[CraftyCathy]

I have down loaded Ubuntu Dapper Drake 6.06, I can't figure out how to do every thing to get on line. Does any one know how to do this?

Thank you, Cathy

[lotuseclat79]

Hi Cathy,

It depends on your ISP account. I am on dialup 56k and used the info from:
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/PPP-HOWTO/ to setup the basics, and then configured the wvdial.conf file in /etc with my dialup info for my modem initialization strings (which I got from the Device Manager modem device logs, i.e. from my WinXP Pro SP2) and login info for my ISP user account.

Here is a shapshot of the working parts of the wvdial.conf (you can add more phone numbers from the ISP to dialup in your local calling area - toll free of course):

[Dialer Defaults]
Modem = /dev/ttyS0
Baud = 115200,N,8,1
SetVolume = 2
Dial Command = ATDT
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = AT&F1E0Q0V1&C1&D2S0=0
Init3 = ATS7=60S19=0M1&M4&K1&H1&R2&I0B0X4
Init4 = ATS10=255S11=40&U30&N39
Init5 = ATDT;
FlowControl = CRTSCTS

[Dialer phone1]
Dial Prefix = 1
Phone = nnnnnnn
Password = <alphanumeric>
Username = user@isp.com
Area Code = nnn
Inherits = Dialer Defaults

[Dialer phone 2]
...

From a command line you issue the command:
wvdial phone1
and then launch your browser with another command.

Caution: the Init2-4 strings above are relative to a USR External Fax Modem model 5686. Init1 and Init5 can probably be used for most all other modems.

All that said - you now have a notion of how to do what you want to do, only if you have a dialup 56k Internet account with your ISP - its different for cable/DSL modems - I am sure!

-- Tom

[CraftyCathy]

Hi... I have been doing lots of reading since I posted. Also know a bit more then when I posted. I am running Win ME. Desktop. I have took the modem card out, copied everything down that was on it that I thought was anything. On which the name is Lucent.

I searched HP for the ?? time and finally found this. I have an HP Pavilion 8754C. HP has this info for the modem.

v.90 56K PCI Modem, Cheetah
Supports v.90 & K56 Flex.
Chipset Intel 810E.

On the computer in Modem, it says Lucent Win Modem on Com 3.

On another forum some one had me run this test. Type in LSPCI (in lower case) in terminal. When I did I got several things to come up. They said this is my modem.

0000:01:09.0 Communication Controller: Agere System LT WinModem

I don't and have never seen that name, Agere System LT anywhere on here.

What I have done to began with. I have 2 hard drives. Got a new 160gig for Christmas. Well never did do anything with it. When I learned about Linux, I decided to hook both up on the computer the new one as slave and run them both. Which is kind of hard. I have to keep restarting to get from Win to Linux and vice versa. I can't copy and past anything from one to the other. Can't see any files on Win when on Linux and also vice versa.

I thought when I was in Windows I could see the new hard drive just like the CD, DVD, floppy... but it don't show up.

Anyway, seems every thing I read about Linux or Ubuntu, I don't have. I have been checking out isp's to see if they support Linux. One of which does but it supports something called KDE. I think this is the correct not. Too many notes!! Well I ran a search for KDE on Linux. Its not there. Also some support Thunderbird. Its not there either.

So everytime I find something I think I can do and understand, Linux don't have it or the isp's don't support it. So... I am just lost I guess. About to just forget Linux...

Will study the link you sent some more. So far I guess I just don't understand... Thanks..

[lotuseclat79]

Hi Cathy,

Winmodems are afaik not real (hardware) modems, but software modems. Both internal (hardware) and winmodems will not work with Linux afaik. It takes an external modem to work with Linux.

KDE is an alternative GUI enviroment to Gnome for Linux. You can switch between them (before logging out), and on next login the other environment will present itself. The command is switchdesk <env>, so to get to Gnome from KDE you would issue: switchdesk Gnome, and visa versa to get to KDE from Gnome.

I use the Grub boot loader to distinguish between WinXP Pro SP2 on my first hard drive from Linux Fedora Core 3 (FC3) on my second disk, and can easily change the default OS to boot up by changing the /boot/grub/grub.conf file's bootup variable default=0 to 1 or default=1 to 0 to get either OS to be the default OS to boot up.

