CommonProblems

We have been forced to lock this page due to repeated vandalism. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

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This FAQ focuses on problems, see also General FAQ

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1. Hardware
2. Software
1. 2.1 Application window has locked or frozen
2. 2.2 Entire desktop is locked or frozen
3. Services

1. Hardware

1.1 Printing with the HP DJ1400 fails with a blinking indicator light.

Cause: The poor design of the printer has caused yet another malfunction

Solution: Refer to DJ1400 user-guide

1.2 Black screen with "X" cursor and non-responsive keyboard

Cause: Infandous regression in the Intel video driver provided with Ubuntu 9.04), the regression ruins ruins X11 memory space, preventing it performing essential i/o.

Solution: System must reboot, issue cannot be fixed from userspace.

1.3 No Sound

Cause: Volume on a channel is muted or zeroed

Solution: Use mixer to unmute and/or raise volume.

Rare Alternate Cause: Programs are attempting to directly access sound card.

Solution: Close all programs that may be accessing sound-card (including Firefox).

1.4 Problems Relating to DTV

Refer to DTV Use Guide

2. Software

2.1 Application window has locked or frozen

Cause: Program is busy.

Solution: Wait

Alternate Cause: That process is malfunctioning.

Solution: Type [ctrl][alt]+[esc] and click malfunctioning window

Caution: this will force the window's process to terminate, unsaved data could be lost

2.2 Entire desktop is locked or frozen

Cause: Many possible causes.

Solution: Wait.

If that doesn't work, press [ctrl][alt]+[bkspc]¹

Caution: this will force the X11 session to terminate, unsaved data could be lost and you will be forcibly logged out.

¹ On Apple keyboards, such as ours, the backspace key is labeled 'delete' and the delete key is labeled '⌦'. The alt-key is labeled 'alt option', the '⌘' key is not the alt-key, it may be the compose key, though.

3. Services

3.1 The Vistua Hub is sluggish

Cause: The Vistua Network uses edge proxies to cache static content and speed delivery, your request is hung up in the proxy because the cache is being updated but our shared web-server is busy due to high traffic (possibly on other sites).

Solution: Often, no action is needed, the request will process shortly. If it doesn't, sending the request again will do the trick.

Update: this might not be such a problem any more.

3.2 A page has been vandalized or spammed!

Cause: Stupidity and malice.

Solution: There is no real solution to this problem.

Interim Solution: Use the "history" action to locate the last unvandalized version then click "restore". If a page is repeatedly vandalized ask admin ? to lock it.

3.3 My Password is Expiring

Cause: passwords are made to expire, periodically, for security reasons.

Solution: enter new password when prompted to do so.

Categories: Faq, Hardware, Software, AV

Text last modified on March 17, 2010, at 09:41 PM

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