Ubuntu Wiki

Lucid x86 (alpha 3) tested on this system:

   bios-version:A09
   system-manufacturer:Dell Inc.
   system-product-name:MP061
   system-version:Not Specified

   kernel: 2.6.32-14-generic-pae #20-Ubuntu SMP Sat Feb 20 07:07:46 UTC 2010 i686 GNU/Linux

• Intel Core 2 Duo T2400, 4GB RAM

  Nvidia GeForce 7800 (Feb 2010, AntonEliasson)

Karmic x86 (stable release) tested on this system:

   bios-version:A09
   system-manufacturer:Dell Inc.
   system-product-name:MP061
   system-version:Not Specified

   kernel: 2.6.31-14-generic-pae #48-Ubuntu SMP Fri Oct 16 15:22:42 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux

• Intel Core 2 Duo T2400, 4GB RAM

  Nvidia GeForce 7800 (8th Nov 2009, AntonEliasson)

Jaunty x86 (stable release) tested on this system:

   bios-version:A09
   system-manufacturer:Dell Inc.
   system-product-name:MP061
   system-version:Not Specified

   kernel: 2.6.28-11-generic #42-Ubuntu SMP Fri Apr 17 01:57:59 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux

• Intel Core 2 Duo T2400, 1GB RAM

  Nvidia GeForce 7800 (1st May 2009, updated 26th Aug 2009, AntonEliasson)

Intrepid x86 (stable release) tested on this system:

   bios-version: A04
   system-manufacturer: Dell Inc.
   system-product-name: MP061
   system-version: No Specified

   kernel: Linux 2.6.27-11-generic #1 SMP Wed Apr 1 20:57:48 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux

• (25th April 2009, D)

Edgy x86-64 (stable release) tested on this system:

   bios-version: A04
   system-manufacturer: Dell Inc.
   system-product-name: MP061
   system-version: Not Specified

   kernel: Linux 2.6.20-15-generic #2 SMP Sun Apr 15 06:17:24 UTC 2007 x86_64 GNU/Linux 

• (27 April 2007, TylerKinkade)

   kernel: Linux 2.6.17-10-generic #2 SMP Fri Oct 13 15:34:39 UTC 2006 x86_64 GNU/Linux

• (10 Nov 2006, TylerKinkade)

Linux 2.6.17-10-generic #2 SMP Fri Oct 13 18:45:35 UTC 2006 i686 GNU/Linux

• -- SridharDhanapalan (2006-11-12)

Hardware details

Issues with Previous Releases

Issues/Solutions with Jaunty x86-64

• On shutdown, displays shutdown splash screen and then displays black screen with blinking cursor and fails to power-off. Appears to be related to the issues discussed in this Ubuntu forum thread. Bug# 355054

• Blank screen on resume from suspend.
• CPUs locked at max. frequency after resume from hibernate.

Issues/Solutions with Jaunty x86-32

• Very loud PC-Speaker, and there is no way to lower the volume. To turn it off type the following into a terminal window:

  sudo rmmod pcspkr

  This will last until the next reboot. To disable it completely add the following line to /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf:

  blacklist pcspkr

Issues/Solutions with Ibex x86-64

• Problem: Media buttons (on front of laptop); Fn + PageUp (increase volume); and Fn + PageDn (decrease volume) have no affect on volume and media applications. (These automatically worked on previous releases.) Solution: Reset in System > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts --TylerKinkade

• Nvidia Card not utilized. 3D acceleration and desktop effects not functioning.
  • Hardware Drivers will usally automatically detect the hardware and offer the right driver.

  • If Hardware Drivers does not automatically open, go to System > Hardware Drivers.

  • Click on appropriate graphics driver.
  • Click "Activate".
  • After download and installation, reboot computer.
  • -- D

Issues/Solutions with Gutsy i386

• Problem: No video after resume from suspend (sleep). May only be a problem for nvidia cards

  Solution: Install nvidia-glx-new driver and modify settings using instructions here: http://doc.gwos.org/index.php/Latest_nvidia_feisty https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NvidiaLaptopBinaryDriverSuspend http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=2644891&postcount=5 --TylerKinkade

• Problem: X will not start after installing nvidiaglx driver

  Solution: Modify settings using instructions here: http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=2644891&postcount=5 --TylerKinkade

• Previous issues with CPU scaling do not appear to be a problem in this release as with Edgy64 --TylerKinkade

• ATI Cards: Live CD and fresh install do not boot but instead give a black screen. Solution here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/ATI#head-02330ccb580b6a9411d32bf617cc5a82116ba6b9 --Samuel81

In order to enter the commands on that wiki page switch to a virtual terminal after the black screen using Ctrl+Alt+F1.

