ubuntu disable hardware

I had a second sound card that kept getting picked up by apps under ubuntu as my primary audio device. In windows I sometimes use the game port on this pci sound card, but in general I don't even care if Linux detects it.

In ubuntu gnome, under System->Preferences->Sound
I had something like this:


In an unrelated effort, I had only recently discovered an important linux command - lsmod

The command list modules will display information about all loaded kernel modules. Kernel modules are dynamically loaded kernel functions, such as a device driver.

When I looked through the list of loaded kernel modules on my system:

lsmod | less

I found this:

snd_ens1370 21536 0
gameport 16776 1 snd_ens1370
snd_ak4531_codec 9856 1 snd_ens1370
snd_pcm 80388 5 snd_ens1370,snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec

There was no doubt in my mind - I needed to stop the kernel from loading the module snd_ens1370.

I had considered just deleting it all together:

$ locate 1370
/lib/modules/2.6.22-14-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-ens1370.ko
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.22-14-generic/include/config/snd/ens1370.h
/usr/share/alsa/cards/ENS1370.conf

But it turns out there is a more elegant way.

To disable hardware in ubuntu - blacklist the module.

Take a look at, /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist

To disable my Ensoniq sound card in ubuntu - I added the following lines:

# disable my PCI ensoniq sound card
blacklist snd_ens1370

then just reboot...

how does bash work

When evoked the Borne Again Shell can launch one of two different types of interactive shells, login or non-login.

These descriptions are based on my experiences with a variety of Debian & Fedora based environments - each has their own peculiarities in their implementation of bash. I'll do my best to be "generic"

When you login via tty, ssh, or su --login - your $SHELL is launched for you. This is called a "login" shell, and it will automatically source the following files:

1) /etc/profile

then

2) ~/.profile or ~/.bash_profile
(but generally not both, one will take "precedence")

When you launch /bin/bash by some other means (xterm, konsole, su, or even typing /bin/bash) it is considered non-login and it WILL source .bashrc

It is VERY common for ~/.profile (or ~/.bash_profile) to source ~/.bashrc by either:

. ~/.bashrc

or

source ~/.bashrc

You can use source either way - in both interactive and non-interactive shells.

/etc/profile may source lots of other files. Sometimes /etc/bashrc (or /etc/bash.bashrc) and sometimes even ~/.bashrc - so watch out!

Your system may not have all these files - or they may have different names. Try:

ls -al /etc/ | grep bashrc
ls -al /etc/ | grep profile
ls -al ~ | grep bashrc
ls -al ~ | grep profile

to get some different ideas.

the command "su -" is short hand for "su --login root" or "switch user to root and launch a login shell"
it is NOT "switch to super user and load environment variables" (even if that may be the case on some systems)

3RLOD Error 0020 X Clamp Replacement

And so, it was my turn:


For a used 360, I'm actually pretty happy it lasted as long as it did. Manufacture date was 2/06 - so there's nothing holding me back now.

Funny thing, this is actually how my FIRST xbox got modded. When it broke, it was out of warranty, so I had nothing keeping me from opening it up. XBMC is the best thing I ever did for my entertainment center.

In this case the interwebz says I need an X-Clamp Replacement - so you know... whatever.

I went with RBJ's MKIII method. Which is extremely well documented, so I didn't really take many pictures. (Update: Last I checked RBJ had taken down his tutorial, which is too bad - I sent him a message. Lamma has a good one up, which is essentially the same thing. However, it should be noted I did NOT buy the kit he's selling - although I'm sure it's worth every penny - you can get the parts anywhere. It's the work of removing the x-clamp, not the tools/equipment you use, that fixes your xbox.)

I used the following hardware from Lowe's:
2 packs - M5-.8x20mm - Oval Head Phillips - Sales # 138573 - $.92 each pack (Qty:2)
2 packs - M5-.8x16mm - Oval Head Phillips - Sales # 138566 - $.68 each pack (Qty:2)
5 packs - 5mm Flat Washers - Part # 138319 - $.56 each pack (Qty:10)


I spent probably more time than I should have cleaning the old thermal paste off the chips & heat sinks. Goo-Gone and 99% alcohol. Then I used a razor to spread a very thin even layer of some generic thermal paste on the CPU and GPU. I just used what I had lying around instead of the "artic silver" stuff everyone talks about.

Drilling the holes in the case was surprisingly pretty easy - I used a 1/4" bit for a pilot hole, then opened it up to 3/8's. Using the tape to hold the bolts in place while I got the board in place also went pretty smooth.

I accidentally screwed the CPU head sink down backward on my first try putting things back together (heat tube AWAY from the GPU) - but once I got everything screwed down... It booted up on the first try - green lights all around.

Been running great for 3 days - posted success.

BTW, I start the new job @ Rackspace on Monday.