December 2020 - WLUG - wlug.mailman3.com

Re: Charter internet - lots of drops for others?

by John Stoffel

So an update on my Charter issues. I called them up (which took way too long to find the number on the web site!) and they looked at the line and they see errors, so a tech is coming out monday afternoon to look things over. Some days I feel stupid, since they smart suggestion to check if my land line (through charter on the cable modem) was also dead when the internet connection went down was spot on. So it's not my router or anything like that, it's their gear/line which needs looking at. As someone else said, it could be water somewhere in the system. They replaced the link from the box on the street to my house a couple of years ago, so maybe the chipmunks have been nibbling on that somewhere too. Sigh... At least I've made some progress! John

Dec. 10, 2020

Re: Lap Top with 28 GB HD

by John Stoffel

>>>>> "hammerron" == hammerron via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: hammerron> I recently got a Dell notebook/laptop. It is smaller than hammerron> a typical lap top (notebook?) and is very light in weight. hammerron> The hard drive is only 28 GB ! It currently runs Windows 10 hammerron> and has only 4 GB of free space on the hard drive. It hammerron> seems to just hang, if I try to update the Windows 10. Are you sure it's an SSD in there? It might be eMMC if it's a Chromebook like device, which is possibly sounds like. But as someone else said, the dell support site is really good. If it's an SSD in there, just moving to bigger one might be the way to go, they're pretty cheap these days at the smaller sizes. hammerron> I am thinking of attempting to install Xubuntu to see if it hammerron> runs. Tried Puppy Linux (a light weight distro) before and hammerron> think I'd like to go differently. I got the machine for hammerron> free so will not be disappointed if this goes nowhere. If hammerron> anyone has any ideas I'm all ears. (I might try to do this hammerron> install tonight) With only 4gb of RAM, it's going to be crappy for web browsing. It's amazing now how my 8gb desktop slows to a crawl and starts swapping if I have firefox and shotwell and some xterms open at the same time. Ugh! Trying to make the meeting tonight, but probably won't stay long.

Dec. 10, 2020

Re: Generic VGA Driver, wireless routers, and Thursday meeting

by John Stoffel

>>>>> "Keith" == Keith Wright via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: Keith> John Stoffel via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: >> Can I tell you to just go and buy a cheap PCIe graphics card made in >> the last 10 years? *grin* Keith> Your advice may be good, but I don't like your attitude. One Keith> of the things I like about Linux is that you are not forced to Keith> buy the latest whiz-bang computer. It runs just fine on old Keith> hardware. Getting it working is half the fun. Sure! I agree that getting it working is half the fun. I've been planning on upgrading my main machine since it's 12 years old now (AMD Phenom II X4 945 running at 800-3000Mhz) but I'd have to find some solution to replace my old Cyclades PCI 8 port serial card that I have in the system. PCIe to PCI adaptor? New PCIe 4 port serial card? USB to Serial hanging off the back? But sometimes, if you go dumpster diving for old hardware, then you're going to be forced to stay with old distributions, because people won't support the older stuff past a certain point. I'm talking core developers here. Especially for older graphics cards. It just gets too painful as the state of the art has changed. Heck, I ran a Matrox G200 card for years! Loved that card, ran great. But eventually it wasn't supported and it was so old and slow it wasn't worth it. Keith> See "Dumpster Diving for Linux" Keith> http://www.free-comp-shop.com/none/dumpster.html Great resource! But realize you're going to be running older distributions. And with the move to https and updated SSL requirements, it's going to be harder to use those older systems, unless you can work through a proxy that will encrypt for you. Keith> Tim Keller via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: >> The meeting is going to be at our usual virtual hang out.. >> https://meet.jit.si/WlugMA @7pm. Keith> I hope to be there. >> I don't have a topic yet, I suspect something natural will emerge. Keith> I don't have a suitable presentation, but I have written something Keith> about my latest Linux project. Maybe it will be a topic. Keith> See "How can a wireless router be added to a wired netork?" Keith> http://www.free-comp-shop.com/none/wireless.html Keith> Your advice is welcome and maybe useful. A few years ago one Keith> of the WLUG memebers (Frank Sweetser?) saved my bacon after Keith> my Idiot Service Provider suddenly decided it would no longer Keith> be convenient for them to continue running a secondary name Keith> server for me. They didn't even reduce my bill by the amount Keith> they had been charging for that service. The price remained Keith> the same, but now it was for extra email addresses that I had not Keith> requested and did not need. Keith> A few years later they quit providing any mailboxes at all. Keith> I think they would really rather just charge me for sending the Keith> invoice. To be fair, that seems to be hard for them. Keith> Frank (?) told me about Hurricane Electric, who run a secondary Keith> name server for free just for good will and advertising. Keith> They are good people, this plug is all I have ever done for them. Keith> https://dns.he.net/ Keith> -- Keith Keith> _______________________________________________ Keith> WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org Keith> To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org Keith> Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ Keith> Change Settings: https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ Keith> Web Forum/Archive: https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/M5DNG…

