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Old 04-26-2011, 01:40 PM   #1
confused2
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Angry I can't get any of the drives to work in unbuntu


Hi,
I've had this unbuntu for over a year, and have never been able to
get ANY of the drives to work. ie; the DVD-r, CD-r, or USB. I've
installed all the 'restricted' extras it said it needed. if I open
places,then computer, their icons show. but, as soon as I put in a
disk or USB device--- their icon disappears, then nothing?? everything
did work fine when I had WinXP installed. I've just been using unbuntu
for the internet and I'm happy its working great. but, I really wish
I could use all the other neat stuff. I really miss using my drives,
and having fun with all the other stuff unbuntu offers.
please, someone help,
DM
 
Old 04-26-2011, 02:04 PM   #2
adam999
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open a terminal and run a tail -f on /var/log/messages then place a disk in the drive. Post the output you recieve
 
Old 04-27-2011, 07:38 AM   #3
confused2
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instructions

Hi,
could you explain that, so its easier for me to understand??
thanks,
Dm
 
Old 04-27-2011, 07:46 AM   #4
savona
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Quote:
Originally Posted by confused2 View Post
Hi,
could you explain that, so its easier for me to understand??
thanks,
Dm
I don't use Ubuntu, but try this...

Open a terminal:
Applications menu -> Accessories -> Terminal

Then type the following command supplying your password when asked:
sudo tail -f /var/log/messages


Now plug in your usb drive and you should see some messages scroll in the terminal window, please copy and paste those messages into this thread.
 
Old 04-27-2011, 04:00 PM   #5
confused2
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OK, thanks, I'll try that. I'll hope it makes ALL the drives work??
will let you know.
Dm
 
Old 04-27-2011, 04:26 PM   #6
EDDY1
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@confused2 try plugging usb into different port also.
Ijust had a problem where usb hdd only worked on 1 usb port. I think it had something to do with me configuring printer on 1 of the other ports.
 
Old 04-27-2011, 04:40 PM   #7
confused2
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Hi, it didn't work??
its says..... sudo: tail-f command not found.
cannot open sudo tail -f on/var/log/messages for reading:
no such file or directory
tail: no files remaining
 
Old 04-27-2011, 09:19 PM   #8
EDDY1
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tailx-f
red x is a space between tail -f
Using iceweasel you can copy the command and paste to terminal.
 
Old 04-27-2011, 10:30 PM   #9
confused2
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I tried it with and without a space, so that can't be it. also,I tried other combos!
I don't know what iceweasel is.
 
Old 04-28-2011, 07:22 AM   #10
savona
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Quote:
Originally Posted by confused2 View Post
I tried it with and without a space, so that can't be it. also,I tried other combos!
I don't know what iceweasel is.
If that did not work then you have more issues with your machine than USB ports. tail (as far as I know) is a basic utility that comes with most (if not all) modern linux systems, definitely with Ubuntu.

try this:
sudo which tail

I do not use Ubuntu, but maybe someone who is more versed in sudo can jump in. As far as I know this should definitely work.
 
Old 04-28-2011, 08:13 AM   #11
MTK358
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Quote:
Originally Posted by savona View Post
tail (as far as I know) is a basic utility that comes with most (if not all) modern linux systems, definitely with Ubuntu.

try this:
sudo which tail
You didn't read the error message carefully enough. "tail" isn't missing, the file passed to "tail" is. The OP for some reason typed "on/var/log/messages", not "/var/log/messages".

EDIT: I'm starting to doubt myself. The OP wasn't really clear with what he typed and what error messages he had.

Last edited by MTK358; 04-28-2011 at 08:16 AM.
 
Old 04-28-2011, 08:17 AM   #12
MTK358
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@confused2

Type this exactly to the letter, including spacing:

Code:
sudo tail -f /var/log/messages
Then post the output in [code]code goes here[/code] blocks, so it's nicely formatted like the command above.

Last edited by MTK358; 04-28-2011 at 09:23 AM.
 
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Old 04-28-2011, 08:19 AM   #13
savona
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MTK358 View Post
@confused2

Type this exactly to the letter, including spacing:

Code:
sudo tail -f /var/log/message
Then post the output in [code]code goes here[/code] blocks, so it's nicely formatted like the command above.
Isn't it /var/log/messages ?
 
Old 04-28-2011, 09:04 AM   #14
crosstalk
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Quote:
Originally Posted by savona View Post
Isn't it /var/log/messages ?
Here's the corrected command:
Code:
sudo tail -f /var/log/messages
 
Old 04-28-2011, 09:22 AM   #15
MTK358
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Quote:
Originally Posted by savona View Post
Isn't it /var/log/messages ?
It is, I just copied and pasted what the OP types and removed the "on". I didn't notice that he omitted the "s". I edited my post.
 
  


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