I have an old HTPC that hasn't been used in about 4 years with Windows 7 on it. It ran fine with Windows 7 but didn't work well with 8 when that came out (or at least the Windows Media Center that we used as a DVR with a cable card didn't) so it's stayed on 7 ever since. I haven't actually used it in about 4 years and now of course don't want Windows 7 where it can connect to the Internet.

Recently I had the idea that I could install Linux on the computer and use it as a media server with Jellyfin, Plex, or something similar. Long-term when I have the finances I'd like to set up a NAS and server to build a self-hosted media library, but this should be a good starting point for now.

What I'm Working With

It's a pretty old computer. I bought most of the components in 2010/2011 anticipating moving out from my parents although I didn't actually assemble it until early 2012 when I finally moved out (and my brother actually assembled it as he moved in with me). Key components:

• Intel Core i5-750 (this is the original Intel Core i5, generation 0 as it were)
• Asus P7P55D-E Pro
• Zotac ZT-20404-20L (Nvidia GT240 R)
• 4GB DDR3
• 64 GB SSD
• 1.5 TB HD
• 1 TB SSD <- this is blank, purchased last week and what I planned to install Linux on

What I'm Trying To Do

I searched the main components on linux-hardware.org and they all showed results for running Linux, usually several varieties. I downloaded the Live CD/Installer for Linux Mint 22 Cinnamon and burned it to a DVD. I went with Mint since it seems to be one frequently recommended for Linux beginners and has a "just works" reputation. I want to install it on the new 1TB SSD I picked up and be able to still dual boot into Windows 7 for now (and in any case I'm not sure I'd do much with a 64 GB drive anymore). This is an old motherboard; it only supports BIOS, not EFI, but it almost sounds like that will be easier for the dual boot because I won't have to worry about Secure Boot. Once that's installed I'll try out Jellyfin, Plex, and Emby to see which work best with the various devices I have on our TVs. I'll also probably use the computer to rip some of our DVDs/Blu-rays to use with the server.

Problems I'm Having

I've run into two main issues so far:

First, while the computer boots and runs from the DVD, about 5-and-a-half minutes after the taskbar appears and I can start trying to do anything it locks up. Usually it would just freeze and become totally unresponsive, but last night the two times I tried it actually rebooted the computer. It's really slow to load; when the taskbar appears I try to click the Installer as fast as possible and it takes a little over 3 minutes to reach a state where I can start clicking options for the install. It's also really slow just to boot. From the time I click to start Linux Mint from the Isolinux screen until I reach a usable desktop in Linux Mint is at least 10 minutes, if not more (haven't timed that directly). I'm really not sure what the problem is here; just slow from reading the optical disc? Should I try to find a USB stick and boot from there (the computer has a couple USB3 ports but I'll have to find a spare thumbdrive)? Does this all run in RAM and 4GB isn't enough and that's why it crashes? Is Cinnamon too much for the system and I should try the Xfce or MATE versions of Mint?

Second, I thought with the Linux Installation it would be able to format and install to the new SSD without needing to do anything else, either by selecting "Erase disk and install Linux Mint" or "Something else" but the time I was able to do it fast enough to get to "Something else" the disk doesn't show up at all. It looks like I should use a GParted live CD first to partition the new drive, and then I can install Linux Mint? As I'm looking at various documentation it looks like I should put 3 partitions on the SSD, one for "/" (100 GB recommended by the Linux Mint docs), one for "/home", and one for "swap" (4 GB to match the RAM size)?

I guess as a bonus third question, it looks like once I have Linux installed the Linux installation process should also give me a boot manager that I can use to switch between Linux and Windows? Or does that require extra steps to enable? I'm comfortable editing the boot order in the BIOS. My only prior experience with dual booting a computer is an old Mac Pro that could change the Boot system in Settings/Control Panel, or hold a button on startup to bring up a menu that would allow selecting the boot OS.

Pretty much the title. I’ve got an old (circa 2012) MacBook Pro with no screen that’s running Ubuntu, but since day one of the install it has never recognized the touchpad. I’ve been using it with an external mouse, which works, but it’s much less convenient and elegant than if I had even basic touchpad use.

