In this guide you will find useful information for Labdooers (Labdoo users/volunteers), including information about how to sanitize laptops, how to package them ready for traveling, or general tricks and tips among others. While this document attempts to be comprehensive, if you have any questions that do not get answered in this guide, please post them directly in any of the Labdoo Teams and one member of the Labdoo community will provide an answer.
There are several strategies to collect unused laptops from your local community. Many of the people you know have unused laptops sitting idly and the objective is to give them an option to repurpose them and convert them into powerful educational devices. Here are some ideas to help you find and rescue idle laptops.
1. Think of 5 people who will most likely donate their used laptops.
They can be your parents, your co-workers, your relatives, your class-mates or your friends. If you are a student or a teacher in a school, you can write a letter to the students parents asking for unused laptops. Many parents work for companies that have unused laptops.
2. Pitch potential donors with the 3 favorite things you like about Labdoo.
When talking with potential laptop donors, tell them about the Labdoo story. Tell them for instance about the notions of using collaboration to spread education around the world and without incurring any economic or environmental cost. You can get some ideas from the Labdoo Value, Philosophy and Principles.
3. Be proactive!
Contact the potential donors, in person or by e-mail. Describe the benefits that each player with the Labdoo platform receives. Here are some examples of benefits:
Additional Tips.
1. Understand that what you are doing is creating a positive impact. A change in perspective can change your whole approach!
2. If you are too shy to ask face-to-face, hand written letters or emails are good alternatives.
3. Use your social networking skills and tools to bring awareness. Write a post on your favorite social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, etc.) letting people know about your laptop collecting activities.
4. Don’t let the idea of rejection stop you. It happens to everyone, and it’s part of the learning process. The cause you are promoting is your best ally.
5. Leave friendly reminders to the people who promised you a laptop. Many donors need frequent reminders that they should take proper action on their idle laptops when they still hold value.
6. You can be creative and come up with your own laptop collection strategy.
Each dootronic contributed to the Labdoo platform needs to be tagged and labeled with its unique Labdoo Indentifier (ID) to ensure that donors can track their donation all the way to the final destination school and/or the recycling factory.
The following steps describe the process of tagging a Labdoo laptop.
Below is an example of a laptop tagging page.
Figure. Example of tagging procedure. |
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The process of sanitizing a laptop involves three aspects:
Labdoo provides two laptop sanitation manuals: a Fast Restoration Method and a Step by Step Installation Method.
The Fast Restoration Method is the fastest method to install the operating system and the educational content on a laptop.
The Step by Step Installation Method is very useful if you are new to the project and want to see exactly what a Labdoo prepared laptop contains. This method guides you on how to:
This process requires more time but is recommended if you want to learn and to see exactly what contents are installed, while the Fast Restoration Method performs all these steps automatically.
If you are new to the Labdoo Project, you can follow the Step by Step Installation Method. If you have more experience with the process or need to deal with a large number of laptops, we recommend you to use the Fast Restoration Method. Alternatively if you don't have the time to sanitize your own computer, you can always bring it to your closest hub and have labdooers there sanitize it for you (click on the menu option ‘Hubs’ located at the top of the Labdoo website and then on ‘View’ to go to the list of Labdoo hubs).
If you have problems or want assistance on how to perform the laptop preparation, ask for help on the Labdoo Global Support wall and somebody from the core team will be happy to assist you.
The basic educational software package installed in every Labdoo laptop is called Edubuntu. Edubuntu is a free software platform that includes educational applications covering many areas of science, from pre-school level to high-school level and available in more than 130 languages. You can learn more about Edubuntu directly from https://www.edubuntu.org/. In addition to the Edubuntu platform, laptops can optionally be preloaded with additional educational content such as an offline version of Wikipedia and many other powerful Open Educational Resources (OER) such as Rachel, Xowa, UNESCO content, Khan Academy, etc.
The simple sanitation guide helps you to install the basic Edubuntu platform (preloaded with all the Edubuntu education applications) and allows you to optionally install extra educational packages via some scripts. The advanced sanitation guide uses pre-configured images and it allows you to install all the packages (both the Edubuntu platform plus all the extra education packages) in one shot using the image. The next table summarizes all packages installed by each method:
Content | Step-by-Step Method |
Step-by-Step Method Plus Scripts |
Fast Restore Method |
---|---|---|---|
Lubuntu LTS (Operating System) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Edubuntu Educational Software (base education packages) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Office Suite (Libreoffice) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Wikipedia for schools "wikidoo" (English offline lexicon suitable for children) | No | Yes | Yes |
License-free manuals for Ubuntu, Libreoffice, etc. | No | Yes | Yes |
License-free e-Books | No | Yes | Yes |
XOWA, access to 800+ Offline Wikis in regional languages | No | Yes | Yes |
RACHEL, access to Khan Academy, Edison for Robotics, CK-12 Textbooks, UNESCO's IICBA Electronic Library, Great Books of the World, OLPC Educational Packages, or MIT Scratch, among many others | No | Yes | Yes |
Barrier-free access for blind or hearing impaired user | No | Yes | Yes |
Browser-based English course, Multimedia based following UK Curriculum | No | Yes | Yes |
Offline video tutorials for user | No | Yes | Yes |
Optimized user flow to avoid accidental system changes | No | Yes | Yes |
Preparation for virtual machines (VM VirtualBox) | No | Yes | Yes |
Virus scanner and tool ClamAV | No | Yes | Yes |
Suggested minimum size of disk drive | 20 GB | 40GB min | 40GB min (more Size allows you to load more content) |
Please continue reading this guide to learn the step by step process of sanitizing a laptop by choosing one of the available methods.
Labdoo recommends installing by cloning images with the free installation tool Labtix, developed by Labdoo helpers. As you could see in the video tutorial, there are numerous setting and selection options to adapt Labtix to your requirements. Labtix 1 runs on 32-bit, Labtix 2 on 64-bit (recommended). Labtix is regularly further developed. Please check our FTP server regularly for updates http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/install-disk/Labtix/.
version | until Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and higher |
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Labtix 1 | ![]() |
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Labtix 2 | ![]() |
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Note for advanced users: Labtix has a persistence mode, i.e. you can make your own changes to Labtix and save them. You act as root user in fact. The password (only needed if you "get stuck" in the terminal when booting ) is "labdoo". But beware - as root you can destroy Labtix or bloat it by too many changes. Labtix fits on a CD when delivered. The tool ISO-snapshot also allows you to create a new ISO-file that takes over possible changes to the system.
Labtix comes with various tools and installation tools https://platform.labdoo.org/en/content/preinstalled-tools-labtix.
Die meisten findet ihr direkt auf dem Desktop. Welches Tool für euch am Besten passt, müsst ihr selber entscheiden:
On the Labtix desktop you will find a Docs folder in which manuals are in PDF format. However, we recommend that you first watch the individual steps and tools as a YouTube video tutorial.
Sometimes you have to select certain settings in the boot menu because of the hardware, e.g. often failsafe mode in netbooks, etc. Otherwise it can happen that Labtix does not start up, gets stuck at terminal level (the desktop does not appear) or the monitor remains dark. Then try the options in Failsafe Mode or Safe Video Mode. This is also explained in the YouTube tutorial mentioned above.
All video-tutorials are on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/LabdooDACH/playlists and on our FTP server http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/Public/videos/for-technicians/.
All Labtix versions can be downloaded from the FTP server
current version: http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/install-disk/
older version (archive): http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/archive/Labtix_former_releases/
Labtix 2 (from 2022)
Since its launch in 2017, Labtix has become the most popular installer and remover tool within the Labdoo project. Labtix Release 1 is based on a 32-bit Antix 17 (2017) kernel. Labtix 2 is based on a 64-bit Antix 21 (2021) kernel.
Don't put Labtix 1 too far away as this "old" version works well with "old" hardware. And the new Labtix version 2 fits the more modern your donated laptop is, which requires current drivers that are only available in 2. And cloning images of 22.04 LTS and higher Labtix 2 is mandatory.
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS introduced a new boot partition format (grub2 core.img). Labtix 1 and also older Clonezilla versions do not know this format and therefore cannot clone current images on Ubuntu 22.04 and higher! Please try whether Labtix 2 starts with a setting such as failsafe or safe graphics if there is a problem. Then there would be Parted Magic as another installation tool on the web. Or you would have to take Labtix 1 and an image based on 20.04 LTS.
However, we recommend using Labtix 2 by default as it comes with many improvements and features:
Any image release can be processed with any Labtix release, fully compatible.
Labtix 1 (2017 - 2021)
Based on Antix 17 (2017) you get a complete set of refurbishment and installation tools. Labtix 1 runs on 32-bit and 64-bit CPUs. The drivers included in Labtix 1 work best on older hardware (approx. 2008 - 2018, difficult to define exactly, it's best to try it).
for Labtix
Check the hardware with Labtix
To start, you should check a donated computer. After all, it makes no sense to send a laptop to hot countries that already overheats in cool regions. Or if the hard drive is already "crumbling", how is it supposed to survive transport and operation in hot regions? That's why Labtix comes with useful tools to check not only the hard drive, but also speakers, temperature sensors under load and much more. more to check, if necessary to clean fan, to renew thermal paste or foil.
BIOS settings
Some laptops require changing BIOS settings:
BIOS settings | Comment |
---|---|
Secure Boot | Must always be off (disabled). Sometimes an administrator password must first be set in order to disable Secure Boot. The admin password can then be removed again. |
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) | TPM is a security chip that secures a computer. In connection with Linux, however, TMP should always be switched off (deactivated). With some laptops, an administrator password must first be set in order to be able to deactivate the TPM. The admin password can then be removed again. |
UEFI | Up to Ubuntu 20.04 LTS It is recommended to turn off UEFI and enable Legacy/CSM. However, there is also a concept for an UEFI-based installation for 20.04 LTS developed by Labdoo helpers. From Ubuntu 22.04 LTS a separate concept was developed for Ubuntu so that both UEFI and Legacy/CSM installations are possible. Note: Labtix starts on some computers and the installation of the image runs smoothly. But when you restart the laptop, you get notices like "Invalid Partition table!" or similar and the laptop won't boot. Then please set the UEFI mode or both (UEFI and Legacy) in the BIOS. In very stubborn cases, the tool uses SuperGrub2Disk https://www.supergrubdisk.org. |
Recommended hardware checks
Tool | Check |
---|---|
GSmart | Please check the status of the target disk (sda) with the tool GSmartControl. The more "red" notes or icons and the darker they are, the sooner the hard drive should be replaced. |
StressCpu / psensor | The maximum temperature should be around 55 to 65°C under normal load, depending on the CPU / GPU type and the ambient temperature. To load the CPU, the "Stress CPU" script starts on the desktop (triggers "stress --cpu -8" in a terminal). Observe the temperature display of the CPU sensors in psensor. Stress CPU starts after 10 seconds and runs at full CPU load for 60 seconds so as not to damage the CPU and cooling system.
The temperatures often rise to over 70°C under full load, less would be better. Many manufacturers indicate an acceptable maximum temperature (CPU under full load) of 75 degrees. If the temperatures rise to 80°C or higher under load, Stress CPU immediately stops to avoid damage to the processor and cooling system. Then the cooling system needs to be revised (e.g. cleaning the fan or replacing the cooler paste/cooling pads). An overheated cooling system can also be recognized by the fact that the copper-colored heat conductor has turned bluish.
