Ubuntu Tweaks Guide

Ubuntu Tweaks Guide
Table of Contents

Introduction

Here are some tweaks for Ubuntu 18.04 to speed up and fix some problems. Backup your computer in case of any data loss before starting to apply this guide. I don't recommend applying any fix tweaks if you don't have any related problems. And lastly, read the instructions carefully. Good luck!

Note: Configurations listed in this guide are not recommended for server environments.

To-Do

Decrease log amount with filtering
Add sources where they are missing
https://rudd-o.com/linux-and-free-software/tales-from-responsivenessland-why-linux-feels-slow-and-how-to-fix-that
Sound quality decreases while using echo-cancelation

1. Performance Tweaks

1.1. Change CPU Scaling Governor to Performance

Intel CPU's reported to be run faster when changed its scaling governor to performance mode. For laptops this may decrease battery life.

Source: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1021748/set-cpu-governor-to-performance-in-18-04#comment1820782_1049313

NOTE: If you are using a laptop with battery try installing https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/945/cpu-power-manager/ For more information see section 2.10. Gnome Extensions

Running the following command is enough:

$ sudo systemctl disable ondemand

Check the CPU governor after reboot:

$ cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor

1.2. Disable Security Mitigations

Reclaim the CPU power back taken from security patches. It's been years and there are no viruses using these exploits.

Source(s): https://make-linux-fast-again.com/

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SecurityTeam/KnowledgeBase/SpectreAndMeltdown/MitigationControls

https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/b1ltnr/disabling_kernel_cpu_vulnerabilities_mitigations/

Open grub configuration with gedit.

$ sudo gedit /etc/default/grub

In the editor change this line;

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"

to this then save:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash noibrs noibpb nopti nospectre_v2 nospectre_v1 l1tf=off nospec_store_bypass_disable no_stf_barrier mds=off mitigations=off"

Apply new configuration:

$ sudo update-grub

After reboot, check vulnerabilities.

$ grep . /sys/devices/system/cpu/vulnerabilities/*

This command should give output similar to this:

/sys/devices/system/cpu/vulnerabilities/l1tf:Mitigation: PTE Inversion; VMX: vulnerable
/sys/devices/system/cpu/vulnerabilities/mds:Vulnerable; SMT vulnerable
/sys/devices/system/cpu/vulnerabilities/meltdown:Vulnerable
/sys/devices/system/cpu/vulnerabilities/spec_store_bypass:Vulnerable
/sys/devices/system/cpu/vulnerabilities/spectre_v1:Mitigation: __user pointer sanitization
/sys/devices/system/cpu/vulnerabilities/spectre_v2:Vulnerable, IBPB: disabled, STIBP: disabled

1.3. Preload

Preload, monitors user activity and caches programs into RAM. Prefer this if you are using HDD. No need for SSD users.

Source: https://www.hecticgeek.com/2013/05/using-preload-ubuntu-13-04/

Install the program with the following command. No further configurations are needed.

$ sudo apt install preload

1.4. Mount /tmp as tmpfs (and Move Browser Cache)

Source(s): https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Chromium/Tips_and_tricks#Tmpfs

https://www.linuxliteos.com/forums/other/how-to-limit-chromium-browser's-cache-size/

Mounting /tmp folder into RAM, will reduce disk access and increase lifespan of the device. Use this if you have extra ~500MB in your RAM. Internet usage maybe increase, so if you are using metered connection this tweak is not recommended.

Modify the file which includes

$ sudo nano /etc/fstab

Then add the following line:

tmpfs /tmp tmpfs rw,nosuid,nodev

Apply changes with the command below. This command should output nothing.

$ sudo mount -a

[! Firefox !]

Enter this URL into Firefox browser:

about:config

Find the key browser.cache.disk.parent_directory and change its value to /tmp/firefox-cache
Restart Firefox and check if new cache folder is being used:

$ ls /tmp/firefox-cache

[! Chromium !]

