Desktop

[yossarian >]

Tonight we had a thunderstorm and lost power. This morning after starting my machine
I found there are no icons on the desktop, and left and right mouse clicks don't show any menu.
Tried restarting cinnamon and machine but no change.
Anybody any idea what to do?

[Paul]

Post by yossarian >
Tonight we had a thunderstorm and lost power. This morning after starting my machine
I found there are no icons on the desktop, and left and right mouse clicks don't show any menu.
Tried restarting cinnamon and machine but no change.
Anybody any idea what to do?

It's hard to believe the OS would be writing to those
files, at the instant there is a power drop.

https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=187819

"Configuration of Cinnamon applets, desklets, and extensions is kept in the
hidden folder .cinnamon/configs in your own home folder. For Cinnamon you'll
find any themes, applets, desklets, and extensions you installed
in .local/share/cinnamon/ . For Nemo you'll find any actions you install
in .local/share/nemo/. (Press Ctrl+H in your file manager to show
hidden files and folders, or select that option from the menu.
Command "ls -a" on the terminal to see all files and folders.)

Configuration of Cinnamon and Nemo itself is stored using dconf. To access that,
install the package dconf-tools. You'll find the dconf Editor in your menu,
where you can browse the dconf database. Cinnamon and Nemo configuration is
found under org."

When things like this happen, the developers should add journaling
to the settings files, so the DE can roll back damage of the
kind you experienced. With what software developers know now, this
sort of experience should be a thing of the past. Robust protection
uses two levels of journaling, the one at file system level, plus
the one at application level (the DE). But these things would happen
less often, if the files were not "open, for write" at the time
the power goes off. Files at rest, don't get damaged nearly as often.

Paul

[yossarian >]

On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 09:04:50 -0400

Post by Paul
Configuration of Cinnamon and Nemo itself is stored using dconf. To access that,
install the package dconf-tools. You'll find the dconf Editor in your menu,
where you can browse the dconf database. Cinnamon and Nemo configuration is
found under org."

Under /org/nemo/desktop
I don't find anything that rings the bell. Just one thing which resembles something
important is "show-desktop-icons", but that is deprecated by nemo.

[Nic]

On Mon, 25 Mar 2024 13:56:13 +0100

Post by yossarian >
On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 09:04:50 -0400

Post by Paul
Configuration of Cinnamon and Nemo itself is stored using dconf. To
access that, install the package dconf-tools. You'll find the dconf
Editor in your menu, where you can browse the dconf database.
Cinnamon and Nemo configuration is found under org."

Under /org/nemo/desktop
I don't find anything that rings the bell. Just one thing which
resembles something important is "show-desktop-icons", but that is
deprecated by nemo.

I never figured what does 'deprecated' mean?
transitive verb
1: to express disapproval of
deprecates such attempts at humor
2a: play down : make little of
speaks five languages … but deprecates this facility—

: belittle, disparage


It does seem that I am at the bottom of the ladder when using and
understanding Linux Mint, and to my embarresment I will carry that
shame to the next urinal.

[Mark Bourne]

Post by Nic
I never figured what does 'deprecated' mean?
transitive verb
1: to express disapproval of
deprecates such attempts at humor
2a: play down : make little of
speaks five languages … but deprecates this facility—
: belittle, disparage
It does seem that I am at the bottom of the ladder when using and
understanding Linux Mint, and to my embarresment I will carry that
shame to the next urinal.

In software, "deprecated" typically refers to a feature that's currently
still available, but is likely to be removed in a future version:
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deprecation>

Some software projects will just make the change, and everyone using the
removed feature suddenly finds that it no longer works. Others will
declare a feature as deprecated in a particular version, documenting it
as such and mentioning in the release notes. That gives time for people
currently using the feature to adapt, before it stops working entirely.
It may be that there's a new way of achieving similar results, perhaps
in a more efficient or more flexible way. Some projects will happily
declare a feature as deprecated in one release and remove it entirely in
the next. Others have a policy of declaring a feature as deprecated at
least a certain number of releases before it's actually removed, so you
get several releases notice (assuming, of course, that you read the
change notes ;o)).