Any ideas on how I might make this work?

I have an old hp pavilion dv6 and I installed windows 7. Then i tried installing Ubuntu 24.04 and the USB wouldn't boot, it just showed "GRUB" in the top left of the screen. I tried with another USB and the same issue emerged.

How to install ProtonVPN in Arch Linux (CachyOS) ?

Should I follow https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/ProtonVPN ?

OR

from flathub https://flathub.org/apps/com.protonvpn.www ?

This flatpak has Unverified tag, but according to this, this flatpak is safe.

Which one should I follow ?

Asking this because I'm because I'm a bit lazy to configure OpenVPN and all that stuff. (pls don't kill me :)

Also do you think using VPN from flatpak is a good idea?

Solved

I just installed aur mentioned in the wiki and it worked just fine. Didn't need to install anything else in my case.

I've always approached learning Linux by just diving into it and bashing my head against problems as they come until I either solve them or give up, the latter being the more common outcome.

I wouldn't take this approach with other pieces of software though - I'd read guides, best practices, have someone recommend me good utility tools or extensions to install, which shortcuts to use or what kind of file hierarchy to use, etc.
For example, for python I'd always recommend the "Automate the boring stuff with Python", I remember learning most Java with that "Head first Java" book back in the days, c# has really good official guides for all concepts, libraries, patterns, etc.

So... lemme try that with Linux then! Are there any good resources, youtube videos, bloggers or any content creators, books that go explain everything important about linux to get it running in an optimal and efficient way that are fun and interesting to read? From things like how the file hierarchy works, what is /etc, how to install new programs with proper permissions, when to use sudo, what is a flatpak and why use it over something else, how to backup your system so you can easily reconstruct your setup in case you need to do an OS refresh, etc? All those things that people take for granted but are actually a huge obstacle course + minefield for beginners?

And more importantly, that it's up to date with actually good advice?

I used PopOS, but once they announced they'll start focusing on their Cosmic desktop, I switched to Fedora KDE it worked to some degree until it crashed and I lost some data, now I'm on Ultramarine GNOME and it doesn't seem to like my hardware ( fans are spinning fast )

my threat model involves someone trying to physically unlock my device, so I always enable disk encryption, but I wonder why Linux doesn't support secure boot and TPM based encryption ( I know that Ubuntu has plans for the later that's why I'm considering it rn )

I need something that keeps things updated and adobts newer standards fast ( that's why I picked Fedora KDE in the first place ), I also use lots of graphical tools and video editing software, so I need the proprietary Nvidia drivers

Idk what to choose ಥ_ಥ ? the only one that seem to care about using hardware based encryption is Ubuntu, while other distros doesn't support that.. the problem with Ubuntu is there push for snaps ( but that can be avoided by the user )

security heads say: if you care about security, you shouldn't be using systemd, use something like Gentoo or Alpine.. yeah but do you expect me to compile my software after ? hell no

Recently I switched to Fedora 40 from Ununtu. Now, I am facing this weird problem, whenever my laptop suspends I cannot use the power button to wake my laptop if it's in tablet mode. It works fine in normal case. Also, this wasn't an issue in Ubuntu. Anyone knows how I can change it?

I am using a 2in1 laptop (Dell) if it's relevant

I'm having an issue trying to burn a music CD for use in my (very old, I know I know) car. I'm running FedoraKDE (40) and Brasero, a Liteon brand external optical DVDRW drive, CD-R (TDK brand), and a Framework 16.

The issue I'm having seems to be that the blank disks(maybe?) aren't recognized automatically by Fedora, when I pop a full commercially released CD in it'll play/rip, but with a blank disk nothing happens, and I don't know where to "save" the "image" of this album I'm creating in Brasero to get it on the disk.

Someone on a random linux forum told some other guy to run cdrecord -checkdrive which says my drive is at /dev/sr0 with a blank disk, but that's as far as I've gotten. Do I choose sr0 as the place to save it? It says "something something overwrite" when I try which makes me wary, it seems it wants to overwrite "sr0" itself and either bork my drive or install, but maybe?

