big post today. I’ve finally updated my Ubuntu machine to the latest version 11.04 Natty Narval…everything works out pretty well execpt for the wired ethernet controller… I’m using the

“Intel Corporation 82573L Gigabit Ethernet Controller”

this controller isn’t manageable via the usual Ubuntu Network Manager nor it’s listed in the output of the ifconfig and it’s status is unclaimed

$ sudo lshw -C network
*-network UNCLAIMED
description: Ethernet controller
product: 82573L Gigabit Ethernet Controller

There is no problem at all with Windows 7 or my old Ubuntu release 8.x , the card is fully working.

In the meantime I have noticed a long time recurring error (it was there for a long time before the  11.04) at the computer boot time (BIOS time),  looking like a bootstrap error :

“Initializing Intel Boot Agent GE v.1.2.28 PXE-E05: LAN adapter’s configuration is corrupted or has not been initialized. The Boot Agent cannot continue.”

the linux log messages helped me a little

$ dmesg | grep e1000
[ 0.267811] pci 0000:01:00.0: reg 18 32bit mmio: [0xee100000-0xee10ffff]
[ 0.268161] pci 0000:00:01.0: bridge 32bit mmio: [0xee100000-0xee1fffff]
[ 0.346430] pci 0000:00:01.0: MEM window: 0xee100000-0xee1fffff
[ 0.346978] pci_bus 0000:01: resource 1 mem: [0xee100000-0xee1fffff]
[ 0.918428] e1000e: Intel(R) PRO/1000 Network Driver – 1.0.2-k2
[ 0.918432] e1000e: Copyright (c) 1999-2008 Intel Corporation.
[ 0.918486] e1000e 0000:02:00.0: Disabling L1 ASPM
[ 0.918510] e1000e 0000:02:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 16 (level, low) -> IRQ 16
[ 0.918554] e1000e 0000:02:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
[ 0.918766] e1000e 0000:02:00.0: irq 29 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 0.990779] e1000e 0000:02:00.0: PCI INT A disabled
[0.990781] e1000e 0000:05:00.0: (unregistered net_device): The NVM Checksum Is Not  Valid                                                                                                                                                                                                                 [0.990788] e1000e: probe of 0000:02:00.0 failed with error -5

I have also been able to understand that this problem is not limited to the 82573L card but is common for a large number of intel ethernet cards (that is why you can easily understand the driver’s blacklisting in the old linux distributions) : 82563, 82566, 82567, 82571, 82572, 82573, 82574, 82577, 82578, 82579,  or 82583 -based.

So what is going on ? It looks like that the nework adapter’s (82573L) EEPROM is broken, unfixed and a little messed up, (error PXE-E05) this problem creates a checksum error for the NVM (The NVM Checksum Is Not Valid) that breaks the Ubuntu driver loading  therefore the eth0 alias is not created and there isn’t a manageable ethernet adapter for the Ubuntu network manger.

Windows simply doesn’t check the NVM checksum, it uses the card anyway and everything works fine.

IMHO Intel messed up a little with the 82573 controller there are too many similar errors out there, it seems it happens when there is a sudden power outage during LAN card bootime…totally nonsense !

Anyway, we need to fix this !!! As you can easily understand the idea behind this guide will work  for many others Intel controllers from the same family: I’m unable to test them but it’s probably worth giving it a shot !

And here it’s the guide…it’s not as long as it seems :

We need to remove the old 82573L driver, install the updated 82573 network controller driver, create a MS DOS boot pen drive, reboot, flash the card eeprom, and reboot again (there are a lot of subguides to ease the process for newbies USE THEM)

open the terminal ( https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal )

$ sudo rmmod e1000e                       # unload the old driver module

$ sudo rmmod e1000                        # unload the old driver module (errors are OK)

$ sudo rm /lib/modules/2.6.38-8-generic/kernel/drivers/net/e1000e/ -rf                  # remove old drivers (errors are OK)

$ sudo rm /lib/modules/2.6.38-8-generic/kernel/drivers/net/e1000/ -rf                  # remove old drivers (errors are OK)

download and extract to your home directory the latest intel drivers from their site ( http://bit.ly/ipbZ5W )

make sure you have installed build-essential ( http://bit.ly/yS5oW )

terminal again and cd to your home directory

$ cd       # to your home directory

$ cd e1000e-1.3.17/src                          #to the extracted drivers directory

$ sudo make install                                 #to install the drivers ( no errors on this side)

now we need to go to the intel site, download and extract the Intel(R) Ethernet Connections Boot Utility, Preboot images, and EFI Drivers ( http://bit.ly/jatTVE )        then prepare a MSDOS bootable pen drive and copy the extracted files we just downloaded to the pen drive.

