Three Things to do after Ubuntu Installation, to Install Updates and Third Party Software

How I can ensure that the packages that it was meant to download and
install, would now get downloaded and installed. Is it simply a matter
of using the Ubuntu software update?

Yes! It is a matter of using the Software Updater application as detailed below.

Alternatively, if I install Ubuntu when it's not connected to the
internet and later want to install the packages that would have got
installed if it was connected to the internet, how would I do it?

There is no problem if you install Ubuntu without Internet connection. The updates can be downloaded and installed when you have Internet access once you have Ubuntu installed and working.

Via the Ubuntu software update package?

Yes!

Or is there a need to have to know exactly which packages to download
and install?

There is no need to know which packages are to be downloaded and installed. The list changes almost every day as updates are made available. A list of packages made today will be obsolete in a few days.

The Details

I assume you checked the two boxes while installing Ubuntu:

• Download updates while installing Ubuntu


• Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware, Flash, MP3, and other media

Your Internet was disconnected during install. Or you did not check these boxes during Ubuntu installation. And now you want to download and install everything that was supposed to be installed.

You need to run two application from within Ubuntu. Open the Dash by clicking on the 9 dots at the bottom left corner and search for software update. You will see something like:

First, Click on (1) Software & Updates

Under the Ubuntu Software tab, make sure the first four check boxes are checked, as shown below:

Next check the Updates tab and make sure all the boxes are checked. Keep the default settings of daily checks for updates, automatic download and install of security updates and weekly display of other updates.

If your computer needs any third-party drivers for graphics cards or Wi-Fi they will show up under the Additional Drivers tab:

If everything is working to your satisfaction you may leave this alone. Do some research before changing anything on this tab. Selecting the wrong graphic display driver may give you a black screen after restart. Then you will need to text only interface to fix things.

When you are done with this application, click on Close button to close.

Now open Dash again and search for Software Update again.

Second, Click on (2) Software Updater

The application will look something like this:

Click on Install Now button. If prompted for your password, enter the password you created when you installed Ubuntu for your account.

This will download and install all the updates needed. Once it is done it may ask show you the option to Restart Now or Restart Later.

You may want to restart later as there is one more thing...

One More Thing

We need one more piece of add-on that gets installed with third-party software, they may have been left out because of your Internet disruption. It is easiest to install this using the command line.

Open a terminal using Ctrl+Alt+T and enter:

sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-addons

You will be prompted for your password. Unlike the GUI, here the cursor won't move and you won't see any **** when you type your password. This is normal. Hit Enter after the password.

This add-on will allow you to play DVD movies (if your computer has a DVD player) and MP3 songs etc.

When the computer restarts everything will be up-to date.

Hope this helps