handle both a compositor and a gl program (launcher) at the same time.

Anonymous said...

"Anyone have a solution for this graphical oddity with netbook remix on the mini-9 or at least can anyone confirm the problem?"

I had this problem with netbook remix in 8.04. I solved it by turning off visual effects under Preferences -> Apperances.

redDEAD said...

Mya is right. You don't want Compiz running when you are using Netbook Remix's launcher

Anonymous said...

That was it. Didn't even realize that it would be on by default. Reinstalled Intrepid and turned that off and it works like a charm. Thanks for the info and the awesome site!

Anonymous said...

Followed the step-by-step until I got to the "add netbook-launcher to startup" part. When I get to the add startup program screen I'm asked for name and command [and comment]. I'm complete newbie to this -- what exactly do I put in for name or command?

redDEAD said...

croc,

name and comment don't matter, put whatever you like there. netbook-launcher or ume-launcher and maximus are the actual commands.

Welcome to Linux!

Anonymous said...

I'm relatively new to Linux and have been looking for an interface that can be used for both touchscreen and mouse/kybd combo. This seems to fit the bill. I installed Xubuntu 8.10 and followed the directions on installing the additional packages. After I restarted, I get the message "Checking Battery Status" and it just freezes.

Any ideas?

Anonymous said...

I get the "Checking Battery Status" after I do the following:

sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart

Nathan said...

Thanks for a terrific guide. However, why is there no settings button on the menu? I have seen some screenshots that show a settings button right above the quit button. I would like to be able to switch from Netbook Remix to the Classic Interface. How can I accomplish this with no settings button?

Anonymous said...

I followed all of your instructions but when I perform the following:

Now you need to restart the Gnome display manager.
In a terminal type:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart
After the reset you will see the UME-Launcher running.

All I get is a black screen with a cursor. The only way I can get back into the system is to power down and reboot. Upon reboot I am back in the regular Gnome interface. Can anyone help?

redDEAD said...

YOU HAVE TO ADD netbook-launcher or ume-launcher to your startup for netbook remix to load automatically.

Anonymous said...

sessions/startup does not allow you to add additional items. there are only checkboxes displayed.

i've tried it in ubuntu and everything worked fine. just really want this to work in xubuntu.

Anonymous said...

sessions/startup does not allow you to add additional items. there are only checkboxes displayed.

i've tried it in ubuntu and everything worked fine. just really want this to work in xubuntu.

redDEAD said...

James,

This site is about Ubuntu on the Dell Mini 9, not Xubuntu. Can't offer you any help with the xfce desktop.

Caz said...

Thankyou for the great guide. Everything went smoothly. I even installed TrueCrypt for Encryption and now use Evolution to synch mail with Exchange. I can work on this and still be compliant with our InfoSec policy.

1 Question -> I seem to have lost dual monitor support while upgrading. I use to hit the Fn + 8 key to switch to external display. This worked fine on the pre-loaded 8.04...

Now this does nothing. Any thoughts?
Working on my 9" screen is really crimping my style when I have a 19" LCD and bluetooth mouse/Keyboard on my desk.

Thanks for any help

Erik

sweener said...

Great guide. Where are the screenshots of your desktop?

Ran said...

If you are still using the version of ubuntu the Mini shipped with, there's a remix repo you can use on the same servers as the rest -- not sure if the packages are different, but just installing the updated gdebi package is nice.

deb http://dell-mini.archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ hardy-netbook-remix main universe multiverse restricted

deb-src http://dell-mini.archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ hardy-netbook-remix main universe multiverse restricted

Unknown said...

Forgive my use of Windows-like terms. This is my first foray into a Linux environment. When I removed the bottom bar, every app launched after that had no title bar (no minimize/maximize/close button) and immediately maximized. What did I do?

redDEAD said...

nahanahs,

You installed Netbook Remix! Part of it is maximus, it removes the window bar and deploys all windows maximized. Check out the video and read the article on the blog about Netbook Remix. Then finish installing it.

Anonymous said...