Several ways to create a bootable MSDOS pen drive the Windows way  (PREFERRED) and the Linux1 , Linux2 and Linux3  way (should I use now the saxon genitive, now ? ) choose your favorite one but always  REMEMBER TO PUT THE EXTRACTED FILES TO THE PEN DRIVE.

Now go reading the important NOTE at the end of the page containing the disclaimer !

Now boot using the pendrive ( SUBGUIDE ) and assuming you’re at the command prompt:

c:\>  cd bootutil                        #go to the bootutil directory

c:\>  bootutil -defcfg          #force bootutil to load the default PXE configuration into the controller

# Georgi says ” bootutil -nic=1 -defcfg” it’s better. Try if the other returns an err

after that reboot the pc, and go back to Ubuntu.

Now everything should be working fine.

DISCLAIMER: You probably need to know that the Intel(R) Ethernet Connections Boot Utility WAS NOT designed to be used with on board (also know as OEM) lan cards (is for the PCI cards) therefore there is no sure way to predict it’s interactions with others on board components like USB or SOUND controllers.  I haven’t experienced any problem with my computer and I haven’t seen any negative review using Google (HP dv6000) but there is no way to be 100 %. What I can tell you is that procedure is the only way to make the cards working otherwise you need to buy a new external card.  Eventually use at your own risk and patrol

As usual hope this was helpful to somebody.

I’ve been able to see many complaints about the gmail service and it’s availability…
I mean, it’s a free service and with the super cool servers that google is using we have probably nothing to worry about.

BUT

as people is use to say we’ve better be SAFE than sorry so it could be a good idea to make a complete (but disorganized) gmail backup to our computer. We probably won’t be ever able (or requested) to roll back our backup but it will stay available on our hard disk. (is “available on” correct ?!? )

We could use POP3 and download every single message to our mail client and then save but it’s insanely long and boring, so…

there is a program Gmail Backup (http://www.gmail-backup.com/) a very nice & easy program to backup your whole gmail account ” the ultimate one-click solution for doing backups of your GMail account.”

BACK IT UP and store the file safely on your hard disk.

As usual, hope this helps someone

Today at 1:30 AM PST Gmail suddenly stopped working. It seems it is unreachable. Google Apps linked applications are also NOT working.

Or simply anyone who’s receiving this :

FIRST A NOTICE FOR EMAIL ADDICTS : PLEASE STAY CALM . DO NOT WORRY. EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE ALRIGHT

The Google’s Gmail support team says the following :

“We’re aware of a problem with Gmail affecting a number of users. This problem occurred at approximately 1.30AM Pacific Time. We’re working hard to resolve this problem and will post updates as we have them. We apologize for any inconvenience that this has caused.”

Anyway, for all those who are experiencing technical problems accessing Gmail or Gmail is absolutely not working, there is a simple workaround :

USE GMAIL VIA IMAP

What, the hell, is IMAP ?   Just don’t care ! Using gmail with IMAP means : use gmail with Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Mail, Iphone MAIL or any otherIMAP client.

These are some useful links  to configure the main mail clients with GMAIL via IMAP:

GMAIL IMAP GENERIC HELP

GMAIL IN OUTLOOK 2007

GMAIL IN THUNDERBIRD

Anyway, to configure any client with GMAIL the required settings are the following:

Anyway I’m pretty sure everything is gonna be alright in a couple of hours…

YOU, CRAZY EMAIL ADDICT STAY CALM ! STOP HITTING THE REFRESH BUTTON ! SAVE THAT F5 !

As usual hope this is helpful to somebody.

this time I’m gonna show you two easy ways to install and run two common linux distributions from a pen drive using both Windows Xp or Vista or a Linux Distribution, and wizard procedures. It’s like a “Live” distribution, but from a USB drive. The two distributions are Fedora Core 9 (or 8 ) and BackTrack (what is BackTrack ?!? Take a look at this ), both with the persistence feature…what is the “persistence feature” ??? Well, is the possibility to store the changes you’re making to the system (in fact, it’s NOT exactly like a Live distribution)…anyway…

Fedora Core 9 (2 Gb Pen drive is enough, 4 Gb is better )

The Windows’s Way…

1. Insert the pen drive, and make sure it’s empty

2. Download the lastest version of the “liveusb-creator” from here then extract the zip file to a directory and run ” liveusb-creator.exe “