[Nic]

Post by yossarian >
Tonight we had a thunderstorm and lost power. This morning after starting my machine
I found there are no icons on the desktop, and left and right mouse clicks don't show any menu.
Tried restarting cinnamon and machine but no change.
Anybody any idea what to do?

Happens a lot (storms/power outage) where I am at, what works to get the
system to boot is to -boot a live linux version - (I use Puppy) then run
GParted and "CHECK" (FSCK) the primary mint drive, complete the
operation and see if it helps you.

[yossarian >]

On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 10:41:48 -0400

Post by Nic
Happens a lot (storms/power outage) where I am at, what works to get the
system to boot is to -boot a live linux version - (I use Puppy) then run
GParted and "CHECK" (FSCK) the primary mint drive, complete the
operation and see if it helps you.

No problem found, problem remain.

[Dr. Noah Bodie]

Post by yossarian >
Tonight we had a thunderstorm and lost power. This morning after starting my machine
I found there are no icons on the desktop, and left and right mouse clicks don't show any menu.
Tried restarting cinnamon and machine but no change.
Anybody any idea what to do?

Start here https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ups+battery+backup+%26+surge+protector
I've been using a UPS for years.

[yossarian >]

On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:17:55 -0300

Post by Dr. Noah Bodie
Start here https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ups+battery+backup+%26+surge+protector
I've been using a UPS for years.

I don't know how and what to chose. Witch one is compatible with Linux?

[Paul]

Post by yossarian >
On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:17:55 -0300

Post by Dr. Noah Bodie
Start here https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ups+battery+backup+%26+surge+protector
I've been using a UPS for years.

I don't know how and what to chose. Witch one is compatible with Linux?

Example.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/APC_UPS

For other brands, you might have to try their website,
which is not always easy.

Paul

[Nic]

Post by Paul

Post by yossarian >
On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:17:55 -0300

Post by Dr. Noah Bodie
Start here https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ups+battery+backup+%26+surge+protector
I've been using a UPS for years.

I don't know how and what to chose. Witch one is compatible with Linux?

Example.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/APC_UPS
For other brands, you might have to try their website,
which is not always easy.
Paul

Is it required that the OS be in contact with the power supply? I
thought that this was an exclusive electrical system. The computers
electrical needs are supplied by the UPS, and if the supply side is
disrupted/interrupted the UPS continues to deliver electricity to the
computer allowing you to shut down if necessary, which is determined by
the length of time the power is down.

[Big Al]

Post by Paul

Post by yossarian >
On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:17:55 -0300

Post by Dr. Noah Bodie
Start here https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ups+battery+backup+%26+surge+protector
I've been using a UPS for years.

I don't know how and what to chose. Witch one is compatible with Linux?

Example.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/APC_UPS
For other brands, you might have to try their website,
which is not always easy.
    Paul

Is it required that the OS be in contact with the power supply? I thought that this was an exclusive
electrical system. The computers electrical needs are supplied by the UPS, and if the supply side is
disrupted/interrupted the UPS continues to deliver electricity to the computer allowing you to shut
down if necessary, which is determined by the length of time the power is down.

The only one I setup IIRC, was connected via a serial port from PC to UPS, so the UPS could tell the
PC the power was down (first) and then as battery was at it's end, going down (2nd).
On #1, the PC could just tell the user and the user would determine what to do.
On #2, the UPS told the user it was going to shutdown (like 30 seconds) and the PC was force into a
shutdown sequence.

Of course this was ... well, serial port, that tells you have long ago.

[Paul]

Post by Paul

Post by yossarian >
On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:17:55 -0300

Post by Dr. Noah Bodie
Start here https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ups+battery+backup+%26+surge+protector
I've been using a UPS for years.

I don't know how and what to chose. Witch one is compatible with Linux?

