Dapper does not recognise usb and soundcard
 

Hi
I have been trying to set up a duel boot with win xp.
Ubuntu on a slave drive (breezy badger) was fine until I followed the links to update to new version. It then crashed the graphical interface (x-something).
Many attempts later and several reinstalls of windows aswell (if grub goes down it seems that I have to keep starting from scratch again) I decided to abandon the update proceedure.
Got Windows working then downloaded dapper as an ISO which installed fine but does not recognise my usb (cable modem, camera, usb stick etc) or sound card.
It also seemed to turn off usb as my first windows reinstall after had no usb support.
I'm determined to run linux (and have win xp on the machine for the rest of the family) but so far I've been amazed how awkward Linux is to install (tried Suse 10 a couple of times and it kept hanging)....
Am I doing something fundamentally wrong or is it just bad luck?
Windows installs fine every time, no problems after I remembered that I could go into Bios to enable usb again. Linux has proved to be a real pain!
I'm not ready to give up yet though...
How can I set up the latest ubuntu to detect all my hardware as device manager keeps hanging as soon as it gets to network connection!!!!
Aplologies for the long post but I've been at this for over a month (on and off of course) and still no usable version of Linux on the machine...
Cheers

Hello, I'm glad your still working with linux and haven't given up a long time ago.

I use debian which seems fine to detect so far all the usb devices I've given (incl. cd read/writer, usb memory pen, usb mouse and keyb. etc.)

You can install this using floppy disks and a network install, or an iso etc.
There is no way usb support or anything done on linux for that matter (short of formatting partitions) can change anything on windows.

Not sure about ubuntu, have you tried looking at lspci? That might give a clue as to what is going on. And also kernel output, dmesg I believe.

Thanks for the reply...
not sure what to do next really.
If I attempt another install and it goes wrong (again) and I have to delete Linux - Grub bootloader brings up an error message so that it wont boot into Win xp - family going mad with all the reinstalls needed to sort out the MBR!
I'm open to suggestions about alternative distros that are easy to install,set up and interesting to use as a complete novice etc etc as I'm determined to have a fully functioning duel boot machine (I'd scrap Win xp if it was up to me, but not an option unfortunately!)
Any ideas??
Thanks

Hi

Lets see if we can help. Two questions:

1. Do have a successful install of both OS's, and do you have a GRUB splash screen giving you the option to booth both WixXP and Linux?

2. Do all other aspects of your hardware work OK?

If the answer to the questions is yes, open a command prompt and type:

Then as root, type:

lsusb

Post the output of these two commands and see if your usb controller is recognized.

Bob

Hi
thanks...
fingers crossed, have just done a new install of ubuntu dapper.
I do have a grub splash screen with linux and win xp so no problems there.
Again though, ubuntu does not recognise my usb cable modem (the usb light is not on). Having to keep rebooting to send these messages.
Thankfully though, when back in windows its ok.
Would love to try your suggestions but not sure how do do it!!!
Excuse the ignorance but do I boot into ununtu then open a terminal window, type dmesg(space)l(space)greb(space)usb ?
Then how do I then become 'root'???
Then type lsusb


Sorry for the lack of knowledge re: typing in commands - its one of the attractions of linux for me but havent been able to even start practicing yet - so right at square one!!

Really appreciate the help

Hi
Ive just had a crack at it, not sure if ive doine it right but heres wahat happened...
after typing the first command in a terminal wondow

Hi just had a got at it not sure if right but heres what I got...
after typing first command in a terminal window I got
usage: dmesg [-c] [-n level] [-s bufsize]
then I typed "sudo lsusb" and it just returned me to rob-desktop
I tried various versions of sudo lsusb and all the others came up as errors so Im presuming i did it right???!
Cheers

Did you type it exactly as shown?

dmesg | grep usb

If so you would get a return similar to the following:

Your may not show as much detail, but it should return something if you type it exactly as shown. This command (dmesg) is actually the list of text you see while Unbuntu is booting up. The grep usb simply means to list only the usb entries that Ubuntu recognized while it was booting up. The reason I want to see is because it may give a clue as to why your usb port is not working.

Are any of the other usb ports working? Try pluging in a digital camera or something to see if it is recognized. If your other usb ports are working, then the problem is with Ubuntu recognizing the modem. I will tell you that usb modems can be problematic in Linux. It may work is a dedicated driver for your modem.

You might try the Ubuntu forums (easily found by googling). There is a tremendous amount of help for new users there.

Post back if you have any further questions.

Bob

hi (if youre still there)
I've typed it exactly and it just returns back the starting point ie. rob:desktop or whatever (have to keep booting into win to send these off).
I did put a couple of posts up on the ubuntu forums but no-ones answering!
Would I be better off downloading the iso again and doing a fresh install?
Really dont want to give up but desperately need advice.
Cheers

OK, I just tried to enter this command on a Mepis box I have (which is similar to Ubuntu as it is Debian based), and it appears that the dmesg command does return exactly as you have stated.

Try the following command:

You may have to type

Since you have to keep switching back and forth, if this command returns some information, look for entries that describe usb information, particularly usb controller, something that looks similar to this:

What you are looking for is whether your USB controller is recognized. If it is described in the output of lspci, then it has been recognized. Also, open a file browser (it will be somewhere under applications in Gnome), go to the /etc/dev folder and look for usb.

The output of lspci will also provide information about your sound card, but first things first. It is more important to get your usb ports working first. Soundcards are easier to configure.

Ubuntu has some of the best hardware recognition of any distro. I have not known Ubuntu not to find and configure usb controllers automatically during installation.

The Official Ubuntu forums are slower to answer but they will eventually and they are all distro specific. Also there is a search function here at LQ which has been very helpful to me in the past. This is a similar post:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=439480

Post back whatever information you can from the above commands.

Hope this helps

Bob

Hi
in (desperation) because of having to keep switching OS to check posts, search forums etc I've reinstalled the previous version of ubuntu which connects to the net fine.
I'm gathering info to ensure that when I upgrade it goes smoothly this time (live and learn).
I will keep the info that you've kindly sent over in readyness and get back to you again if thats ok?
Any tips from your previous experience with upgrades would be great.
Thanks for the time and effort mate, really appreciated.
Fingers crossed for a smooth upgrade!
Cheers