3. Choose the Fedora Distribution you prefer ( the 9 is really better ! ), choose the USB Drive, then the dimension of the “Persistent Overlay”, the space left to store the modifications to the system, or the files you make. (for 4 gb units, “choose the greatness”…2047 Mb, for 2 Gb… 1024 Mb…less or more… )

4. BUTTON : “Create the Live USB”

5. Wait a couple of hours…

That’s all…now you should have your distribution full working…

The Linux’s Way…

1. Insert the pen drive, mount it and make sure it’s empty

1b. Install YUM if you haven’t got it yet… (your system probably has it already installed…)

2. Open a terminal windows or get a shell, go to an empty directory ( you need a couple of Gb’s free storage space), and give

# yum -y install syslinux PyQt4 git $ git clone git://git.fedorahosted.org/git/liveusb-creator
# cd liveusb-creator
# ./liveusb-creator

3. Choose the Fedora Distribution you prefer ( the 9 is really better ! ), choose the USB Drive, then the dimension of the “Persistent Overlay”, the space left to store the modifications to the system, or the files you make. (for 4 gb units, “choose the greatness”…2047 Mb, for 2 Gb… 1024 Mb…less or more… )

4. BUTTON : “Create the Live USB”

5. Wait a couple of hours…

That’s all…now you should have your distribution full working…you SHOULD…this is still beta version software…so no one is really sure about that…

Backtrack 3 Final (2 Gb Pen drive is enough, 4 Gb is better )

The Windows’s Way…

1. Insert the pen drive and make sure it’s empty

2. Download the [ USB Version (Extended) ] from the official site

3. Extract the whole .iso file to the USB Drive (feel free to use Winrar )

4. Then open the root folder of the drive (ex. G:\ ), go to “boot” folder

5. Run bootinst.bat and follow the onscreen istructions (just press ENTER if everything is ok )

6. That’s all…. should be working…

The Linux’s Way…

1. Insert the pen drive, mount it and make sure it’s empty

2. Download the [ USB Version (Extended) ] from the official site

3. Extract the whole .iso file to the USB Drive (feel free to use the extractor you prefer…like Ark)

4. Then open the root folder of the drive (ex. /home/media/usb1 or /mnt/sda1 ), go to “boot” folder

5. Run bootinst.sh (double click on the icon or “./bootinst.sh” to the shell) and follow the onscreen istructions (just press ENTER if everything is ok )

6. That’s all…. should be working…

Hope this was useful…. Happy Holidays…

this is a VERY SIMPLE issue… and you can find MANY others guides around, but let me just tell you :

1_

Backup all your web site files and export all your database tables …

2_

donwload the lastest 5.x version

3_

extract the .tar.gz file and, in the meantime login to get the directories of your website (usually using the ftp service)

4_

copy (overwrite) all the files extracted to your root directory

5_

eventually, change you permissions (it depends on your server configuration)

6_

go to www.youwebsite.com/update.php & run the database update script…

fine ! that’s all ! so simple ! you did it !!!

BUT

if you should get THIS error message

“The following error must be resolved before you can continue the installation process:
register_globals is enabled. Drupal requires this configuration directive to be disabled. Your site may not be secure when register_globals is enabled.”

(or your websites simply shows you an error message relate to php configuration)

probably the answer is to make a call named “php.ini“, into the root directory of your website, with those simple words inside

“

register_globals = OFF
memory_limit = 16M
“

easy, isn’t it ???

As usual hope it is useful to somebody…

this one is a VERY BRIEF guide about the installation of Microsoft Windows Xp on a HP Pavilion dv6236EA system…

now, first of all you need to DISABLE the “SATA Native Mode” into the BIOS (press F10 at computer boot)…

then you can make a common XP installation…then…this is the *needed* drivers list:

(Ah, the Softpaq packages are the installation programs for the drivers coming from HP)

VIDEO

GeForce Series Video Driver (Softpaq)

AUDIO — MODEM

Microsoft UAA Driver (Softpaq)

then

Microsoft KB888111 Hotfix (Original Microsoft Hotfix)

then

Conexant HD Audio DRIVER (Softpaq – comes with the MODEM driver )

CHIPSET

Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility

WI-FI

Dell Package (Follow the extraction directory, then go into “XP”, this is where the working drivers are located)

TOUCHPAD

Synaptics Touchpad

ETHERNET (LAN)

Lenovo Package (It uses the same interface)

CARD READER (SD – XD – MMC)

Ricoh 5-1 Card Reader Driver (Softpaq Package)

WEBCAM

Webcam 1.3 Mp (Softpaq)

QUICKPLAY BUTTONS

Driver & Application (Softpaq)

After the installation of these drivers, EVERYTHING is working fine for me…

Every device is correctly working…

Hope it was useful…

P.S.

