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How to Install KDE 4.3 on Ubuntu 9.04

Step-by-step tutorial with screenshots

By Marius Nestor, Linux Editor

7th of August 2009, 12:30 GMT

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KDE 4.3.0 on Ubuntu 9.04
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After six months of development, the K Desktop Environment 4.3.0 was launched on August 4th, 2009.
It fixes over 10,000 bugs and brings about 2,000 features. Among some of the most interesting ones in the KDE 4.3.0 desktop environment we can mention the new Arora web browser that will replace Konqueror, the beautiful Air theme, new eye-candy effects, a redesigned run dialog, lots of Plasma improvements, a new network manager, updated applications and many more. With this said, the KDE 4.3.0 is the most modern and beautiful desktop environment to date.

Today's tutorial is for those of you who don't want to wait until late October for the Kubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) release, which will come with a default KDE 4.3.0 installation, and it will teach you, step by step, how to install the brand-new KDE 4.3.0 desktop environment on your existing Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) installation.

Editor's note: To eliminate the "terminal madness" for Linux beginners, we've used apt-url links in this tutorial. So, just click the links where it says to install a software!

Step 1 - Add KDE 4.3 Repositories

Go to System -> Administration -> Software Sources...

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...enter your password, and the Software Sources window will appear. Click on the second tab, "Third-Party Software," then click the "Add" button and paste the following code in the new window that will appear...

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-ppa/backports/ubuntu jaunty main

Then, click on the "Add Source" button...

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Go to the third tab, "Updates," and check the "Unsupported updates (jaunty-backports)" option...

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Right click HERE and choose the "Save Link As..." option, in order to save the key file on your desktop. Then, go to the fourth tab, "Authentication," click the "Import Key File" button, navigate to the location where you've just saved the key file (File System/home/YOURUSERNAME/Desktop) and double click it. You will immediately see a new entry called "8AC93F7A 2009-05-07 Launchpad Kubuntu Updates"...

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Then click on the "Close" button of the main window. It will ask you if you want to reload the information about available software, so click the "Reload" button and wait for the Software Sources window to close...

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Step 2 - Install KDE 4.3

All you need to do now is click the link below...

Click here to Install KDE 4.3

Then click the "Install" button to install the packages (enter your password if asked)...

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Wait for the KDE 4.3 packages to be downloaded...

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When the download is over, you will be prompted to choose a display manager (GDM or KDM). Click on the "Forward" button if you want to keep Ubuntu's login screen (GDM), or select the KDM entry from the drop-down list to install KDE4's login screen. We strongly suggest you choose GDM here...

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The installation will start...

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...when the installation is over, click the "Close" button and reboot the computer.

At the login screen, if you've chosen to keep Ubuntu's default login screen, go to Options -> Select Session menu...

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...and select the KDE entry...

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Input your username/password and voilà... KDE 4 fun on your Ubuntu desktop!

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Editor's note: If you have autologin enabled, you will not be able to select the KDE session. So you need to logout and select KDE from "Options -> Select Session."

Optional Step 1 - Restoring the Original Ubuntu Bootsplash

The KDE 4.3 installation will overwrite your current Ubuntu boot splash theme. If you don't like the blue Kubuntu splash and you want to restore Ubuntu's, follow the instructions below...

Click here to Install StartUp-Manager

Then click the "Install" button to install the packages (enter your password if asked)...
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When the download is over, the installation will start...

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When the installation is over, click the "Close" button and go to System -> Administration -> StartUp-Manager...

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...enter your password if asked, and wait for StartUp-Manager to start. Then, go to the second tab, "Appearance," and select the usplash-theme-ubuntu entry from the "Usplash theme" section...

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Click the "Close" button and wait for the application to apply the new settings...

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...and you're done! If you reboot, you'll notice that Ubuntu's boot splash is back.

Optional Step 2 - Restoring the Original Ubuntu Menu

The KDE 4.3 installation will mess up your current Ubuntu menu. What that means? Well, all the KDE applications will "invade" your GNOME menu. If you don't like this and you want to restore Ubuntu's menu, follow the instructions below...

1. Click HERE to download Gnome Menu Extended. Get the "Ubuntu DEB ALL" file!
2. Save the file on your desktop.
3. Double click the file and install it (input your password when asked).

That's it! All the KDE applications will be stored in a single entry in the GNOME menu...

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You can do the same thing on KDE, for the GNOME applications, if you download the K Menu Gnome software!