For some devices with Intel i3/5/7 processors, it is helpful to switch off the "Intel Turbo Boost" (may have a different name for some devices!) in the BIOS/UEFI in order to get the temperature below 75°C under full load. |
Speaker Test | Alternately checks the left and right speakers. |
If you already have a bootable CD or USB Stick with our Labtix installation environment and Laboo Images for cloning, you can skip this chapter.
Thanks to the Labtix tool (LiveCD), all pre-installed learning content in labdoo systems can be "cloned" quickly and easily to new computers using the so-called images.
These images are available in 4 languages (English, Spanish, German, French). So you can select the language in the target country of the IT donation depending on the language and manually upload further learning contents in further languages.
You need two things for that:
Labtix bootable media: this can be a CD or USB stick, that you use to boot the Laptop you want to have restored, into the Labtix einvironment.
External USB hard drive: to store the cloning images and other learning content from our FTP server (Labdoo also provides an already prepared USB Drive to the volunteers, please contact your local Hub).
Labtix: The Labdoo installation environment
To be able to install older and newer computers with a license-free tool, Labdoo.org has a small solution (live-image) based on the Linux-Version Antix which we have called Labtix (a combination of Labdoo and Antix).
In Labtix you will find everything you need to delete old data on a donated computer or laptop, for fast and automated installation proceses in order to obtain a ready-to-ship computer. Additionally, Labtix provides many tools to diagnose hardware, to analyze and solve problems (CPU/processor, temprerature problems, damaged hard drives, etc.)
You can download the iso file for Labtix from our FTP server
here (MD5SUM).
Once you have downloaded the file, you can create a boot media (CD or USB) from the iso file, which you will use to start and prepare (Sanitation process) donated computers
Creating a bootable USB or CD/DVD from the Labtix ISO
The next thing to do is to convert the ISO file into a bootable CD or USB bootstick (simple copying is not enough!). This often works with file managers of your favorite operating system or with additional tools. For further questions consult the web (search for "cd / USB stick create ISO" and your operating system).
A blank 750 MB CD is sufficient for one CD (DVD is not necessary), USB sticks go from 1 GB (but usually 4 GB is the smallest size you can get). Note for technicians: Labtix has a persistence mode, with which you can save your desired configuration. However, this takes up more space, therefore 4 GB or more is better.
WINDOWS:
- Download and run a program for creating bootable media. For example, Rufus: https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/releases/download/v3.4/rufus-3.4p.exe (link is external) or another alternative https://alternativeto.net/software/rufus/
(link is external)
- Run Rufus, select the USB device, click on the "Select" button and select the labtix.iso file, then click on ''Start''.
LINUX:
you will find many useful tools for Linux in the following link: https://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/Brennprogramme/
(link is external)
But the easiest and fastest way is using dd. Once you know the device path to your USB key (in the example /dev/sdb) run:
dd if=Labtix.iso of=/dev/sdb bs=1M; sync
(see details explained under: https://antixlinux.com/forum-archive/writing-antix-iso-image-on-usb-flas...)
MAC OS:
You can use the following procedure: [https://osxdaily.com/2015/06/05/copy-iso-to-usb-drive-mac-os-x-command ]
(Here we refer to Internet and search engines).
Labdoo-Cloning images method and additional content
For the Fast Restoration method, you need to clone the Labdoo Images. For cloning, you have to download the images first. Images are copies of a complete, pre-installed system (of already sanitized laptops). Linux has a great feature that other operating systems don't have. You can transfer a system from computer A to computer B - and it runs!
You will find these images online in our Labdoo FTP server http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/install-disk/.
You can also download these images from the web browser by selecting the image you want to download, right-click on it, and then select "save link as".
This does not work for folders or for many files! These have to be downloaded individually and of course, this is a lot of work.
Simple methods for downloading multiple files for all common operating systems can be found at https://www.labdoo.org/de/content/zugang-zum-ftp-server
Images are large and the download takes a long time, so If you are familiar with FTP clients, we recommend downloading them directly via FTP (sftp, userlabdoo and password labdoo).
Labdoo Images for Cloning
When deciding what image is best for you, you should consider the following aspects:
The name of an image on the FTP server shows:
imagesThe French and Spanish images occupy 80 GB because they already have the learning content in these languages (Wikis, OER Open Educational ressources,...). The German image is additionally played with German courses, dictionaries in many refugee languages etc..
The English images of 80 Gbs as well, but the larger images (160,250 Gbd) include even more learning contents
Additional learning content
Additional learning content can be added after the installation process if you are not using the autodeploy.sh method that allows you to add additional content during installation. We will come back to this later...
External USB hard disk preparation (1+ TB)
The downloaded images are already unpacked and ready to use. Copy them to an external hard drive or a local server. The USB disk must be formatted to store large files. For example, FAT32 is not possible because FAT32 can only handle files smaller than 4GB. NTFS is the recommended filesystem for an external hard disk.
The automated installation scripts require to be saved to an external hard disk without a parent directory, as they are stored on the FTP server. For further details please refer to the manual http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/install-disk/labdoo%20autodeploy%20and%20...
The Labdoo FTP server allows users to download files and images for Labdoo devices for free. Here are some simple ways to connect to the FTP server. Pick the one that suits you best. For security reasons, Labdoo does not allow unsecured FTP protocol, only the secured SFTP protocol (no ftp, only sftp).
Keep in mind again, that if this all takes too long or is too much work for you, especially for a one-time installation, then give your IT donation into the hands of Labdoo Hubs and helpers!
Note: Labdoo is not responsible for third-party software.
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1. Accessing the server through your browser
Open the URL http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/ in a browser and navigate via the links (Make sure the URL begins with “http://” and not “ftp://). Here you can download all files for free.
To download a file, click on a link with the right button of your mouse, then click "Save target as" (name can be different depending on your browser and opperating system).
This method's advantage is that you can access without a password, but on the other hand files can only be downloaded individually.
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2. Access data to connect to the FTP server
It is more convenient to connect your PC or server directly to the FTP server. Depending on your operating system there are several tools below. We created a user on the FTP server: labdoo with the password labdoo and read permissions (no write permissions), which is available to you for this purpose. If you need write permissions, please contact contact@Labdoo.org (EN) or Labdoo-DACH@Labdoo.org (DE).
Protocol = sftp (sftp is safer than ftp, so only sftp is available)
Server = sftp.labdoo.org
Username = labdoo
Password = labdoo
Path = /
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3. Integrate into the file manager (Windows, Swish)
Windows does not offer its own way to connect the file manager to an FTP server via the sftp protocol. ftp would be possible, but we do not offer this for security reasons. However, you can use additional programs sftp, e.g. the Swish Add-on for the Windows file manager http://www.swish-sftp.org/(link is external) .
After installing Swish, you have to set up the access to the FTP-Server:
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Login to the FTP server: Name - choose a name of your choice; server: sftp.labdoo.org; user: labdoo; path: / |
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Security key: Save and connect - key remains permanently on the PC until changed; Simply connect - key is only saved for this session and will be queried again next time |
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Enter the password labdoo, now you can use the FTP server like a drive on your PC. |
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It is easy to connect your computer to the FTP server with special tools if you need to download massive files. The free FTP client Filezilla can be downloaded here https://filezilla-project.org/.. Also available for Apple (macOS) https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?platform=osx.
The start path can be set in the settings under Advanced --> Default directory on the server. Then you don't always have to click through the whole file system.
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Enter the access data: Server - sftp://sftp.labdoo.org ; Username labdoo ; Password - labdoo ; Port - 22 |
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5. Linux
If you are using GNU/Linux, you can easily integrate the FTP server using the sftp protocol (secure FTP). Simply enter the path for the FTP folder → s_COPY13@ftp.labdoo.org:/ in your favorite file manager.
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More information about using rsync for Linux users can be found here https://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/rsync/.
If you want to mirror the whole FTP server, you can do so with the following command rsync -avHe ssh labdoo@ftp.labdoo.org:/
(Attention: Several 100 GB!)
If you want to mirror the subfolder /install-disk (installation disk), you can do this with the following command rsync -avHe ssh labdoo@ftp.labdoo.org:/install-disk
(Attention: almost 1 TB!)
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7.Connecting Apple (macOS and iOS) using Filezilla or iTransfer to an FTP server
For Apple and (macOS ans iOS) you can install and use the free tools Filezilla or iTransfer.
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8. recommended folders or links
If you want you can mirror the whole FTP drive :) Maybe you should choose the content you really need? Here are some useful paths that might be of interest to you:
All data necessary for an installation: http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/install-disk/
English documents: http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/documents/english/
Graphics + logos: http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/documents/material/
If you have any questions send an e-mail to Labdoo Global Support team wall and a Labdooer will get back to you.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
This section describes how to use the file manager SpaceFM (Labtix 1) or zzzFM (Labtix 2) to clone images with just 2 clicks.
Labtix 2
Labtix 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkmrV3tvt-U
For Labtix 2: Sometimes the screen is very dark after booting and the screen cannot be brightened or darkened using the function keys. Then move the mouse to the upper left corner, if necessary "flying blind", click there and then tap on the arrow key to the right. Each time you press the arrow key, the monitor should get a little brighter.
Labtix comes with a number of useful tools preinstalled:
(partly smaller deviations between the Labtix versions possible)
Application | Description |
---|---|
Arandr | A tool for configuring the screen layout. Very useful when your device has the internal monitor removed and an external display is connected. |
Audacious | CD/DVD drive functionality test |
Avahi network scanner | scans the network (please connect first) and shows e.g. the path to a server or similar. |
Backlight Brightness | Sometimes the screen is too dark and cannot be made brighter with the keyboard (function keys). Then you can change the brightness with Backlight Brightness. Works most of the time, but not always. |
battery-plugin | in the panel gives you information about the status of the battery when you mouse over it. The plug-in can be activated with a right mouse click and "Battery Monitor Settings", if not already done. |
Conky | A tool for displaying system information on the desktop. The output window is in the upper right corner. The configuration file is in Labtix 1: /etc/conky/conky.conf , in Labtix 2: ~/conky.rc . In Labtix 2 with even more information, such as battery status, etc. |
Firefox esr | is the "enterprise version" of Firefox, which is not updated as often. For example, Firefox can be used during installation to research the web. It can also display pdf files. By default it doesn't collect cookies and doesn't store data to avoid bloating Labtix with unnecessary data in persistence mode. |
Gparted | a great tool for disk partitioning, file system repair and partition copying. |
Gsmartcontrol / DiskCheck |
a tool to read the S.M.A.R.T data from a hard drive to see if the hard drive is healthy. If yours is "red" in the registers, you should use a different hard drive. Tip: If a Seagate disk shows thousands of reallocation reallocation events in the Attributes tab, the drive is not damaged. These hard drives have different firmware specifically for Lenovo computers that uses the memory bit for reallocation events for other purposes. |
hard info | gives you extensive information about the hardware and software of the computer. |
ISO Snapshot | a tool to create an ISO snapshot of the system. All changes to the system are saved in the snapshot. While running ISO snapshot, mark the directories NOT to be added to the snapshot, except for the "Desktop" directory which contains the .desktop files. You should move existing snapshots to a directory that you do not want to include in the snapshot. The snapshot is saved in /home/snapshot. If the snapshot is created on a non-persistent system (e.g. boots from CD-ROM), it should be saved on another device. If there is not enough disk space to save the snapshot, the save path can be e.g. to another USB stick. The snapshot can be installed to a USB stick using UNetbootin or burned to a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM using the IG Burn Tool plugin in SpaceFM. |
Keyboard layout handler | With the Keyboard Layout Handler on the right side of the panel you can change the keyboard layout with a left mouse click. To make a permanent change, right click and use the "Keyboard Layout Handler Settings". The top keyboard layout in the list is preassigned at startup. With a left mouse click you can go through the pre-installed keyboard layouts (German, US English, French, Spanish). |
Live USB Maker (Labtix 2) | to copy Labtix to other USB sticks. |
Magnify | Magnifier on/off |
Onboard | show/hide monitor keyboard. |
SimpleScreenRecorder (Labtix 2 only) |
Tool to record videos of the session, e.g. for training purposes. |
Psensor | A tool to control the temperatures of CPU, GPU and others. |
SpaceFM (Labtix 1) / zzzFM (Labtix 2) |
is a file manager for the usual file actions and for integrating external devices. It has plugins to e.g. mount shares and burn CDs or DVDs. SpaceFM/zzzFM is highly configurable and can be modified with additional plugins. The trash can is disabled to prevent accumulation of too much data in persistence mode. If required, the trash can can be added as a plugin. It should not be removed as it is part of the desktop environment! |
Speaker Test | Speaker test right / left. |
UNetbootin (Labtix 1) | a tool to create bootable USB sticks. Start Unetbootin, enable "Diskimage", select the ISO snapshot (should be in /home/snapshot) and select the target USB drive. The USB stick should be formatted with fat32 and it should be mounted (use SpaceFM for this). After installation on a thumbdrive, Gparted should be used to check if the boot flag is set correctly! |
wipefs | Fast deletion of the file system (but does not replace overwriting with random numbers). |
Xfburn | to burn Labtix from CDs/DVDs. |
For more information, please use the man pages of the help function in the terminal (e.g. "man gparted" or
type "psensor --help" there and press (enter)) or use the Internet.