Modify chromium settings file:

$ sudo nano /etc/chromium-browser/default

Replace the line contains CHROMIUM_FLAGS="" with this: (262144000 byte = 250 MB)

CHROMIUM_FLAGS="--disk-cache-size=262144000 --disk-cache-dir=/tmp/chromium-cache"

Restart Chromium and check if new cache folder is being used:

$ ls /tmp/chromium-cache

1.5. Move Browser Profile to RAM (profile-sync-daemon)

!!! ON MAY 5 2020 THIS PACKAGE STOPPED WORKING SO I DON'T RECOMMEND INSTALLING IT !!!

Moving Firefox cache will reduce disk access thus increasing the performance in HDD's and improving longevity in SSD's. In order to achieve that we will use profile-sync-daemon.

Source: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Profile-sync-daemon

Install the program:

$ sudo apt install profile-sync-daemon

Run the program to trigger generating configuration files:

$ psd

Open the configuration file to modify:

$ nano $HOME/.config/psd/psd.conf

Add following lines to the file: (BACKUP_LIMIT is optional, I prefer its value this way)

USE_OVERLAYFS="yes"
BACKUP_LIMIT=1

Open sudoers file to give extra permissions for overlayfs:

sudo nano /etc/sudoers

Add the following line and save:

user ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/psd-overlay-helper

Run psd again:

$ psd

Enable PSD as a service:

$ systemctl --user start psd.service
$ systemctl --user enable psd.service

Preview current status of psd:

$ psd preview

It should be like this. All there items must be active. If you are using supported browser it must be shown.

Profile-sync-daemon v6.31 on Ubuntu 18.04.3 LTS

 Systemd service is currently active.
 Systemd resync-timer is currently active.
 Overlayfs v23 is currently active.

Psd will manage the following per /home/salih/.config/psd/.psd.conf:

 browser/psname:  firefox/firefox
 owner/group id:  salih/1000
 sync target:     /home/salih/.mozilla/firefox/4hf76691.default
 tmpfs dir:       /run/user/1000/salih-firefox-4hf76691.default
 profile size:    64K
 overlayfs size:  0
 recovery dirs:   none

 browser/psname:  firefox/firefox
 owner/group id:  salih/1000
 sync target:     /home/salih/.mozilla/firefox/9mpd2ih9.default-release
 tmpfs dir:       /run/user/1000/salih-firefox-9mpd2ih9.default-release
 profile size:    145M
 overlayfs size:  37M
 recovery dirs:   none

1.6. Turn Off Wifi Power Management

Speed up wifi performance. Not recommended for laptops in battery mode.

Source: https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com/p/speed-mint.html

Run following command:

$ sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/default-wifi-powersave-on.conf

Change the value to 2. File should be look like this:

[connection]
wifi.powersave = 2

Restart computer, then check it with this command. (It must be off)

$ iwconfig | grep Management

1.7. ZRAM as a Compressed RAM Block

If your PC is out of memory or has no extra space for caching, give it a shot!

Create ZRAM script:

$ sudo nano /usr/bin/zram.sh
$ sudo chmod 555 /usr/bin/zram.sh

Paste the following lines:
- Note(1): Modify ZRAM_MEMORY according to your PC configuration.
- Note(2): Change lz4 to zstd to increase compress ratio, but will cost CPU time. Source: https://github.com/facebook/zstd
- Note(3): Some other scripts on the Internet create zram devices depending on CPU cores, but it is not needed since multiple streams can be set for one single device.

##########################
ZRAM_MEMORY=2048
##########################
set -x
CORES=$(nproc --all)
modprobe zram
ZRAM_DEVICE=$(zramctl --find --size "$ZRAM_MEMORY"M --streams $CORES --algorithm lz4)
mkswap $ZRAM_DEVICE
swapon --priority 5 $ZRAM_DEVICE

Set the script run on boot:

$ sudo nano /etc/rc.local

Paste the following lines:

#!/bin/bash
bash /usr/bin/zram.sh &
exit 0

Set rc.local as executable:

$ sudo chmod +x /etc/rc.local

Reboot the PC.