If you encounter any issues with the tutorial, do not hesitate to use our commenting system below.

TAGS:

KDE 4.3.0 | Ubuntu 9.04 | Jaunty Jackalope | K Desktop Environment | installation tutorial
Read by 42,668 user(s) | Add comment | Link to this article TWEET THIS


Article rating:
Excellent (5.0/5) 26 vote(s)    

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User opinions:


Comment #1 by: Louis King Jr on 07 Aug 2009, 14:51 GMT reply to this comment

a couple things, first, ubuntu 9.04 doesn't come with startup manager installed, I had to go get it. the more serious issue is, I got a KDE script error near the end of the install. and also got the same KDE script error when installing startup manager into the gnome environment. is there a way for me to be sure KDE was installed properly? seems to run.

Comment #1.1 by: Marius Nestor on 07 Aug 2009, 18:31 GMT

Hello, I did not say that StartUp-Manager is installed in Ubuntu 9.04.... I said "Click here to Install StartUp-Manager" :) And yes.... there is an issue with a package called kubuntu-docs 9.04.2... but the installation is fine without it. I think that the Kubuntu developers will fix that package very soon!


Comment #2 by: vinod on 08 Aug 2009, 00:49 GMT reply to this comment

I followed the same steps as mentioned abouve in my new laptop (Dual boot Ubuntu 9.04 amd64/Vista 64 bit). Later I restarted my laptop and found that the graphic screen failed to launch. I do not know how to fix it.
One question: The above link (to repo) is for 32 bit KDE 4.3 or 64 bit?

Disclaimer:
I am a computer illiterate but want to learn a few things. Thats why I chose Linux. Please pardon me if my question is silly.

Thanks in advance.

Comment #2.1 by: Doru Barbu on 11 Aug 2009, 09:14 GMT

The repository is for both 32 and 64 bit.

Explain on what you refer to with "graphic screen". Is it the progress bar that appears when you start up Ubuntu or the Login Screen/Desktop and menus?

Comment #2.2 by: Vasiauvi on 29 Aug 2009, 14:07 GMT

Hello!
The same problem I have, the desktop doesn't appear. The background is white!! No menu, no wallpaper, nothing!
The programs are working if I make ALT+F2 but no pannels!

"KDEInit could not launch '/usr/share/screenlets-manager/screenlets-daemon.py".
Anyone knows the problem?

Comment #2.3 by: Doru Barbu on 07 Sep 2009, 12:41 GMT

Try deleting the ~/.kde/Autostart/Screenlets Daemon.desktop file, it may have been left there by a previous installation of KDE. The tilde in the path I gave you means your home directory (eg: if your username is john, the path would be /home/john/.kde/Autostart...). If you can't see the .kde folder, just press CTRL+H and the hidden files should appear.

Comment #2.4 by: Memo on 08 Nov 2009, 00:49 GMT

I tried what 'Doru Barbu', but that file doesn't even exists ~/.kde/Autostart folder is empty. I also found an empty desktop after installing kubuntu-desktop via synaptic. when prompted to select between gdm and kdm, first I choosed kdm, so after reboot I found the default plasma-like login screen, I choosed kde explicitly and logged in. loading screen si shown, I get a peek of plasma desktop and an empty taskbar, but then everything goes blank.


Comment #3 by: kalpa1986 on 08 Aug 2009, 03:00 GMT reply to this comment

this is good THANKS a lot


Comment #4 by: raja sarma on 08 Aug 2009, 12:08 GMT reply to this comment

sir,
i downloded ABUNTU 9.04 from net. but now iam unable to create bootable cd
for installing in my pc. please give me diection , how to create bootable cd.
if you able to give step by step procedure how to create bootable cd.
avaiting your reply.

thanking you,

Comment #4.1 by: Doru Barbu on 10 Aug 2009, 06:20 GMT

Hello!

If you are using Windows and you have Nero Burning Rom installed, depending on your nero version you will need to access, depending on the nero version you have installed, "File -> Burn Image", "File -> Open" or, if you have Nero Express go to the "Copy and Backup" tab in Nero Smart Start and select "Burn Image to Disk".
Then proceed to select the Ubuntu 9.04 image and choose a low enough writing speed to crate a trouble-free CD (16x is recommended).

If you are already using Ubuntu, writing the CD image is pretty straightforward: you can either right-click the ubuntu iso and select "Write to Disk" or use the Brasero Disk Burner application and click the "Burn Image" button.

Good Luck!