Desktop Settings:
The Labtix desktop environment is based on openbox with the additional lxpanel. If you right-click on the desktop, you can select "Desktop Settings" to make changes to the desktop. To install new program launchers on the desktop, copy them from /usr/share/applications to the desktop. To move icons on the desktop, use "Shift + Drag". Please note that in some cases SpaceFM moves the items out of the folder. If so, please copy it back.
Helpful comnands (shell, terminal)
To open a terminal click on the terminal icon in the menu bar or press the keys Ctrl and Alt and t.
If access to a command is denied ("permission denied") or root rigts are needed, add "sudo" in front of the command to be used, e.g. "sudo zzzfm"
For more information use the --help option e.g. "apt --help"
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acpi (-V) >> information about the powersystem like battery-state, battery-condition etc.
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(sudo) apt >> package manager
Usage:
sudo apt update >> create the needed package database
sudo apt install mousepad >> installs the program "mousepad"
Only usefull in the persistence mode. The device must be connected to the internet.
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eject -T >> ejects CDs or DVDs
======================================================================
grep >> filters the output of commands
acpi -V | grep -i battery >> shows only the lines of acpi -V wich contain the term "battery"
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(sudo) inxi >> system information
sudo inxi -v 5 >> informations with verbosity level 5 (1-8 possible)
inxi -B >> battery information
sudo inxi -M >> informations about the system
inxi -m >> informations about the memory
Sudo is only needed if informations inxi gathers need root permissions
======================================================================
iwconfig >> shows informations about wireless connections
======================================================================
lsblk >> lists blockdevices like harddisks
======================================================================
======================================================================
lspci >> lists all recognized pci-devices
lspci | grep -i Network ( or Wireless or WLAN ) >> shows Wifi-devices
======================================================================
lsusb >> lists all recognized USB-devices
======================================================================
rfkill >> tool for radio devices
rfkill list all >> lists the states of all radio devices
rfkill unblock all >> unblocks all softblocked devices
To unblock a hardblocked device:
- look for a hardware switch
- look for a keyboard function/binding
- look if the device is blocked in the UEFI/BIOS
======================================================================
(sudo) shred >> tool to securely delete devices or partitions
Usage:
sudo shred /dev/sdX -v -f -n 2 >> overwrites sdX 2 times
Shred will overwrite each single byte of the target device, so it might take a long time.
BE CAREFUL !!! BE SURE TO USE THE PATH TO THE DEVICE/PARTITION YOU REALLY WANT TO CLEAN !!!
======================================================================
sudo >> command to get root permissions
In labtix no sudo-password is installed, so typing in a password is not needed
======================================================================
wipefs >> tool to delete filesystems
Usage:
sudo wipefs -a -f /dev/sdX >> wipes the filesystem of sdX
BE CAREFUL !!! BE SURE TO USE THE PATH TO THE DEVICE / PARTITION YOU REALLY WANT TO CLEAN !!!
This is not a secure method of deleting any devices, it's the quick and dirty solution if you want to get rid of an installed system. For safe deletions use the command "shred"
======================================================================
xkill >> tool to kill windows that are not responsible
Usage:
Open a terminal, type "xkill" and press "Enter". The mousepointer will be shown as a skull. Leftclick with the skull inside the window you want to close. Xkill will only close windows. In some cases processes started by the killed window might still run in the background.
Do not click on the Desktop, it is a window too !!!
======================================================================
xrandr >> tool to manipulate the graphical-(x-)server
xrandr --output eDP-1 --scale 0.5x0.5 >> reduces the height and width resolution of output eDP-1 by the factor 0.5 . Very useful if the screen has a very high resolution.
To get the name of the actual output:
xrandr | grep primary
======================================================================
[This page explains a solution in case a donated computer can only boot with UEFI or the BIOS is locked (password unknown) and UEFI is set as the boot option. If your computer can boot in legacy mode, you can skip this page].
Back in 2013/2014, there was a technical and legal discussion about SecureBoot and UEFI. The manufacturers argued that only UEFI boot on their computer provides security and therefore must only be used. However, the EU and NGOs went to court and the judges decided that the computer manufacturers had to re-open the BIOS settings so that users could choose whether to use the UEFI boot, the legacy boot (the "old" boot) or both as boot options. Computers that were produced before the "UEFI only" decision and after the old flexibility decision have no problem installing with Labtix and prepared Labdoo images.
However, if the computer was manufactured in the "UEFI only" period in 2013/2014, this may cause problems when installing a Lubuntu-based installation. Our Labdoo images are set up for legacy boot, not for UEFI boot (although Lubuntu could). We have described a solution for these specific UEFI-only machines here.
Another use case is a locked BIOS. A computer has been donated, but a BIOS password has not been removed and is unknown. If the boot option in the BIOS is set to "UEFI / Secure Boot Only" and cannot be switched to "Legacy Boot" because of the password lock, you can run the installation process described below and then use the computer for Labdoo.
If our solution is too difficult for you, please contact Labdoo helpers or hubs in your country / region and ask them for support.
You can use the installation tool Labtix (recommended, supports UEFI-Boot) or Parted Magic. PXE is not possible because you have to select certain options during the installation process and PXE does not allow access to these settings.
The installation sequence is rough:
So here are the steps in details:
This description is very technical, but it works. If you know a simpler solution, please feel free to contact us.
A special thank you goes to helpers from hub Rhein-Ruhr (Germany) for noticing and solving this specific problem.
Introduction
This wiki will lead you through the process of sanitizing Labdoo laptops using ready-to-use images from the network. It allows you to sanitize laptops using a fast and efficient cloning process and is also very helpful if you are dealing with a large number of laptops. However, this process is quite more complex at the same time and that is why we consider it an advanced method. If you are new to Labdoo and do not have much experience with computers, we recommend you to use the Simple Sanitation Method, but if you are up for learning a great way to install a powerful software in a computer, this is your guide.
Images are a complete software copy of an installed Labdoo computer containing everything, from the operating system, software, educational content to al optimized settings. The cloning process takes care of everything for you in one shot, except for adopting the final configuration to the country of the destination edoovillage (language and keyboard) and setting the hostname.
In the next section you will find a step by step description of the Sanitation process based on images.
How to use a Labdoo PXE server to sanitize laptops
[Note: This section assumes you have a Labdoo PXE server with you (because you either created one by following the instruction in the section below "Steps to create a new Labdoo PXE server" or because another hub gave you the Labdoo PXE server so that you can use it to sanitize your laptop)]
If you already have a Labdoo PXE server, please read the "PXE Process in detail" document that you can download from this link. This guide explains step by step how to use the PXE server to sanitize laptops. You can also download from this link the "Labdoo Process Slip", a handy slip which will allow you to track each laptop technical description as explained in the "PXE Process in detail" document.
Steps to create a new Labdoo PXE server
# Installbox
########################################
The Installbox set-up allows you to automatically install Linux clients on a large scale.
### Pre-Requirements
- A laptop with wireless LAN and gigabit ethernet port
- A gigabit switch
- Network cables to connect the clients
- Wireless internet access where you are NOT using the IPv4 network address 192.168.20.0/24
# Installbox Setup
########################################
- Download the customized ISO image: GET-LATEST-VERSION-FROM-WEB.iso
- Either burn the image to a CD or write it to a USB key using dd if=debian-jessie-installbox.iso of=/dev/sdb
(replace sdb with the device node of your USB stick, if necessary).
- Boot the laptop using the CD or the USB stick.
- Please do not connect the ethernet cable yet.
- Select the option "Install" during boot.
- You will be asked to select the keyboard layout, select the one that fits best for you.
- During network set-up please select the wireless interface. There should be two interfaces on the list:
eth0 (which is ethernet, don't select this one!) and wlan0.
Note: If you do not see those two interfaces here, please abort the installation process. It means that your device is not supported.
- When you have selected wlan0, the installer will search for wireless networks available. Select your network.
Most modern wireless networks use WPA/PSK for authentication, so if you are not sure, you can select this option.
- Type in your Wireless password in the next step. Please note that it is displayed in a clear text.
- Relax, the rest of the installation should work fully automated.
- After a while the device reboots, so you can now connect an ethernet cable from the laptop's installation box to the gigabit switch.
- You should now be able to connect any client to the switch and select ethernet boot.
On Lenovo, you can press F12 and choose the network interface as a boot device.
- On the install box, an NFS export has been created on /exports.
This will be available to all clients on the LAN and should contain the Clonezilla images.
# PXE Boot Options
########################################
When you boot a client, the boot menu will show the following options:
- Clonezilla Autorestore x86
This should be started on a client where you want to apply the default image. No interaction needed, all existing data will be deleted.
It will restore an image called Linux-x86 which must be available in /exports on the install box.
- Clonezilla Autorestore x86_64
Same as Autorestore x86 but for the 64bit variant. It will automatically restore an image called Linux-x86_64
- Preseed x86
Prepare a 32bit master installation
- Preseed x86_64
Prepare a 64bit master installation
- Clonezilla Autosave x86
Create an image of a master installation. It will automatically be written to the NFS share /exports under the name Linux-x86.
Note: This will overwrite an existing image of the same name in the install box.
- Clonezilla Autosave x86_64
Same as Autosave x68 but for the 64bit variant. It will automatically write a disk image to the install box at /exports/Linux-x86_64.
Note: This will overwrite an existing image of the same name on the install box.
- Clonezilla Live
Just the default live image with all options and the NFS share already mounted.
- SystemRescueCD
A universal system recovery toolbox. It also contains GParted for manual partitioning.
To start GParted, simply type startx and then click on the GParted icon in the taskbar.
- Boot and Nuke
starts dban and will automatically wipe all data on disk.
Note: you can press the tab key on all options in order to change settings manually.
To permanently adjust the file, edit /var/lib/tftpboot/prd/pxelinux.cfg/default on the installbox.
# Workflow
########################################
After you have set up the install box a typical workflow would be the following:
1. Create a master image
- Choose another laptop on which you want to create the master image.