Dec. 10, 2020

Re: Lap Top with 28 GB HD

by Steven Thibault

If you’re looking for light weight and to tinker at a deeper level extending Lexi’s thoughts, I’ve been using Yocto Linux for a project at work, and have wanted to dabble on my own with it. Its a bit to get started, but gives you complete control over the OS. And the default build is very light weight, with some pre-configured images with levels of features up to a wayland/Weston desktop. Similarly, there’s Buildroot. I’m told its similar to Yocto, but easier to get started. The upside if complete and total control over what’s on the system just like LFC. The downside, you have to build and configure everything with a recipe to get it on the image, and updating involves a build and manual copy of the new packages or a complete rebuild. Though I learned a lot about the underpinning of Linux through Yocto. You’ll have to build the image on a separate machine and dd it onto the new one. yoctoproject.org <http://yoctoproject.org/> > On Dec 10, 2020, at 8:28 AM, Lexi Haley via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> wrote: > > For a long time I used Xubuntu - liking the debian underpinnings and light(er) requirements. However, then I dabbled in Linux from Scratch - which I wasn't able to leverage into a daily system for my needs; Nor did I do well sussing out gentoo. Then, about 7 years ago, I got into Tiny Core Linux - and I've been very pleased with it since. > > If you're sampling distros, perhaps give it a look? http://tinycorelinux.net/ <http://tinycorelinux.net/> > On Thu, Dec 10, 2020 at 8:17 AM Joseph G via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org <mailto:wlug@lists.wlug.org>> wrote: > Hi Ron, > > I'd find the Dell Express Service code or Service Tag and then go to https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us <https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us> If you grab the latest copy of Dell support Assist or Dell Command Update it will pull down the latest firmware (BIOS, etc.) updates. I'd do these before installing Xubuntu. Dell generally uses quality components so I've not had problems in the past w/ installing/running Xubuntu. > > Good luck, > Joe > > On Thu, Dec 10, 2020 at 8:05 AM hammerron via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org <mailto:wlug@lists.wlug.org>> wrote: > I recently got a Dell notebook/laptop. It is smaller than a typical lap > top (notebook?) and is very light in weight. The hard drive is only 28 > GB ! It currently runs Windows 10 and has only 4 GB of free space on the > hard drive. It seems to just hang, if I try to update the Windows 10. > > I am thinking of attempting to install Xubuntu to see if it runs. Tried > Puppy Linux (a light weight distro) before and think I'd like to go > differently. I got the machine for free so will not be disappointed if > this goes nowhere. If anyone has any ideas I'm all ears. (I might try > to do this install tonight) > > Ron > > _______________________________________________ > WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org <mailto:wlug@lists.wlug.org> > To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org <mailto:wlug-leave@lists.wlug.org> > Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ <https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/> > Change Settings: https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ <https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/> > Web Forum/Archive: https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/UNR34… <https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/UNR34…> > > > -- > -- > > _______________________________________________ > WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org <mailto:wlug@lists.wlug.org> > To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org <mailto:wlug-leave@lists.wlug.org> > Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ <https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/> > Change Settings: https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ <https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/> > Web Forum/Archive: https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/KHIOU… <https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/KHIOU…> > _______________________________________________ > WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org > To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org > Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ > Change Settings: https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ > Web Forum/Archive: https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/3A6RL…

Dec. 10, 2020

Re: Lap Top with 28 GB HD

by Lexi Haley

For a long time I used Xubuntu - liking the debian underpinnings and light(er) requirements. However, then I dabbled in Linux from Scratch - which I wasn't able to leverage into a daily system for my needs; Nor did I do well sussing out gentoo. Then, about 7 years ago, I got into Tiny Core Linux - and I've been very pleased with it since. If you're sampling distros, perhaps give it a look? http://tinycorelinux.net/ On Thu, Dec 10, 2020 at 8:17 AM Joseph G via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> wrote: > Hi Ron, > > I'd find the Dell Express Service code or Service Tag and then go to > https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us If you grab the latest copy of > Dell support Assist or Dell Command Update it will pull down the latest > firmware (BIOS, etc.) updates. I'd do these before installing Xubuntu. Dell > generally uses quality components so I've not had problems in the past w/ > installing/running Xubuntu. > > Good luck, > Joe > > On Thu, Dec 10, 2020 at 8:05 AM hammerron via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> > wrote: > >> I recently got a Dell notebook/laptop. It is smaller than a typical lap >> top (notebook?) and is very light in weight. The hard drive is only 28 >> GB ! It currently runs Windows 10 and has only 4 GB of free space on the >> hard drive. It seems to just hang, if I try to update the Windows 10. >> >> I am thinking of attempting to install Xubuntu to see if it runs. Tried >> Puppy Linux (a light weight distro) before and think I'd like to go >> differently. I got the machine for free so will not be disappointed if >> this goes nowhere. If anyone has any ideas I'm all ears. (I might try >> to do this install tonight) >> >> Ron >> >> _______________________________________________ >> WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org >> To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org >> Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ >> Change Settings: >> https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ >> Web Forum/Archive: >> https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/UNR34… >> > > > -- > -- > > _______________________________________________ > WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org > To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org > Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ > Change Settings: > https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ > Web Forum/Archive: > https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/KHIOU… >

