Ok, but I still can't do alot of things. Like when I go to install updates I type in my password and it goes away, but I can't see any of them and I don't think it is installing them. Also the add applications thing requires my password, but doesn't show anything after I give it to it. I remember having to set up a root password when I installed it.

Did you get my other post?

Whoops, my bad, I meant ctrl-ALT-Fx - heh... (Note: You will not have X access, meaning you can't launch any GUI apps from tty1-6)

Applications->System Tools->Terminal for the gnome-terminal

The Run dialog will either be in Applications or in the System menu (terminal might be in this menu too)

If you will, take a couple screenshots of the Applications menu and System menu (just push PrtScn and a "Save Screenshot" dialog pops up to save the screenshot)

I couldn't find the run dialog in either menu. I had to manually edit the menu to include the root terminal. Now, when I run it, it shows a windows on the bottom of the screen (you know, the thing that you can click on to bring it to the front, minimize it, and close it) that says "Starting Root Termi...," but it goes away after five seconds or so. I have no idea why it doesn't load up. I have noticed this with other things too, like the add applications thing, the login screen editor, etc.

Edit, I will take some screen shots.

Edit2: Pushing Prt Scr or pushing Ctr-Prt Scr or pushing Shift-Prt Scr have no effect.

Edit3: Since I can't get the Prt Scr to work, this is the only picture I could take (I had to use the Screenshot item in the system menu to take it so I couldn't get the menu open). I doubt this is any good, but I don't know how to take a screenshot if Prt Scr doesn't work.

ook....go to system->preferences (or thereabouts) and find keyboard shortcuts, then look for "Take a Screenshot"

Btw, which ubuntu did you download? 5.10, right?

Something is messed up with your Ubuntu tho, you might (although this may sound drastic) want to go ahead and do a reinstall...

I downloaded 5.10 like the guide said. Ugg, reinstalling seems like a pain. I guess I might have to.

HA, it was Alt-Prt Scr this whole time

Edit: Here come the pics...

Yeah, sounds like something got futzed with your permissions to me.

Ugggg, for some reason, it won't let me take screenshots when I am browsing the menus, but it will let me take them when I'm not.

Edit: Using Crt-Alt-F1 I have been able to gain access to the root terminal.

Edit: I thought that anything could be fixed with the command prompt? Why is that not an option here?

well, because all of the ubuntu configuration apps use sudo with your normal password, and, as you have found out, something with that is messed up

However, maybe a simple update will fix that, so, at a command line, type:

"#apt-get update" <- updates its cache files
"#apt-get dist-upgrade" <- performs a system-wide upgrade

(oh, in linux a "$" prefix means normal user, and a "#" prefix means root user, this is not actually part of the command, but is used to symbolize what permissions are needed for the command to work)

While that is working you do not have to sit there and wait for it, instead you can switch to another command prompt, or even back to the GUI and keep working

And try this for me (just for kicks), do a "$passwd <your_user_name>", and type a new password (you can do passwd again and change it back, if you want) - that might help with the sudo problem...

Ok, I tried to do #apt-get update and #apt-get dist upgrade. I logged in and then it came up with "patrick@Chipmaster:~$". patrick is my user name and I think Chipmaster is my root name (if there is such a thing). So I typed it in and hit enter and no response was given. Does this mean it worked or didn't? Also I changed my password. I like how it judges the simplicity and palendromicity of it

eek, you said you had a root terminal, thats just a regular terminal. (notice the "$" at the end )

You didn't actually type the '#', did you??? (read my reason for putting those there..)

Since that didn't work, instead try:

'#sudo apt-get update'
'#sudo apt-get dist-upgrade'

It will prompt you for your password (it wants 'patrick's password)

I thought it was a root terminal. I guess you shouldn't trust anything I say, as I seem to be incredibly incompetent Is this good news? Is this why stuff hasn't been working?

I did type in the # thing. Now that I haven't it says it can't open the folder because it doesn't have permissions. I didn't prompt me for a password. When I tried the second on (these were the original 2, now without the #) it said it couldn't open it, then asked me if I was root. Jokingly I typed in yes and now it's display a never ending list of "y"s. God, I suck at this

The permission error was because you didn't have root access.

I'd try (as much as you don't like this) a complete reformat-reinstall... it sounds like something b0rked it during the install. Its more than likely recoverable, but it will be very hard as you lack many of the "common linux knowledge" needed for releatively simple stuff (this is totally expected, and is not at all meant as an insult)

Come to think of it, there were a couple of errors when it was installing, but I glanced over them and didn't really think much of it. Perhaps, this was the wrong move? Should I try burning a new disk of Ubuntu when I reformat/install just in case that is the source of the problems. I guess I will reformat and reinstall this weekend. Man, this really stinks.

Edit: Wait, is there any remote desktop thing for linux where you could do the command prompt stuff for me? That way I wouldn't mess it up. With your skill, you could probably fix it right? Or does Linux not allow such things for security reasons?

Yeah, it does. Re: your edit: not that I know of.

Do you mean "Yeah, it was" as in, it was a mistake to just glance over the errors?

Edit: I just found this out:

It goes on to say that users can take control also.

I meant it was indeed sucky that you might need to reinstall Ubuntu. Why would you need remote access?

Yes. If you have an IM screenname, I can talk to you on it and set it up. Then I can take a look around and see whats what...

(btw, its called SSH)

Oh, duh. I thought you meant besides SSH. MY bad.

I'll try to download AIM (it comes for linux right?).

Um... You can get gaim. I'm not sure about AIM. Maybe...

Edit: Yes, you can. It is available for linux.