Internet Explorer in Ubuntu Hardy Heron

In my previous post, I was wondering whether to go in for a clean install after the final release of Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron). I decided not to do clean install, since I had installed many applications and configured them to suit my needs. It would be laborious to reinstall all applications and reconfigure them again. Further, I have to work around again in resolving bugs reported in my previous post. I am happy just updating to the stable version. I have added quite a few applications by now. I would list and discuss them in my future blogs.

Since I have a dual boot system with Windows XP and Ubuntu as alternative operating systems, I was using Windows and Internet Explorer combination for the sites that do not open properly in other browsers. I also used this combination to acquire some data from the net to Microsoft Excel. Data acquisition does not work well with FireFox and OpenOffice combination as of now.

I wanted to use Internet Explorer in Ubuntu so that I can stick with only one Operating System. I found that ie4linux is the software that would allow me to use internet Explorer in Linux (Ubuntu). I required both Wine and Cabextract applications before installing ie4linux. Cabextract was found in my system already and I installed Wine. Then I installed ie4linux.

I had a hiccup during installation of ie4linux. ie4linux could not download a dll file from the net. I had to manually copy it from my Windows system files. Installation was completed after copying this dll file to ie4linux folder.

Though this software provided both versions of ie6 and ie7(beta), ie7(beta) does not work at all. Even in ie6, the screen flickers a lot, when flash files are used to open a site. It is also slow. Though I am happy that I am able to open Internet Explorer in Ubuntu, the surfing experience is not pleasant.

I am back to using Internet Explorer in Windows XP.

A clean install of Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron)

As noted in my previous post, I installed development version of Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron). I was getting automatic notifications for either partial upgrades or updates. I was installing these files as and when notified. After one of these upgrades, I encountered following bugs and I reported them in in Ubuntu forums and Launch Pad sites.

1. I started getting an error message stating that the system could not configure some of the system files due to dependency problems.
2. My wi-fi connection failed and I could not connect to the internet through Ubuntu.
3. Driver for my Nvidia graphic card was not working.
4. Under location in calendar applet, time shown against Mumbai is Pakistan Standard Time.
5. My Creative webcam was not functioning.

I carried out the following actions after going through bugs tracking and various other sites.

1. A person asked me to try and install Linux kernels again. This did not help. I decided to format and make a clean new install of Hardy Heron and I did that. The installation was smooth and dependency problems vanished.
2. ndiswrapper is a software that converts windows drivers to linux. ndiswrapper is already in the main repository of Ubuntu and I installed it without any hassle. Later, I installed the driver of my NetGear wireless adapter. This operation also went smooth. My wi-fi internet connection is functioning OK.
3. I had to do a lot of search. Tried many suggestions in the web sites. Still, my video card driver could not be installed. While searching again for a possible solution, one of the sites, suggested to try EnvyNG software for installation of driver to my Nvidia video card. I installed this software through package manger. Then I installed the driver. It is working satisfactorily now.
4. Local time bug has been reported by many and a solution is found by Ubuntu community. Though auto selection of time zone is wrong in many cases, this can be overridden by manual selection of time zone.
5. My last bug is still not resolved. I am still groping in the dark.

A final stable version of Ubuntu Hardy Heron is scheduled on 24 April 2008. I am contemplating whether to go for a new clean install again after a stable version is released. The following link of an article provides pros and cons of going in for new clean install. http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/hardy-heron-clean-or-dirty

Ubuntu Hardy Heron

I have been away from my PC due to various reasons. One of the reasons was a hardware failure. Though my PC is four years old (very old according to PC standards), it is a real workhorse for me. It is the only PC I have in my home and a complete one for my kind of works. I have dual boot arrangement with MS Windows XP and Ubuntu. I use XP as productive platform and Ubuntu as test platform. I think I have given good reasons for my absence from blogging.

I started with Ubuntu version 6.06 (Dapper Drake), then upgraded to 6.10(Edgy Eft), 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) and 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon). I used them only after they reached final stable versions. Have you noticed the names of Ubuntu versions given in brackets? The names are ascending alphabetically as they are upgraded.

Having tried Ubuntu stable versions for some time, I was curious to try alpha version of Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron). I decided to upgrade my 7.10 to 8.04 alpha release 5. I used the command "update-manager -d" as instructed in Ubuntu wiki site. The upgrade was smooth and everything worked fine. I was really happy.

After few days, I got an automatic update alert. I installed the update through update manger. Alas! After this update, my webcam was not functioning. My wi-fi internet connection was not functioning. I was handicapped. I did not know what to do my self. Then, I posted my problem in Ubuntu India Forum. One VK (Mr. Vivek Khurana) has picked up my mail and answered it. A couple of e-mails and the problem is resolved. Many thanks to him. If you are keen to know or have a similar problem, please read the thread by clicking the link below.

https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-in/2008-March/002770.html

Though freeware have their own problems (mind I use a trial version), the fixes are available in the net from developers and users. Only one need to have patience to find out and wait for responses from other knowledgeable souls.

I am happy exploring Ubuntu!

The picture below shows US$ 2,500 (Rs. 100,000) car announced by TATA in India. Car is no more a luxury item!!!