- Connect the laptop to a port on the gigabit switch.
- Follow the steps described in the 'Prepare Master Image' section.
Alternatively, you can download a prepared master image. See the 'Image Creation Cutoff' section below for further details.
2. Provision laptops with the newly created master image
- after the master image has been stored on the install box, choose the relevant Clonezilla Autorestore option from the PXE menu
Once you have created a master image, there is no need to re-create it other than changes that need to be done to it.
Next time, you can just start provisioning clients using the Autorestore option.
Hint: if you are not sure, just create a master image for the x86 architecture. This should work on nearly every machine.
# Image Creation Cutoff
########################################
If you do not want to prepare an image on your own, you can download the prebuild image for the x86 architecture.
To do so, execute the following commands in the install box:
sudo wget -c GET-LATEST-VERSION-AS.tar.gz -O /exports/linux-x86.tar.gz
sudo tar xvzf /exports/linux-x86.tar.gz -C /exports/
Note: the image to download might take a long time, it depends on your internet connection.
If the download is interrupted for some reason, you can resume it by executing exactly the wget command from above again.
This image is set up for the Swiss-German keyboard layout. If you want to customize it:
- Deploy a machine using the 'Clonezilla Autorestore x86' function.
- Boot it and make your customization.
- Boot the SystemRescueCD and start GParted.
- Shrink the root partition to ~ 30000MB.
- Remove any existing version of the image by running sudo rm -rf /exports/Linux-x86 on the install box.
- Reboot the client that contains your modifications and select the Clonezilla Autosave option for x86.
This will save your modified version to the install box.
# Prepare Master Image
########################################
In order to develop a master image from scratch, please make sure that the install box in your laptop has a working wireless LAN internet connection.
### Preseed
On a client that connects to the gigabit switch, start the pxe boot and select either Preseed for x86 or x86_64.
This will set up an install base of ubuntu with a user "Labdoo" and a password "Labdoo".
After preseeding, boot into the newly installed system and apply the customization from:
http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/install-disk/installskripts/
If you want to modify the preseed file, e.g. to set up a different user account, just edit /var/lib/tftpboot/trusty/preseed.cfg
Hint: To change the keyboard layout (which defaults to us), simply run dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration after installation.
### Creating the Image
When the client has been set up according to your needs, reboot and select the relevant Clonezilla Autosave option that fits best the architecture of your master set-up.
This will automatically save an image to the install box that will be applied later to other clients using the Clonezilla Autorestore function for that architecture.
Note: This automated process has been optimized for image installations on systems with at least 40GB HDD/SSD of space.
If you need to install it on machines with smaller disks, please shrink the root partition before creating the image.
# Image Requirements
########################################
If you do not want to use the images that eventually work with the install box setup, please make sure that your images
fulfill the following requirements:
- images should be deployed automatically using this setup and must have the following partition layout:
/dev/sda1 - swap (suggested size 2GB)
/dev/sda2 - root / ext4
- after the master preparation, please shrink the root partition to its minimal size possible.
This ensures that the image will be deployable on small drives as well.
# Resetting the Installbox
########################################
You can reset the changes made to the install box default settings at any time by running /usr/local/sbin/applypuppet as root.
# Making of the Installbox ISO
########################################
This step is not necessary, it is just for informational purposes. It describes how the ISO for the install box was created.
apt-get install -y bsdtar genisoimage syslinux-utils
cd ~
rm -rf cd
mkdir cd
wget GET-LATEST-VERSION-FROM-WEB.iso
bsdtar -C cd -xf firmware-8.2.0-i386-netinst.iso
vi cd/isolinux/txt.cfg
- append vga=788 initrd=/install.386/initrd.gz --- quiet
+ append vga=788 initrd=/install.386/initrd.gz url=GET-LATEST-VERSION-FROM-WEB.cfg locale=en_US.UTF-8 ipv6.disable=1 debconf_debug=5 netcfg/get_domain=domain.example netcfg/dhcp_timeout=60 netcfg/get_hostname=installbox --- quiet
quit vi with ESC :wq!
vi cd/isolinux/gtk.cfg
- append vga=788 initrd=/install.386/gtk/initrd.gz --- quiet
+ append vga=788 initrd=/install.386/gtk/initrd.gz url=GET-LATEST-VERSION-FROM-WEB.cfg locale=en_US.UTF-8 ipv6.disable=1 debconf_debug=5 netcfg/get_domain=domain.example netcfg/dhcp_timeout=60 netcfg/get_hostname=installbox --- quiet
quit vi with ESC :wq!
cd cd; md5sum `find ! -name "md5sum.txt" ! -path "./isolinux/*" -follow -type f` > md5sum.txt; cd ..
genisoimage -o debian-jessie-installbox.iso -r -J -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table -b isolinux/isolinux.bin -c isolinux/boot.cat ./cd
isohybrid debian-jessie-installbox.iso
# Additional Notes
########################################
- There is a script available on the installbox called /usr/local/sbin/pxesync.
It can sync the files needed for PXE boot for the Ubuntu and Debian distributions.
# Changelog
########################################
20150930 v0.2
- added prebuild image
20150928 v0.1
- initial setup
Introduction
This brief document describes the process of sanitizing a laptop according to the Simple Method.
[TIPS. If you'd like to get tips on how to collect unused laptops from your local community, please click here. After the laptop gets sanitized, you can click here to learn different ways to package the laptops to get them ready for schools that needs them. If you get stuck in any of these steps during the sanitizing process, you can post your questions in the wall of the Labdoo QA Team so that others can help you.]
Sanitation Steps
The current standard process of sanitizing a laptop is as follows:
sudo apt-get install coreutils
sudo shred /dev/sda -f -v --iterations=2
[press enter]. (If this second command does not work, you can try with 'hda' instead of 'sda', like this: sudo shred /dev/hda -f -v --iterations=2
.) This second command launches a process that will run for about 1 hour or so and overwrites the disk with random values. After you finish with this process, press at the same time the keys 'Alt + CTRL + F7' to continue the installation process and go to the next step. (Please see the video in this page for a complementary illdustration of this step.)sudo apt-get update [and press ENTER]
sudo apt-get install edubuntu-desktop libreoffice [and press ENTER]
sudo apt-get upgrade [and press ENTER]
The last two commands could take from a few minutes up to an hour to complete.
What to expect next
Congratulations! You have now successfully completed your laptop drive campaign and sanitized your laptops, so they are now ready to be packed and travel. Please go to the Packaging the laptop for travelling section to learn how to get the laptops ready for door trips.
Step-by-step instructions on how to install macOS and Ubuntu on a Mac computer.
There are four parts:
Requirements
Downloading Files
Download the following files from labdoo@ftp.labdoo.org:/macOS-ubuntu
:
It is strongly recommended that you install and use a download manager software (e.g. FileZilla) to download the files since the iso file is huge, and the download manager can resume the download just in case you lost the connection. Save the files to a USB drive or external HD. Below is a screenshot using FileZilla:
Create Bootable USB
Do the following on a working Mac. Otherwise, complete “The Mac Side” section and come back here.
The USB drive now can be used to boot any Mac.
If MacOS is missing
You will need to have Wifi and internet access to reinstall macOS.
If MacOS is present
If you know the password of the admin user, congratulations!. Otherwise, follow these steps to reset the password:
“Labdooing” the Mac
Create Labdoo Accounts
You will use the existing admin account to create two new accounts: “student” and “labdoo” and then remove all non-labdoo accounts.
Delete Non-labdoo Accounts
Change the Computer Name:
We will change the computer name to the labdoo Tag ID:
Create a Partition for Ubuntu
We are now ready to install Ubuntu on the new partition. But there is one task left: to install a boot manager.
Install rEFInd Boot Manager
Disable SIP (System Integrity Protection)
SIP protects critical areas on the disk from being altered, and rEFInd needs to write to one of those areas. Thus, we need to disable SIP before installing rEFInd
If it says “enabled” like in the capture above, follow the steps below to disable it
Installing rEFInd
We are now ready to install Ubuntu.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The installation of Ubuntu overwrites the EFI boot area that we created earlier in the “Installing rEFInd” section. But without the EFI boot area, the Ubuntu installation would fail for some reason that I haven’t figured out. Thus, we’ll have to install rEFInd again.
Enable SIP
If a laptop battery is not in good shape, our policy is to remove the battery and recycle it before sending the laptop to a school.
There are several reasons for that:
You can find more extensive information on why it is necessary and how to dispose safely old batteries in this article from thunderboltlaptop.com
Please include only the battery in the laptop if it is still in good shape!
The donated used laptops often come dirty in appearance. After making sure the laptop is not broken, the next step to take is to clean the laptop case. Here's how to properly clean a laptop.
What you need: some soft clothes, a small bottle of 91% isopropyl alcohol, a box of cotton swabs.
LCD Screen
LCD screens are pretty delicate, and you don't want to press hard on them, because that can burn out the pixels. Instead, grab a dry soft cloth and gently wipe the screen. If you need to, add a little bit of alcohol. In most cases, that should be all you need. Do not use anything paper-based, like paper towel, Kleenex, or toilet paper, since it can scratch up your screen.
Keyboard
Clean dirty keys with a swab of rubbing alcohol to remove oil, grime, and germs. Don't forget to turn the laptop's power off before you start cleaning.
A warning note
Isopropyl alcohol vapor is more dense than air and is highly flammable with a very wide combustible range. It should be kept away from heat and open flame.
Hopefully all your laptops were donated with their AC adapters. If that's the case, you can skip this section. Otherwise, this section will help you find a matching AC adapter for your laptop(s).
All laptops use Direct Current (DC) power to operate. DC is electrical energy that flows consistently in one direction. Our wall outlets use Alternating Current (AC), which varies constantly, but results in a positive flow of current. Laptops can't work on this kind of power, so an AC adapter is required to convert the wall outlet's current to DC power. Many laptops use different styles of connectors so sometimes it can be hard to find the best adapter to fit.
There are several ways to find the correct power adapter for the laptop
1. Get the laptop's model number and check online.
2. Get the power requirements for the laptop. Look for the amperage and the voltage required. You also need to compare the connector head type of power adapter with the outlet hole on the laptop. They need to match to ensure that the adapter can plug into the laptop.
Voltage (V)
Voltage is the amount of potential energy between two points on a circuit which creates power to charge the laptop. If the voltage of the laptop is different from that provided by the adapter, it won't be able to create the correct charge needed to pull the electrical energy into the laptop. Finding the right voltage is also very important to keep the power from shorting out the laptop. A voltage that's too high will overload the laptop's circuits.
Amperage (A)
An ampere is a unit of measure of the rate of electron flow or current in an electrical conductor. The amperage on laptop power adapters needs to match or exceed the amperage required by the laptop.
Packaging the laptops ready for traveling
Once a laptop has been sanitized, we need to package it so it can travel to a destination school. The main goals of the packaging are two-fold: (1) the packaging should protect the laptop from any possible rough traveling conditions; (2) the packaging should make visible the Labdoo identifier of the laptop, for both its AC adapter and the laptop itself. A recommended approach is to use transparent, bubble plastic wrap and to tape the Labdoo identifier in big letters outside, for both the laptop and its AC adapter, as shown in the following pictures:
You are welcome to use other packaging approaches based on what's available to you, as long as the laptop is well protected and its Labdoo identifier is made visible externally.