Example.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/APC_UPS
For other brands, you might have to try their website,
which is not always easy.
    Paul

Is it required that the OS be in contact with the power supply? I thought that this was an exclusive electrical system. The computers electrical needs are supplied by the UPS, and if the supply side is disrupted/interrupted the UPS continues to deliver electricity to the computer allowing you to shut down if necessary, which is determined by the length of time the power is down.

The only one I setup IIRC, was connected via a serial port from PC to UPS, so the UPS could tell the PC the power was down (first) and then as battery was at it's end, going down (2nd).
On #1, the PC could just tell the user and the user would determine what to do.
On #2, the UPS told the user it was going to shutdown (like 30 seconds) and the PC was force into a shutdown sequence.
Of course this was ... well, serial port, that tells you have long ago.

On the old APC UPS with serial port, I suspect the length
of the shutdown message was pretty short. But there
were not any details at the time. Modern equipment is more
verbose, because there's a micro onboard.

If there is Linux (source) code for this, you would be better able to
see what the message format looks like.

The machine should just shut down and ignore the user.
In the same way a laptop protects the equipment in
low-power-remaining conditions. It's not a time for
"waiting for user" particularly.

My UPS would deliver the shutdown at two minutes. You
don't really want to drain the UPS -- most of the time
the power failure will outlast your battery and it
beats the battery up too much, to be running it into
the ground all the time. I was pretty happy with the
choice of two minutes the equipment was using. If
I didn't like it, I could disconnect the serial cable
and the UPS would have to fend for itself (auto shutoff,
"dirty" shutdown of OS).

Paul

[yossarian >]

On Mon, 25 Mar 2024 12:19:23 -0400

Post by Paul

Post by yossarian >
On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:17:55 -0300

[...]

Post by yossarian >
I don't know how and what to chose. Witch one is compatible with Linux?

Example.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/APC_UPS
For other brands, you might have to try their website,
which is not always easy.
Paul

Every site I tried only windows, windows and windows.
This page isn’t workingwww.apcupsd.org is currently unable to handle this request.
software manager comment
As usual, installed and nowhere to be found. Keep up the good work! EdmundF
Is Arch linux compatible with Mint?

[Paul]

Post by yossarian >
On Mon, 25 Mar 2024 12:19:23 -0400

Post by Paul

Post by yossarian >
On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:17:55 -0300

[...]

Post by yossarian >
I don't know how and what to chose. Witch one is compatible with Linux?

Example.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/APC_UPS
For other brands, you might have to try their website,
which is not always easy.
Paul

Every site I tried only windows, windows and windows.
This page isn’t workingwww.apcupsd.org is currently unable to handle this request.
software manager comment
As usual, installed and nowhere to be found. Keep up the good work! EdmundF
Is Arch linux compatible with Mint?

Just randomly selecting a dot from the year 2006, some
version of that already existed. It has apparently been
around for a while.

https://web.archive.org/web/20060301000000*/www.apcupsd.org

Paul

[vallor]

Post by yossarian >

Post by Paul
[...]

Post by yossarian >
I don't know how and what to chose. Witch one is compatible with Linux?

Example.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/APC_UPS
For other brands, you might have to try their website,
which is not always easy.
Paul

Every site I tried only windows, windows and windows.
This page isn’t workingwww.apcupsd.org is currently unable to handle this request.
software manager comment As usual, installed and nowhere to be found.
Keep up the good work! EdmundF Is Arch linux compatible with Mint?

Just randomly selecting a dot from the year 2006, some version of that
already existed. It has apparently been around for a while.
https://web.archive.org/web/20060301000000*/www.apcupsd.org
Paul

FWIW, apcupsd is in the Linux Mint repos. (See below.) I use it for my
Back-UPS RS 1500G. My system is connected to the BackUPS with
the supplied USB cable.