I downloaded and installed the NTFS driver for Linux FC3 from here:
http://www.linux-ntfs.org/content/view/120/59/

With Daper Drake Ubuntu 6.0.6, you probably already have a version of the NTFS driver installed in the kernel. Check out this webpage for more info on NTFS driver support in Linux:
http://wiki.linux-ntfs.org/doku.php?id=ntfs-en

It will tell you how to mount the Windows disk onto Linux. I doubt the reverse (mount Linux onto Windows) is possible, but then again Samba could probably be used.

Thunderbird is usually downloaded from http://www.mozilla.com as 3rd party software, i.e. not included in Linux releases, however, some Linux distributions may include it, like Firefox.

-- Tom

P.S. Don't give up when you are so close to understanding how to do it!

[CraftyCathy]

Hi Tom, you make me laugh... Close to understand... hehehe... You lost me on the second paragraph.... And told me something I did not even know about the modems. I plug the computer in and it all works, if not... I am lost. That is now much I know... My first modem was a external. Should have kept it, might have worked. But only a 28.8.... With the problems I am having booting up lately, this would be fast... Now I have another thing to try to learn and get in my head... Modem's!!

I would think that Ubuntu would have came with all this stuff go at least go on line with. Cause if you can't go on line, you can not do much of anything else. Oh... play games or write letters. But I went to print the other day and that is not even work. Well I sure didn't want to began trying to figure something else out right now. One thing at a time.

So... what your telling me, the 1st thing I have to do is get an external modem?

Just did a quick check on e-bay, saw a U.S. Robotics Sportster 56k V.92, but no serial cable with it. Also said no software. Kind of got me cause it said did not take software. Just don't know enough about this stuff.

[lotuseclat79]

Hi Cathy,

For any information about modems, checkout this website:
http://www.modemsite.com/56k/index.asp

When I bought my system with both LInux and Win98SE back in Dec 2001 the system producer told me about the need for an external modem at that time in order to interface with Linux, and since I have purchased another system with Linux and WinXP and updated the modem to a USR 5686E after my USR 5686D stb'd. My previous system to both of them was a Windows for Workgroups 3.11 which had an internal modem card.

Before you purchase an external modem (on my or anyone else's word alone), please do a little research (since you appear to be amenable to that) and may be able to save yourself some money in the process.

What I specifically do not know about Daper Drake Ubuntu 6.0.6 is whether it has software modem support rolled into the kernel or not that actually works - i.e. Linux distributions have come a long way since I bought my first one. What I do know is that the Daper Drake Ubuntu 6.0.6 Live CD works in RAM (i.e. not installed on hard drive) with my wvdial.conf file imported to the (in RAM) /etc directory from my mounted Linux Fedora Core 3 (FC3) system and the Firefox extensions I saved on my hard drive which I downloaded to the Ubuntu Firefox 1.5.0.3 settings and reload into the user account home directories from my Linux FC3 when I reboot with Daper Drake!

My advice is to google for "Daper Drake Ubuntu forums" and search for "external modem" in the forums. If you find one particular Ubuntu forum you like, join it and ask specific questions about Daper Drake Ubuntu 6.0.6. What I would ask at this point in time is:

whether it can work with any internal modem hardware cards or requires an external modem (in the absense of cable/DSL) to work.

Once you verify that question's answer, then you will probably know that Ubuntu Daper Drake 6.0.6 is just software which will always need hardware on which to run - and just having a computer is no guarantee that one will be able to "just plug it in and connect to the Internet" automagically.

Modems like the USR Sportster you found on e-bay need a CD to interface with Windows, i.e. for installation, but not necessarily for Linux as in my case which just worked out of the box - and because I had the setup already configured - like the instruction in my login profile which is not default in Linux: ln -s /dev/ttyS0 /dev/modem
that is required for the modem to work.

-- Tom

[CraftyCathy]

Hi there Tom, Well seems I have been doing nothing but reading. I don't want to become a computer expert... I just want to use a computer for things I want to do... ... But I don't think there is any chance of me becoming very knowledged in the computer.

There is this one site where you can click on a link and it will tell you if your modem is compatable. Well I don't know if its my computer (have been having problems with it) or if its a link that don't work, but It don't work for me. I find this in lots of Linux links.

I think also on the same page it says to download what is called . Well I did, burnt it to a CD. But then after spending over an hour on Linux, I still did not figure out how to make it work.

