OOo 3.2 crashes in Ubuntu 10.04lts

[dgermann]

Hi--

Just upgraded from Ubuntu 8.04 lts to 10.04 lts. Now OOo crashes about half the time I try to open a network (samba) file in OpenOffice.org Writer or calc. However, when I have the same file on the local machine, it has no problems opening the file.

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling OOo from Synaptic—still crashes on opening some files (but not all files) from the network.

Uninstalled and reinstalled using the OOo download: 3.2.1; had to use gftp to download it; http would not save it.

Still having the problem with OOo 3.2.1 crashing on many files.

Workaround is to open readonly, then resave it. Cannot resave on top of the read only file , so it is a two step process.

Is Ubuntu 10.04 incompatible with OOo 3.2?

Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks!

[JohnT]

I would install Sun's version of Java. I think it will resolve your problem.

[dgermann]

JohnT--

Thanks for helping me. Here's what I have found as well:

I googled OOo crashes opening file, and found this bug report: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...rg/+bug/578402

I tried the solution/workaround that someone there posted, mounting cifs with the switch nobrl, and have been working all afternoon with no problems, so for me it seems to be a fix.

When I put this switch in fstab and then umount and mount -a, "nobrl" does not show up in mount -l, but it does seem to make a difference.

Interesting that you should think of Java in this setting. I will try to check it out and see whether it fixes it or not, as well.

Thanks, John!

[dgermann]

JohnT--

Actually, I just checked and I do have sun-java6 on this machine.

[JohnT]

That eliminates that factor. Most Java problems I have had.....have been solved by using Sun's Java and keeping it updated. I'm glad you found a solution that works for your. I remembered reading somewhere that there had been some problems noted with that version of office in Ubuntu also.....don't ask me where as it was one of those fast reads on a forum somehwere.

[teeitup]

JohnT--

Actually, I just checked and I do have sun-java6 on this machine.

Ubuntu is based on debian. I believe it uses the "alternatives" system for preferences. This means you could have Sun Java installed and not be using it.

Check the version:

$ java -version
java version "1.6.0_21"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_21-b06)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 17.0-b16, mixed mode, sharing)

As root try these commands:

# update-alternatives --list java <-- shows available jre's
/usr/bin/gij-4.3
/usr/bin/gij-4.4
/usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun/jre/bin/java

# update-alternatives --display java <-- shows which installed version is being used.
java - manual mode
link currently points to /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun/jre/bin/java
/usr/bin/gij-4.3 - priority 43
/usr/bin/gij-4.4 - priority 1044
/usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun/jre/bin/java - priority 63
slave java.1.gz: /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun/jre/man/man1/java.1.gz
Current 'best' version is '/usr/bin/gij-4.4'.

If you need to change the working set

# update-alternatives --config java
There are 3 choices for the alternative java (providing /usr/bin/java).

Selection Path Priority Status
------------------------------------------------------------
0 /usr/bin/gij-4.4 1044 auto mode
1 /usr/bin/gij-4.3 43 manual mode
2 /usr/bin/gij-4.4 1044 manual mode
* 3 /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun/jre/bin/java 63 manual mode

Press enter to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number:

Follow the prompts. If you make a change you'll have to log out and log back in to use the new setting.

Good Luck,

[dgermann]

JohnT--

Thanks!

teeitup--

doug@doug2:~$ sudo update-alternatives --display java
[sudo] password for doug: 
java - auto mode
 link currently points to /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-openjdk/jre/bin/java
/usr/bin/gij-4.4 - priority 1044
 slave java.1.gz: /usr/share/man/man1/gij-4.4.1.gz
/usr/lib/jvm/java-6-openjdk/jre/bin/java - priority 1061
 slave java.1.gz: /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-openjdk/jre/man/man1/java.1.gz
/usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun/jre/bin/java - priority 63
 slave java.1.gz: /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun/jre/man/man1/java.1.gz
Current `best' version is /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-openjdk/jre/bin/java.
doug@doug2:~$

So it appears I am not running sun java. But, any idea why that would cause this problem--and why the problem would go away with the "nobrl" coding?

I don't want to fix something that isn't broken. Sometimes when you put another part on the table, something else falls off the other side....

Thanks for giving me this tutorial. I did not know such commands existed!

[teeitup]

But, any idea why that would cause this problem--and why the problem would go away with the "nobrl" coding?

The man page for mount.cifs states this:
nobrl
Do not send byte range lock requests to the server. This is
necessary for certain applications that break with cifs style
mandatory byte range locks (and most cifs servers do not yet
support requesting advisory byte range locks).

So it seems that there is a compatibility issue between OO and CIFS servers. The nobrl option works around the issue.

[dgermann]

teeitup--

That's kind of how I read it too! Thanks, teeitup!

[JohnT]

Using OpenOffice.Org and Microsoft Office files

A drive mapped from a Windows Server will create problems with shared OpenOffice or Microsoft Office files being manipulated on the Linux client in OpenOffice software. The OpenOffice Writer program will freeze when an edited .doc/.odt file is saved using the "Save As" feature. This occurs because OpenOffice doesn't use the cifs-style mandatory byte range locks. The problem is fixed when you add the option nobrl into the options for the cifs mount.

[dgermann]

John--

That sounds pretty authoritative. Where did you find it? Or did you write it yourself?

[JohnT]

Hey! I do all of my own copy n paste thank you.