How to install Audacity

Question

First of all, I'm new to Ubuntu. I just install it. I do not know anything about linux though I'm a Windows user. I'm trying to install Audacity in the software center but always fails. First, it says that it requires a trusted package. I hit OK and this repeats like 8 times. Then, it just stops. I downloaded the TAR.XZ from the Audacity page, extracted it but... It seems really complicated to install via Terminal, no clear instructions anywhere... Can't I drag an "install" file or similar in Terminal?

Answer 1

I suggest you upgrade to a Ubuntu Trusty Tahr and install Audacity. Procedure:

1. Switch on your computer.
2. Press and hold the Shift key, which will bring up the Grub menu.
3. Select Advanced options.
4. Select the last option ending with (recovery mode).
5. A recovery kernel will load. It can take up to a few minutes (depends of your hardware)
6. Your PC should display a menu with a number of options.
7. Select Drop to root shell prompt.

8. In the prompt, run:

   mount -o remount,rw /
   mount --all
   nano /etc/apt/sources.list
   

9. A file will open up. Delete it's content.

10. Paste the following:

    deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty main restricted
    # deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty main restricted
    deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty-updates main restricted
    # deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty-updates main restricted
    deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty universe
    # deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty universe
    deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty-updates universe
    # deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty-updates universe
    deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty multiverse
    # deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty multiverse
    deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty-updates multiverse
    # deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty-updates multiverse
    deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    # deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu trusty-security main restricted
    # deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu trusty-security main restricted
    deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu trusty-security universe
    # deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu trusty-security universe
    deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu trusty-security multiverse
    # deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu trusty-security multiverse
    deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu trusty partner
    # deb-src http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu trusty partner
    deb http://extras.ubuntu.com/ubuntu trusty main
    # deb-src http://extras.ubuntu.com/ubuntu trusty main
    deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty-proposed universe multiverse restricted main
    

    Ctrl + U, paste text. Ctrl + O, save file. Ctrl + X, close nano.

11. Run these commands at the prompt:

    apt-get update
    apt-get dist-upgrade
    apt-get -f install
    dpkg --configure -a
    apt-get autoremove
    apt-get install audacity
    apt-get clean
    reboot