Linux Computer rooms FAQ

In a few Computer rooms (like with Bèta, Geo and FSW) you will find Linux (Ubuntu) on the computers. Below are some of the most encountered problems/questions.

• 

  How do I access Linux (Ubuntu) on the computers?

  Restart the PC and select Linux in the boot menu when it starts back up.

  When starting the PC with Linux, the message "Bootmenu not found" pops up. What now?

  Something is wrong with the computer. Contact the ICT Servicedesk.

  What are my username and password?

  This is simply your Solis-ID and -Password, that you also use when logging into Windows. It can take a while before the computer is done loading.

  I can't log in. What is the cause?

  • Check if the CAPS LOCK key is off (Ubuntu shows a “danger triangle” when it is enabled.)
  • Check if the network cable is properly attached to the PC, and that the lights by the port are blinking or just on.
  • Try logging into a different PC.

  Is a computer broken or can you still not log in? Contact the ICT Servicedesk.

  I don't see my files after I've logged in.

  Sometimes something goes wrong when trying to couple the personal drive. Restart the PC, start Linux, and try again.

  Do you still not see your files? Contact the ICT Servicedesk.

  How do I log out or shut down the PC?

  Choose the gear icon in the top right and select “Shutdown…”. Then click the shutdown button. It can take about a minute before the computer successfully shuts down.

  How can I print?

  Just like in Windows, you can use the printers “Black” and “Colour”. From the program you’re using, select the print option (CTRL + P) and choose your preferred printer.

  Attention: With Linux, you always pay for a colour print, even when choosing “Black”.

  How can I print from a terminal window (command line)?

  This can be done using the following command(s):

  • lpr -Pblack <Name Document>
  • lpr –Pcolour <Name Document>

  Change <Name Document> to the name of the document.

  Here, Pblack is the“Black” printer and Pcolour is the “Colour” printer queue. This only works for documents that are a txt, tex, ps or pdf.

  Attention: With Linux, you always pay for a colour print, even when choosing “Black”.

  How can I check how much disk space I (still) have?

  Everyone has 5 GB disk space. When you want to check how much you still have left you can do so by doing this:

  Open a terminal window (CTRL + ALT+ T ). Fill in the following command: quota.beta . You will see the following:

  Disk quotas for user g_beta0080 (uid 11105):
  Filesystem blocks        quota         limit            grace    files    quota    limit    grace
  storage.students.science.uu.nl:/home/students
  3316720   5000000     5600000                  1785    0          0

  In this overview, you will see that the “quota” column states that the disk quota is set to 5 GB. The limit is 5.6 GB.
  When you pass the limit of 5.6GB, There will be a so-called ‘grace period’ (7 days). After that time, you won’t be able to log onto the system again, because there won’t be enough free disk space. Make sure you clean those files up, so that your under 5 GB again! Are you too late, and can you not log in anymore? Contact the ICT Servicedesk.

  How do paths work within Linux?

  In contrast to Windows, paths in Linux are noted with a ” / ” (forward slash) instead of a ” \ ” (backslash).
  Example: cd /home/students

  Where do I find the explorer (files)?

  In Ubuntu, the explorer is called nautilus. In the menu on the left side you will find the icon “Files”. The nautilus program that is connected to this is comparable to Windows Explorer.
  A few hotkeys are (Ctrl + F) to search for a file, and (Ctrl + L) to show your current location in the file system (address bar)

Last modified: 10/06/2021