Since I am new to Linux, everything is greek. With Windows I have learned enough to do what I want to do. I can remember how hard Windows was in the beginning also. But one thing, didn't have to put in all of this stuff in the terminal to get stuff to work. I know several people that want to switch from Windows to Linux, but they sure won't unless I can learn it and teach them. Most instructions are for those who know Linux and not the beginner. There is hardly anything written for us "Dummies to Linux". I just want to know a simple things... Like how to make my printer work and here is all this Tech stuff about it all, when all that had to be said was the exact short directions as to how to make it work. I went over there yesterday and did that in less then 5 minutes just by looking at it. I was thinking about jotting all of this down and then writing out the way to do this, so others like me would not have this problem I am having.

But anyway... I am now stuck on how to get the program to work that I down loaded to check the modem with. Seems every thing in Dapper Drake goes on the desktop. There is not like anything with C: drive or My documents where you can make folders and not fill up your desktop so much. I even make a file on Linux desktop and copied the program there, but never could figure out how to make it work.

It would seem in any good instructions for these os that they would start start out with how to install the program then go right to how to get on line. And how to use a CD to install programs. But they don't. Or at least I can't find it. Then I get on sites that are not even for Dapper Drake and give instructions that don't even seem to be for it. Ubuntu seems to have good instructions as to how to install. But then that is it. At least this is all I have been able to find. I think I am over doing my brain trying to figure this all out. . If the printer was so easy to install then why would getting on line be any different? Also installing Dapper Drake was very easy also.

I have asked questions on other forums and I have got the best answers so far right here on this forum. Some of the forum's are totally rude also. Which would make other beginners and me... not post again to them. What they don't seem to understand in general is that there is some of us that just don't understand all this stuff, no matter how much we read. Its in a level of wording and understanding that we are not up to, as yet anyway. Then you ask for step by step instructions and that seems to be the worst things you can say. And you don't get it. I was told I need to go into Linux and familiar myself with it. Well yesterday Dapper Drake had to do something when I went into it, saying I had been in there 30 times. So I am trying to learn it, but still I have not get anywhere in knowing how to do much with it.

I do genealogy. Working on my computer is not a thing I like to do. It maybe for others as I have read on some of the forums. We all have different interests. I know I have to learn so much in order to be able to do all that I do on a computer. But to go much farther then that is not my interest to do. There comes times I need to learn something else. Ok, fine... But I don't want to have to learn all this tech stuff as most seem to know or we are expected to learn.

Well today I am just on "tilt" I guess.. Just too much trying to do and can't do. This is one problem, I won't rest till I learn how to get all I need to do, done... And it drives me nuts not being able to just do it and get on to other things. I figure lots of it my fault for not having the intelligences to comprehend.

[lotuseclat79]

Hi Cathy,

There is the 6th Ed. book "Linux for Dummies", but it is probably not specific to Ubuntu, but may help you past lots of hurdles.

Then again, if you go to Amazon.com and search for "Ubuntu" in Books, there is lot of them - I don't know which to recommend to someone beginning Linux with Ubuntu.

My advice is to go to the local Barnes & Noble or other bookstore and browse through the Linux/Unix section for what Ubuntu books or Linux for Dummies they have on the shelves and see if any one suites you or helps you solve the problems with the specific information you need to get past the information obstacles you face.

Just today, I answered the specific and very simple question on another thread, and was totally amazed at how the other responders said whatever they had to say, but didn't really answer the question - none of them realized they weren't helping the person who posted the question - so, even here at TSG, you may at times get inocuous replies from folks who think they are helping, but end up not really contributing to the poster's understanding.

Hang in there - half the battle is just that, and knowing when to take a break until you can come back to it.

-- Tom

[CraftyCathy]

I may have sounded like I don't appreciate all the help I get, but I do. I thank every one for what ever reply. Since I have used Windows for over 10 years now, I do know more when I read posts and can do more, then with Linux which I have only had about a month now. Its just like when I started windows with Dos and Win 3.0. I did not even know the basics, like copy and paste. I am still teaching folks that. But I had to be told things step by step. No, infact the best way I could understand something was to be shown. Then I could get it. Well I guess I am better today cause I can read and do step by step procuders. There is in fact lots of us out here this way. And I have read on different forum's they ask what is the worst thing with Linux. Well its obvious, not clear enough instructions for newbies. Its not we can't do it, its we don't know how. For some one to not give simple, step by step instructions to a newbie, they might as well not posted a reply to the help. Cause it did not good. But yet, I do apprectiate their efforts. If only they could understand they are too smart for us and need to get down to our level when they explain give info to newbies. When you go on a forum that is absolute for beginners. I figure its just that. But after reading some of the posts, one can tell, they are not beginner...