$ apt-cache show apcupsd
Package: apcupsd
Architecture: amd64
Version: 3.14.14-3.1build1
Priority: extra
Section: universe/admin
Origin: Ubuntu
Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <ubuntu-devel-***@lists.ubuntu.com>
Original-Maintainer: Thorsten Alteholz <***@alteholz.de>
Bugs: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+filebug
Installed-Size: 881
Provides: ups-monitor
Depends: libc6 (>= 2.34), libgcc-s1 (>= 4.2), libusb-0.1-4 (>= 2:0.1.12), libwrap0 (>= 7.6-4~), lsb-base
Recommends: apcupsd-doc, s-nail | mailx
Suggests: apcupsd-cgi, udev
Conflicts: ups-monitor
Filename: pool/universe/a/apcupsd/apcupsd_3.14.14-3.1build1_amd64.deb
Size: 226588
MD5sum: 3af2339064cd9a31e0281fba9266f6cf
SHA1: 89a05753901c57e4792e3f243d007807145f4ea1
SHA256: 98a1f6b644ad3bc939469c3b0489c6ef14e5e116a2c063e601ee2a6fed8b16d1
SHA512: 372304037bcaf6042b1fdeb93656efc9e7250a8870b12e87ca3347d5c24fc0d4b665f23002f4059133f8f465ef18278b683856a03068ac0ea88cc212b720616e
Homepage: http://www.apcupsd.org/
Description-en: APC UPS Power Management (daemon)
apcupsd provides UPS power management for APC products, including most BackUPS
series models (including USB), SmartUPS V/S, SmartUPS (NET/RM), and Matrix
series.
.
It controls and monitors the status of UPS and allows your computer to run for
a specified length of time on UPS power, and then executes a controlled
shutdown in the case of an extended power failure.
Description-md5: 5828ed072ad1cdcdd2a3dc847c13d193
_ _ _ _ _ _ _

apcupsd-doc has the manual in html. I seem to remember
there being a graphical client program for the daemon, but I don't
remember what it was.

There is a small client that comes with it, "apcaccess", which will
give you information about the line voltage, reason for last transfer,
and so forth.

[Paul]

Post by vallor
FWIW, apcupsd is in the Linux Mint repos. (See below.) I use it for my
Back-UPS RS 1500G. My system is connected to the BackUPS with
the supplied USB cable.

<snip>

Post by vallor
apcupsd-doc has the manual in html. I seem to remember
there being a graphical client program for the daemon, but I don't
remember what it was.
There is a small client that comes with it, "apcaccess", which will
give you information about the line voltage, reason for last transfer,
and so forth.

For the OPs question, modern UPS (uninterruptable power supplies),
have more complete interfaces. Early ones could manage maybe one
character across RS232, indicating "shutdown". The UPS now has
a microcontroller in it, and can report current conditions.
For example, the "line interactive" type of UPS, can correct the
line voltage when not on battery, so the software on it could
report the mains voltage, as well as what the UPS output
voltage reads. The information may include what percentage
of capacity is currently being used (60% of 500W). Anything that
can be done with simple measurements can be reported.

Standby UPS (Offline UPS) <=== good enough for a "clean shutdown" setup (= "home user")
Line-Interactive UPS <=== if power quality is really bad (rural voltage fluctuation)
Double Conversion UPS <=== "Server room type", sine wave output, Active PFC compatible
Ferroresonant UPS
Delta Conversion Online UPS
Hybrid Topology UPS

Paul

[vallor]

Post by Paul

Post by vallor
FWIW, apcupsd is in the Linux Mint repos. (See below.) I use it for my
Back-UPS RS 1500G. My system is connected to the BackUPS with
the supplied USB cable.

<snip>

Post by vallor
apcupsd-doc has the manual in html. I seem to remember
there being a graphical client program for the daemon, but I don't
remember what it was.
There is a small client that comes with it, "apcaccess", which will
give you information about the line voltage, reason for last transfer,
and so forth.

