A total newbie question

[alahnagr]

There are no stupid questions - - - -
So, when ya'll post script to type in, in these threads...it is always in a box ....

How do I get to that box in Ubuntu 10.10?

Here's my issue: I have a ZOTAC MAG HD on which I loaded ubuntu 10.10 as OS from a CD. Install says it was complete. Now I get to log in to unbuntu with a pink wallpaper screen.....and nothing else on it....

I need to download NVIDIA ION graphic drivers - and know where to find them - and many have told me their way of downloading, BUT - how do I get to the "box" where I can type script?

On the pink screen, if I right click my mouse, a menu pops up and I can get to the applications box (is that the box I should type in???).... the wireless connection ion comes up and then leaves....and to shut the cpu off...I push the button - the Shut Down Menu pops up and I can shut down.

I'd really like to see if I can't get the right graphics drivers to load, make sure all is well with them and the install.....and start working with Ubuntu 10.10.

I really, really don't want to use Win7 on this machine.....the machine came with a nice ZOTAC disk with graphic drivers for many Win platforms......

Help me stay and learn Linux....

Thanks

[oz]

So, when ya'll post script to type in, in these threads...it is always in a box ....

How do I get to that box in Ubuntu 10.10?

Hello and welcome to the forums!

I'm not clear at all what you mean by the above. Can you explain a little more clearly what you mean?

[alahnagr]

OK -

The box comes after ya'll type
Code:
(this script is typed in a box) nvidia-xconfig --enable-all-gpus

Is this a "terminal"?

If so, how do I get to the terminal when there is nothing on the screen? I think that if I can download the NVIDIA drivers and config correctly, I'll have a little more, if not all of what I need, show up on the screen.....

The pink screen is the desktop wallpaper screen with nothing on it - no task bar - no menus - no nothing - just pink. Obviously something is working, since the pop up menu comes on a right click and the shut down pop up comes up when I go to power off the CPU.

From a totally pink wallpaper sceen - how do I download the drivers?

[oz]

Ubuntu 10.10 usually installs with a GUI unless you are running the server version. If your install doesn't boot at least into a console, there is something broken with the installation. If you are able to boot into a console, you can use that to install or setup a GUI from where you can use a terminal to do command line work such as installing software and drivers.

If you are only getting a pink screen on boot, it sounds like there might be some kind of graphics issue preventing the basic system from installing and/or working properly.

[reed9]

Definitely sounds like a graphics card issue.

From the weird pink screen, let's try a couple things.

First, since you are seeing the shutdown window, let's try just getting to a terminal. Hit ALT+F2 This should open a up a little dialogue box. Enter into the gnome-terminal and hit Enter. And in theory this should be up the terminal window.

Failing that, try hitting CRTL+ALT+F1 and that should drop you out of the graphical environment into a console.

Failing that, boot into recovery mode as described in that guide for resetting your password.

Once you get to a console/terminal, enter the following to install the nvidia drivers

sudo apt-get --purge remove xserver-xorg-video-nouveau
sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx-185

The first removes the open source driver, the second installs the non-free nvidia driver. Then you can run the nvidia-xconfig command.

EDIT: Reboot from the console with

sudo reboot

[MASONTX]

To get to a terminal, go to applications>accessories>terminal

[MikeTbob]

There are no stupid questions - - - -
So, when ya'll post script to type in, in these threads...it is always in a box ....

How do I get to that box in Ubuntu 10.10?

Are you asking how to use the code tags, here on the forums? Like the box below?
If not, then disregard me and I'll go back to smokin' my crack pipe.

This is a code tag

[alahnagr]

OK - thanks. I was able to get the NVIDIA graphics downloaded and installed, and also fix a few other issues. I think the problem stemed from the fact that I was using the wireless connection when doing the install - and it may have dropped a second or so -- so I made a wired connection, until all was installed and downloaded and now the wireless is working OK. So now I can at least begin to use the little ZOTAC box. thanks again