Different countries have different power plugs and voltages. One good news is that practically all (if not all) portable computers (laptops, tablets, etc.) accept all voltage inputs. So the only adapter that we need to consider when contributing a dootronic is the power plug needed in the destination school. Unlike voltage adapters, power plugs are just mechanical, and so they are very inexpensive (between $1 and $3 typically). Because it is difficult to tell where each dootronic will be destined, the general rule is that the responsibility to acquire the power plugs falls under the recipient school and the NGO or organization which is supporting it.
In the following list you will encounter the specifications of the power plugs and voltages for each country.
in English https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_country
in German https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A4nder%C3%BCbersicht_Steckertypen,_Ne...
in Spanish https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anexo:Enchufes,_voltajes_y_frecuencias_por...
The following section describes relevant learning experiences gained by Labdooers around the world who (like you) are helping to sanitize laptops and make them ready for needy schools. It will teach you tips and tricks that will be very handy when sanitizing your laptops. If you are not able to find a solution to your problem in this section, please ask your questions to the Labdoo QA team and another Labdooer there will provide an answer for you.
We want to ensure all data stored in every donated computer is properly erased before installing the new operating system. Therefore learning how to properly erase the hard drive is the first step in the laptop sanitation process.
You have 2 options to completely wipe out all previously stored information in the computer (user information as well as all the previously installed softwares and operating system)
Method1: Using Lubuntu disk
apt-get install coreutils
(you need to have your laptop connected to the Internet for the above command to succeed)
sudo shred /dev/sda -f -v --iterations=2
If this command does not work, you can try with 'hda' instead of 'sda', like this: sudo shred /dev/hda -f -v --iterations=2
.
Method 2: Using Parted Magic or Labtix.iso
Or you can boot your laptop with the Labtix disk (see Preparation for the Fast Installation Methods to learn how to create a Labtix disk)
Once booted, click on the bottom ROXT Terminal (xterm icon on the lower right) This will take you to a terminal console.
sudo shred /dev/sda -f -v --iterations=2
If this command does not work, you can try with 'hda' instead of 'sda', like this: sudo shred /dev/hda -f -v --iterations=2
.
If you sanitized your laptop via the advanced method, then due to the cloning process, the name of the laptop's bluethooth device will be identical to all clones. To assign a unique name to your device, run the following command on a terminal:
sudo hciconfig hci0 name ’labdoo-XYZ-0'
Where XYZ is the Labdoo ID of the laptop.
If the installed hard disk becomes too small and the computer allows the installation of a 2nd disk, you can configure such 2nd disk to mount automatically during booting time. To do so you have to:
sudo pcmanfm &
(enter).
sudo blkid
, search for your 2nd drive in the list and write down its UUID.
sudo nano /etc/fstab
[Enter]
UUID=[add here the UUID of the 2nd disk you wrote down above]
/mnt/[add here the name of the 2nd disk folder you created above] auto defaults 0 0
sudo pcmanfm &
, go to your 2nd disk folder and right click on it with your mouse. Under properties, select "Access rights for others", check the "Allow create or delete new files / folders", and then "Apply to all folders".
Re-boot your computer. The new disk should be automatically mounted.
If you have a printer directly connected to your Labdoo computer (via USB or a Centronics cable), you can share access to the printer from other computers via a local network. To do so you need to use CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) as follows.
Configuring the Labdoo computer attached to the printer:
Showing the printer on other Labdoo computers connected via the network:
After this you should see the printer in the menu “Printer". Maybe you have to wait a little bit before the printer is shown or re-load the page http://localhost:631/admin/.
How to change the booting order of a laptop from the bios
BIOS (Basic Input Output Subsystem) is a programmable chip that controls how information is passed to various devices in the computer system. A typical method to access the BIOS settings screen is to press ESC, F1, F2, F8 or F10 right after you start your computer.
BIOS settings allow you to run a boot sequence from a hard drive, a CD-ROM drive, the network, or an external device. You may configure the order that your computer searches these physical devices for the boot sequence.
The first device in the order list has the first boot priority. To install the Labdoo software you will need to ensure the CD-ROM, the USB or the network (depending on which method you use to install the software) are given the highest booting priority.
Note: in the case of a USB installation, before you set boot priority for the USB device, plug the device into a USB port to ensure the BIOS will be able to detect it.
To specify the boot sequence:
Figure. Illustration of the BIOS boot menu where you can change the booting order. |
![]() |
Troubleshooting potential issues with the bios.
In some rare cases the BIOS could be reset during the process of deleting the hard drive information from the system, or some times older laptops do not support internal and/or external USB keyboards during the booting process. It might happen that you are not able to use the arrow keys (up, down, right, left) to configure the BIOS. In such cases the USB control (and sometimes the internal keyboard) was deactivated. A possible solution is to connect an external PS/2 or USB keyboard, and continue to install or adjust the BIOS.
Dynamic Kernel Module Support (DKMS) is a program/framework that enables generating Linux kernel modules whose sources generally reside outside the kernel source tree. The concept is to have DKMS modules automatically rebuilt when a new kernel is installed.
An essential feature of DKMS is that it automatically recompiles all DKMS modules if a new kernel version is installed. This allows drivers and devices outside of the mainline kernel to continue working after a Linux kernel upgrade.
To install DKMS, do as follows:
- Open a terminal by pressing at the same time the keys ALT + CTRL T
- Type in the following command:sudo apt-get install build-essential dkms
[Enter] + [Password] + [Enter]
Note: DKMS is already installed if you cloned a laptop using the advanced method or if you used the installscript-software.sh.
In combination with an Intel graphic card Firefox shows sometimes in the URL line a black bar. There is nor solution for that, just a workaround:
about:config
gfx.xrender.enabled
If there is nor entry gfx.xrender.enabled (double check that you did not mistype!):
Restart Firefox
To check whether a disk has potentially any errors, you can use the Lubuntu tool GSMART. Since it is not installed by default, it must be installed via the Ubuntu Software Center. Select GSMART and install it. After installation, start it and initiate a check. This software includes a quick check (about 10-20 minutes) or a detailed check (about 30 - 60 minutes).
In case you want to check multiple disks, you can use a hard disk adapter. The adapter should support IDE and/or SATA via a USB connection to your laptop.
Please notice that the usage of restricted codecs might depend on local laws. It might be illegal in some countries to install and use certain codecs (commercial/proprietary third-party packages) and multimedia extensions. Check your local regulations first prior to proceeding with the installation of the following software.
As in all software for Ubuntu, there are two ways to do the installation: via the Ubuntu Sofware Center or via the command line.
The installation via the Ubuntu Software Center is as follows. Open the Ubuntu Software Center (or the Synaptic Package Manager) and search for "restricted codecs". Select the package found and click on install. During the installation you will need to accept an EULA license agreement. To have full support to watch DVDs you must also install libdvdcss2 and non-free-codecs from the Medibuntu Repository. Please notice that in Europe these repositories are not allowed to be used. Further information can be read here: http://www.videolan.org/developers/libdvdcss.html
The same installation can be done via the command line through the following steps. Open a terminal by pressing at the same time the keys ALT+CTRL+T. Then type the following commands:
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras -y
(Enter)sudo apt-get install non-free-codecs -y
(Enter)sudo apt-get install curl -y
(Enter)curl ftp://ftp.videolan.org/pub/debian/videolan-apt.asc |
(Enter)sudo apt-key add -echo "deb ftp://ftp.videolan.org/pub/debian/stable ./" |
(Enter)sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/libdvdcss.list
(Enter)sudo apt-get update
(Enter)
If you have a computer with an Intel graphical interface, there is a cool free tool by Intel Graphics for Linux that you can install, check it out: https://01.org/linuxgraphics/
To install it do as follows:
If the computer crashes often during the boot process, there is a possibility that it is because of a defective memory (RAM) module. (There could be other reasons too naturally).
To check if the RAM module is working properly (memory modules) do as follows:
Hint: To know exactly which memory module is defective, you can remove all memory modules and check each of them individually by running the above test.
In some systems, the wired (cable) LAN interface may not be recognized. The symptom is that the interface shows up when you click on the network manager icon but it shows as deactivated. To get it to work, try the following:
sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf
managed=false
→ managed=true
sudo service network-manager restart
To create a symbolic link:
Using the file manager. Open file manager PCMan, click on the folder or file, press CTRL+SHIFT and click on the folder/file at the same time, then drag and move it to the desktop or the location where you want to create the symbolic link.
Using a terminal. Open a terminal by pressing ALT+CTRL+T and type:
ln -s -t [path to location where you want to create the link] [folder or file that you want to link]
(Enter)
For example: ln -s -t /home/labdoo/Desktop /home/labdoo/Public/videos
More information at: http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/PCMan_File_Manager
MD5 is a common way to calculate checksums to test if a file was downloaded correctly. You can read more about MD5 here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MD5.
In the folders of your unzipped Labdoo images for cloning you will find a file MD5SUM. Use these files to check if the downloaded images are healthy and not corrupted by the download process as follows.
Check that the downloaded images are correct:
cd ...(path)
[enter] md5sum -c MD5SUM
[enter] Create MD5 checksums:
Open a terminal in the folder with the files and execute in a terminalmd5sum * > MD5SUM
(Enter)
Grub 2 (GNU GRand Unified Bootloader 2. Generation) is the tool that rules the Boot order in the Linux Machines
We try to give here some tips on the different problems you may have with it. You can find an overview under https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2 and its configuration possibilities under https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2/Setup#Configuring_GRUB_2
We will describe here some of the possible problems you might experience when you boot (L)Ubuntu 16.04 LTS for the first time. Some laptops do not boot up properly, but instead "hang", or they can have a wrong, too low, graphic resolution, or they may go straight off at startup, or hang with a black screen. These problems can often be resolved by setting in the Grub configuration file.
If a laptop gives you too much trouble, contact a Labdoo Hub and its helpers.
Start computer using the "Recovery Mode" as follows:
Changes in the grub2 configuration file
sudo nano /etc/default/grub
(Enter). This will open the GRUB configuration file. If you are not familiar with the nano editor can use leafpad instead sudo leafpad /etc/default/grub
(Enter)sudo update-grub
(Enter). This will finally store the changes made within the GRUB configuration.TYPICAL PROBLEMS YOU MAY FIND AND THEIR SOLUTIONS
Computer does not boot or graphical resolution is wrong
If the graphical resolution is wrong (usually too low), try:
Search the line # GRUB_GFXMODE=640x480
and remove "#" at the beginning of the line (this "#" symbol disables the configuration described in that line, by removing the '#' you are now configuring a determined resolution). Change the pre-set resolution of "640x480" in the setting you need for the graphic resolution. Important: you may only use a resolution supported by your video card! You can get the possible resolution(s) as follows using the (L)Ubuntu desktop or Parted Magic:
sudo update-grub
(Enter). This will finally store the changes made within the GRUB configuration.Having made these changes you have a good chance to start your laptops using (L)Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, showing a good resolution on screen.
Computer goes to sleep when booting
The option acpi=off
can help if the computer switches to sleep mode during the boot process.
More information can be found under https://askubuntu.com/questions/133467/ubuntu-12-04-boot-hangs-with-a-bl... (link is external)
Computer hangs at startup
Try he option pci=nomsi
, more information under https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootOptions
Computer takes a long time to boot up and even after the login to the display of the desktop
Try to configure video=insert SVIDEO-1:d
; If this works, in the grub confguration file, the line should look likeGRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash video=SVIDEO-1:d"
, more information under https://askubuntu.com/questions/893817/boot-very-slow-because-of-drm-kms
Jitsi Meet is a open source tool for video conferencing, e.g. https://jitsimeet.eu/. Since Jitsi is currently being requested more often for home schooling, we are describing here how it can be installed on Labdoo computers by yourself. Jitsi is free software, but not listed in the Ubuntu repositories ("app stores"), at least not by the beginning of 2021. Jitsi has been included in the DE_120 image for cloning since the beginning of 2021.