Linux/Ubuntu nOOb here...trying to follow instructions the best I can...I was following everything up to adding the programs to the startup...what "commsands" do i need to use or where do i navigate to find the right files when i go to Systems>Preferences>Sessions? any help appreciated. thanks! adamdm@gmail

redDEAD said...

These are the commands:
for Ubuntu 8.04
maximus
ume-launcher

for Ubuntu 8.10
maximus
netbook-launcher

Name them whatever you want, write whatever you want for the comment. You dont need to point to any file.

Anonymous said...

Following link helped me a lot. I have MSI Wind U100. Instead of going Ubuntu->UNR, I went UMPC->UNR route and I am glad I did. Ubuntu is not light for NetBook so I choose to first go UMPC.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MobileTeam/Mobile/HowTo/TurnUMPCDesktopIntoNetbook

Kelvinella said...

i am running the ubuntu that was preinstalled by dell, can i install the netbook remix without complete reinstall ubuntu??


2nd question: if i buy 2GB ram, do i need to reinstall ubuntu???

or compile new kernel?? i never dont this before, i hear that reinstall new ubuntu wifi doesnt work. what about recompile new kernel do i need to fix wifi and sound? what about bluetooth??

redDEAD said...

Kevin,

Yes you can install netbook remix with the Dell version of Ubuntu that comes pre-installed.

If you buy 2Gb of RAM you will need to either reinstall Ubuntu or upgrade your kernel.

Where did you hear wifi didn't work? I guess it's easier to type a question then read an article, 8.10 has wifi working. Check out the 8.10 overview article.

I wouldn't know about recompiling the Dell Mini OS kernel, I use 8.10 and this site is really about Ubuntu 8.10. Everything will work with the recompiled kernel, maybe you will have to do a little work.

Anonymous said...

If you want 2.6.28 you can download it from kernel.org. It builds fine.

For instructions and a patch for the WiFi driver check out http://www.myehud.com/mini9

E

Anonymous said...

THere is now a full UNR installer (lpia architecture), see:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UNR

Unknown said...

Any idea how to turn this off once I've installed it? I think I prefer the standard desktop metaphor.

Unknown said...

On a UNR install from the 1.01 image, there's a menu item that switches you automatically between the standard Ubuntu Gnome desktop and the UNR desktop. Is there a way to replicate this functionality?

admin said...

I am running 4gig ram and 128 gig ssd No problemo

WICKED said...

great guide... thanks, it works fine for me...

Anonymous said...

Fantastic site. I am *very* new to all things Linux and this site did a fantastic job of getting me through the 8.10 install from a USB drive. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Help!
I've installed 8.10 (twice) and my network card is not being recognized.
Specs Mini9 32G-SSD, 1G ram
Am I missing something (apart from network capabilities)?

Thanks in advance.

Dave T

redDEAD said...

is your wifi turned on? Check in the bios

Anonymous said...

I'm talking about my wired connection. I won't be able to check my wi-fi until later.

I get link lights, but no system recognition of my network connection.

Dave T

Anonymous said...

Alright, I figured out my network connection. I added the eth0 device to /etc/network/interfaces and rebooted.

Have a great weekend all.

Dave T

Anonymous said...

If your system is not finding your network card, would you be so kind as to post what

$ sudo lspci

shows?

That will tell us if the hardware is detected (whether or not it works, or whether or not the compiled kernel includes a driver or a loadable module for it or not).

Ehud

Anonymous said...

the lspci does show my network card.

"Ethernet controller: Realtek Smeiconductor Co., ... PCI Express Fast Ethernet controller (rev ff)"

Thanks,

Dave T

Anonymous said...

I just reinstalled U8.10/i386 on my M9 (to take advantage of the new 32GB SSD ;-)

It finds the realtek controller just fine, assigns it eth0 and it works great.

Is it possible you have a corrupt installation? I would try downloading the ISO, burning to a USB stick, and then booting to "live USB" and see if that recognizes the card. IT SHOULD!!!

If it does not there could be a hardware failure. We had one of our 11 M9s fail to do full-duplex link no matter what we tried, and wouldn't go above 2Mbps inbound no matter what we tried either.

Same system (we swapped SSDs) in different M9 worked fine.

