Configure your Webcam?

Well, since your computer came with Linux installed and the webcam is integrated, am I correct in assuming that your computer recognizes the camera and that all is well and ready to go on your side? If this isn’t the case and you need to set up your webcam, write again and we can deal with that.

Add a Plug-In to Make your Computer MSN Compatible

As far as instant messaging programs go, you have some cool options that you can use on your Linux operating system. There are some fairly traditional choices that make your Linux based system compatible with MSN Messenger, basically plug-ins that will allow you to run MSN Messenger on your system, but this is a bit of an out-dated option, and some users report camera issues with this installation. If you are interested in exploring this option further, there is a program called Wine that should make your computer MSN compatible.

Universal IM Clients for UNIX

More compatible with your operating system, and more fun for its versatility, are programs that are actually designed for your Linux system and that allow you to IM with your webcam with friends on a number of different IM sites.

Pidgin for Linux

Pidgin is an instant messaging program that is designed to run on Windows, Linux, and other Unix systems, like KDE - K Desktop Environment, The cool thing about Pidgin, in addition to being compatible with your computer, is that you can use this program to talk to people who are using AIM, ICQ, Jabber, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Bonjour, MySpace IM and more! Pidgin is a free download, currently used by millions of people. Here’s the link to the latest version for your operating system.

aMSN for Linux

There is another program called aMSN, which is an MSN clone for Linux, which might be your very best option. aMSN is known for supporting webcams, in addition to many other features. Like Pidgin, aMSN allows you to IM with friends across a number of IM clients. Also a free download, here is the link to the aMSN website download page. I hope this helps!

Access Screen Resolution in “System”

Although this option does not seem to work for many Ubuntu users until after they fix the resolution problems with the monitor, you should try this strategy first as it is the easiest. In order to access the screen resolution in Ubuntu, you can follow these steps:

1. Navigate to “System.”
2. Select “Preferences.”
3. Select “Screen Resolution.”

Update the Drivers for the Video Card

Next, you can try updating the drivers for the video card that you are using. Visit the website for the manufacturer of the video card. However, if you have an NVIDEA card, updating the rivers for that before fixing the problem with the resolution has been noted to make the situation worse, so wait on that one.

Suggestions from other Ubuntu Users

The following link has a detailed discussion among Ubuntu users concerning problems with the monitor resolution: Ubuntu Forums. I suggest reading through it and following any of the strategies they suggest that you haven’t already used.

This link (Ubuntu Forums 2 ) also includes a detailed discussion that provides strategies for resolving the problem with the monitor resolution. You’ll need to back up your configuration file first. Plus, you’ll have to reconfigure Xorg. All of the directions that you need are provided for you.

Additional Suggestions

If none of the above solutions have worked for you, try the following suggestions.

• Use the Vesa driver instead of the driver for the graphics card.
• Try the 16-bit color setting instead of the 24-bit color setting.
• Check the available memory for your computer.
• Research compatibility of the video card with Ubuntu 8.10.
• Try using fglrx instead of using ati.

Troubleshooting Acer Aspire and Linpus Linus Lite

About Linpus Linus

Acer has linked up with Linpus, a little known but well established software developer to offer reasonably priced computers equipped with Linux based operating systems. While Linpus is fairly new in North American and European markets, it has been in the Linux game since the late 1990s. It seems that Linpus Linux Lite is a very minimal system, and that the operating system doesn’t offer a graphical user interface (GUI) in the same range as what you might be used to with Windows. Many people who have bought Acer Aspire notebooks have upgraded their computers to the Ubuntu operating system, which is also Linux based, but which offers a more user-friendly design.

Check your System for External Devices or CDs

It sounds as though you have either installed a bad download or there was a power or connection interruption during the download that caused the system to crash. Before troubleshooting the download and the operating system problem, first let’s make sure that there isn’t a third issue compounding the problem.

If there are any external devices connected to the computer, make sure to remove them. Normally it is important to properly remove the device by quitting its operating software, but since the computer is already powered down, simply remove any connected items. This also goes for any inserted USB connection. Check the CD/DVD disk drive. If there is a disk in the drive, the computer will think that you want it to boot from its installation CD and try to access the disk. If it isn’t the installation CD, the computer will get stuck and be unable to boot up normally. If you find anything in the disk drive, remove it and reboot the computer.

Remove the Problematic Download

If possible, you should remove the installation that you added yesterday, right before your problems began. Of course, with a black screen and keys that don’t function, this is not a likely solution at this point. However, if for some reason, the computer powers up okay next time, uninstall it. If it is a reliable download, try it again and make sure that there are no interruptions or, if you aren’t sure about the download, try finding a similar program from a more reliable source.

Recovery Options

If your computer came with a recovery CD, it may be easier at this point to use it since it’s unlikely that your daughter has much data on it to be concerned with. Here’s a link to information about an online version of the Acer Aspire One Linpus Linux Lite Recovery CD.

Acer also uses an eRecovery solution on its computers and this may be available on your netbook. Try pressing the ALT key and tapping F10 while the computer boots up. This should load eRecovery if available on this Acer computer. If so, you can choose to restore the system to the factory default, from a user backup, or from a CD or DVD.

Get Advice from your Retailer

It is possible that the issue is with the motherboard. If this is the case, you should get the system back to the retailer as soon as possible as long as it is under warranty. In fact, since this is a brand new computer, you may want to get the retailer involved before doing anything drastic.