[Solved] Can't start Oolite v1.80 on Mint 17 Cinnamon

[Ranthe]

After finally appearing to have found a means of running Oolite v1.80 at a playable FPS rate on my Linux Mint 17 setup (by lowering the screen resolution) I decided to add Smiv's SD Additions shipset to the mix and added in my configuration changes for my player Anaconda followed by a hack to an existing savefile. Then I found that when starting Oolite it would get to the initial loading screen before suddenly just quitting back to the desktop... and it keeps doing it even after backing out my savefile changes and removing Smiv's shipset.
I even tried uninstalling via the included script and reinstalling - no luck. The initial logo screen comes up - then it dies.

This is very strange. It was working fine yesterday - very well in fact - but now today it's not working at all.

Latest.log is below - it appears that the crash occurs after the initial Javascript reset.

Code: Select all

Opening log for Oolite version 1.80 (x86-64) under Linux 3.13.0-24-generic at 2014-11-10 20:53:19 +1300.
2 processors detected.
Build options: OpenAL, new planets.

Note that the contents of the log file can be adjusted by editing logcontrol.plist.

20:53:20.204 [dataCache.rebuild.datesChanged]: Cache is stale (modification dates have changed). Rebuilding from scratch.
20:53:20.651 [display.mode.list.native]: X11 native resolution detected: 1680 x 1050
20:53:20.786 [joystick.init]: Number of joysticks detected: 0
20:53:20.788 [rendering.opengl.version]: OpenGL renderer version: 3.0.0 ("3.0 Mesa 10.1.0"). Vendor: "X.Org". Renderer: "Gallium 0.4 on AMD RS780".
20:53:20.788 [rendering.opengl.extensions]: OpenGL extensions (183):
GL_ATI_texture_mirror_once, GL_ARB_framebuffer_sRGB, GL_AMD_draw_buffers_blend, GL_ARB_transform_feedback_instanced, GL_ARB_depth_texture, GL_ARB_invalidate_subdata, GL_ARB_texture_env_add, GL_NV_texture_barrier, GL_EXT_pixel_buffer_object, GL_ARB_draw_instanced, GL_EXT_texture_compression_rgtc, GL_ARB_half_float_vertex, GL_IBM_multimode_draw_arrays, GL_EXT_texture3D, GL_EXT_compiled_vertex_array, GL_EXT_texture_shared_exponent, GL_ARB_framebuffer_object, GL_EXT_separate_specular_color, GL_EXT_shadow_funcs, GL_ARB_shader_texture_lod, GL_EXT_texture_cube_map, GL_EXT_rescale_normal, GL_ARB_texture_rgb10_a2ui, GL_ATI_draw_buffers, GL_ARB_transpose_matrix, GL_ARB_texture_compression_rgtc, GL_ARB_half_float_pixel, GL_EXT_stencil_two_side, GL_ARB_texture_border_clamp, GL_ARB_multisample, GL_ATI_separate_stencil, GL_ARB_texture_non_power_of_two, GL_NV_fog_distance, GL_ARB_shading_language_packing, GL_INGR_blend_func_separate, GL_EXT_bgra, GL_ARB_texture_storage_multisample, GL_ARB_sync, GL_EXT_texture_env_dot3, GL_EXT_provoking_vertex, GL_APPLE_packed_pixels, GL_NV_light_max_exponent, GL_ARB_sampler_objects, GL_SUN_multi_draw_arrays, GL_ARB_map_buffer_range, GL_ARB_