This device does not work well with Linux - what logs should I look at?

En Linux la community is always there to help you. Each distribution has forums, wikis, IRC channels, etc. in which you will always be able to find a helping hand. However, there is a previous problem: what logs (records) I must share and what insights i must show so you can help me?

For starters, it is worth saying that the most important information you need to share is:

1.- What you did just before everything failed.

2.- What you expected to happen. I mean, how should everything have worked to be able to say that it went "well."

3.- A detail of what really happened.

So, for example, here are some examples of how to ask these types of questions correctly:

I installed Ubuntu 10.04 (x86 version) on my Dell Optiwhatever 312 laptop. When I log in, my Wi-Fi network card is not detected by Network Manager so it does not show Wi-Fi networks, even though the wired network connection works fine. .

I use Ubuntu 10.04 Netbook edition on my System76 laptop. When I plug in the headphones, the sound comes out through them but also through the speakers.

I am using Ubuntu 10.04. I used the program to install the Private Drivers for my nvidia GeForce FX 5200. Now when I reboot the machine the system hangs and shows a black screen just after showing the Ubuntu splash screen.

OK, we already saw some examples of how to describe your problem. However, when dealing with hardware problems, it is likely that they are specific problems of your machine and those who try to help you cannot replicate the problem because they do not have the same hardware. For that reason, it is a "healthy habit" to include some logs (logs or registers) of the system that can give more tools to those who try to help you.

General Information

• sudo lspci -nn lists all detected PCI devices. This includes all expansion cards (video cards, wifi, etc.) that your machine has, regardless of whether the kernel has a suitable driver to interface with them. This information is very useful, especially in cases where you are not 100% sure what hardware your machine has.
• lsusb list all USB devices connected to your machine. Again, this information is useful in cases where you are not 100% sure what hardware your machine has. It is also used to verify that the device is connected correctly or that it is not a hardware problem (burned, etc.).
• / var / log / udev y / var / log / dmesg they contain information about all the devices that the kernel has detected. These log files are generally very large. Unless you know which specific part is the one that works, it is convenient to include them as links and not paste them as part of your question.

Video card problems

• /var/log/Xorg.0.log It is the log file of the X server (the one that handles all the graphics in Linux). It works in all cases where you have problems with the video card.
• LIBGL_DEBUG = verbose glxinfo displays information on whether your machine supports 3D graphics acceleration, which is useful in cases where this is the problem (for example, problems with Unity and other programs that require 3D graphics acceleration).
• lspci -nn | grep vga displays a list of all detected video cards. This is usually useful in cases where you are not sure which card you have.
• xrandr displays a list of available screen resolutions for detected devices. The option marked with the symbol "+" is recommended, while the one with an asterisk is the one we are using. This information is often helpful when trying to connect more than 1 monitor.

Audio card problems

• / proc / asound / cards lists all detected audio devices. It is always useful to include this log file.
• / proc / asound / card0 / codec # 0 it contains information about the first sound card, including information about the input / output ports. If your problem is related to connecting a device that is not properly detected or is not working properly, you should include this log file. In case you have more than one sound card installed, there will be more than one directory / proc / asound / card ???.

Finally, before buying any machine, device or peripheral, it is always advisable to see the hardware compatibility lists made by users and companies that develop the distro you want to use.

Source: askubuntu