Is it possible for you to tell me how to... and I don't even know what its called... I just know how to do it on Windows. Ok, I have that program I need to run on Linux. Its on a CD. Now do I run it? I have tried every thing I know. Still can't get it to do anything.

Thank you, Cathy

[lotuseclat79]

Hi Cathy,

Ok, you have a program on a CD you need to run in Linux. What is the name of the program? Is it a Live CD, like my version of Daper Drake Ubuntu 6.0.6 that boots up when I power on my computer? Or, is it just a standalone program that can be installed and run on Linux?

For example, to use the Unbuntu Live CD and actually have it boot, a computer must, of course, first have a hardware CD device installed. At bootup Linux (or other OS) will detect the hardware, however, before the OS can bootup, the BIOS is the first thing that runs and does a Power On Self Test (POST). In the BIOS, the order of boot devices is specified, and the CD device must occur before the hard drive in order for the Live CD bootable CD to be able to boot up. Check the bottom of the computer screen on power up and it usually will tell you the keystroke to press to get into the BIOS - then you can check what the boot order of devices is specified, and change the order, if necessary.

If the CD is just an ordinary application CD compatible with Linux (I'm guessing you might have a geneology CD - I have the Brouderbund Family Tree Maker for Windows), then the CD device needs to be mounted in order to acces its contents.

In Linux, from the Desktop interface, see if there is a Hardware Browser from System Tools, and use it to determine the device name of the CD device, e.g. I have two CD devices where: /dev/hda is the device name of one, and /dev/hdb is the device name of the other.

Once you know the device name of the CD drive, then the following command will mount the drive.

First, place the CD disc into the CD drive, then from a command line window, issue the following command before the mount command with your device name in place of /dev/hda below:

1) mkdir /mnt/CD
2) mount /dev/hda /mnt/CD

You must not be located with your current working directory (issue: pwd to find out) in the /mnt directory, so (issue: cd) to get to your account's home directory. Also, you may need to be root to issue the mount command, so either login as root or issue: su and give the root command's password. Read the man page for mount if you have problems with it, or post a message back here for help.

Then to list the contents of the CD from Linux (like dir in Windows command prompt):
1) pushd /mnt/CD (changes to the /mnt/CD directory, and
2) ls -lt
or just issue: ls -lt /mnt/CD

Look for a README file to explain how to setup the software on the CD.

-- Tom

[CraftyCathy]

Ok..... Let me answer your question and also tell you what I see... I already have Linux Ubuntu Dapper Drake 6.06 installed on one of my hard drives. So... when I turn on my computer, it comes to a menu and I have like seconds to choose where to go. If I don't act fast enough, the computer goes right into Linux. Wish it would just sit there, and let me decide which one...

Then Linux does it things, loading every thing, then I have to enter username and then password. Then it comes on, such as Windows does. To I think a desktop, which is pretty simular to Windows Me.

Ok... I have two CD drives. Well... One is the HP CD that came with my computer and the other is a newer DVD, which also does the same with CD's as the HP one does.

When I have something in one of those drives it shows up on Desktop. I think both show up. Seems like I have had troubles seeing the DVD automatically on desktop, but the CD always shows.

So... I clicked on the icon for the CD, then it came up on the screen. Then I clicked on it.

I can not exactly remember what I did next. But I ended up making a folder on Desktop for the program, which is called scanmodem. Its to scan my modem and give me info on it. This was suggested to do to see if it was compatable and there was a driver for it. Well have not been able to scan modem to see, as yet...

When I click on the icon for scanmodem on desktop, which is now in its own file on desktop.... Ok.. I can't remember. I keep having to go back to get all this info. But it says something like extract files here? Maybe I had to right click on the mouse to get a box to come up that said that in it. I just don't remember now.. But anyway, I did that.. And then it put two more icons up there. Also on that CD was another program and now I don't remember why. Its been too long since I started this process, not being able to complete it.

Anyway... The other one does nothing, I don't think when I do the same thing about extracting here...

Well that is all it does. When I click on the other two icons the scanmodem put there, they just have a bunch of stuff in them. Which I do not understand.

I have looked all over for something that would say something like install programs. But can not find anything like that.

Ok, now you brought up another thing that I was doing yesterday. But don't know enough about it, probably to really talk about it. But here goes anyway... If only I could remember better then I could talk about this stuff better...