vertex_shader, GL_ARB_shader_objects, GL_NV_texgen_reflection, GL_EXT_multi_draw_arrays, GL_ARB_clear_buffer_object, GL_ARB_vertex_program, GL_IBM_rasterpos_clip, GL_EXT_texture_object, GL_ARB_base_instance, GL_ARB_get_program_binary, GL_ATI_texture_env_combine3, GL_EXT_framebuffer_sRGB, GL_ARB_texture_float, GL_NV_texture_env_combine4, GL_ARB_draw_buffers_blend, GL_AMD_shader_stencil_export, GL_ATI_texture_compression_3dc, GL_ARB_fragment_coord_conventions, GL_EXT_stencil_wrap, GL_EXT_texture_swizzle, GL_ARB_uniform_buffer_object, GL_EXT_framebuffer_blit, GL_NV_primitive_restart, GL_MESA_pack_invert, GL_ARB_vertex_array_bgra, GL_NV_packed_depth_stencil, GL_ARB_texture_compression, GL_KHR_debug, GL_ARB_vertex_array_object, GL_EXT_blend_color, GL_EXT_blend_minmax, GL_ARB_texture_swizzle, GL_EXT_texture_integer, GL_APPLE_vertex_array_object, GL_EXT_transform_feedback, GL_ARB_shader_bit_encoding, GL_EXT_subtexture, GL_ARB_occlusion_query2, GL_ARB_timer_query, GL_MESA_texture_signed_rgba, GL_ARB_debug_output, GL_ARB_point_sprite, GL_ARB_depth_clamp, GL_NV_depth_clamp, GL_EXT_vertex_array, GL_EXT_abgr, GL_ARB_vertex_buffer_object, GL_NV_blend_square, GL_ARB_vertex_attrib_binding, GL_ARB_instanced_arrays, GL_EXT_framebuffer_multisample, GL_NV_conditional_render, GL_NV_texture_rectangle, GL_ARB_multitexture, GL_EXT_texture, GL_ARB_seamless_cube_map, GL_EXT_vertex_array_bgra, GL_ARB_copy_buffer, GL_ARB_draw_elements_base_vertex, GL_ARB_transform_feedback2, GL_ARB_transform_feedback3, GL_ARB_shadow, GL_EXT_draw_instanced, GL_EXT_blend_subtract, GL_ARB_internalformat_query, GL_ARB_fragment_program_shadow, GL_MESA_window_pos, GL_ARB_texture_storage, GL_ARB_shader_stencil_export, GL_ARB_window_pos, GL_ARB_texture_multisample, GL_EXT_texture_lod_bias, GL_IBM_texture_mirrored_repeat, GL_ARB_texture_mirror_clamp_to_edge, GL_EXT_texture_snorm, GL_ARB_texture_env_crossbar, GL_ARB_point_parameters, GL_ARB_depth_buffer_float, GL_ARB_shading_language_420pack, GL_ARB_vertex_type_2_10_10_10_rev, GL_EXT_texture_sRGB_decode, GL_ARB_vertex_type_10f_11f_11f_rev, GL_ARB_robustness, GL_ARB_texture_rg, GL_EXT_timer_query, GL_EXT_texture_edge_clamp, GL_EXT_copy_texture, GL_EXT_texture_sRGB, GL_ARB_texture_env_combine, GL_EXT_framebuffer_multisample_blit_scaled, GL_ARB_fragment_program, GL_ARB_explicit_attrib_location, GL_EXT_packed_float, GL_EXT_texture_filter_anisotropic, GL_EXT_draw_range_elements, GL_ARB_pixel_buffer_object, GL_EXT_packed_depth_stencil, GL_ARB_texture_rectangle, GL_AMD_conservative_depth, GL_EXT_fog_coord, GL_ARB_ES2_compatibility, GL_SGIS_texture_lod, GL_EXT_gpu_program_parameters, GL_ARB_fragment_shader, GL_OES_EGL_image, GL_NV_vdpau_interop, GL_EXT_polygon_offset, GL_ARB_shading_language_100, GL_SGIS_texture_border_clamp, GL_EXT_secondary_color, GL_EXT_point_parameters, GL_AMD_shader_trinary_minmax, GL_ARB_draw_buffers, GL_SGIS_generate_mipmap, GL_EXT_draw_buffers2, GL_EXT_texture_rectangle, GL_ATI_blend_equation_separate, GL_ARB_blend_func_extended, GL_OES_read_format, GL_EXT_blend_func_separate, GL_ARB_texture_cube_map, GL_EXT_texture_array, GL_ARB_occlusion_query, GL_EXT_texture_mirror_clamp, GL_EXT_framebuffer_object, GL_EXT_packed_pixels, GL_ARB_texture_mirrored_repeat, GL_ARB_texture_env_dot3, GL_ARB_map_buffer_alignment, GL_EXT_texture_compression_latc, GL_ARB_provoking_vertex, GL_EXT_blend_equation_separate, GL_ARB_color_buffer_float, GL_ATI_texture_float, GL_EXT_texture_env_add, GL_EXT_texture_env_combine, GL_SGIS_texture_edge_clamp, GL_ARB_conservative_depth
20:53:20.824 [rendering.opengl.shader.support]: Shaders are supported.
20:53:21.456 [dataCache.rebuild.datesChanged]: Cache is stale (modification dates have changed). Rebuilding from scratch.
20:53:21.461 [searchPaths.dumpAll]: Unrestricted mode - resource paths:
    ~/GNUstep/Applications/Oolite/oolite.app/Resources
    ~/GNUstep/Library/ApplicationSupport/Oolite/ManagedAddOns
    AddOns
    ~/GNUstep/Library/ApplicationSupport/Oolite/ManagedAddOns/oolite.oxp.spara.navigation_mfd.oxz
    ~/GNUstep/Library/ApplicationSupport/Oolite/ManagedAddOns/oolite.oxp.phkb.CommsLogMFD.oxz
    ~/GNUstep/Library/ApplicationSupport/Oolite/ManagedAddOns/oolite.oxp.spara.manifest_mfd.oxz
    ~/GNUstep/Library/ApplicationSupport/Oolite/ManagedAddOns/oolite.oxp.cim.shipset-compatibility.oxz
    ~/GNUstep/Library/ApplicationSupport/Oolite/ManagedAddOns/oolite.oxp.cim.escort-formations.oxz
    ~/GNUstep/Library/ApplicationSupport/Oolite/ManagedAddOns/oolite.oxp.CommonSenseOTB.NumericHUD.oxz
    ~/GNUstep/Library/ApplicationSupport/Oolite/ManagedAddOns/oolite.oxp.Wildeblood.galaxy_names.oxz
    ~/GNUstep/Library/ApplicationSupport/Oolite/ManagedAddOns/oolite.oxp.Norby.CombatMFD.oxz
    AddOns/Audible_Docking_Clearance_1.3.oxp
    AddOns/YOUR_AD_HERE_set_C_4.1.7.oxp
    AddOns/Commanders Log 1.00.oxp
    AddOns/Pitviper_1_0_0_2012-09-09.oxp
    AddOns/Deep_Horizon_Nav_Buoy.oxp
    AddOns/Fuel Station 1.36.oxp
    AddOns/Q-Bomb_Detector_1.1.oxp
    AddOns/buoyRepair1.3.2.oxp
    AddOns/Library_Extracts_1.1.oxp
    AddOns/DTT_Cyclops_1.0.oxp
    AddOns/Flight Log 1.07.oxp
    AddOns/TCA_v1.03.oxp
    AddOns/Cargo Contract MOD v1.4.oxp
    AddOns/Famous_Planets_v2.7.oxp
    AddOns/DTT_Atlas_1.1.oxp
    AddOns/TrackerCam 1.02.oxp
    AddOns/Deep_Horizon_Advanced_Navigation_Computer.oxp
    AddOns/YOUR_AD_HERE_4.1.7.oxp
    AddOns/CustomShieldsv083.oxp
    AddOns/YOUR_AD_HERE_set_D_4.1.7.oxp
    AddOns/YOUR_AD_HERE_set_F_4.1.7.oxp
    AddOns/Welcome Mat 1.12.oxp
    AddOns/YOUR_AD_HERE_set_A_4.1.7.oxp
    AddOns/Cargo_wrecks_teaser 1.7.oxp
    AddOns/technical_reference_library_1.0.1.oxp
    AddOns/TOGY_Monuments pack.oxp
    AddOns/Galactic_Navy 5.4.3.oxp
    AddOns/AutoSkim.oxp
    AddOns/JamesonFaces_0.1_bis.oxp