Jitsi can be used in a web browser in combination with a Jitsi plugin or by downloading Jitsi software.
We recommend to install Jitsi as "AppImage". Everything that Jitsi needs is contained in one file. Download, click, if necessary create a launcher on the desktop, done. The latest Jitsi AppImage can be downloaded here https://github.com/jitsi/jitsi-meet-electron/releases/latest/download/ji... (only for 64 bit CPU).
Being logged-in as user labdoo, create a new folder jitsi in the folder /home/labdoo/Public. Here you store the Jitsi AppImage.
Use the prepared Jitsi starter / launcher: If you want, you can now create a Jitsi starter on the desktop, either manually or by going to http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/Public/jitsi and download from here the files Jitsi.desktop and jitsi_icon (to store a files, right-click a file in the browser → save as) and save it in /home/labdoo/Public/jitsi. Then you copy the file Jitsi.desktop to the desktop of the users labdoo and student. At the first start (launch), the operating system will ask you whether this starter is trustworthy. Confirm and all is done.
Manually create Jitsi Starter / Launcher: Right-click on the desktop → Create Launcher → Type: Application, Name: Jitsi, Command: click on Browse ..., navigate to the folder /home/labdoo/Public/jitsi, click on the file .....AppImage, open → Comment: Jitsi → OK. Repeat this for users labdoo and student, done.
In rare cases the executable bit of a downloaded AppImage is missing. If Jitsi does not start, navigate to the jitsi folder, right-click the Jitsi AppImage → Properties → Permissions → check and mark "Executable", if not already activated.
And every now and then you check whether there is a new Jitsi AppImage available on the web :)
Ubuntu20.04 has some problem with Guest Session. You can create a guest account with the following procedures
---
1. Select "Administration->Users and Groups ->Add" , to create a new "guest" user:
Name: guest
Username: guest
2. Select the "guest" user and go to the "Advance Setting"
1. Under "Advanced" tab, deselect "Disable account" box
2. Click on "Change" Password, and select "Don't ask for password on login" box
3. Edit "/etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf " file to disable the guest session created by Ubuntu20.04 and add logout procedure for new guest account
allow-guest=false
session-cleanup-script=/home/labdoo/Public/guest_logout.sh
4. Create a /home/labdoo/Public/guest_logout.sh file as followed
#!/bin/bash
if [ $USER = "guest" ]
then
rm -r /home/guest/*
cd /home/guest
mkdir Desktop Documents Downloads Music Pictures Public Templates Videos
chown guest *
chgrp guest *
rm -rf /home/guest/.mozilla/firefox
fi
You can find more extense and precise information on how to create accounts and manage their permissions from the following Linux Users Tutorial
The Temperature_Workaround lowers the maximum CPU frequency on a MacBook or laptop with an unreachable UEFI/BIOS due to a preset "Turbo" or "Boost" mode gets too hot. With some laptops you can also turn down the CPU in the BIOS, but it is simply ignored. Then this workaround will help.
With the workaround, the governor and the maximum CPU frequency are set to previously determined meaningful values with systemd when booting.
The workaround is currently available as a .zip file that can be downloaded from http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/install-disk/installscripts/temperature_w....
Please read the included README carefully!!!
With the workaround, the governor (the "controller" for the clock frequencies) and the maximum CPU clock frequency are set in such a way that the temperature remains within an acceptable range.
The workaround only makes sense if:
As always, it should be checked in advance whether the ventilation system is not dirty. Spent thermal paste can also cause excessive temperatures. Especially if the clock frequency is not excessive - but that is actually part of the standard procedure when the temperatures are abnormal.
The dependencies are cpupower-gui...1.0 ( included in the .zip ), Psensor, Stress ( both already included in labdoo ) and Yad ( not yet included in the Labdoo installation, but may change from the end of 2022 ).
The Image for Cloning "remembers" the keyboard layout of the computer, on which the image was generated. Usually Images are produced on computers having a German keyboard - sorry for that :( When you start a computer with a different keyboard layout you might have a problem to log-in properly. You are able to change the keyboard layout for each user after logging in. But that will not solve the problem. First you have to log-in and next you have to change a system setting.
Here is the layout of a German keyboard so you should be able to find the letters labdoo (our standard password to log-in). After logging in you should change the keyboard layout first and next change the keyboard system setting.
For LXDE/MATE and Log-in (Light-DM)
Having booted you are able to log-in. The computer will get the keyboard layout of the file /etc/default/keyboard
. You change it as follows:
sudo nano /etc/default/keyboard
and press (Enter)XKBLAYOUT="de"
de
to the keyboard layout you need e.g. en, fr etc.XKBVARIANT=""
you can add a country specific keyboard layout (e.g. "ch" für eine deutsch-schweizer Tastatur de-ch or a special Spanish variant etc.)Important: The keyboard layout for the users labdoo or student will not be changed by this setting. After logging in you can change the user keyboard as described here https://www.labdoo.org/content/post-installation-configuration.
The installation process was successful and you are able to boot, but when logging in you are only able to see a part of the screen (usually the upper right screen corner) with a poor resolution.
This could be because in the BIOS setting not enough RAM was allocated for the screen memory, e.g. 1 MB instead of 8 MB or more. Please check the bios and increase the memory allocated for the screen memory if necessary.
Starting from April 2018 and with the 18.04 LTS (L)Ubuntu release, a Samba server comes pre-installed on image cloned laptops. This means that a Labdoo laptop can be used as a server to other computer clients allowing these clients to access all the educational content in the server. This is a powerful configuration as it allows many types of devices (laptops, tablets, mobile phones, etc.) to access the educational content in the server without the need to have access to the Internet or the need to replicate the educational software in many devices.
Due to the speed of the server or the network, there are limitations in the number of computer clients that can be supported by one computer server. If too many clients are connected, the performance of the data transfer will become slow. So if you have many computer clients, it may be necessary to have more than one computer server.
This page describes how you can convert a Labdoo laptop into your own computer server to provide access to other computer clients. With a few simple steps a server can be set-up, check out the next instructions on how to do that!
Install Samba server
sudo apt-get install samba
or via the Linux package manager, e.g. synaptic.
smbd
[Enter] in a terminal to start the Samba server manually. To avoid starting this program each time manually, you can add "smbd" as a command in menu → Preferences / Settings → Personal / Personal → StartUp Applicatons / Start Programs → with "Add" → Name: Samba / command: smbd / Comment: add start up of Samba Server.. This will start the Samba server every time you reboot the system.
sudo apt-get install caja-share
or by using the synaptic package manager (this extension is also part of the Labdoo Image since April 2018).
Set up the Shared Folders
sudo caja
[Enter] in a terminal and right click on the folder you want to share. Click in the context menu "Share". Please notice that if Caja is not started as root, the menu item "Sharing" will not appear.
Access to the server via tablet, mobile phone, laptop or PC clients
Depending on your client and operating system installed and in use (Android, iOS, Windows, Linux etc.) access to the server may be different. Below you will find some examples and tips. There are also useful programs such as file managers, browsers, pdf viewers or ebook readers on your device. Check if your file manager is able to connect to a server (not all apps are able to) or if additional extensions need to be installed.
Access to the Server Using a Client
Connecting to the Server Using Ghost Commander in Android
The example Ghost Commander is similar to other file managers.
To create a Bookmark Using Ghost Commander
Note: Some file managers first store documents and pages locally before opening and displaying them. This can end up filling up the memory in your device. Cleaning up the memory can help.
Display Educational Content and Documents
Make Xowa Accessible from other Devices
Xowa comes with an http-server to help share Xowa wikis within a local network. Navigate to the folder /home/labdoo/Public/xowa
and open a terminal (e.g. using the file manager Caja: File →open a terminal here). Run the Xowa-jar file in this folder as follows:
For 64 Bit installations: java -jar xowa_linux_64.jar --app_mode http_server
[Enter]
For 32 Bit installations: java -jar xowa_linux.jar --app_mode http_server
[Enter]
Don't close this terminal window, as otherwise the Xowa process will be stopped. So leave it open as long as Xowa is used by other client devices.
Some devices, operating systems and browsers can resolve the hostname into its IP address. The IP address is like the address number of a home, which controls the access to each device inside your LAN (Local Area Network).
If the IP address cannot be resolved automatically you can get it manually. From the server computer, first right mouse click on the network/WiFi symbol on the desktop → Connection Information → read IP address (often similar to 192.168.1.xxx). Notice: The IP address will change every time, when you reboot the server (if you run DHCP for dynamic IPs in your network). It might be helpful to assign a static IP address to your server.
Read Xowa Content on any Client
The following is based on the IP address 192.168.1.133 just to illustrate an example. Instead of this IP address, use your server's IP address. Open the browser of your choice on your device (tablet, mobile phone, PC) and type the address of the server:SERVER_IP_ADDRESS:8080
In our example: 192.168.1.133:8080:8080
Related Links and References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samba_%28software%29
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Samba/SambaServerGuide
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_MATE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCMan_File_Manager
Introduction
If a Labdoo laptop is member of a LAN or WiFi network, it can provide data (educational content) to other devices of that network, e.g. to mobile phones or tablets. This can be done either by some network share – e.g. via samba (smb) or e.g. via a web server (e.g. Apache web server). In both cases, educational content on that laptop could be accessed by other mobile devices (mobile phones, tablets) via their web browser. This might be a reasonable use case if these mobile devices do not contain Labdoo educational content (e.g. due to having not enough disc space for this content)or no having internet connection.
In the case of a WiFi connection, we commonly assume that our laptop is connected to a WiFi router, to which all other mobile devices are connected.
But what do we do if no WiFi router is available? If a WiFi USB-adapter or a built-in Wifi is available on it, is possible to use a laptop as hotspot and host a WiFi network. There a 2 options - use a Samba (smb) file server, which offers a Windows-compatible server (easy to start and handle). Or you can use Apache server, which is bringing a full web server to a laptop (more complex), being able to spread content and web-sites locally and world-wide (if connected to internet).
Such a setup is outline in this document.
using Samba (smb) server
using Apache web server
Target Group
The target groups are Labdoo schools, which do not have a running WiFi network, but need a network to provide file, content and/or Internet access to other mobile devices.
Example: The Labdoo school have tablets or smartphones, but no Labdoo content on them.
Then the school is able to use a Labdoo laptop as server and spread the educational content to mobile devices. The number of mobile devices to be provided by one laptop depends on its capacity, mainly speed of CPU, disc and WiFi connector. In our tests we found 3 - 10 devices a reasonable number of clients to be connected to one laptop.
Each Labdoo laptop comes with a preinstalled Samba server (smb). How to start the smb-server and how to connect mobile devices to it is explained here.
You will find most content on each laptop in the folder /home/labdoo/Public/wikis. Navigate in a browser of your mobile device to the sub-folder (language) needed. Search for the start file, in most cases index.html, start-here.html or similar. Then you can read and use links etc. on your mobile device as reading on a laptop. Please note that Xowa content does not work using a web browser.
Technical Aspects
Most modern smartphones can be used to host a WiFi network. However, not all WiFi chips of laptops or USB-sticks (and their drivers) support this feature. According to the Ubuntu Users Wiki [1], these WiFi chips do the job:
• chips driven by the hostap driver or
• chips working with a current mac80211/nl80211 sub-system
A detailed description on how to set up the laptop as a WiFi hotspot is given in the Ubuntu Users Wiki [1]. The procedure works with (L)Ubuntu 14.04 - 18.04 LTS.
