2006/05/16

How To - Configure Ubuntu for Microsoft Virtual PC 2004

HowToConfigureUbuntuForMicrosoftVirtualPC2004 - Ubuntu Wiki

Ubuntu currently auto-configures XFree86 during the installation process, asking the user only what resolutions they'd like to enable.The default color depth is automatically set to 24-bpp, and Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 does not support 24-bpp color depth. In practice, this results in garbled graphics output when the X Server starts and the login screen is displayed. To fix this problem, you may manually change the default color depth setting in the XFree86 config file. These directions assume that you have installed Ubuntu as your guest operating system normally, have rebooted, and have seen the garbled graphics output.

Installing Ubuntu on Virtual PC 2004

Installing Ubuntu on Virtual PC 2004

So after booting up in messed up graphics land, I was able to click the giant ass Reboot button on my 160x120 screen. When it was rebooting, I hit ESC during Grub and booted into the recovery console. This gave me root access (is this secure? Sure as hell didn't seem like it to me...).

Once I was in there, I found the configuration file for the graphics card in /etc/X11. So type in cd /etc/X11, although I certainly hope even the most harden of MScentric people can figure that out :).

Once in there I opened up xorg.conf using pico (so type in pico xorg.conf - isn't this fun?). Browse down to the screen section. Opps, looks like the defaultDepth property is 24, which VirtualPC doesn't support. I changed this to 16 and hit CTRL-X to exit (saving when prompted of course). Typed in reboot and awaaaaaaay we go.

Once I was logged in, I wasn't able to hit the internet but this was an easy enough fix. Just go to System | Networking and enable the Ethernet connection. At this point I was good to go. I don't think I have sound yet, but I really could care less. But if a wise soul would like to enlighten me, I wouldn't mind either.

2006/05/15

Aric's Tech Blog: Uninstalling Oracle 10g Manually from Windows XP

Aric's Tech Blog: Uninstalling Oracle 10g Manually from Windows XP

  • Stop any Oracle services that have been left running.
    Start->Settings->Control Panel->Services
    Look for any services with names starting with 'Oracle' and stop them.

  • Run regedit and delete the following keys (some may have slightly different names in your registry):
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\ORACLE
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ORACLE
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog\Application\Oracle.oracle
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\OracleDBConsole
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Oracle10g_home
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\OraclService

    Note that the services control panel will still show the old services until you reboot.

  • Delete the Oracle home directory
    C:\Oracle

    # Delete the Oracle Program Files directory:
    C:\Program Files\Oracle

  • Delete the Oracle Start Menu shortcuts directory:
    C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Oracle*
    Where * indicates the name of your install. Look for and remove all Oracle directories from that location.

  • Remove Oracle refereces from the path. To edit your path go to:
    Start->Settings->Control Panel->System->Advanced->Environment Variables
    Edit both of the environment variables user PATH and system PATH. Remove any Oracle references in them.

  • Remove Oracle.DataAccess and any Polic.Oracle files from the GAC which is at:
    C:\Windows\assembly\