If there is a problem check rc.local service with:

$ sudo systemctl status rc-local

1.8. Faster TCP (BBR, Fast TCP Open)

It is reported that using this algorithm (BBR) developed by Google and Fast TCP Open increases network speed and reduces delay.

Source(s): https://gist.github.com/Jamesits/3d6da2d711bd95c53ccd953f99aee748

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Sysctl#Enable_TCP_Fast_Open

Modify loaded modules on boot:

$ sudo nano /etc/modules-load.d/modules.conf

Add the following line:

tcp_bbr

Modify system variable configuration file:

$ sudo nano /etc/sysctl.conf

Add the following lines:

net.ipv4.tcp_fastopen = 3
net.core.default_qdisc=fq
net.ipv4.tcp_congestion_control=bbr

Reboot the PC.
Test if it is running. This command should output bbr as printed.

$ sysctl net.ipv4.tcp_congestion_control

1.9. Disable Unnecessary Services

Reduce memory usage on weak systems about ~300Mb. Be careful and do your search before removing any packages.

Source: https://prahladyeri.com/blog/2017/09/how-to-trim-your-new-ubuntu-installation-of-extra-fat-and-make-it-faster.html

$ sudo apt remove unattended-upgrades # Automatic upgrades
$ sudo apt remove deja-dup # Automatic backup tool
$ sudo apt remove gnome-online-accounts # Gnome online accounts plugins
$ sudo apt remove whoopsie # Error Repoting, emove it on weak systems
$ sudo apt remove snapd # Remove if you don't use it
$ sudo apt remove gnome-software # Remove if you don't use it

$ sudo mv /etc/xdg/autostart/update-notifier.desktop /etc/xdg/autostart/update-notifier.desktop.old # Disable update notifer
$ sudo mv /etc/xdg/autostart/gnome-software-service.desktop /etc/xdg/autostart/gnome-software-service.desktop.old # Disable gnome software updater

# Disable if you dont use printers
sudo systemctl disable cups 
sudo systemctl disable cups-browsed

sudo systemctl mask packagekit.service # Disable if you don't use gnome-software

sudo systemctl mask geoclue.service # CAUTION: Disable if you don't use Night Light

# Disable evolution if you don't use it (uses a lot of memory)
sudo chmod -x /usr/lib/evolution/evolution-calendar-factory
sudo chmod -x /usr/lib/evolution/evolution-addressbook-factory
sudo chmod -x /usr/lib/evolution/evolution-source-registry

1.10. Ext4 Mount with noatime Option

Reduces disk access.

$ sudo nano /etc/fstab

Add noatime and like below:

UUID=12242bc2-d367-468e-af75-c6a35bd610ca / ext4 errors=remount-ro,noatime 0 1

Reboot

2. Utility/Fix Tweaks

2.1. PulseAudio Mic Echo Cancellation Feature

Echo cancellation is a useful tool to have while talking Skype etc without headphones.

Source(s): https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/2yqfqp/just_found_that_pulseaudio_have_noise/

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/PulseAudio/Troubleshooting#Enable_Echo/Noise-Cancellation

https://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/PulseAudio/Documentation/User/Modules/#module-echo-cancel

!!! CHOOSE A GUIDE DEPENDING ON HOW MANY SOUND CARDS YOU ARE USING !!!

[! 1 !] IF YOU ARE USING ONE SOUND CARD

Run the following command:

$ sudo nano /etc/pulse/default.pa

Add the following line:

load-module module-echo-cancel use_master_format=yes

Reload pulseaudio:

$ pulseaudio -k

Select echo canceled sources in sound settings.
Now everything is set up.

[! 2 !] IF YOU ARE USING MULTIPLE SOUND CARDS

For example I am using usb sound card for output and built-in mic as input.