• provide files access (e.g. via Samba, offering Windows-compatible file services) and / or
• run a webserver to provide browser based access on educational content (e.g. via Apache)
• share its Internet connection (e.g. if the Laptop has WWAN)
to mobile devices connected to the WiFi.
References
[1] https://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/WLAN_Router/
Thank you, Daniel Neumann, Labdoo Hubs Hamburg / Rostock, for contributing this text (hamburg-hub@labdoo.org).
For the explained reasons and advantages, Labdoo uses the Linux operating system. However, some users prefer a graphical user interface (GUI) which looks like Windows so that the learning curve for some users is even lower. In this page you will find a guide on how to install and configure the Lubuntu GUI to look similar to Windows.
Those using Labdoo Images for Cloning can stop reading here, as the images are coming with pre-installed Windows 10 themes and icons that can be activated.
Installation
Windows 10-look alike user interface might be for instance downloaded from here https://b00merang.weebly.com/windows-10.html or from https://github.com/B00merang-Project/Windows-10 (download light and dark theme, icon set)
Unpack the archive and move the files using superuser rights to these two folders (you can open a terminal with ALT+CTRL+T and then type sudo pcmanfm
[enter] to open a file browser from where you can move the files):
/usr/share/themes
/usr/share/icons
Check the rights to access and update them, if needed (right click on the file, and select Properties → Permissions → View = anyone; change = only owner; Access = anyone).
Activate
In order to activate the new themes, click on the Lubuntu-start button on the left bottom corner of the screen and select Preferences → Customize Look and Feel → select in the tab widget the Windows theme → click on the icon theme and select Winx-x.x.x → close the window.
To undo / switch back to the default Linux theme just select another theme (Lubuntu-default) and icon theme (Lubuntu) or other layouts that you may like.
The tool to be installed is named NTP – Network Time Protocol (open a terminal: sudo apt-get install ntp
→ Enter or alternativ via the software center) for Network Time Protocol.
You don't have to adjust anything else. The time is taken from web server. You are able to define time zone and server. Online access is needed.
NTP is already part of the Labdoo images and install scripts.
Either using CTL+ALT+t (if logged in), CTL+Alt+F3 or follow the GRUB information using the recovery mode:sudo apt-get purge nvidia-current
(Enter)sudo apt-get install linux-headers-generic
(Enter)
Reboot.
Herefor you have to add an additional source for software (PPA). Please be aware of potential risks of adding sources (PPA) to your computer:
CTL + ALT + F3 (in recovery mode) or CTL + Alt + t if logged-in opens terminal
log-in as user labdoo and password labdoo,sudo su
(enter) + Passwort labdoo eingeben (enter)
To add PPA for Ubuntu 14.04 / 13.10 / 13.04 / 12.10sudo apt-add-repository ppa:xorg-edgers/ppa
(enter)
To add PPA for Ubuntu 12.04 / 11.10 / 11.04 / 10.04sudo apt-add-repository ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates
(enter)
and:sudo apt-get update
(enter)sudo apt-get install nvidia-current nvidia-settings
(enter)sudo reboot
(enter), um Laptop neu zu starten.
Often you will read "open a terminal". Here is explained how to do so:
Either press at the same time the 3 keys CTL + Alt + t.
Or alternatively → System tools → click on UXterm or XTerm
The terminal window will be shown.
At the beginning of each line you can read name of the user @ name of the laptop, e.g. labdoo@labdoo-000004xxx. You are now able to type in your comands.
When executing a command line wait until you see again this beginning of a line.
To close a terminal either type “exit” → Enter eingeben, when the command is proceeded.
During the installation process of Lubuntu or during the boot process you are able to press CTL + Alt + F3 and you get access to the terminal level. Using CTL + Alt + F7 you get back.
If you update to newer linux kernels the old kernels stay on the disc. Each kernel need about 60 - 140 MB. To remove them you have to open a terminal:
To rmeove former Linux kernels execute in a terminal:
sudo dpkg -l | grep linux-image
(Enter)
The result should look like
ii linux-image-3.2.0-31-generic 3.2.0-31.50 Linux kernel image for version 3.2.0 on 64 bit x86 SMP
ii linux-image-3.2.0-32-generic 3.2.0-32.51 Linux kernel image for version 3.2.0 on 64 bit x86 SMP
ii linux-image-3.2.0-33-generic 3.2.0-33.52 Linux kernel image for version 3.2.0 on 64 bit x86 SMP
ii linux-image-generic 3.2.0.33.36
In this example you might delete the kernels 3.2.0-31 and 3.2.0-32 (the numbers might differ from your list, please exchange). The last 2 kernels with the higher release numbers shoud remain:
sudo apt-get remove --purge linux-image-3.2.0-31-generic
(Enter)
Open a terminal (CTL + Alt + t) and execute
only to search and list: find ./ -type f name „Dateiname“
(Enter)
search and delete: find ./ -type f name „Dateiname“ -delete
(Enter) (Be careful!!!)
When you are installing VirtualBox the first time manually please follow these steps (if you are cloning you can ignore this wiki page):
After having installed VirtualBox you have to add the matching Extension Pack. Important: Please make sure that the release number of VirtualBox and Extension Pack are identical! For this purpose, start VirtualBox (either using the icon on the bottom left Lubuntu --> Run --> virtualbox (Enter) or by Accessories --> VirtualBox
) and open Help --> About VirtualBox to see the release-no. of VirtualBox. Next step is to open File --> Preferences --> Extensions
to see the release-no. of the Oracle VM VitualBox Extension Pack. Both must match, if not please follow the steps explained below.
Update, Update to a higher VitualBox release number
If the VirtualBox is only patched without upgrading to a higher version no further actions have to be taken. In longer intervals the (L)Ubuntu distribution upgrades VirtualBox to a higher version number. In such a case, the Extension Pack will not automatically be updated. For this purpose, proceed as follows:
File→Preferences→Extensions
and remove the former Extension Pack (mark it and click on the blue square with the red X)1. Initial Considerations.
Before you check for the cause of a non-functioning wireless card (WiFi) please check that:
Sometimes older or very new WiFi Cards are not recognized automatically. The following check list provides a set of steps that you can try to fix this situation.
2. Check list.
Preferences → Software & Updates → Additional Drivers → wait a while
→ either "no additional drivers available" is hown → no further action should be needed, or
→ a list of availble drivers is shown → click the driver you want to use → Apply Changes
Open a terminal and execute:lspci | grep -i net
(enter)
or
to show chip set and manufacturer:lspci -nnk | grep -i net -A2
(enter)
or in case of using an USB Wifi stick:lsusb
(enter)
Note: Some build-in WiFi cards are recognized as an external USB, so if in doubt try also these commands.
To check if your WiFi card is supported:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessCardsSupported
http://linux-wless.passys.nl/
https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/users/drivers
http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/WLAN/Karten
http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/Systeminformationen_ermitteln?redirect=no#Har...
If your WiFi card is based on the Broadcom chip set you are able to install:sudo apt-get update
(enter)sudo apt-get install firmware-b43-installer
(enter)
After rebooting the system it should work. If not activate the driver by hand:sudo modprobe -r b43 bcma
(enter)
Linux Backport Modules can be installed to get support for many older Wifi cards. The Backport Modules are already part of Labdoo Image for Cloning and installscript-software.sh.
A detailed list of the supported WiFi cards can be found here:
http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/WLAN/Linux-backports-modules
https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/users/drivers
To install execute in a terminal:
for Lubuntu 12.04: sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-cw-3.6-$(uname -r)
(Enter)
for Lubuntu 10.04: sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-wireless-$(uname -r)
(Enter)
and for all Lubuntu versions: sudo apt-get install linux-firmware-nonfree
(Enter)
If it does not work you can try:
Details at: http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/WLAN/NdisWrapper
Please check, if
Follow the instruction in the upper Wiki (please add here an English Wiki link).
If this does not work try:
Please search in web for more information.
Some acer laptops (and Medion in Germany) have special keys e.g. to activate WiFi, but these keys are not detected.
From Linux kernel 3.2 or Lubuntu 12.04 there is a core module wistron_btns, offering the same functionality as before acerhk (not needed anymore).
wistron_btns has the advantage that it is part of the kernel. So installing and compiling is not needed. And 64 Bit systems are supported as well.
To use and activate open a terminal and execute:sudo modprobe -v wistron_btns
(enter)
Taken from: http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/Acer_Hotkeys
There is the tool apt-offline. You can download an update at a place, where you have access to internet, e.g. at home. apt-offline allows you to easily upgrade or install new packages on your offline PC, by using another online PC.
To Install apt-offline (execute in a terminal, press ENTER):sudo apt-get install apt-offline
(Enter)
Upgrading:
On the offline PC: sudo apt-offline set /tmp/apt-offline.sig
On the online PC: sudo apt-offline get C:\apt-offline.sig --bug-reports --threads 5
On the offline PC: sudo apt-offline install /media/USB/apt-offline.zip
Installing
On the offline PC: sudo apt-offline set abuse-offline.sig --install-packages abuse --src-build-dep --install-src-packages abuse
On the online PC: sudo apt-offline get abuse-offline.sig --no-checksum --bundle abuse-offline.zip
On the offline PC: sudo apt-offline install /media/USB/abuse-offline.zip
More info
http://apt-offline.alioth.debian.org/
http://www.debian-administration.org/article/Offline_Package_Management_...
http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php&p=10198406&postcount=5
When installing Lubuntu-Installation the first user created is labdoo (who is also administrator and should be reserved for the teachers, as this user may destroy the system by mistake). If you install via cloning or if you use the installation scripts the additional user student will be created automatically.
The user student kas less rights, e.g. is not able to install or delete software and is not able to destroy the system.
Here is the manuel way, how to create a user student:
Start here → System Tools → User + Groups → unlock → +add user → system password (labdoo) → student as name, e.g. withpassword labdoo → Account Type = Standard (as suggested) → Create → click on password (account disabled) → input of password labdoo and acknowledge → Change → optional: cahnge language of user student.
Open a terminal and type (by executing this zhe user student will become member of the group labdoo):
sudo usermod -aG labdoo student (Enter)
Please note:
Each new user takes disc space. So please do not create more users.
As a standard user you are not able to destroy a system by mistake (or at least it is very hard). The user labdoo (administrator) should only be used by teachers.
Each user has his own folder and files in the directory /home/....(name of the user). But the folder home/labdoo/Public is a public folder. All users should have access here. To go there open the file explorer → filesystem → home → labdoo → folder /Public (you can add a bookmark to navigate here more easily).
If you add content of your own in /Public there is a script http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/install-disk/installskripts/set-rights-fo... to ensure all rights are set correctly.
In addition there is the user guest. guest needs no password to log-in. But guest is not able to change or store anything. When logging out all his input will be deleted automatically.