Q: Why you are not talking about Linux?

A: Because, I dont’want to be stuck in a moment I can’t get out of…

The problem applies to Ubuntu 7.10 “Gutsy Gibbon” if you have upgraded from 7.04 “Feisty Fawn” with Compiz-Fusion already installed using the wizard procedure, this issue can lead to:

Compiz NOT WORKING

The Compiz Configuration Settings Manager (ccsm) can stop working: can’t start.

HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM:

The solution is very easy, just download and run this .deb package from Gutsy Official Repository to update (or re-install)

Gutsy Official Repository Link

Then, reboot.

Now use Compiz as usual, should be working now…

If something goes wrong, just REMOVE Compiz (sudo apt-get remove compiz*) the INSTALL it again using this simple guide.

Please, take care of this link too:

http://kevin.vanzonneveld.net/techblog/article/upgrade_to_ubuntu_gutsy_with_compizfusion/

There is is a guide to update your system from Feisty to Gutsy with Compiz already installed.

As usual hope it is useful to somebody…

So first of all a brief description of the problem…

The Mp150 Printer installed in Fedora Core 7, Fedora Core 8, Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn, is NOT WORKING…using the standard drivers it simply prints blank, or completly white pages, even if in the *official* linux printing resource database, it is given as “Perfectly Working”…

Solutions:

1_ Use and Install Turboprint driver, FULL WORKING but ….. you MUST PAY…to have them working…

2_

Follow this simple guide….

This guide is full working for both the Mp150 & Mp160 series… and, even if IT IS a STEP by STEP guide for Fedora Core 7 it should be easily adapted to others linux distribuctions…(at least those rpm and gnome based)

so,

first of all, what do you need ? This time I’m not giving direct rpms links, just to avoid mistakes, and make the guide more easy…

Install Cups (usually already installed, it’s better if 1.3.4 or newer)

Install Gutenprint (please use the lastest, at least the 5.0.1, do not use the old one included in fedora’s 7 CD)

Install gutenprint-foomatic

Install the Mp160 Printer Drivers ver. 2.70 avaiable from Canon (RPM and Source code avaible — they’re useful even for Mp150 — file names are cnijfilter-common-2.70-1.i386.rpm & cnijfilter-mp160-2.70-1.i386.rpm)

What to do now ?

For Fedora 7 Distribuction

1- Connect the Printer

2-Click on “System” -> “Administration” -> “Printing” (system-config-printer)

3-Then if everything is ok, you should see your printer “MP150″, so click on it’s name.

4-Then Near “Make and Model” Click Change

5-Now choose “Canon” -> then look for “Mp160 ver2.70″ and choose this one.

6->Confirm the changes, and choose to change all the previous configuration

The printer now should be WORKING !!!

What to do if…

if you can’t find your printer in cups…

You’re probably experiencing some problems CUPS-Related, take care of them using CUPS documentation

if you are not using using rpm based distribution…

Install from source…(probably you need urpm)

if you can’t find “Mp150 ver. 2.70″, between your Canon Drivers in CUPS)

Do a step back, returning to Manifactures page… -> Choose “Provide a .ppd file” -> look for “canonmp160.ppd” it should be in /usr/share/cups/model… anyway it comes from the canon drivers…)

if you’re not using gnome…

Use your printer manager…and hope for the best…

if you’re tring to share the printer using Samba and/or Webmin…

You need to change an option… from Samba page in Webmin

choose “Windows to Unix Printing” -> and “CUPS” as Unix Print Style

As usual, hope it’s useful…

uncorrected guides about the installation of Office 2003 under Linux I’ve found surfing; so this lack of “easy knowledge” made me create the guide you’re about to read…but now…stop talking around…let’s start !

First, what will work using this procedure:

Word 2003
Excel 2003
Power Point 2003
Publisher 2003

Than what will NOT work
Access 2003 (IMHO anyway it’s USELESS)
Infopath 2003
Outlook 2003 (Useless this one too.

So let’s start:

Download, or install Wine 0.9.37 DO NOT install the lastest version of Wine, because is NOT working…

So DO NOT use your packet manager, (Apt, Synaptics)…but download this “old” version…
For Example at this link you can find the .deb (Ubuntu & Debian Packages) files.