Before starting we need YOUR_SINK_MASTER and YOUR_SOURCE_MASTER values. For getting these values select output and input devices which you are going to use in the sound settings of Ubuntu Settings. These values are alsa_output.usb-C-Media_Electronics_Inc._USB_Advanced_Audio_Device-00.analog-stereo and alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1b.0.analog-stereo respectively, for my situation.
For getting the value YOUR_SINK_MASTER run the following command:

$ pactl list short sinks | grep RUNNING

For getting the value YOUR_SOURCE_MASTER run the following command:

$ pactl list short sources | grep RUNNING

Run the following command:

$ sudo nano /etc/pulse/default.pa

Add the following lines: (Replace YOUR_SINK_MASTER and YOUR_SOURCE_MASTER)

load-module module-echo-cancel use_master_format=yes sink_name=sink_ec source_name=source_ec sink_master=YOUR_SINK_MASTER source_master=YOUR_SOURCE_MASTER
set-default-sink sink_ec
set-default-source source_ec

Restart the PC.

2.2. PulseAudio Crackling Sound Solution

The newer implementation of the PulseAudio sound server uses timer-based audio scheduling instead of the traditional, interrupt-driven approach. Timer-based scheduling may expose issues in some ALSA drivers. On the other hand, other drivers might be glitchy without it on, so check to see what works on your system. Apply this tweak if you are having cracking sound issue.

Source(s): https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/PulseAudio/Troubleshooting#Glitches,_skips_or_crackling

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/PulseAudio/Troubleshooting#Laggy_sound

To turn timer-based scheduling off add tsched=0 in /etc/pulse/default.pa:

$ sudo nano /etc/pulse/default.pa

Modify file as explained below:

# Change this line:
load-module module-udev-detect
# To this line:
load-module module-udev-detect tsched=0

# And add these lines to prevent popping sounds in some applications
default-fragments = 5
default-fragment-size-msec = 2

Then restart the PulseAudio server:

$ pulseaudio -k
$ pulseaudio --start

(RESTORE): Do the reverse to enable timer-based scheduling, if not already enabled by default.

2.3. PulseAudio Better Sound Quality

Tweak for audiophiles. Increasing sample rate in exchange of CPU time.

Source: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/PulseAudio/Troubleshooting

Modify pulseaudio config file:

$ sudo nano /etc/pulse/daemon.conf

Add the following lines to the end of the file:

default-sample-format = s24ne
default-sample-rate = 44100
alternate-sample-rate = 48000
resample-method = speex-float-5

Restart pulseaudio server:

$ pulseaudio -k
$ pulseaudio --start

Check PulseAudio values:

$ watch -n 1 pactl list sinks short

NOTE(1): If you want to get high quality sound with using echo cancellation feature at the same time, just make sure that echo cancellation module enabled with load-module module-echo-cancel use_master_format=yes. For more information see PulseAudio Mic Echo Cancellation Feature section and NOTE(3) in this section.

NOTE(2): I have tried this with 96KHz and speex-float-10 but it end up only with high CPU usage. If you are only a listener, leave it as like in this guide, because pulseaudio will switch between 44.1kHz and 48kHz.

NOTE(3): There won't be sample rate switch while using module-echo-cancel. Maybe related to a bug in pulseaudio or in the module but I was unable to find anything about it.

2.4. Hide User List in Ubuntu 18.04 Login Screen

The Gnome login screen normally shows a list of available users to log in as. For those who want to disable showing the user list, and manually type a username to login with, below I will show you how.

Source: http://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2018/04/hide-user-list-ubuntu-18-04-login-screen/

Run command to get access to root:

$ sudo -i

Type in your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

In the terminal, run command to allow gdm to make connections to the X server:

# xhost +SI:localuser:gdm

Then switch to user gdm, which is required to run gsettings to configure gdm settings.