Comment #5 by: Andy DCH on 10 Aug 2009, 18:00 GMT reply to this comment

I can't find menu like Software Source in my Linux Mint 7.
Can anybody give me some guidance to install this KDE 4.3 into my LM7?

Thanks

Comment #5.1 by: Doru Barbu on 11 Aug 2009, 09:11 GMT

We didn't try to install KDE 4.3.0 on Linux Mint 7 so we can't warrant that it will work by any means.

You can change the software sources by opening the Synaptic Package Manager, then going to Settings -> Repositories in the menu.
Good luck!


Comment #6 by: satya on 11 Aug 2009, 08:34 GMT reply to this comment

Hi,

I am getting a "WHITE" screen after logging to KDE. I tried removing .kde4, .kde folders but that didn't help.

If anyone knows the solution to fix this, please let me know

Comment #6.1 by: Doru Barbu on 11 Aug 2009, 09:17 GMT

Does that happen to your GNOME session too?
It may also be related to your graphics setup. Give us some details about your graphics card and driver.


Comment #7 by: Noam on 12 Aug 2009, 08:26 GMT reply to this comment

TO THE AUTHOR:
What theme are you using in the screen-shots? real nice

Comment #7.1 by: Marius Nestor on 12 Aug 2009, 09:21 GMT

It's the Dust theme with the dots wallpaper.


Comment #8 by: hawking on 12 Aug 2009, 11:47 GMT reply to this comment

i tried this tute & all went well even with the gnome extended menu the progs appear to be there just now i have a line of script in my boot up sequence with a screen resolution prompt & no KDE option in my log on window to fire KDE up.what did i do wrong marius?btw i already had start up manager installed here before i installed & some gnome extra plug ins.thanks in advance

Comment #8.1 by: Marius Nestor on 12 Aug 2009, 18:52 GMT

Hmmm... that's very strange, try to execute the following commands in a terminal:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get -f install

Also, make sure you reconfigure your login manager with the following command:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm

If this will not work, try the following command to switch to the KDE login manager:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure kdm


Comment #9 by: Tom on 15 Aug 2009, 00:36 GMT reply to this comment

How can they even THINK that KDE4.2 was production ready? I was absolutely fine on Ubuntu 8.04, and figured "hey, 9.04 ought to be stable by now!"

Fatal mistake.

Gods, KDE4 blows. MAYBE, just MAYBE 4.3 is worthy of a "Beta" title - there is no way 4.2 should be in a production system or general use.

Wasn't Linux supposed to be trying to appeal to a more mainstream audience?


Comment #10 by: Tom on 15 Aug 2009, 00:42 GMT reply to this comment

Wow, with 10,000 bugs fixed, maybe it is worthy of a Beta title!


Comment #11 by: Sai Kumar on 22 Aug 2009, 13:02 GMT reply to this comment

Thanks for the Tutorial , following the steps, i have installed KDE 4.3 without any Problems ...


Comment #12 by: murtyvonna on 27 Aug 2009, 01:32 GMT reply to this comment

Sir,
I encountered a bug which is reported.
Setting up kubuntu-docs (9.04.2) ...
ln: target `/usr/share/doc/kde/HTML/en/kubuntu/' is not a directory: No such file or directory
dpkg: error processing kubuntu-docs (--configure):
subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Regards


Comment #13 by: Mitch on 30 Aug 2009, 17:42 GMT reply to this comment

I followed the directions above but at the last portion, it cannot install kubuntu-docs. It says:

Setting up kubuntu-docs (9.04.2) ...
ln: target `/usr/share/doc/kde/HTML/en/kubuntu/' is not a directory: No such file or directory
dpkg: error processing kubuntu-docs (--configure):
subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Errors were encountered while processing:
kubuntu-docs
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

What does that mean?

Comment #13.1 by: Doru Barbu on 07 Sep 2009, 12:37 GMT

It is a known problem, if you look at comment #1 and its reply you will see that it has been addressed before. Just ignore it for now, KDE should work without problems. We were hoping that the Kubuntu developers will fix it early on, but they may have more important things to attend to.


Comment #14 by: R'chie on 10 Sep 2009, 05:53 GMT reply to this comment

Hi. I was able to install the KDE to my Ubuntu 9.04 system. And i am using it right now. The features and interface is really nice and cool. But i have a question though, a BIG one for me.. HOW come whenever i check the About KDE, its says there that my version is 4.2.2?? Its not 4.3 as shown on the screenshot above? i followed all the steps above perfectly.. but how come my version is different? Does this mean mine is really 4.2.2? and not the KDE 4.3? Help please...