Dec. 10, 2020

Re: Lap Top with 28 GB HD

by Joseph G

Hi Ron, I'd find the Dell Express Service code or Service Tag and then go to https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us If you grab the latest copy of Dell support Assist or Dell Command Update it will pull down the latest firmware (BIOS, etc.) updates. I'd do these before installing Xubuntu. Dell generally uses quality components so I've not had problems in the past w/ installing/running Xubuntu. Good luck, Joe On Thu, Dec 10, 2020 at 8:05 AM hammerron via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> wrote: > I recently got a Dell notebook/laptop. It is smaller than a typical lap > top (notebook?) and is very light in weight. The hard drive is only 28 > GB ! It currently runs Windows 10 and has only 4 GB of free space on the > hard drive. It seems to just hang, if I try to update the Windows 10. > > I am thinking of attempting to install Xubuntu to see if it runs. Tried > Puppy Linux (a light weight distro) before and think I'd like to go > differently. I got the machine for free so will not be disappointed if > this goes nowhere. If anyone has any ideas I'm all ears. (I might try > to do this install tonight) > > Ron > > _______________________________________________ > WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org > To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org > Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ > Change Settings: > https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ > Web Forum/Archive: > https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/UNR34… > -- --

Dec. 10, 2020

Lap Top with 28 GB HD

by hammerron

I recently got a Dell notebook/laptop. It is smaller than a typical lap top (notebook?) and is very light in weight. The hard drive is only 28 GB ! It currently runs Windows 10 and has only 4 GB of free space on the hard drive. It seems to just hang, if I try to update the Windows 10. I am thinking of attempting to install Xubuntu to see if it runs. Tried Puppy Linux (a light weight distro) before and think I'd like to go differently. I got the machine for free so will not be disappointed if this goes nowhere. If anyone has any ideas I'm all ears. (I might try to do this install tonight) Ron

Dec. 10, 2020

Re: Generic VGA Driver, wireless routers, and Thursday meeting

by Keith Wright

John Stoffel via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > Can I tell you to just go and buy a cheap PCIe graphics card made in > the last 10 years? *grin* Your advice may be good, but I don't like your attitude. One of the things I like about Linux is that you are not forced to buy the latest whiz-bang computer. It runs just fine on old hardware. Getting it working is half the fun. See "Dumpster Diving for Linux" http://www.free-comp-shop.com/none/dumpster.html --- Tim Keller via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > The meeting is going to be at our usual virtual hang out.. > https://meet.jit.si/WlugMA @7pm. I hope to be there. > I don't have a topic yet, I suspect something natural will emerge. I don't have a suitable presentation, but I have written something about my latest Linux project. Maybe it will be a topic. See "How can a wireless router be added to a wired netork?" http://www.free-comp-shop.com/none/wireless.html Your advice is welcome and maybe useful. A few years ago one of the WLUG memebers (Frank Sweetser?) saved my bacon after my Idiot Service Provider suddenly decided it would no longer be convenient for them to continue running a secondary name server for me. They didn't even reduce my bill by the amount they had been charging for that service. The price remained the same, but now it was for extra email addresses that I had not requested and did not need. A few years later they quit providing any mailboxes at all. I think they would really rather just charge me for sending the invoice. To be fair, that seems to be hard for them. Frank (?) told me about Hurricane Electric, who run a secondary name server for free just for good will and advertising. They are good people, this plug is all I have ever done for them. https://dns.he.net/ -- Keith

Dec. 10, 2020

Re: Charter internet - lots of drops for others?

