laptop HowTo - Linux / Unix Q & A from nixCraft

How to update Lenovo BIOS from Linux without using Windows

last updated May 15, 2018 in CentOS, Debian / Ubuntu, Hardware, Linux, RedHat and Friends, Suse

I am using Lenovo laptop. I want to update my BIOS but do not have Windows installed my system. How do I update Lenovo BIOS from Linux without using MS-Windows operating system with the help of a USB stick?

gnome-terminal: There Was An Error Creating The Child Process For This Terminal

last updated December 4, 2012 in CentOS, RedHat and Friends, Troubleshooting

I am using CentOS 5 on my laptop. If I open gnome-terminal by right clicking the desktop, I am getting an error that read as follows:

There was an error creating the child process for this terminal

How do I fix this problem and open a terminal by right clicking the Debian / Ubuntu / CentOS / Fedora / RHEL / Red hat Enterprise Linux 5.x desktop system?

FreeBSD PPTP Client: Install and Create a VPN

last updated December 1, 2012 in FreeBSD, Networking, UNIX

I work form home and I need to login into our corporate network using a pptp based vpn. How do I configure and setup up a PPTP VPN client under FreeBSD desktop / laptop or server operating systems?

Linux: Dell Server / Desktop / Laptop Find Out Service Tag Command

last updated July 4, 2011 in Linux

I need to find out the service tag of my Dell server or computer. How do I find out my nique five- to seven- digit alphanumeric (letter and number) service tag code without looking on the back of the system or opening door of bezel?

Apple OS X Lock Desktop / Screen

last updated April 6, 2011 in Mac OS X

I need to prevent others using my desktop or laptop while I’m away from it. How do I lock my Laptop (Macbook or Macbook pro) / desktop using Mac OS X operating systems without using 3rd party applications?

FreeBSD: Atheros AR8131 / AR8132 Gigabit Fast Ethernet Driver Configuration

last updated July 22, 2010 in FreeBSD

I have installed FreeBSD 8.x on my Laptop with Windows 7 in dual boot mode. But I’m unable to connect to the LAN or Internet using Atheros AR8132 card. How do I configure this card under FreeBSD?

Linux: Find Out BIOS Version Using a Command Line Option

last updated July 8, 2010 in Linux

How do I find out BIOS version using a Linux command line option?