The following hints were taken from
http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/aptitude
http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/Paketverwaltung/Problembehebung
http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/apt/apt-get
The installation was interupted unpredictable:sudo dpkg --configure -a
(Enter, Password Enter)
“Broken” packages are reported, repare:sudo apt-get install -f
(Enter, Password Enter)
Update without upgrading to a new ubuntu releasesudo apt-get install dist-upgrade
(Enter, Password Enter)
Repare “broken” packages or to delete the cache of the program list:sudo apt-get clean
(Enter, Password Enter)
To reload the program list againsudo aptitude -f install
(Enter, Password Enter)
Package administration is not usable anymore
Should the package administration become unusable during an upgrade or dist-upgrade you can use:sudo aptitude -f install
(Enter, Password Enter)
After an update of the existing installation:sudo aptitude safe-upgrade -f
(Enter, Password Enter)
After running a version upgrade to a new ubuntu version:sudo aptitude full-upgrade -f
(Enter, Password Enter)
After these statements you should always runsudo dpkg --configure -a
(Enter, Password Enter)
Open References → Monitor stettings for a first information. Open a terminal:
Show name / chip set: lspci -nnk | grep -i VGA -A2
(Enter)
driver version
Show driver name and release version:glxinfo | grep 'OpenGL version string'
(Enter)
graphic mode (resolution)
Show the resolution set and all possible screen resolutions and the interfaces:xrandr
(Enter)
To install Skype the source "Canonical Partners" must be activated. Otherwise you will get the message "Skype cannot be found".
Hint: If you installed the computer using Cloning of Images it is NOT necessary to activate the Canonical partners programs, as that was already done within the image. Please proceed to the next chapter.
Activate source Canonical Partners
Click on the Lubuntu-Icon (Start) in the lower left corner → System Tools → Lubuntu Software Center → click on the tool symbol in the right upper corner of this window (sometime click on the triangle first to show the tool symbol) → in the window opening click on "Open Software Properties" → click on Tab "Other Software" → make a hook to select "Canonical Partners", you will be asked for the administrator password → click on Close → there is a suggestion to re-laod the software list, please do so.
If you have added Canonical Partners you can start to install Skype:
Installing Skype
Open a terminal and type
sudo apt-get install skype
(Enter, tayp password, Enter, answer next question using y)
Only to make sure, if you get the message "Skype not found": Did you add the Canonical Partner Programs as recommended above? Another reason might be you missed to update the software list. so open a terminal and execute sudo apt-get update
(Enter).
To get a Skype start icon on the desktop:
Click on the Lubuntu-Start Logo in the left lower corner → click on "Internet" → the list of internet programs will be shown → right mouse click on Skype → Left mouse click on "Add to desktop" → a double click on the Skype icon on the desktop will start Skype.
More details → https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Skype
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If the standard monitor settings of Lubuntu do not fulfil your needs try the tool ARandR, e.g. when you connect a 2nd monitor or a beamer.
http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/RandR#Grafische-Werkzeuge
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Lubuntu/MultiDisplay
ARandR offers you a nice user interfaces and advanced options e.g. to make both screens work as one large monitor or as two separted.
Since September 2015 ARandR is part of Labdoo Images for Cloning and of installschript-software.sh.
You can install ARandA as follows:
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sudo apt-get install ARandR
(Enter, password, enter)or
You should not need a virus scanner using Lubuntu. Linux usually needs no virus scanner due to the Linux security concept. There are very few viruses for Linux desktop in the web. Nevertheless some companies offer virus scanner for Linux, e.g. for file server being used also by Windows clients.
Also some edoovillages asked to have a tool to scan USB disc drives of pupils to remove viruses from USB drives of the students. So please install ClamAV for your projects (ClamAV will be installed if you use the installationskript or images for cloning).
So we recommend the license free, open source virus scanner ClamAV
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ClamAV
Open a terminal and execute:sudo apt-get install clamav clamav-freshclam clamav-docs clamav-daemon clamtk
(Enter)
And you should install the Firefox Plugin Fireclam, so downloads will be automaticaly checked on viruses using ClamAV.
The following modifications
However, these steps are not necessary if
Suggested changes for Knoppix Adriane (USB Sticks) and Lubuntu
Menu → Preferences → CompizConfig Settings Manager →
Right mouse click on the starter panel → "Application Launch Bar" Settings → click on aumix → - Remove - Close
Open 3 files in an editor e.g. sudo nano /home/knoppix/Desktop/KNOPPIX/boot/syslinux/
and change in the line "DEFAULT" auto into adriane, then store the file:
Optional: You can change the standard screen resolution of Adriane (640x480). But you must choose a resolution supported by the computer used. And visually impaired users might need a low resolution to get large letters. And when you start Adriane if you change the graphical desktop to LXDE it will inherit the resolution of Adriane. You are able to change the screen resolution within LXDE.
Open file manager PCmanfm → edit → Preferences → General →
orca -s
(Enter)The script toggle_orca.sh solves to toggle the screen reader Orca on / off by using the key combination Alt + Windows/Super + o. The script can be downloaded from here http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/install-disk/installskripts/orca_pico2wav...
/bin/sh /home/knoppix/.toggle_orca.sh
If everything was done correctly you are now able to switch screen reader Orca on / off by pressing the keys Alt + Windows/Super + o at the same time.
sudo PCMANFM
(Enter), as you need super-user rights to create this new folder and store the script)<keyboard>
, next insert the copied text from clipboard between the lines <keyboard>
and </keyboard>
. The code from file keybinding_toggle_orca.txt will be inserted. Store and close file.openbox --reconfigure
openbox --reconfigure
and press Enter.If everything was done correctly you are now able to switch screen reader Orca now on / off by keep the keys Alt + Windows/Super + o at the same time.
pico2wave by SVOX is a complete speach synthesizer to convert German, French or English text into spoken words (sound, Wave file). For some languages special control files are available. For other languages e.g. Italian or Spanish these control files have to created first (volunteers needed).
Install pico2wave
To install it run in a terminal, when computer is connected to web:
sudo apt-get update
(Enter)sudo apt-get install libttspico-utils sox xsel libav-tools
(Enter)sudo apt-get install libttspico-utils sox xsel libavcodec-extra
(Enter)Beside the installation of pico2wave 3 more files have to be installed and adapted (for Lubuntu: in /usr/share/labdoo, in Knoppix in /home/knoppix/.). Please follow those steps described above for Orca:
Download and store these files in the corresponding folders and make files executable for everyone.
Open in a terminal → alsamixer → (m) = Mute off, move from setting to setting by ← or →, adjust volume setting using the keys ↑ or ↓.
Helpful, if you run Knoppix Adriane on a USB Stick in combination with a Labdoo laptop, to get easier access to the educational content. Open an editor as super-user; run in a terminal sudo leafpad
(Enter), navigate to the folder:
# Automount sda1 as sda1
/dev/sda1 /media/sda1 ext4 defaults 0 2
# Mount sda1
sudo mkdir /media/sda1
sudo mount -a
Hint: In Adriane you can open a terminal → menu entry → Shell.
Add needed applets for Keyboard activation/deactivation etc. to the panel.
Start eLinks → navigate to the start file, in most cases index.html), mark it with the cursor and press (Enter) to open it → right mouse click opens a menu, click here → Bookmark document (a) → ready.
To open a bookmark → press two times ESC → above a menu will show up → move the cursor and mark tools , press Enter → mark bookmarks (s) → will show all known bookmarks.
There are several ways to get an USB-disc drive (stick) with Knoppix Adriane software and educational content for blind users:
You can get another USB disc drive
Method 1: Copy one pre-installed USB-disc drive to another (only for experienced users)
You already have got a pre-installed USB-disc drive Knoppix Adriane by Labdoo? Then buy an USB-disc drive (min. 16 GB). As only very few of the computers abroad have USB 3.0 slots we recommend to buy fast USB 2.0 disc drives. On older hardware USB 3.0 discs might not be recognized.
You can do de copy using a Labdoo- or Linux laptop:
Start the Labdoo-/Linux computer and log-in as user labdoo. Important: First plug-in the pre-installed origin USB-disc (which you want to copy, will usually get the name /sdb), next plug-in the USB drive you want to copy to (will get drive /sdc etc.) You are also able to copy several sticks at the same time (will become drive /sdd, /sde etc).
Open a terminal and run lsblk -f
(Enter). This will give you a list of all available drives. The drive /sda (mit den Partionen /sda1, /sda2 usw.) is the internal drive of the laptop. Never touch that! Leave it as it is!
Next step is to run in a terminal:sudo dd if=/dev/sdb of=/dev/sdc status=progress
Enter; this will copy all data from the origin USB drive (/sdb) to the target USB drive (/sdc etc.). This will take a while...
Attention: the command dd is helpful, but also dangerous! Check always, if origin and target drive are correct. Otherweise you might delete your own computer's data by mistake. We recommend not to use your own computer, but a Labdoo computer since dd is available on each Linux computer.
Method 2: Restore the image Knoppix_Adriane_dd_xx.gz using dd to an USB disc drive (only recommended for experienced users)
Download from the Labdoo FTP-Server the images (we created them using dd): http://ftp.labdoo.org/download/install-disk/ (the images are named Knoppix_Adriane_dd_xx.gz, xx being space-holder for the language, EN = Englisch, FR = Französisch, DE = Deutsch, ES = Spanisch)
Store the downloaded, zipped file in your home directory (/home/labdoo). You don't need to unzip it first. Next step is to connect the target USB disc drive to the computer, open a terminal and execute :
lsblk -f
(Enter), to check if all drives are connected (in most cases the internal disc of the computer is /sda (do not delete that one!) and the connected USB disc drive becomes /sdb, /sdc etc.sudo gunzip -c Knoppix_Adriane_dd_xx.gz | sudo dd of=/dev/sdb status=progress
(Enter, xx = space-holder for the language, replace accordingly). This will unzip and copy all data of the image to the USB drive. Change drive name accordingly if needed, e.g. /sdb in /sdc etc. if copying several USB drives in parallelAfter copying all data to a new USB drive you can unmount (remove secure) and shut down the computer. To use this new USB drive with a computer we recommend to change the boot sequence in BIOS settings. The USB-(stick) should be placed (get a higher boot priority) before the internal disc drive. Otherwise you can select manually the boot media each time you boot (often press F12). But for blind users this might be difficult.
To get an image from an ready installed USB disc drive with Knoppix Adriane use dd as well. In most cases the USB disc, to copy from, has the address / drive name /sdb (might change, so please check).
sudo dd if=/dev/sdb status=progress | gzip --best >Knoppix_Adriane_dd_xx.gz
(Enter, replace xx by the language code you need). This will copy a zipped image file Knoppix_Adriane_dd_xx.gz an (ca. 12 GB) to your home directory /home/labdoo.You can boot up the laptop from a USB or DVD/CD drive instead of its Hard Drive if there's a pre-existed WindowsOS in the hard drive. Here's how.
Method 1. Change the boot order in BIOS
1. Reboot your computer and look for the "BIOS" or "Setup" key.
2. The correct key to be pressed will be displayed together with the computer manufacturer's logo screen when the computer first starts up (Pay close attention when you turn on the laptop because the message disappears very fast. It's very possible to be displayed on the lower-left corner of the screen) The key to use is varied, depending on the different manufacturers. Common keys include F1, F2 or Delete.
3. Press the key as instructed. You will enter the BIOS menu.
3. Find the "Boot Order" submenu and change the boot order to move CD or USB above the hard drive (The way to change the boot order may be different. Some use the arrow keys to move up and down and some use F5 and F6 keys to move the order. Please follow manufacture's instructions on the screen.)
Method 2. One time change on the booting media
Some laptop manufacture may provide the one-time boot option. Here's how to do the one-time boot from different media.
1. Reboot your computer and look for a message similar to "boot device"
2. The correct key to be pressed will be displayed under the computer manufacturer's logo screen when the computer first starts up (Pay close attention when you turn on the laptop because the message disappears very fast. It's very possible to be displayed right below the manufacture logo) The key to use is varied, depending on the different manufacturers. Common keys include F9, F10, or F11.
3. Press the key as instructed and select the boot media you'd like to use.