• ATI Cards: Laptop does not resume from suspend. Solution: Open /etc/default/acpi-support: sudo gedit /etc/default/acpi-support. In this file, change the line "POST_VIDEO=true" to read "POST_VIDEO=" You should now be able to suspend and resume without issue. I do not know if you have to restart your computer for the setting to take effect. --AlexStrabala

Issues/Solutions with Edgy x86-32

• Problem: Both CPU cores locked at maximum frequency after resume from suspend (1.83 GHz on T5600). CPU temperature climbs over 65C.

  • Workaround: Create script in /etc/acpi/resume.d/ with command: "invoke-rc.d powernowd restart" Details here. --TylerKinkade

• Problem: Touchpad button AND tap-to-click frequently stop functioning. (Occurs almost every minute.) Bug No.70687

  • Solution: Add "notsc" to kernel options (x86-64 only, see above). --TylerKinkade

• Problem: Super sensitive keyboard driver: characters repeat with a single tap. (This is not the same as the holding a key down to repeat feature: keyboard repeat delay is set to about 3 seconds.)

  • Solution: Add "notsc" to kernel options (x86-64 only, see above).

• Problem: SLOW launch of simple applications: takes about 30-60 seconds to launch terminal, Firefox, etc. (The rectangular app launch animation usually advances at the slow speed of about 1 frame per 3 seconds.)

  • Solution: Add "notsc" to kernel options (x86-64 only, see above).

• SLOW Ubuntu boot up: on the order of minutes. (WinXP boots in less than 30 seconds.)

  • Solution: Improved by adding "notsc" to kernel options (x86-64 only, see above).

• Problem: No WiFi after resume from suspend.

  • Workaround: Install NetworkManager. --TylerKinkade

• Problem: Suspend/resume problems.

  • Solution: modify /etc/default/acpi-support as posted on forum here. --TylerKinkade

Issues with Breezy Badger

This is supposed to highlight dev release problems, but I am still working on getting Breezy working correctly. Also, I'm still getting my head around this wiki template. Without further ado, my problems are:

• there seems to be an unresolved hardware issue with at least the Inspiron 9300 and 9400. Reproducible only on "affected" laptops and in windows: when system is +/- idle, toggle hardware radio switch (FN+F2) on then off again and leave at off. a ~high pitched whining noise starts, and goes away with radio switch back on, or while computer not idle; ie: if you open some windows, when computer is working, then goes away but comes back right after. any one have the same issue? some people have suggested a hardware vibration issue --purpleidea
• Headphone jack does not mute internal speakers
• Latest SMP kernel breaks keyboard.

(sorry for this but first time i edit a wiki ever !!!) I know how to fix that... the "/etc/hotplug/blacklist" file just add pcmcia and pcmcia_core and that will be fixed

• SMP Kernel boots into X and then just before GDM loads it hangs with mouse perpetually doing "hourglass" spin thing -purpleidea
• Intermittent heat-related issues -- not properly understood
• gnome-terminal and xterms not closing properly -- become uninterruptible

Issues with Dapper Drake

• Did not recognize my wireless (Intel Pro wireless 3945ABG) But the Wifi connectivity only works with the kernel provided on the livecd/installcd and does not work with updated kernels provided
• Finds my Ethernet card but the DHCP client does not obtain an IP unless you down/up the interface.
• The sound is very crackly, perhaps an interrupt issue.
• The 1440x900 video resolution does not work. 1024x768 seems to work fine.
• As of around Friday, weird hardware clock problems -- select() to /dev/rtc to wait for clock tick timed out. Seems to have been a common problem in the past, perhaps it has been unintentionally re-introduced? Commonly suggested --directisa workaround does not work.