Ehud

Anonymous said...

Hello,

I have a small problem, where I get two Favorite tabs to the left, one in english and the other one in my native language (european portuguese). Whenever I add an item to the favorites tab it goes to my native language tab, so the english one I can remove. How can I remove it or correct it?

Thanks in advance for this smoothe guide, I used it on my netbook and on my friends netbooks, we all loved it!

Edgar

Anonymous said...

Help...
I installed UNR on the original Ubuntu OS. Works fine.
I desactivated the Dell-launcher app; but after a few day, It reappared and lauches on top of the ume-launcher....
Also I have 2 instances of maxcimus running.... Is there any system startup config in addition to the user session ones???

Anonymous said...

Update on my problem!

After a restart I only got one Favorites tab like I'm supposed to, and in my native language.

Thanks again for this guide, will install it *again* on my next eeepc.

Anonymous said...

Help, I just lost all icons, boxes from my main screen, it just shows the ibis background (Dell mini 9/8.10).

This happened after loading desktop-switcher which caused the loss of top panel on UNR desktop.

I tried to uninstall UNR, my first step was to uncheck maximus and netbook-launcher in System>Preferences>Sessions. When I rebooted that's when I lost my entire window controls.

I have tried booting into failsafe terminal and uninstall desktop-switcher, UNR with sudo apt-get remove commands but I still have the same problem. Then I tried reinstalling UNR but same problem.

Is there a way to get my window system back without a reinstall of 8.10?

Anonymous said...

Hello, thanks for all the great information here, I was able to resolve all the issues I was having with sound, wired ethernet, etc on my Mini9 running Intrepid.

I have one question: I have installed Netbook Remix as instructed here. However, I'm not able to get my screen to look like the screenshot posted here. I am using DarkRoom theme, but how do I get Applications and Places to appear on either side of the Desktop?

Thanks in advance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not entirely a newbie, but coming back to Linux after about 10 yrs.

Moshe Reuveni said...

Thanks for a very useful post!
It should make you proud to know you've helped me sort UNR on my Asus Eee PC 701.

Rich said...

When I tried to uninstall maximus, it got rid of my wifi application in the toolbar. The ethernet port doesn't work right either, how can I find a DEB file for that application? All I want is my wifi back. I'll need to install the driver off of a USB stick.

redDEAD said...

Rich

- wtf read the site and it will answer your questions.
- the wired problem and solution was discussed here http://www.ubuntumini.com/2009/03/ubuntu-810-kernel-update-has-broken.html
- if you unistall the network manager use sudo apt-get install network-manager
- you don't need a driver, you probably just unchecked it in Startup Applications
- go to System>Applications>Startup Applications
- You didn't uninstall the driver. you just stopped the network-manager daemon from working.
- ps this is the type of thing the google group is for.

Anonymous said...

I've already got ubuntu installed, but i'm really glad I found this article in case I ever re-install ubuntu!

Anonymous said...

I just lost all gnome panels and windows, just like anonymous above. I created a bug report on this. You might want to confirm it: [url=https://bugs.launchpad.net/netbook-remix-launcher/+bug/361625]link[/url]
https://bugs.launchpad.net/netbook-remix-launcher/+bug/361625

Anonymous said...

Great guide. Concise & to the point. It's contributions from people like you that makes the open-source community what it is today. Thank you.
Bob

bigfefan@gmail.com said...

would it be easier to Lubi to it? so if something goes wrong, god forbid, you can just go back to dellbuntu hardy?

Anonymous said...

Just a quick note of thanks to 'Jon' for the tip about getting sound to work.

I installed UNR 9.04 to my Dell Vostro A90, and it mostly worked, except for the SDHC card and also sound. I found a fix for the SDHC problem (sudo echo "options sdhci debug_quirks=1" > /etc/modprobe.d/sdhci.conf), but I didn't find any pointers my audio problem.

Fortunately, Jon's suggestion boils down to this:

echo "options snd-hda-intel model=dell" >> /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf

After a reboot, I went into sound preferences and increased the slider for the new 'speaker' control, and now I've got sound.

Thanks, Jon!

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