Comment #14.1 by: Doru Barbu on 11 Sep 2009, 09:53 GMT

It is possible that you didn't select "Unsupported updates (jaunty backports)" in the software sources menu. Check if that is selected, then use the Update Manager to check for updated packages. Good luck!

Comment #14.2 by: R'chie on 11 Sep 2009, 19:50 GMT

Hi Doru. Thanks for the feedback. Yes i have it checked already. Like i said, i followed every instructions above carefully. And i am able to install the KDE system like the one shown above in the screenshots. The only difference is the version in the "About KDE" window.. :( so when i tried to update to the latest 4.3.1 bug fix, i cant seem to install it. Maybe its because my system is really still in 4.2.2?

Comment #14.3 by: Doru Barbu on 14 Sep 2009, 07:48 GMT

No, even if 4.3.1 is a maintenance release, it should still replace the whole system. Look in the Synaptic package manager, at the version of one of the KDE packages, kdebase for example. If the version listed there is 4.3 or 4.3.1 then you do have the new KDE and the "About KDE" application has a problem. If the version listed there is 4.2.2 then the update hasn't been successful.


Comment #15 by: nemgue on 11 Sep 2009, 20:36 GMT reply to this comment

excellent article Marius. Now, how to uninstall KDE 4.3 and Ubuntu and go back to original?

Comment #15.1 by: Marius Nestor on 14 Sep 2009, 11:14 GMT

Thanks! You need to remove the initial package... kubuntu-desktop. Either open Synaptic and search for the kubuntu-desktop package in order to remove it.. or open a terminal and type:

sudo apt-get remove --purge kubuntu-desktop

After this, type the following command:

sudo apt-get autoremove

Some more packages that depend on the kubuntu-desktop package will be removed.


Comment #16 by: baindha on 13 Sep 2009, 03:09 GMT reply to this comment

Sir,I m not able to configure dsl connection on kde4


Comment #17 by: Sai Kumar on 23 Sep 2009, 17:32 GMT reply to this comment

Even i got the same error ,but got rid of it by typing the following :

sudo dpkg --remove --force-remove-reinstreq kubuntu-docs

in the terminal.


Comment #18 by: Dale on 26 Sep 2009, 04:23 GMT reply to this comment

Great transition ! Worked perfect, I like the idea Kde and ubuntu together. I stopped using microsoft windows about a year ago, I did try windows 7 beta versions but this is much better and really tops everything.
Thank You !
Dale


Comment #19 by: Kwnagi on 26 Sep 2009, 22:34 GMT reply to this comment

Hi, thanks for the tutorial Marius.

Everything seems to run well, but I have some problems when using KDE: first, I cant install anything (tried to install update packages and flash), and, second, I cant log out, restart, or shut down the computer (when I try to do this nothing happens).

Thanks again
Kwnagi

Comment #19.1 by: Doru Barbu on 01 Oct 2009, 07:41 GMT

It looks like you are lacking the proper permissions, try typing Alt-F2, then write "gksu users-admin" into the box that appears. In the "Users Settings" application, select your user name and click properties. From the "Account [your_user_name] Properties" window, go to the "User Privileges" tab, and mark "Administer the system". This should fix your problem.
If it doesn't, try running the a application that malfunctions from the terminal, and monitor it's output for any error messages that might reveal the source of the problem.

Good luck!


Comment #20 by: stefan on 28 Sep 2009, 11:24 GMT reply to this comment

I keep getting this: E: kubuntu-docs: subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1
what should I do?

Comment #20.1 by: Doru Barbu on 01 Oct 2009, 07:15 GMT

If you read the other comments you will see that this issue has been noted before. It's a known problem with the documentation, but it doesn't have a negative impact on your system. Don't do anything at all, your Ubuntu installation will work just fine.


Comment #21 by: bxfqing on 15 Oct 2009, 00:54 GMT reply to this comment

I can not select 'Unsupported updates (jaunty backports)'
it is disable
why
BTW: I upgrede ubuntu 9.04 from 8.10'

Comment #21.1 by: Doru Barbu on 15 Oct 2009, 12:20 GMT

Check that the file /etc/apt/sources.list contains the line "deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jaunty-backports main restricted universe multiverse" and that there is no hash ("#") in front of it.
If there is a hash, simply delete it then save the file. If the line doesn't exist, add it, save the file then refresh your packages list in synaptic.

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