    AddOns/ionics-1.3.1.oxp
    AddOns/System_Features_Rings_1.0.oxp
    AddOns/sb-taniwha.oxp
    AddOns/Commies 2.12.oxp
    AddOns/Camera_Drones_1.2.oxp
    AddOns/SniperLockv1.oxp
    AddOns/Hyperradio1.26.1.oxp
    AddOns/Hired Guns 1.26.oxp
    AddOns/Escape_Capsule_Locator_1.4.1_2012-06-05.oxp
    AddOns/Illegal_goods_tweak_1.7.3_2012.05.30.oxp
    AddOns/display_reputation.oxp
    AddOns/RandomHits1.7.oxp
    AddOns/Escort_Contracts_1.5.6e_2013-03-05.oxp
    AddOns/randomshipnames1.4.bis.oxp
    AddOns/Murghs_Stations2.0.oxp
    AddOns/Ships_Library_0.6.oxp
    AddOns/AI Trading Assistant 2.0.1.oxp
    AddOns/New_Cargoes_1.2.1.oxp
    AddOns/Traffic Control 1.11.oxp
    AddOns/TOGY_Main 1.1.oxp
    AddOns/TOGY_Memorials_v1.1.oxp
    AddOns/Far_Arm_ships_v3.0.1.oxp
    AddOns/behemoth 2.6.oxp
    AddOns/Escort_Formations_1.1.oxp
    AddOns/Transports 2.52.oxp
    AddOns/BGS-Soundset_Pagroove2.3.oxp
    AddOns/YOUR_AD_HERE_set_G_4.1.7.oxp
    AddOns/Distant Suns 0.5.1.oxp
    AddOns/Distant Suns 0.5.1.oxp/Distant Suns of Chart 8 version 0.2.oxp
    AddOns/Distant Suns 0.5.1.oxp/Distant Suns of Chart 5 version 0.2.oxp
    AddOns/Distant Suns 0.5.1.oxp/Distant Suns of Chart 6 version 0.2.oxp
    AddOns/Distant Suns 0.5.1.oxp/Distant Suns of Chart 2 version 0.2.1.oxp
    AddOns/Distant Suns 0.5.1.oxp/Distant Suns of Chart 1 version 0.7.oxp
    AddOns/Distant Suns 0.5.1.oxp/Distant Suns of Chart 3 version 0.2.oxp
    AddOns/Distant Suns 0.5.1.oxp/Distant Suns of Chart 4 version 0.2.oxp
    AddOns/Distant Suns 0.5.1.oxp/Distant Suns of Chart 7 version 0.2.oxp
    AddOns/Font-Dangerous-Square-v.1.1.oxp
    AddOns/Dictators v1.5.oxp
    AddOns/The_Feudal_States_v1.16.2.oxp
    AddOns/Missionaries.oxp
    AddOns/ships_cat_alpha_1.0.oxp
    AddOns/adcks_galactic_navy_facelift_1.1.5.oxp
    AddOns/OXPConfig2.2.4.oxp
    AddOns/YOUR_AD_HERE_set_B_4.1.7.oxp
    AddOns/PlanetFall 1.50.oxp
    AddOns/Medical Anaconda 1.0.oxp
    AddOns/Dock_Assist_System1.2.oxp
    AddOns/Cup_of_Tea-v1.1.oxp
    AddOns/Sniper Sight 2.0.3.oxp
    AddOns/Cabal_Common_Library1.7.oxp
    AddOns/BountyStatus 1.00.oxp
    AddOns/System_Redux.oxp
    AddOns/hyperradioJFRG01.oxp
    AddOns/transhab.oxp
    AddOns/GalaxyInfo.oxp
    AddOns/hyperradioPSY01.oxp
    AddOns/BeerCooler1.0.1.oxp
    AddOns/Satellite1.03.oxp
    AddOns/Destination ETA 1.0.4.oxp
    AddOns/Traders_Almanach_0.1.oxp
    AddOns/Snoopers2.5.oxp
    AddOns/hOopyCasino1.2.1.oxp
    AddOns/Explorers'_Club_1.3.2_2012-03-05.oxp
    AddOns/BountyScannerv2.0.oxp
    AddOns/BGS-A1.9.oxp
    AddOns/YOUR_AD_HERE_set_E_4.1.7.oxp
20:53:21.874 [shipData.load.begin]: Loading ship data.
20:53:22.881 [shipData.load.error]: ***** ERROR: the shipdata.plist entry "grs_cobra3_redux1" specifies non-existent model "cobra3_redux1.dat".
20:53:24.831 [script.javascript.init]: JavaScript reset successful.

