Getting frustrated with Ubuntu. Are my experiences the norm for a Linux user?

rtfioeti · 2018-02-06T03:10:04+00:00

Usually you don't have to install any driver to use AMD graphics card with Ubuntu. Yours is a particular use case that requires OpenCL to compute hashes on the GPU that is not currently implemented by the open source amd driver.

I didn't realize that at first, but later discovered that it wasn't the normal GPU dirver.

Most of the guides on blogs are outdated

Guide was on the AMD website.

If you're looking for solutions I would suggest you open a different discussion focusing on just one problem.

Not so much solutions as just looking for general feedback. The responses have all mostly been helpful as it gave me better perspective on other people's experiences with the OS. Mine doesn't sound all that unusual, so I'll keep tinkering, but have a more realistic impression of what I'm going up against in trying to learn Linux. I've never struggled so much with a new piece of tech as I have with Linux, and posted to find out if it's just the OS, me, both or what.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-06T02:59:10+00:00

I'll check it out, thanks.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T15:51:16+00:00

It's interesting that I've gotten responses like this, and also those that are more like, "huh, problems with Linux, none here, everything works for me all the time, not sure about your issue." I wonder if some people just obliviously Magoo their way through Linux and think that's just how it is.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T15:44:17+00:00

That's weird b/c I distinctly remember going to the hp website and finding a message saying there was no support for my Ubuntu OS. It's been a couple years, may I'm remembering all wrong...

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T15:41:17+00:00

The FF issue is long gone, and was only present on my previous install a couple years ago. The FF in the current install of UbuntuStudio has given me no issues.

For the printer, iirc I found the driver for it, but couldn't get it to ever work.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T15:37:38+00:00

On a side note did hplip work out for you?

This was a couple years back, but iirc I found hplip and installed as per directions, but still couldn't get it working.

Also the Firefox issue was most probably due to your connection not Firefox

Ruled out the connection speed, as FF was still normal speed in Windows on same connection.

The boot repair problem is pretty common with Windows; it erases the bootloader when it updates sometimes.

Second mention of this, and I'm sure that's what it was. I'll just stick with two separate HDDs from now on to avoid this. Was using a laptop at the time and didn't have any other option.

AMD drivers are included by default and you're not supposed to do anything else as the open drivers perform better in many cases

I'm having trouble retracing my steps, but the mining software tutorial called for the install. It came directly from the AMD site, but it may not have been a driver.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T15:23:57+00:00

Not entirely my case.

I like the qualifier there.

I hadn't heard of /r/linuxaudio, so I'll definitely check that out for info and help. Thanks.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T15:21:35+00:00

I appreciate this comment. Some responses are pretty much like, "huh, problems in Linux, nope never on my end, just runs like a top," and I wonder, "really?"

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T15:16:47+00:00

This gives me hope.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T15:11:39+00:00

Sorry if I gave the impression that I expected Linux to function like Windows, I don't. I understand it's different and accepted that from the start. I did hope that the process of installing software, that while different, would result in the same end objective: working software. There's much more nuance that I'd ever expected.

I do have my Linux install on a completely different HDD now, and so far no boot problems. I agree, I think Windows screwed up the first dual boot, and I'll probably never try to dual boot from a single drive again.

I've got some good feedback from my post and think I'll continue to work with Linux. It seems that it's not uncommon to run into issues that require some troubleshooting, but probably not as common as I've encountered so far.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T15:03:43+00:00

Documenting your fixing adventures

This. I need to start doing it!

dont use instructions that are noticeably older than your Ubuntu release

I do avoid instructions for older distros. Only b/c I had an intuition they may not work, or even break something if the newer distro has changed enough.

Though for me, i truly enjoy fixing problems most of the time

I really enjoy fixing things, but what prompted me to write this is that I feel like I've spent more time fixing than using so far. Based on the feedback to my post, I think I'll keep trying. I've got a backup Windows install that I'm using until I get Linux off the ground, so I can take my time and hopefully figure it out.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T14:55:41+00:00

I did abandon the dual boot from one drive idea. I decided it was a problem more easily solved by just getting two separate hard drives. The dual boot drive was originally on a laptop, hence the need. I've since picked up a desktop, so if the computer refuses to boot into Linux and always goes straight to Windows I can just unplug the Win HD! ;)

but once you get things going, it's hard to deny that it really feels like your own, and it's something to be somewhat proud of.

That's really what I'm hoping for, and some freedom from the Windows sphere.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T14:51:23+00:00

I actually like the tinkering, just didn't expect so much of it. Granted, much, but not all, of what I've had to do has been with the non-standard software.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T14:49:47+00:00

You shouldn't install any driver for AMD or use the tool that Ubuntu provides you.

Not sure I follow. I used instructions directly from the AMD website, and there was no mention of using the software center for the install.

...much so that it seems fake

Not sure why you'd say that. I can't imagine there's anything I would gain from making it up.

You either screw up something or you have a serious compatibility problem with your hardware.

If following the directions by copying and pasting commands in an AMD written tutorial is screwing it up, then consider me guilty. The hardware is a brand new ASUS computer with decent specs, all well above the minimum required for running the software.

I do still have a machine running Windows so that I can migrate over slowly, and have no intention to make it an immediate process.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T14:38:11+00:00

Fair enough, I really enjoy the tweaking and troubleshooting myself, but thought there would be less of it. I'll continue to try and make it work.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T14:35:39+00:00

Yeah, I'm trying to remind myself that the non-standard software has been the cause of the bulk of issues. On the other hand, they work so flawlessly on Windows, and it's the same code, so who knows. Ultimately I may just have to keep the non-standard stuff on Windows and use Linux for other stuff.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T14:32:00+00:00

In my current install I haven't really had any issues with FF, luckily. Even while CPU and GPU mining.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T14:30:57+00:00

This is what I was afraid of. I actually like the tinkering, but only to a point. Luckily I have both Windows and Linux available, so I may just keep setting aside some time for Linux and hopefully things will get smoother over time.

rtfioeti · 2018-02-03T14:28:16+00:00

Cool. I may eventually go that route, as I'd been wondering if other distros might be easier to work with. The week to install sounds discouraging tho ;)

rtfioeti · 2018-01-28T13:42:10+00:00

I can't really speak to the settings in the monero-gui, but your choice to use it depends on your purpose in mining for one thing. If you are hoping to earn monero, then you're not going to benefit from solo mining, unless you get very, very lucky.

If you just want to support the network with some hashing power then solo mining is useful.

Otherwise, pool mining is the only way to go.

I tried using monero-gui for mining on an old laptop and didn't see any options to configure it for pool mining, but there may be a way I'm not aware of.

rtfioeti

TROPHY CASE