Some installation questions about Linux Mint 8

[darnee]

I am very new to Linux and want to try my hand on some distros.

I recently installed Ubuntu 9.10 as a dual boot with Windows XP and had a bit of a headache using it and finally removed it. The problems I faced it were (1) No sound and (2) Automatic time change. Although I tried my best to rectify these problems by looking for solutions on the web but I didn't get any and was left with no option but to remove it.

Now I have a Linux Mint 8 live USB. I have tried it and like it very much. Now it too has the same problem of changing the time but thankfully there's no problem with sound. I want to know how to stop it from changing the time automatically and also any steps in which it differs from the installation of Ubuntu. I also want to know where the "menu.lst" file is located and how to edit it so as to change the default timeout and option in the grub boot menu. As I have not installed it yet and suggestions on how to correct the above problem during installation itself are also welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[boyzee]

Im running Linux Mint 8 Main Edition and when i installed, it walked you through the time, timezone, date etc... real easy with no problem.

[darnee]

When I installed Ubuntu I had selected the correct time zone, date, etc but still I had problems with the time. Especially windows would usually show one hour less.

[hellnoire]

If even Windows had an issue, I'm more prone to think it was the BIOS, the CMOS battery. If you open up your computer and look for a little button battery, take it out and test it to see if it is alive or dead. If it's dead, by all means, I'd recommend replacing it with a new one, chances are good it's what threw your time for a loop.

As it's based on Ubuntu, it doesn't change much in the way of installing anything, so if you thought Ubuntu's was easy to use, by all means, it's easy then.

Assuming that you're using the legacy GRUB, you can edit it. The only way you can tell is by going to

/boot/grub/

and menu.lst should be in there, if you're using the legacy version. You can open it in any text editor and modify it, but you have to be a root user. It would be easier if you run in terminal

sudo gedit

or whatever your favourite text editor is... just don't use OpenOffice.org

If it's not there, you're using the new GRUB... which is no where near is compatible as the old one.

[darnee]

First of all thanks for your reply. I don't think its a battery issue because windows was showing correct time before I installed Ubuntu. Actually I searched for this problem online and found many people have had the same problem but my problem is that the solution that worked for them unfortunately didn't work for me. I think its something regarding the UTC time and some synchronization.

Regarding the GRUB, menu.lst was not there in /boot/grub/ and that's why I asked because I am using some new version of GRUB.

[hellnoire]

If you're using a newer version of GRUB... I don't think there's much we can do to configure it to our liking anymore, at least not without scripts. Here's a guide for you on the new GRUB.

As for the clock issue... did you check your motherboard's time? It too might be off... just another thought.

[johnshaw1917]

I am very new to Linux and want to try my hand on some distros.

I recently installed Ubuntu 9.10 as a dual boot with Windows XP and had a bit of a headache using it and finally removed it. The problems I faced it were (1) No sound and (2) Automatic time change. Although I tried my best to rectify these problems by looking for solutions on the web but I didn't get any and was left with no option but to remove it.

I had the same problem with no sound, when I upgraded to Ubuntu 9.10, but figured out that the sound was in the muted position for some reason, after installation and it was simply a matter of going into sound preferences and adjusting it. Also, under sound preferences, I had to make sure the sound card I am using was selected as the default device. Once I did those two things, the sound worked just fine.

[darnee]

I found a way to edit the grub file during one of my long googling sessions. Also the time is currently working fine. Actually when I had only windows I used to keep the time 5-10 minutes fast but that doesn't seem possible now. But I really would like to know of a way in which time can be set 10 minutes fast.
The most strange behavior I have observed first in Ubuntu and now in Mint is that when I go to Menu->Preferences->Time and Date and change the date after giving my password, the date reverts back to same after 3-4 seconds. What might be the possible cause for this?

[hellnoire]

Most likely the fact that it's synchronizing it with a time server. That's what my thoughts are... there might be an option to turn that off in the Menu>Preferences>Time and Date or you might want to set the time faster in the BIOS. Just a thought.

[tarung1793]

If Ubuntu have a time change , then windows will too, because ubuntu will change the bios time too..

If you wish to edit grub menu , there exist a much simpler GUI way , and its to install 'StartUp Manager" u can install it via ubuntu software centre or synaptics.

for the sound try installing and then configuring "Gnome alsa mixer" , it worked for me atleast..