# su gdm -l -s /bin/bash

Finally hide user list from login screen using Gsettings:

$ gsettings set org.gnome.login-screen disable-user-list true

(RESTORE): To restore the change, open terminal and re-do previous steps, except running the last command with:

$ gsettings set org.gnome.login-screen disable-user-list false

2.5. GnomeTweaks (laptop lid suspend, desktop icons etc.)

There are some tweaks which can increase utility of Gnome. These are tested on Ubuntu 18.04 and may not work on its older versions.

Install gnome tweaks:

$ sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

Run the program:

$ gnome-tweaks

Here are some configurations which I found them useful:
(1) Disable Animations on Very Slow Computers
- Appearance -> Animations -> OFF
(2) Disable Mounted Volumes Showing on Desktop
- Desktop -> Mounted Volumes -> OFF
(3) Disable Suspend When Laptop Lid is Closed
- Power -> Suspend when laptop lid is closed -> OFF
(4) Enable Battery Percentage Showing Up on the Top Bar
- Top Bar -> Battery Percentage -> ON
(5) Enable Date Showing Up on the Top Bar
- Top Bar -> Date -> ON

2.6. Disable Touchpad When Mouse is Plugged

When mouse is plugged, touchpad should be disable automatically, right? This guide is for Gnome users.

Source: http://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2018/04/install-touchpad-indicator-ubuntu-18-04-lts/

Add PPA:

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:atareao/atareao

Install touchpad-indicator:

$ sudo apt install touchpad-indicator

Start the program. (Search with the touchpad keyword)
It should be shown on the top bar. Click on it and select Preferences, then follow the steps below:
(1) Disable touchpad when mouse is plugged
- Actions -> Disable touchpad when mouse plugged -> OFF
(2) Start the program on boot
- General Options -> Autostart -> ON
- General Options -> Start hidden -> Unchecked! (Note: If you check this option top bar icon will be invisible. Not recommended)

2.7. Disable Default Swapfile on Disk

Ubuntu 18.04 comes with a swapfile enabled. In out-of-memory situations this swapfile may only cause system freeze. If you are using Ubuntu with SSD, you should disable swap in that device to slow down disk aging.

Modify fstab:

$ sudo nano /etc/fstab

Comment out the line which starts with /swapfile. The full line should look like this after editing:

#/swapfile none swap sw 0 0

Reboot the PC.

2.8. Delete Log Archives Regularly

Old logs sometimes hold a lot of space on disk.

Edit cron (you can select nano as editor):

$ sudo crontab -e

Add the following line (press ctrl+x then answer with y to save the file):

@reboot /usr/bin/find /var/log -name "*.gz" -type f -delete

2.9. Enable S.M.A.R.T.

Enable S.M.A.R.T. for health checks for disks.

$ sudo apt install smartmontools
$ smartctl --scan

Select local for postfix configuration if you don't know what to do.
This will print available disks. Run a command for disks like below:

$ sudo smartctl --smart=on /dev/sda

2.10. Gnome Extensions

Increase your productivity and customize your desktop.

Install ubuntu package:

$ sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension

Install Chromium plugin:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gnome-shell-integration/gphhapmejobijbbhgpjhcjognlahblep

Now you can browse and add some extensions from here: https://extensions.gnome.org/
If you want to enable/disable extensions natively run this command:

$ gnome-shell-extension-prefs

Here is a list of extensions which I combined for myself:
- (Currently Using)
- (Didn't Try Yet)

2.11. Limit Network Bandwidth

If there are multiple computers connected to a router you can limit your network bandwidth and give a room to breath for other devices.

Source: https://askubuntu.com/questions/20872/how-do-i-limit-internet-bandwidth

Install wondershaper package:

$ sudo apt install wondershaper

Find your network interface: (For this example my network interface is enp4s0f1)

$ ifconfig

Limit your bandwidth: (For this example: Download 1024 Kbits / Upload 256 Kbits)

$ sudo wondershaper enp4s0f1 1024 256

(RECOVER) Remove limitations for the adapter:

$ sudo wondershaper clear enp4s0f1

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