by Jared Greenwald

On Wed, Dec 9, 2020 at 5:18 PM John Stoffel via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> wrote: > >>>>> "Randy" == Randy Cole via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > > > Randy> When we had a customer-owned Motorola Sharkfin-style modem, > Randy> which was either Docsis 1.0 or pre-Docsis, Charter > Randy> Communications dba Spectrum started deliberately screwing > Randy> with the connection; It would go down about once a day, > Randy> right around like 8PM or midnight, and you would have to > Randy> powercycle it and it would work. Finally called them, they > Randy> wanted us to upgrade to one of their cable modems, which > Randy> they provide for "free". Didn't send an email or a letter > Randy> like a normal company would but forced you to call them!! > > I too used to have one of those, and it worked great for years, then > they forced us to use their own modem. > > Randy> In our area they give you a www.hitrontech.com Docsys 3.1 eMTA > Randy> EN2251 PC15 modem with two telephone connectors and a > Randy> theoretical battery-backup connector (does anybody use the > Randy> battery backup or have their cablemodem on a UPS? Does it even > Randy> work?) It's physically way larger than it should be. All web > Randy> pages, configuration, logs are disabled so the customer cannot > Randy> troubleshoot anything themselves. Can log in to your > Randy> MySpectrum app and "check the connection" which sometimes can > Randy> wake the thing up when it is disconnected. > > This is what I've got right now too. Next time there's an outage, > I'll check if my phone (via charter) is also down or not. If it is, > then that points to a HiTron or cable issue. I did have my outside > cable replaced a few years ago due to noise issues, but they took care > of it. > > Randy> I've read on the internetzzz that you can have problems such as > Randy> failing analog amplifiers in their cable plant cause hard to > Randy> diagnose intermittent problems, and also that Docsis 3.1 is > Randy> more sensitive to line quality than Docsis 3.0. My biggest > Randy> concerns include the rising price of their internet service. > > Me too, I'm getting ready to dump all but internet service since all > we mostly get is spam calls on the land line. Why pay for it when we > all have cells? But... it's the number everyone knows about for > almost 20 years. It would be a bit painful unless I got it turned > into a virtual number that rang my cell. But then I'd get tons of > spam calls. > Sign up for Google Voice and migrate the number over. Then you can add your mobile number to it. Also, they have an option to always screen calls unless they come from a known pool of contacts or just shunt calls to voicemail in other cases (which doesn't ring you at all). When we moved a few years ago, we lived somewhere temporarily while we were building our house and I did this with the number we had for our land line at our previous place which was the same for almost 15 years. It really helps keep things sane to not have to update all that if you move. > > So next time it happens, I need to try the land line and look at the > cable modem lights (only two on there, fucking hate that box) and then > start escalating with Charter. Assuming I can get someone on the > line. > > I'd even be willing to buy my own, instead of paying their fees. > _______________________________________________ > WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org > To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org > Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ > Change Settings: > https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ > Web Forum/Archive: > https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/LE4ME… >

Dec. 9, 2020

Re: Charter internet - lots of drops for others?

by John Stoffel

>>>>> "Randy" == Randy Cole via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: Randy> When we had a customer-owned Motorola Sharkfin-style modem, Randy> which was either Docsis 1.0 or pre-Docsis, Charter Randy> Communications dba Spectrum started deliberately screwing Randy> with the connection; It would go down about once a day, Randy> right around like 8PM or midnight, and you would have to Randy> powercycle it and it would work. Finally called them, they Randy> wanted us to upgrade to one of their cable modems, which Randy> they provide for "free". Didn't send an email or a letter Randy> like a normal company would but forced you to call them!! I too used to have one of those, and it worked great for years, then they forced us to use their own modem. Randy> In our area they give you a www.hitrontech.com Docsys 3.1 eMTA Randy> EN2251 PC15 modem with two telephone connectors and a Randy> theoretical battery-backup connector (does anybody use the Randy> battery backup or have their cablemodem on a UPS? Does it even Randy> work?) It's physically way larger than it should be. All web Randy> pages, configuration, logs are disabled so the customer cannot Randy> troubleshoot anything themselves. Can log in to your Randy> MySpectrum app and "check the connection" which sometimes can Randy> wake the thing up when it is disconnected. This is what I've got right now too. Next time there's an outage, I'll check if my phone (via charter) is also down or not. If it is, then that points to a HiTron or cable issue. I did have my outside cable replaced a few years ago due to noise issues, but they took care of it. Randy> I've read on the internetzzz that you can have problems such as Randy> failing analog amplifiers in their cable plant cause hard to Randy> diagnose intermittent problems, and also that Docsis 3.1 is Randy> more sensitive to line quality than Docsis 3.0. My biggest Randy> concerns include the rising price of their internet service. Me too, I'm getting ready to dump all but internet service since all we mostly get is spam calls on the land line. Why pay for it when we all have cells? But... it's the number everyone knows about for almost 20 years. It would be a bit painful unless I got it turned into a virtual number that rang my cell. But then I'd get tons of spam calls. So next time it happens, I need to try the land line and look at the cable modem lights (only two on there, fucking hate that box) and then start escalating with Charter. Assuming I can get someone on the line. I'd even be willing to buy my own, instead of paying their fees.

Dec. 9, 2020