Closing log at 2014-11-10 20:53:26 +1300.

[Ranthe]

Managed to get things going again, and traced the problem to the .GNUstepDefaults file in the GNUstep "Defaults" folder getting updated with incorrect screen resolutions (probably as the result of a crash experienced when experimenting with screen resolutions). Deleting the .GNUstepDefaults file and restarting - letting Oolite rebuild it - seems to be the solution.

Posting so others who experience the same as me know where to start looking.

[UK_Eliter]

Posting so others who experience the same as me know where to start looking.

Thanks! Recently - fairly, anyway - I tried out Linux, on my (old) laptop, in the form of Mint. And, more recently yet, and just out of curiosity, I tried installing Oolite on it. I say 'out of curiosity' because I thought my laptop wouldn't run Oolite very well. But it worked (once, er, I'd worked out how to install it) flawlessly. Still, the framerate is 30-40 FPS, which is on the borderline of playable - and that's with graphics on minimal detail and, er, no OXPs!

[Diziet Sma]

Recently - fairly, anyway - I tried out Linux, on my (old) laptop, in the form of Mint. And, more recently yet, and just out of curiosity, I tried installing Oolite on it. I say 'out of curiosity' because I thought my laptop wouldn't run Oolite very well. But it worked (once, er, I'd worked out how to install it) flawlessly. Still, the framerate is 30-40 FPS, which is on the borderline of playable - and that's with graphics on minimal detail and, er, no OXPs!

What I'd suggest you do is try installing LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) from the Software Manager. I'm guessing at the moment you're using MATE or maybe even Cinnamon (gorgeous, but resource-intensive) as your desktop. When you want to play Oolite, just log out of your usual desktop, and log in to an LXDE session. It's designed to use as little as possible in the way of system resources, so Oolite should get at least some performance boost out of it.

[SirArian]

LXDE is good. You might also try Xfce.

Or, if you want to use something even more minimal, install OpenBox and use it. No taskbar, no desktop icons, no desktop background, no battery monitor. Just Oolite. (Right click on the desktop for the program menu.)

All three of these should be in the software repository and can be installed via the Software Manager or Synaptic.

[Ranthe]

Thanks! Recently - fairly, anyway - I tried out Linux, on my (old) laptop, in the form of Mint. And, more recently yet, and just out of curiosity, I tried installing Oolite on it. I say 'out of curiosity' because I thought my laptop wouldn't run Oolite very well. But it worked (once, er, I'd worked out how to install it) flawlessly. Still, the framerate is 30-40 FPS, which is on the borderline of playable - and that's with graphics on minimal detail and, er, no OXPs!

What I've found effective (and what I was mucking about with when I started experiencing crashes) was reducing the in-game screen resolution a notch or two. Reducing the screen resolution from 1680x1050 to 1440x900 - and setting graphics to "Shaders" instead of "Extra Detail" - increased my FPS from an unplayable 15-27FPS to between 23-40FPS running under Mint 17 (64-bit) Cinnamon with OXPs installed.

And I've just installed the Xcfe desktop as per SirArian's suggestion, and with the same OXP load can now get up to 51FPS on the same OXP load and system. Now I have another reason not to load Windows Vista because Oolite is now finally playable for me under Linux!

[UK_Eliter]

Thanks, all, for your suggestions. And, yes, I've got Cinnamon.

I think I'll try - as a secondary Window environment just for Oolite - OpenBox. What though are the chances of it hosing my system? I'm tired of causing problems on my installation - although admittedly my own recklessness is sometimes the cause. (E.g. of the recklessbess: I remove a package I don't understand. Then merrily I do 'sudo apt-get autoremove' and say 'yes' to the long list I'm presented wth. Then by surprised things don't work. Then work out how to reinstall stuff from the recovery terminal.)