I'm positive it's just something simple I'm missing, any help would be greatly appreciated and I can answer questions and run commands if needed (but I don't actually have WIFI rn, so I'll have to have the package for said command already.)

Thanks in advance.

Is there a way to log all the stuff on start up to a text file so I can read it? It goes by way too fast! Mine shows some blue warnings but I can't read them.

To be clear I mean the part that explains what is starting or failing, like if you hit [ESC] during start up or don't have plymouth, not the plymouth splash screens.

Long overdue, I know, but looking to start at least partially migrating and working with Dual boot, coming from Windows 10 (putting off 11 as much as possible)...

I have limited Linux experience, mostly in college several years back.

I work remotely with Windows software development, including Winforms, Asp.net, .net core, etc. Not sure what I need to best work with these, particularly Winforms. That may not even be possible, I know.

Looking for any general guidance/recommendations.

Long term, I'm interested in migrating as much as possible, outside of whatever I have to keep up for work... starting with dual boot options then moving towards linux as a primary driver. I have an old media server (also win10, not win11 compatable) not really doing much but running plex when I need it... would love to also eventually poke around with Home Assistant or similar, maybe some LLM tinkering etc.

If this isn't a good community for this, I apologize, and please point me to a better one if you know of one.

I am currently trying to use kenshi to automatically use my external display's when connecting to my dock. But doing so either results in Qtile crashing or not recognizing my displays and staying with only eDP-1 on.

Here is my config:

profile docked {
    output eDP-1 disable
    output DP-7 enable position 0,0 mode 1920x1080@60Hz
    output DP-5 enable position 1920,0 mode 1920x1080@60Hz
    output DP-6 enable position 3840,0 mode 1920x1080@60Hz
}

profile laptop {
    output eDP-1 enable position 0,0 scale 1.5
}

I edited breeze dark color scheme to darker color everything went well but windows and header color revert back to breeze dark color when inactive how can I change this? thanks in advanced. (sorry for bad English)

Edit: because I make a color scheme copy from default breeze dark and that's make some color not working properly when changed, I edit one of my downloaded color scheme and that works just fine

How to update BIOS on a system that only use Linux as OS.

Asking this because some clowns at Acer decided that they will only provide BIOS updates through Windows Update.

Edit: I'm not talking about installing the BIOS file. They don't even provide BIOS file in the first place.

I am trying to use wireshark to verify that my outgoing rsync is encrypted. I can easily see that the SSH protocol packets are reported as "Encrypted packet." The other packets being exchanged are TCP packets, I am not sure how to actually verify if these are encrypted, and if not, if they contain anything sensitive.

Should TCP be encrypted? Can they leak anything when facilitating the ssh connection? How can I tell?

I was able to setup a debugger using a launch mode using Visual Studio Code with the Bash Debug extension. Is it possible to setup the debugger in VSCode to be able to debug a bash script using a attach debug mode?

For debugging scripts on the host machine and scripts inside a docker container?

I have a NTFS drive for Storage, which is shared between WIn 11.

I want to change the location of (or replace) ~/Downloads, ~/Music, etc..,.

Note that the link to made is between NTFS and EXT4.

I found two ways while searching.

   1.Creating **Symlinks** in `~` with target pointed to folders in NTFS drive.

   2. **Mounting** the NTFS folders **directly** to`~/Downloads`, `~/Music`, etc..,.

Which one should I do? Which one is more beneficial?

Also how to mount folders to other folders (option 2) ? (I would really appreciate a GUI way)

I can't change directory and file permissions which is in /mnt/ through elevated Nemo. But can change in /. Why?

Apparently, this happens due to Automount. Because when I mount manually, this problem doesn't occur.

I also changed /mnt/Storage to /media/user/Storage/ on auto mount, still the same problem occurs.

uploaded on reddit because lemmy doen't allow videos .sorry for the quality reddit squashed it. Also my user name is blurred.