For the OPs question, modern UPS (uninterruptable power supplies),
have more complete interfaces. Early ones could manage maybe one
character across RS232, indicating "shutdown". The UPS now has
a microcontroller in it, and can report current conditions.
For example, the "line interactive" type of UPS, can correct the
line voltage when not on battery, so the software on it could
report the mains voltage, as well as what the UPS output
voltage reads. The information may include what percentage
of capacity is currently being used (60% of 500W). Anything that
can be done with simple measurements can be reported.
Standby UPS (Offline UPS) <=== good enough for a "clean shutdown" setup (= "home user")
Line-Interactive UPS <=== if power quality is really bad (rural voltage fluctuation)
Double Conversion UPS <=== "Server room type", sine wave output, Active PFC compatible
Ferroresonant UPS
Delta Conversion Online UPS
Hybrid Topology UPS
Paul

I think I might have one of the better ones. it has a small
led display with menus.

Here is the output of the apcaccess tool
(serial number redacted):

$ apcaccess
APC : 001,037,0908
DATE : 2024-03-26 05:24:23 -0700
HOSTNAME : lm
VERSION : 3.14.14 (31 May 2016) debian
UPSNAME : lm
CABLE : USB Cable
DRIVER : USB UPS Driver
UPSMODE : Stand Alone
STARTTIME: 2024-03-22 04:07:35 -0700
MODEL : Back-UPS RS 1500G
STATUS : ONLINE
LINEV : 119.0 Volts
LOADPCT : 28.0 Percent
BCHARGE : 100.0 Percent
TIMELEFT : 23.4 Minutes
MBATTCHG : 5 Percent
MINTIMEL : 3 Minutes
MAXTIME : 0 Seconds
SENSE : High
LOTRANS : 78.0 Volts
HITRANS : 144.0 Volts
ALARMDEL : 30 Seconds
BATTV : 27.2 Volts
LASTXFER : Low line voltage
NUMXFERS : 3
XONBATT : 2024-03-26 00:54:39 -0700
TONBATT : 0 Seconds
CUMONBATT: 4 Seconds
XOFFBATT : 2024-03-26 00:54:40 -0700
SELFTEST : NO
STATFLAG : 0x05000008
SERIALNO : [ redacted -v ]
BATTDATE : 2020-07-31
NOMINV : 120 Volts
NOMBATTV : 24.0 Volts
NOMPOWER : 865 Watts
FIRMWARE : 865.L5 .D USB FW:L5
END APC : 2024-03-26 05:24:28 -0700
_ _ _ _ _

Yes, it does keep track of the date of the battery,
and will "expire" them after a period of time: basically
forcing one to buy a new battery. :/

[yossarian >]

On Tue, 26 Mar 2024 10:10:07 -0000 (UTC)

Post by vallor
apcupsd-doc has the manual in html. I seem to remember
there being a graphical client program for the daemon, but I don't
remember what it was.

Thanks for confirmation that it is working, now I can proceed to the decision which APC UPS to buy.

Post by vallor
There is a small client that comes with it, "apcaccess", which will
give you information about the line voltage, reason for last transfer,
and so forth.

Maybe apcupsd-cgi in repository

[Dr. Noah Bodie]

Post by yossarian >
On Tue, 26 Mar 2024 10:10:07 -0000 (UTC)

Post by vallor
apcupsd-doc has the manual in html. I seem to remember
there being a graphical client program for the daemon, but I don't
remember what it was.

Thanks for confirmation that it is working, now I can proceed to the decision which APC UPS to buy.

When the battery runs down (in aprx. 5 yrs.) you don't need to buy a new
UPS.
Just buy a new battery from Amazon.

[Paul]

Post by yossarian >
On Tue, 26 Mar 2024 10:10:07 -0000 (UTC)

apcupsd-doc has the manual in html.  I seem to remember
there being a graphical client program for the daemon, but I don't
remember what it was.

Thanks for confirmation that it is working, now I can proceed to the decision which APC UPS to buy.

When the battery runs down (in aprx. 5 yrs.) you don't need to buy a new UPS.
Just buy a new battery from Amazon.