[Diziet Sma]

I think I'll try - as a secondary Window environment just for Oolite - OpenBox. What though are the chances of it hosing my system?

It won't.. though it will look one hell of a lot more minimalist than you're used to..

This is one of the beautiful things about Linux.. the desktop isn't integrated into the OS.. you can use whatever you like, and can install several different ones to try out, if you want. Switching between them is just a matter of logging out, and starting a new session. I use Cinnamon for my everyday desktop, and switch to LXDE for Oolite, since I don't need all that graphical sexiness slowing things down, when I'm not looking at the desktop anyway.

I'm tired of causing problems on my installation - although admittedly my own recklessness is sometimes the cause. (E.g. of the recklessbess: I remove a package I don't understand. Then merrily I do 'sudo apt-get autoremove' and say 'yes' to the long list I'm presented wth. Then by surprised things don't work. Then work out how to reinstall stuff from the recovery terminal.)

Well, at least you're learning a lot about fixing things.. (and hopefully learning why removing stuff willy-nilly isn't a good idea! )

[Diziet Sma]

Reducing the screen resolution from 1680x1050 to 1440x900 - and setting graphics to "Shaders" instead of "Extra Detail" - increased my FPS from an unplayable 15-27FPS to between 23-40FPS running under Mint 17 (64-bit) Cinnamon with OXPs installed.

And I've just installed the Xcfe desktop as per SirArian's suggestion, and with the same OXP load can now get up to 51FPS on the same OXP load and system.

Who knows.. you might even be able to up the settings to "Extra Detail" again now, and still get acceptable framerates.. if not, maybe OpenBox will make it possible.

[UK_Eliter]

Guys, I'm wondering if you can help me with a more serious Linux problem. (More serious than to do with Oolite? Yes!)

Having replaced my laptop's CD drive with a hardrive, I had trouble getting the new disc to mount, I fiddled with the mount options, and I've ended up not being able to boot. I used the recover console (on Linux Mint 17) to try to edit 'fstab', but I can't get write permission (even with sudo and even with logging into my usual account). I tried various commands I found on a forum but to no avail. One suggestion I came across was boot from a live CD and try to fix things from there. But . . I've just removed my CD drive and . . I find I can't get out the harddrive. It's stuck in there. So I can't put the CD drive back in! I am currently putting a Live CD (or 'CD') onto a USB stick (via a utility called 'Universal USB installer', on a Windows PC) , and I'll try to boot from there.

Any advice - presuming the lappie does boot from the USB? The main changes I made to fstab - the ones that causes the problem - were, I think, adding a 'user' flag to my boot drive and to the new harddisc drive. But I fear I made have made changes to the error-checking and backup flags (you know, to the '0 0' stuff at the end of fstab lines).

I'll update this post if I manage to boot via the USB . .

EDIT: OK, I've managed to boot from the USB. . .

EDIT: 'user - Permit any user to mount the filesystem. This automatically implies noexec, nosuid,nodev unless overridden.' I think that was my problem.

EDIT: All fixed! Blimey. And I can recommend the 'live USB' option, as Vs using a CD. It was much quicker (though I had a fast USB stick and possibly a slow CD drive).

[Diziet Sma]

Having replaced my laptop's CD drive with a hardrive, I had trouble getting the new disc to mount, I fiddled with the mount options, and I've ended up not being able to boot. I used the recover console (on Linux Mint 17) to try to edit 'fstab', but I can't get write permission (even with sudo and even with logging into my usual account). I tried various commands I found on a forum but to no avail. One suggestion I came across was boot from a live CD and try to fix things from there. But . . I've just removed my CD drive and . . I find I can't get out the harddrive. It's stuck in there. So I can't put the CD drive back in! I am currently putting a Live CD (or 'CD') onto a USB stick (via a utility called 'Universal USB installer', on a Windows PC) , and I'll try to boot from there.