Also this an automounted NTFS partition, if it has to do anything with this,

I know about chown and chmod. But I wanna do it in GUI.

==============================================================

SOLVED

Include uid= and gid= as part of your mount options.

For More info look at this.

Thanks to this Chad @[email protected]

Where should I mount my internal drive partitions?

As far as I searched on the internet, I came to know that

/Media = mount point for removable media that system do it itself ( usb drive , CD )

/Mnt = temporarily mounting anything manually

I can most probably mount anything wherever I want, but if that's the case what's the point of /mnt? Just to be organised I suppose.

TLDR

If /mnt is for temporary and /media is for removable where should permanent non-removable devices/partitions be mounted. i.e. an internal HDD which is formatted as NTFS but needs to be automounted at startup?

Asking with the sole reason to know that, what's the practice of user who know Linux well, unlike me.

I know this is a silly question but I asked anyway.

Can I delete previous backups, without affecting following backups, Since TimeShift (RSync) make increamental backups.

I've tried to stow dot files by following online blog/form, and it worked now, I tried to manage my $HOME/bin directory with stow, but it didn't

$HOME/.dotfiles directory structure

/home/USER/.dotfiles/
|-- bash
|   |-- .bash_aliases
|   |-- .bash_logout
|   `-- .bashrc
|-- .git
|   |-- branches
|   |-- COMMIT_EDITMSG
|   |-- config
|   |-- description
|   |-- HEAD
|   |-- hooks
|   |-- index
|   |-- info
|   |-- logs
|   |-- objects
|   `-- refs
|-- git
|   `-- .gitconfig
|-- .gitignore
|-- install.sh
|-- Makefile
|-- .stow-local-ignore
|-- vim
|   `-- .vimrc
`-- zsh

$HOME/bin/src directory structure

/home/USER/bin/
|-- src
|   |-- backup
|   |   |-- backup
|   |-- clone
|   |   `-- clone
|   |-- epub2html
|   |   `-- epub2html
|   |-- gnome-nightlight
|   |   `-- nightlight.sh
|   |-- list
|   |   `-- list
|   |-- new
|   |-- pomorodo
|   |   |-- notification.wav
|   |   |-- old_pomo
|   |   |-- pomorodo
|   |   `-- test
|   |-- revoke_exec
|   |   `-- revoke_exec
|   |-- rm_exec
|   |   |-- rm_exec
|   |   `-- tmp
|   |-- install

Where is my mistake and thanks in advance.

cross-posted from: https://lemdro.id/post/9853743

I'm running OpenSUSE leap 15.5, When I was on the linux mint, I was using warpinator but using it on openSUSE is troublesome and I wish there was a linux version of blip but unfortunately there is not.

Display of OpenGL context works fine on Windows, no issues with resizing. Function glViewport works as intended.

It only has issues with X11 on Linux (no plans yet to implement Wayland due to lack of free time). Resizing breaks everything, and it doesn't really work the way you expect (point of triangle moves down if you make it taller, etc). I cannot find anything on if I should call anything else besides glViewport, only that "you should use [insert already existing library], which will take care of this behavior". Others are suggesting me that it's an issue with my distro, but I cannot find any OpenGL testcase that is small enough to test on my VM or my Raspberry Pi to actually test whether that's the case.

I saw that there's this nifty xdg-ninja that informs you on what you have installed that doesn't respect the XDG spec, if it has support for it or not and what you can do to make it comply.
But now I was wondering if there was any tool to do the actual work automatically, I believe I have once seen a program that spoofed your home directory to non-complying apps so that you could transparently override their whole app data location to a path you wanted so they can keep functioning, but I can't for the life of me find it again.
It would be double awesome if it did both, i.e. auto-applying any changes to apps that support XDG but need to be configured to enable it and, for those who don't, forcefully spoofing the home directory

Apparently there is a F35 Key within xkbcommon.

I know about F1-24 where the upper level was accessible by holding down a modifier key; So how are keys beyond this issued via a keyboard (my keyboard is qwerty, de_DE if of interest)?

And... why the fuck was it a good idea to expand the function keys beyond 24?