Ok.. on Desktop up on the top toll bar, there is like 3 places to go. The 1st one I think is Applications. A drop down window shows and then I go into Accessories. In Accessories another drop down window. There is what is called Terminal. I have found out in Terminal you can do commands like in the old dos. Which I did not ever learn really good, by the way and it been to long to remember all I did know. After messing with terminal, I remember some of the things I have seen to put in there. Like cd for Change directory. But like dos, I did not learn much to use it. So, I can nt get around in it very well.

I have a bit of instructions I copied off from one site, but yet it seems greek to me. What it says is, To see a list of files and directories inside the current directory, run the command ls . Well... I did that and I thought I was on desktop, the folder I made for the CD contents, scanmodem and the other file does not show up. I went over several times to make sure the folder was there. It shows up on desktop. Then I thought, well I must not be in desktop. Then I looked at the path and it included desktop. I could not figure out how to do anything else. I don't know if there is more directories on there or not. I tried typing in such things as I know on Windows, such as C:, didn't work.. hehehe.

It says by default it will be inside the Home folder when you run it. To confirm that your terminal is indeed browsing your home folder, type pwd ending with a press on enter. The pwd command will output the path to the current folder.

Also it says, if you want to navigate down the directory tree run cd NAME where NAME is the name of the folder you want to navigate to. For example, if Ed is inside his home folder and there's a directory called test inside it, he can run cd test to change to that directory. . If he want to go back he can run cd...

The only thing I can think of, I am not on desktop when doing this and I don't know how to get there. I have typed in cd desktop... But still don't get there. But is desktop a directory? If not, how do I get to desktop? If something is on desktop, is it also listed some where else in a directory. And what on earth are the directories on Linux?

The... I guess they are called commands (?), you listed above. Are they to be done in Terminal?

Does FTM work on Linux? I think I am working with version 9. I do have the new one, or think its the new one, but I don't care for it. So have not used it too much. I went looking to see if FTM supported Linux, but all I could find it supported Win.

I know I am asking so many questions here... I don't mean to be going into so many different things.. But am just curious about FTM. If it works on Linux, I sure what it over there. But first I have to learn how to do this.. or I won't be able to get anything software on linux.

Cathy

[CraftyCathy]

I forgot to tell you, I downloaded this scanmodem and the other program onto windows then burnt the CD to use on Linux. Since I am using two harddrives I have to keep shutting down to go from one to the other. Which is real hard when you need Windows open to do things. Which I can't do on Linux. Such as copy and paste stuff like you have above to Linux.

[CraftyCathy]

One more thing... I won this modem on e-bay. I sure hope its the right one. Would send you the link, but since its already over, don't think it will work for you??

US Robotics V.92 External Fax Modem 56k

Condition: Excellent working condition, normal wear but no visual scratches externally. Works perfect!!!

Includes: Modem, Phone Cable, Power Adapter

GREAT FOR EXTERNAL DIALUP FOR CISCO ROUTERS!!!

HERE ARE THE SPECS:

Modem Standards and Protocols Supported


V.92 56 Kbps ITU standard
V.90 56 Kbps ITU standard
V.34 33.6 Kbps ITU standard
Compatible with ITU and Bell standards from 56 Kbps to 1200 bps
V.42/MNP 2-4 error control,V.42 bis/MNP 5 data compression
Fax:Class 1 and 2.0 Group III 14.4 Kbps send and receive
Operating Systems Supported
Modem is compatible with Windows Server 2003, XP 64 bit, Server 2003 64 bit, XP, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows 3.1, Linux and DOS.

Dimensions/Weight


Length 10.875 in.(27.62 cm)
Width 5.75 in.(14.69 cm)
Height 4.875 in.(12.38 cm)
Weight 2 lb (.9 kg)
Minimum System Requirements


IBM ®compatible PC
56K compatible local analog phone line
V.90 requires a V.90 56K ITU standard capable service provider
V.92 requires a V.92 56K ITU standard capable service provider
V.92 Call Notification feature requires Call Waiting service from your local phone company
V.92 Call Identification feature requires Call Waiting/Caller ID services from your local phone company
RS-232 serial cable (not included)
Regulatory/Agency Approvals


FCC approved (Part 15 Class B/Part 68)
IC approved
UL listed
CUL listed

[CraftyCathy]

Went over to Linux with your info... under System/Administrations/Device Manager/Advanced Tab I found what you were talking about.