Any advice - presuming the lappie does boot from the USB? The main changes I made to fstab - the ones that causes the problem - were, I think, adding a 'user' flag to my boot drive and to the new harddisc drive. But I fear I made have made changes to the error-checking and backup flags (you know, to the '0 0' stuff at the end of fstab lines).

Bwaaaaaahaaaaaahaaaaahaaaahaaahaahaahaha!

Sorry.. couldn't resist.. but yes, that 'user' flag would do it.. for the reasons you mention below..

I'll update this post if I manage to boot via the USB . .

EDIT: OK, I've managed to boot from the USB. . .

EDIT: 'user - Permit any user to mount the filesystem. This automatically implies noexec, nosuid,nodev unless overridden.' I think that was my problem.

EDIT: All fixed! Blimey. And I can recommend the 'live USB' option, as Vs using a CD. It was much quicker (though I had a fast USB stick and possibly a slow CD drive).

Congratulations on figuring out the problem, and on solving it!

And as a rule, you'll find booting off even a slow USB stick faster than a fast CD drive.. (there's no track/sector seeking involved in loading files, for starters, which is what all that clunking you hear when booting from CD is about).

Between this and your earlier comments, I'm starting to think you may be living proof that a little knowledge can be dangerous.. though at least you clearly have enough knowledge to be able to get yourself out of trouble.

Since you're obviously the type who likes to tinker under the bonnet (which I heartily approve of, btw), might I suggest that you install Virtualbox and set up a virtual Linux installation to play with instead of messing with your primary rig? You could even use it to test out tweaks you're thinking of making to your primary install, so as to avoid unpleasant surprises like the one above.

Also, you may find it very helpful, not to mention educational, to use a Virtual Machine to build a Linux From Scratch installation. You'll be guided through compiling every program needed, including the tool-chain used to build the system, and will write every configuration file by hand. Detailed explanations are given at every step along the way. At the end of the process, you'll have a lightning-quick basic system, which will boot in less time than it takes to read this sentence aloud, and an in-depth knowledge of how a Linux machine works. If the bug has bitten you by then, -and it probably will have-, you can even go on to Beyond Linux From Scratch, which will take you through the process of adding an X-server and the GUI (and other programs) of your choice.

[UK_Eliter]

Diziet: thanks; I'll PM you.

[Ranthe]

Or, if you want to use something even more minimal, install OpenBox and use it. No taskbar, no desktop icons, no desktop background, no battery monitor.

I think I'll try - as a secondary Window environment just for Oolite - OpenBox. What though are the chances of it hosing my system?

It won't.. though it will look one hell of a lot more minimalist than you're used to..

Wait... so you mean when I once tried the "OpenBox" desktop option for Mint from a "Linux Format" coverdisk and was presented with a blank screen after logon, the system hadn't crashed?

[Diziet Sma]

Wait... so you mean when I once tried the "OpenBox" desktop option for Mint from a "Linux Format" coverdisk

Why on earth would you install it from a LF coverdisk? You have a built-in Software Manager that will download and install the latest version for you.

was presented with a blank screen after logon, the system hadn't crashed?

Correct.. imagine this screenshot, but without the three open windows and the menu.




Look familiar?

To open/run programs, etc, you just right-click anywhere on the desktop, and the menu will appear. If you minimise a window, it will become completely invisible. Alt-Tab is the easiest way to pop it up again. (Or use the Desktop menu, accessible from the right-click menu) Openbox can be extended with other small programs that add icons, taskbars, launchers, etc, if you prefer, though. However, if maximum resources for Oolite is what you're after, I'd suggest leaving it as-is, and just start Oolite from the menu.

You may want to read up on it a little here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Openbox

http://openbox.org/wiki/Main_Page

[Ranthe]

Wait... so you mean when I once tried the "OpenBox" desktop option for Mint from a "Linux Format" coverdisk

Why on earth would you install it from a LF coverdisk?

This was before I took the plunge for an actual install - the coverdisk was a live DVD distro with Mint 16 and multiple desktops pre-installed that I was getting the feel of Linux from.

Now that I have an actual Linux install, I'll be trying OpenBox from the Software Manager