• /dev/agpart not available with 2.6.15 kernels, but works on 2.6.16.1. -JoelReed

• Hibernate works, but after "wake up" screensaver automatically goes on even if in the middle of moving the mouse, typing, etc.
• Hibernate works, but after "wake up" my screen is full with artifacts, so I have to logoff-logon, then everything is fine again. --morgengenuss

• FN+F1 works to hibernate, but only for a first hibernate and when focus is on desktop. after wake up, to rehibernate you need to click logoff->hibernate.

• wireless can be added (is not part of apt distro right now): http://ipw3945.sourceforge.net

• SMP Kernel (stock or self-compiled -- latest versions) doesn't seem to work 100% CPU0 works fine, idles at 50% and goes up or down appropriately when needed. CPU1 either stays permanently at 50% or 100% (seems to boot up and randomly? be at either one or the other, and never throttles) anyone have the same problem? --purpleidea

Issues now fixed in Dapper Drake

• Headphone jack does not mute internal speakers
• and "jack sense" options aren't available in sound mixer

  • http://www.math.umd.edu/~olsson/jerome-install.html was recommended to me for fixing the line jack sense.

• headphone issues are cleared up with alsa-driver-1.0.11rc4, see http://lkml.org/lkml/2006/3/17/279 -JoelReed

• ALSA works, headphones broken again in latest source download from ALSA site. haven't checked CVS or above patch. is lkml patch supposed to be merged into regular alsa CVS? --purpleidea

• I just updated my kernel to .20, and everything seems to just work now. Anyone else find this? --TennesseeLeeuwenburg2

• headphones work for me in stock 686-smp kernel -21 --purpleidea
• Hard disk spins down far too soon/often, no obvious control mechanism (i.e. in "power settings" or "disks" -- don't know where else to look)

• FIX with "sudo hdparm -S12 /dev/sda" you can read about it on "http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Use_hdparm_to_improve_IDE_device_performance" --DigitalLF

• now i just found out in ubuntu you should edit /etc/hdparm.conf go to line 61 (spindown_time) and edit that to whatever you want --DigitalLF

• This the spin-down on AC power, on Battery, on both. It is reproducible if you start from a clean reboot? -PaulSladen

• AC Power, haven't checked with battery. Happens 100% of the time, reboots do not affect. --TennesseeLeeuwenburg2

• The problem just ... went away one update. --TennesseeLeeuwenburg2

• The built-in card reader does not work (Bug #63553). -- SridharDhanapalan

Notes

This is a first time edit on a WIKI for me (DigitalLF) but i will do all i can to help with anything on this laptop.

• Excellent, many thanks for any testing you are able to do - hopefully you'll get a better experience out of it too! -PaulSladen

• i have now found out how to get the wifi working and i get around 200kbs better speed in linux then i get in windows so it seems like it works great on my home-unencrypted network -DigitalLF

• I have compiled my own kernel and have been trying to install this. The install guide says to look for the firmware directory in 'hotplug.agent', a file which doesn't exist on my system. How did you get it to install? --TennesseeLeeuwenburg2

• i dont have a clue about that but i dident even need to compile my own kernel its much easyer then that is there some way i can contact you msn/irc/skype? i'l walk you right through it its not that hard realy

• I have added information about Edgy on a Inspiron 9400 but don't want to step on any toes. Made some edits in the interest of clarity and organization as noted above. Please contact me if I've offended anyone because that is not my intent. TylerKinkade

• I've made a lot of additions and alterations. I can confirm that the problems mentioned by TylerKinkade are specific to x86-64 and are not present with x86-32. Also, the 'notsc' kernel option causes kernel panics with a x86-32 kernel. -- SridharDhanapalan

• The "subwoofer" works in Feisty. -- Zapek
• Been testing 8.10. Fried my Dell's Graphic card and possibly CD bay! -- D

Other sources

• Ubuntu Hardy (alpha 2) on an Inspiron 9400

• http://www.dettenbach.de/DellInspiron9400royal/

• http://www.linlap.com/tiki-index.php?page=Dell+Inspiron+9400

• http://www.linlap.com/tiki-index.php?page=Dell+Inspiron+E1705

• http://www.tuxmobil.org/dell.html

• http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/dell.html