Ubuntu 11.10 keep Waiting for jockey-backend to exit

I have this problem twice, that after a fresh install of ubuntu 11.10, it is having problem updating software cache. Whenever I tried to run Update Manager, it will pop out a message box saying "Waiting for jockey-backend to exit". I believe this is a bug of ubuntu 11.10.

I found the solution for this problem from http://naveenubuntu.blogspot.com/2011/09/waiting-for-jockey-backend-to-exit.html, and you simply need to follow these few steps to manually end the jockey-backend and allows your ubuntu to update software cache.

What is jockey-backend ?

Jockey is a tool for installing third-party hardware drivers.

Jockey provides the infrastructure and the user interface for finding and installing third-party drivers which are applicable to the computer. This includes drivers which are added or updated after the release of a distribution, or drivers which cannot be included into the distribution for various reasons (CD space limitation, licensing problems, etc.).

Solution :
You only need jockey for enabling restricted drivers, afterwards you can safely disable it.

Open Terminal and type following commands:

1) To get into root mode
    sudo -i

2) To check the process id of jockey
    ps -e | grep jockey

Output: 2982 pts/0 00:00:00 jockey

remember the process id(2982)

3)Type the following to stop/kill the process

  sudo kill -9 [process_id]

 sudo kill -9 2982

Install Google Chrome on ubuntu 11.10 (64-bit)

I just finish installing a fresh copy of Ubuntu 11.10 64-bit. One of my first thing to do is to install Google Chrome.

After download the deb file for Google Chrome 64-bit, I found out that I cannot simply run the deb file to install it. Ubuntu 11.10 kind like reject the installation.

I found the solution from http://www.google.co.uk/support/forum/p/Chrome/thread?tid=381d28fd49d3fc52&hl=en, the workaround for this is to install Google Chrome via Terminal. The instruction:

Step one: Download chrome to your Download Directory from http://www.google.com/chrome

Step Two: Open Terminal ( Ctrl + Alt + T )

Step Three: Run this command:
sudo apt-get install libnspr4-0d libnss3-1d libxss1 libcurl3

I guess this step is to install some required libraries for Google Chrome.

Step Four: Run this other command (Not Optional)
sudo dpkg -i './Downloads/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb' 
For this step, please modify the command if your downloaded Google Chrome installer is not located in your Downloads folder. For me the Google Chrome installer is located under my Desktop, so the command will be:
sudo dpkg -i '/home/tph/Desktop/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb'

Step Five: Hit the "Super" Key and search for Chrome.

After following all the steps, I had my Google Chrome running nicely under my Ubuntu 11.10. Thanks to Luke Woods.

Installing Metatrader 4 under Ubuntu 11.04

To install Metatrader 4 or MT4 under Ubuntu 11.04, make sure Wine Microsoft Windows Compatibility Layer and Winetricks has been installed. If not, you can go to Ubuntu Software Center and install those.

Then, double click on the MT4 installer (.exe file) to start the installation of MT4. The process should run just like how it is run under Windows. After the installation complete there will be a shortcut for MT4 created under your desktop. Try to run MT4 using the shortcut. If your Winetricks is not installed with vcrun6, then it will pop out a windows saying that the MCF34.dll file is missing. 

To solve the dll missing problem, install vcrun6 under Winetricks. Run your ubuntu terminal and run the command "winetricks vcrun6".

Let the installation complete and try to run MT4 using the desktop shortcut. Now, your MT4 should be running nicely.

How to Install a .run File

Follow the steps to install a .run file:

1. Open a terminal. In ubuntu 11.04, simply press the Super Key (Windows key) and search for terminal.
2. Navigate to the directory of the .run file. For example, to navigate to desktop, type in "cd ~/Desktop" and pres enter.
3. Type "chmod +x example.run" and press enter (replace the example.run with the filename of your .run file).
4. Now type "./example.run", and press enter, the installer should start.

Installation of ATI Graphic Card driver:

Source: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=239797

Auto Mount a Drive on Startup

One thing different in Ubuntu and Windows is when you have multiple drive/partition, in Windows, it will automatically mount all your drive/partition and you can easily access them through the My Computer; but in Ubuntu, it only mount the main drive (the one Ubuntu is install in it) by default. If you wish to access files on another drive/partition, you will have to open it or mount it. There is not much problem about that one, but the problem comes when you have auto started program that need to use the files in the non-primary drive. For me, the problem happen when I use Dropbox. I store my dropbox files in my Data drive, and when it auto started when Ubuntu started, it will pop out an error saying that it can't find the dropbox folder, because the Data drive is not yet mounted. In this guide, I will shows on how to easily enable the auto-mount for your non-primary drive.

1st step is to go to Ubuntu Software Center, and search for an application called MountManager. Install it.

Shows Computer and Trash Icon on Desktop

One reason a lot Ubuntu beginner not very use to the new Ubuntu environment is the ability to open My Computer right on the desktop. So, I am going to show the step by step on how to activate Computer (it is called Computer in Ubuntu) icon and Trash (Recycle Bin in Windows) icon on your desktop.

First of all, open Applications > System Tools > Configuration Editor

Install a Google Chrome 64-bit?

Ok, my favorite internet browser is Google Chrome, I use it as my default browser in Windows 7. Switching from Windows 7 to Ubuntu, of course I install back Google Chrome; sync to my email account, I get all my bookmark, and extension same as what I have in Windows 7's Google Chrome.

From some blog I read, Google release their 1st 64bit Google Chrome Beta for Linux, (http://www.pcmech.com/article/google-chrome-64-bit-version-available-however/). Which also means that I am eligible to try out the latest Google Chrome 64 bit. Even though it is Beta/Unstable version, why not I try it out.

Very Nice guide in Ubuntu Terminal for Newbie

The Terminal window is often a barrier for new Linux users blocking them from effectively using the Linux desktop. Many users have been using point and click methods of desktop navigation since MS-DOS in the 80s. The idea of typing text into a command window can be a bit overwhelming for todays average computer user but it shouldn't be. Today we'll be using the Ubuntu 8.10 desktop which is available for download here.

The advantages of using the command-line Terminal to accomplish tasks are great. The speed of using the terminal in a fraction of that it takes to accomplish the same task graphically. Try installing a package using the synaptic package manager. That would include at least six clicks of the mouse and typing in the root password once. Or you could use the terminal by clicking on Applications --- Accessories --- Terminal. (Kubuntu users click Menu --- System --- Konsole, Xubuntu users click Applications --- Accessories --- Terminal) Once you've opened the Terminal with your first click you can type
sudo apt-get install amarok

Missed Your Task Manager in Windows?

Normally in my PC, while running Windows, whenever it runs slow, or a bit lagging, I will fire up my Windows Task Manager to view the current processes, the CPU Usage and Memory Usage. If it is too slow, or a program or process is using too much resources I might use the Windows Task Manager to kill it. So, its like Windows Task Manager is a must have stuff in an operating system, for me.

StartUp-Manager - Easiest Way to Modify and Manage GNU GRUB and Your Startup

One of the common different between Windows and Ubuntu, is the GNU GRUB running before your login screen at Ubuntu. It is actually a Multiboot boot loader that let you choose to boot into different version or safe mode of your Ubuntu (more info here).

Welcome to Start Using Ubuntu

Hi all, I just installed a fresh copy of ubuntu 10.10 64 bit version on my laptop, and I would like to start using ubuntu, switching from Windows 7.

I created this blog to record all the process of learning, and all the important stuff I discover in ubuntu.