The replacement batteries may not be "exact" replacements.
Here are the statistics for the two batteries my APC 650 has had.
The second battery also swelled a bit, and was hard to get out
of the chassis. I had to go to the hardware store, and get a
Philips head with an extra long body on it, to reach the release
screws.

Original APC 650 Failure time: 11 years Battery fail type: Low minutes of capacity Terminal voltage: 12.6V (normal)
Failure time: 3 years Battery fail type: Fails battery test Terminal voltage: 6.x (shorted cells!)

Paul

[Dr. Noah Bodie]

Post by yossarian >
On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:17:55 -0300

Post by Dr. Noah Bodie
Start here https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ups+battery+backup+%26+surge+protector
I've been using a UPS for years.

I don't know how and what to chose. Witch one is compatible with Linux?

They all work with Linux. The issue is your wattage use, once you know
the amount of power used by both the pc and the monitor then you can
choose the correct UPS.

Check the box that each item came in. It should tell you how much power
each item uses.

[Paul]

Post by yossarian >
On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:17:55 -0300

Post by Dr. Noah Bodie
Start here https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ups+battery+backup+%26+surge+protector
I've been using a UPS for years.

I don't know how and what to chose. Witch one is compatible with Linux?

They all work with Linux. The issue is your wattage use, once you know the amount of power used by both the pc and the monitor then you can choose the correct UPS.
Check the box that each item came in. It should tell you how much power each item uses.

I use a Kill-A-Watt meter, which gives both W and VA numbers,
which is part of selecting a UPS. Load up Prime95 and Furmark,
to make the PC run at full power, then take a reading. (On the
other PC, that gets me pretty close to 400 watts for the PC.)
That's an example of a "method" for determining power.

You can cook up your own recipe for raising a PC to max power.

In this example, the center button is a toggle between W and VA
mode (Watts and VoltAmperes - the ratio of which is the PF power factor).

Loading Image...

You can either be Watt limited or VoltAmpere limited. Plug
all the loads into a power strip, plug the power strip into
the Kill-O-Watt face and you won't have to do any vector arithmetic.

I used to estimate this stuff for people by hand, but
the error bars are large doing it that way. If you own
the computer already, these meter types are reasonably
cheap. I got mine for maybe $30 or a bit more at the time.
A separate company makes the UK version. The meters are
handy for checking other appliances, so you will get occasional
usage from the meter.

For any prospective meter, you check the meter face to see
if it has the desired ranges on it.

A Kill-A-Watt meter is roughly as accurate as a whole house
digital power meter, and uses the same determination method.
I have made various bodge measurements with a regular
(True RMS) multimeter, and the results that way are all
over the place. The Kill-A-Watt meter is just "so much better"
for this measurement. It takes all the guesswork out of
the job.

Right now, my PC is drawing 42W and line voltage is 119.9V .
(The PC is currently plugged into the meter.) It's
42W with 0.88 PF, on a power supply that is supposed to
have active PFC. The VA is about 47VA. Because the numbers
are always fluctuating, I do not expect 42/47 to equal
exactly 0.88 .

Paul

[yossarian >]

On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 12:37:47 +0100

Post by yossarian >
Tonight we had a thunderstorm and lost power. This morning after starting my machine
I found there are no icons on the desktop, and left and right mouse clicks don't show any menu.
Tried restarting cinnamon and machine but no change.
Anybody any idea what to do?
--
Linux Mint 21.3 kernel version 6.5.0-26-generic Cinnamon 6.0.4
AMD Ryzen 7 5700G with Radeon Vega Graphics, 32GB of DRAM.

Replaying to myself
Press Alt+F2 and type nemo-desktop then hit Enter.
solved

[yossarian >]

On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 17:46:28 +0100

Post by yossarian >
Replaying to myself
Press Alt+F2 and type nemo-desktop then hit Enter.
solved

Not solved, it is just the patch that should be applied at every start.