Key......................Type.............Value
block.device........Strlist............/dev/hdc

(note: put the "periods" in above to hold their place)

Looking around there some more, I see that the hard drive I have Windows on is hda. Linux is hdb, then HP CD is the one above, hdc and then HP DVD is, hdd.

Then I went into Applications/Accessories/Terminal. A box comes up, sort of looks like a dos box. At the very top of the box, on the border that goes across it, is typed: CraftyCathy@Cathy: /home/craftycathy

Then I think its called the prompt, reads like this.

craftycathy@cathy:~$

So... just to see what it would do, I typed in the su you had written after the $ on the prompt. The below is what took place.

Password: (I typed in my password)
su: Authentication failure
Sorry.
craftycathy@cathy:~$

Now sure what this mean. I have been on Terminal before and had to type in my password. Did not get this Authentication Failure.

Then at the prompt, I typed in..

pwd
/home/craftycathy
craftycathy@cathy:~$

Then typed in at prompt:

cd
craftycathy@cathy:~$

Then typed in at prompt:

dir
Desktop example.ged example grdb examples
craftycathy@cathy:~$

Now... it seems it goes to desktop, why don't I see the folder I put on there?

What I actually have is Gramps Genealogy System, which is Linux Genealogy Desktop 2.0. It is Linux Ubuntu Dapper Drake 6.06, plus I think 4 genealogy programs on it. Like or some what like FTM. None of them impressed me. When I get use to a program and like it, this is what I want. But anyway. I know its Dapper Drake, cause I got one the other day, inserted it in live mode or what ever its called, ran it just off the Cd and its the exact same look. Also I asked about it from what I got it and he told me its the same with just the genealogy programs added. No.. I have not went and checked file by file to make sure... Just taking his word for it and what I seen on the Dapper Drake CD.

Ok.. I did not go on with your instructions to mkdir.. etc... Cause I am not sure if you want me to since when I put a CD in the drive it shows up on desktop. I can go to it and also put it on desktop in a file or it appears when you "look" at it in a file on desktop its there.

I have questions about your command line, but you said to read the man page... Well.. what is the man page?

Also it appears that both the icons places in the folder when I told it to open there is readme files. But I don't understand what its saying. Just don't know this stuff. And I can't copy and paste what it says to here, cause its on the other harddrive. But I do have the program on here.. but of course it won't open on Windows. But if I could send it to you some how and you could open it?? Its called scanModem.gz. Oh and the other one says.. unloading.gz. Seems like I read some where you have to have this unloading to make the scanModem work. But how? Don't know that either.

[lotuseclat79]

Hi Cathy,

Whew - that's a lot to process, so I'll start at the beginning of your last response after my previous post.

First, to increase the time you have to respond to which OS to boot (note: the solution is similar for Windows or Linux):
If your system uses the Linux boot loader Grub (there must be a similar lilo.conf file if Lilo is your boot loader, but most Linux use Grub these days) for Daper Drake Ubuntu 6.0.6, then you must be root and know the root account's password (i.e. the superuser aka su which is the same as Administrator in Windows) to execute the example vi command to edit and rewrite the grub.conf file which follows:
Goto the directory /boot/grub/ and edit the file grub.conf as follows:
# cd /boot/grub
# vi grub.conf
(now that you are inside the file use the arrow keys to find the line with
timeout=5 for example on it)
Position the cursor (using the arrow keys) onto the '5' charater just after the = sign
Press the 'x' key once and the '5' is wiped out and the cursor should be on the = sign
Press the character 'a' and then enter a number greater than 5 to get more than 5 seconds - I would choose 15, and then press the 'ESC' key to exit the edit command sequence
To end the edit session using the 'vi' command, Press the Shift key for ':' and then press the 'w' key followed by the 'q' key which should look as follows without the quotes: ":wq" inside the edit window on the Terminal screen. That command tells the vi editor to write ('w') and quit ('q') the edit session. The next time you reboot, the time delay will be 15 seconds before the default OS boots up. You can change the default boot OS by switching the "default=0" to "default=1" or visa versa depending on which OS is the current default in the grub.conf file.

In Windows, execute the msconfig command from WinXP or other Windows OS, and change the timeout default as required (easier to do in Windows).

Note: If you installed Daper Drake Ubuntu 6.0.6 onto your computer, then during the installation process you may have set the root password (hope you remembered it). If not, then it is possible that the root account has a default password or none - I don't know for sure.

Hope this helps you solve the first problem you cited. Standby for more later - gotta go now.

Ciao,

-- Tom