Getting CONKY running on AV Linux

[Matt73]

Hello Great People,

Just joined the forum. My names Matt and I'm trying to record an album in my bedroom. Got a new laptop with decent hardware and I managed to get AV Linux up and running to have an audio production machine. I switched to Linux about 2 years ago. Tried a few different distros. Have learned a lot about using the terminal etc. But have never used CONKY.

I saw an older version of AV Linux on YouTube and it had CONKY up and running. I want it too for no other reason than it just looks super cool. I see there is a toggle switch in the menu for CONKY but nothing happens when I click it. Do I have to download and install to this latest version of AV Linux? Any advice appreciated.

Best Wishes

Matt Hammond

[Solon]

Hi Matt73,

I'm no expert on this, but I can tell you that the first thing the true experts on this forum will ask is for your "Quick Info" to be posted here. This gives a total rundown of your machine, its software and hardware. With this, they can start giving you intelligent answers.

I usually have trouble finding the Quick Info, even though it is always staring me in-the-face, because I expect it to be underneath one of the usual 'suspects', like Settings, System, etc. You find Quick Info by either typing the words "Quick Info" into the bottom line of the menu search box, OR, if you're smart (unlike me ), you just click on the Icon in the Menu's sidebar which looks like a: computer monitor screen, blue background with a white "i" and a white circle around it!

Once you access this program, it will give you a full read-out of your entire system (fun to read, since it will tell you things you never suspected or even imagined about the hardware and software you are running). It will also give you a pop-up window that says: Report copied to your Clipboard, You can Paste it to the Forum, (or something like that).

So then go to the "Reply" box at the bottom of this thread, type in Hello, here's my Info:, space down and then just hit Paste, either from the clipboard, or simply use "Control" then "V", per usual. You can then, after you hit the Review and Full Editor button, see a preview of your post and check that the Quick Info was added into the small scroll window, after which you can continue to add comments and edit to your heart's content.
____________________________

Must say that I never knew about AV Linux, so I've learned something new and already had fun reading this. I read, however, that the author of this software does note that:

Currently AVL-MXE is my own Respin and is not an official variant of antiX/MX.

I went out and looked on my Package Installer for MX Linux, and "AV Linux" is nowhere to be found. For this reason it is doubly important that you include the Quick Info here so the experts will know exactly what you have so they can give your issue proper attention!

[Aqua768]

Hello,

perhaps this can help you:
1. Check that Conky is set to autostart -> just check the "Session and Startup" app in the start menu. If it isn't, set it as and relog.
2. Open "Conky Manager"
3. There are many different Conkys listed here, to start one, just tick it on. You can play around with the different Conkys and choose the one you like best. Also, there are many options to further customize the chosen Conkys.
( 4. On older versions of AV Linux, "~/.conky/AVL-MXE-Diehard-Basic/.conkyrc" was the default Conky, but now Conky is not setup by default)
(5. If you want even more options, you can also use the "MX Conky" tool, yet I would recommend to make a backup of your Conkies before you try it, as it can cause more trouble than "Conky Mananger".)

------------------------------------------------------

Just as further explantation:
MX Linux and AV Linux have graphical utilities for Conky management installed. On other distros you'd have to use the terminal and edit the respective files by yourself. So, MX makes it a lot easier to get started.

Hope that tutorial works for you.

- Aqua

[Matt73]

Hey thanks guys. I got the system info up but it didn't seem to want to copy to clipboard and I tried to generate a report but it said that there was an error generating the report.

Anyway, I'll try the advice re CONKY. Thanks a lot. I'll report my findings.

[Aqua768]

Hello again,

just as a side note for times, when Quick System Info is needed:

Normally, when running it from the start menu, the report is already formatted and prepared for the forum, so you just have to hit paste on your post, without any manual copying needed.
With that the QSI will also be automatically displayed well readable to the other forum members, like this:

Code: Select all

This is an example:

Hello world.

- Aqua

[AVLinux]

Hi,

I understand the need and usefulness of QSI, but in reading many posts here I find it is quite effective with hardware problems (video and networking etc.) but not often effective for many 'software' and applications issues. To ask for QSI immediately because a Conky didn't start seems a little heavy handed and potentially intimidating to new Users in some cases anyway... all just my opinion..

Now @Aqua768 is totally correct... Put 10 Linux Users in a room and 5 want a Conky and 5 say get that damned thing off my Desktop! So I have the Conky running in Live sessions and leave it up to the User if they want a Conky at all and then they can select which Conky they want assuming they like (or don't like) or want the default AVL-MXE Theming. So yes select the 'diehard' Conky in Conky Manager 2 and you should be good to go!

However I have not documented this so I will add it to the User Manual..

[Matt73]

Hello Again,

Nice community I have to say. I am determined to get AV Linux up and running nicely. It looks so cool and is ideal for someone like me who mainly want to use the computer for music production.

I will get the CONKY up and running but I also have some more pressing issues.

I had some difficulties installing the AV Linux, apparently because I have a UEFI laptop (I don't understand that means). I followed the instruction on a thread AVLinux kindly sent me a link to and I have got it to work. However, when I switch the laptop on, I get a screen giving me about 8 seconds to make a choice between AV Linux and AV Linux (systemd). Then there's a final choice about a memory test. Is this normal? If so, which to choose? I've noticed that both of the first options seem to work, the only difference being that when I choose the second one the screen is nice and bright when I have logged in but when I choose the first, the screen is dim upon log in and I have to touch the brighness key to get it to instantly come right. It's wierd man.

Another thing that bugs me is that the computer won't suspend. Maybe this is a BIOS thing. If I press the power button briefly. The computer goes to sleep. But it won't wake up again. If I choose 'suspend' from the shut-down options, nothing happens. I had this same problem with other linux distros too. It's a brand new HP laptop. I'm wondering whether it is faulty.

Another thing that bugs me is constantly having to enter a password. It's just me using this computer. I don't want to have to enter 2 things when I login. In fact I don't really want to ever enter a password. I mean when using terminal ok but not all the time.

This is all a bit frustrating but I am determined to understand it all and find solutions to these issues. Then I can install Tracktion Waveform (hope it works) and start finally recording on using the great OS. Again your help is much appreciated.

Best Wishes

Matt

[AVLinux]

Hi,

It is normal for the 'GRUB' boot screen to display the boot choices. MX Linux is very unique in that it allows 2 'init' methods, sysvinit and systemd. Unless you really need systemd you can just leave this alone. If you want it to boot into systemd (option 2) by default you can change this in 'MX-Tools'-->'Boot Options'

I'm not sure about suspend... I'm an 'on or off' guy so I never use that on any computer but you probably need to set that in 'Menu'-->'Settings'-->'Power Manager'

Of course for your security the default is Password Authentication to Login.. AVL-MXE uses a very simple and basic Login Manager called 'Slim' to make it autologin follow the instruction set in the 'Menu'-->'Accessories'-->AVL-MXE User Manual Page 27

[Matt73]

Excellent, thankyou.