1_
Go to your home folder (aka /home/sorcerer01) then go to .wine/drive_c/windows/system32
EX : “cd /home/sorcerer01/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32″

2_
Rename richedit32.dll and richedit20.dll to richedit32.bak and richedit20.bak
EX:“mv richedit32.dll richedit32.bak” & “mv richedit20.dll richedit20.bak”

3_
Make richedit*.dll “native”
EX: give “winecfg” to bash, go to “Libraries”, insert the dll names, into the mask

4_
Download the richedit30 update to desktop
Download Link

5_
Install richedit
EX: “wine richedit30.exe”

6_
Download the XML Parser
Download Link (only msxml3.msi)

7_
Install the XML parser using wine
EX: “msiexec /i msxml.msi”

8_
Follow the on-screen instructions

9_
Set “msxml3″, “msxml3″ and “msxml3.exe” to native
EX: use “winecfg” as before described

10_
Add Owner and Organizaion Informations to Wine
EX: give “regedit” to bash,
      go to [HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version]       
      add your name to the keys “RegistredOwner” and “RegistredOrganization”
      then go to [HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version] and
      and proceed as before

11_

Mount the Office 2003 CD with the option to see the hidden files…

EX “Insert the cd-rom into the drive”
      “Make sure it is not auto-mounted (umount /dev/cdrom as root)”
      “give this or something similar to bash (it depends on your distribution…you probably should know the right                                                                       command if are reading this guide)
       “mount -t iso9660 -o unhide /dev/cdrom /media/cdrom”

14_
Start the installation procedure
EX: go to the cdrom directory and give
          “wine setup.exe”

15_
Follow the onscreen procedure to install Microsoft Office 2003

16_
Try to start an application
EX: ” Probably you got into a new main menù voice called “Wine” where you can find the Office programs, anyway the bash command is…
       “wine “/home/sorcerer01/.wine/drive_c/Program Files/Microsoft Office/OFFICE11/winword.exe” “
         
       and so on…

FGA (Frequently Given Answers)

YES, you really need that old version of wine. (newer version are not working…at least up to 0.9.48)

Yes, you have to change “sorcerer01″ to your home directory name…(usually it’s you user name)

Yes, if you’re using Ubuntu the installation works with the “sudo” command…

You shouldn’t need be root for make wine running and – or – install MS Office…

You just need to be root to install wine and maybe to mount the cdrom…

I am not sure, I’ve heard of people activating Office 2003 in linux…probably you should know what to do about the problem….

No, Wine-doors CAN make it working…but only if you’ve installed Wine 0.9.37

No, Wine programs, are NOT shared between different users

No, If you are using Beryl or Compiz, you probably DON’T NEED to disable them.

No, I don’t know how to run Access 2003

No, at this time I don’t how to make Office 2007 running

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Why to install 0.9.37 and now the lastest one ?

A: The problem is a common error, probably related with the implementation of the msi.dll into the newer and older versions od Wine; this error makes EVERY Office Application to hang up with this error code

“Microsoft Office Word has not been installed for the current user. Please run setup to install the application”

more informations about the bug are here , here , here, and here.
The only, current, solution is to downgrade to 0.9.37

Q: I’ve already got a newer wine installation, what to do ?

A: Well…It depends…simply try to remove the program…and install the old one…(all your files wil be kept), If everything is working anyway…you’re okay… !
If your applications aren’t working anymore you probably need to keep two different installations of wine..but I think this is really OT…

As usual, hope this was helpful…to someone…

Very coool !!!!!!!!! What ?

Simply, this is my first post from my PDA !!!

You probably don’t know,  but I own a Windows Mobile 2003 Pocket PC (Mio)….and I’ve just installed one of the goodest .cab, I’ve ever found…

Okay…STOP…resume…

Today I’ve got an idea, looking for a simple and easy way to post, on my blog using my pda…

Taking a look around, I found a software for Pocket PC called.. Sharp MT 

It’s simply fantastic… fast, easy to use, and, overmore,  it’s working with wordpress.com  !

Yes, I can post to wordpress.com from my pda using a program…and not the web editor…(and,yes IT IS an offline editor)

Anyway… the correct settings for WordPress.com for SharpMT are these:

Web Server : yourblog.wordpress.com (like johnsmith.wordpress.com)

CGI-BIN Path: /xmlrpc.php

User Name: johnsmith (your username)

Password : ******** (your password)

then hit “Refresh” …

Everything works fine !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you very much Randy Rants !!!

Playing Aerosmith – Dream On…