Matt's Linux Blog
My linux problems (and their respective solutions)Saturday, August 11, 2007
Ubuntu and my D630
Sorry for taking so long before getting around to writing this. I got my computer quite some time ago, and I'm now running Ubuntu Gutsy (the currently unstable version, due for release in October).
The main reason I'm using Gutsy instead of Feisty (the latest stable version) is because of the video drivers. My D630 came with the Intel X3100 integrated video, so I needed xserver-xorg-video-intel 2.0 or later to get all the new features. I also wanted to use the latest XRandR features, which allow me to dynamically add and remove displays, so I no longer have to restart X to go in and out of dual-head mode.
In order do this, I had to install using the Feisty alternative CD (the command-line installer), since the standard CD didn't have the proper X drivers. Then I upgraded to gutsy by changing all the "feisty"s in /etc/apt/sources.list to "gutsy", then issuing an "apt-get dist-upgrade". I don't remember the specifics of how I got X working, but I don't believe it took too much effort aside from upgrading to gutsy.
The only problem was with my Intel HDA sound card. The problem was a kernel bug, which has since been fixed. I'll post a kernel package as soon as I find a place to put it; right now, I have nowhere to host it. If you build your own kernel, open up sound/pci/hda/patch_sigmatel.c and change "spec->num_pins = 14;" to "spec->num_pins = ARRAY_SIZE(stac9205_pin_nids);" in the patch_stac9205() function (line 2182 in kernel 2.6.22.1, don't know about others). If you don't understand what I just said, wait until someone posts a kernel package, lest major kernel damage ensue. You may still have to reload the module after suspending (issue "sudo rmmod snd_hda_intel && sudo modprobe snd_hda_intel"; if that fails, then kill everything that's using the sound card).
Aside from the sound card issue, not too many problems have occurred. I'm happily typing this on my D630 now.
The main reason I'm using Gutsy instead of Feisty (the latest stable version) is because of the video drivers. My D630 came with the Intel X3100 integrated video, so I needed xserver-xorg-video-intel 2.0 or later to get all the new features. I also wanted to use the latest XRandR features, which allow me to dynamically add and remove displays, so I no longer have to restart X to go in and out of dual-head mode.
In order do this, I had to install using the Feisty alternative CD (the command-line installer), since the standard CD didn't have the proper X drivers. Then I upgraded to gutsy by changing all the "feisty"s in /etc/apt/sources.list to "gutsy", then issuing an "apt-get dist-upgrade". I don't remember the specifics of how I got X working, but I don't believe it took too much effort aside from upgrading to gutsy.
The only problem was with my Intel HDA sound card. The problem was a kernel bug, which has since been fixed. I'll post a kernel package as soon as I find a place to put it; right now, I have nowhere to host it. If you build your own kernel, open up sound/pci/hda/patch_sigmatel.c and change "spec->num_pins = 14;" to "spec->num_pins = ARRAY_SIZE(stac9205_pin_nids);" in the patch_stac9205() function (line 2182 in kernel 2.6.22.1, don't know about others). If you don't understand what I just said, wait until someone posts a kernel package, lest major kernel damage ensue. You may still have to reload the module after suspending (issue "sudo rmmod snd_hda_intel && sudo modprobe snd_hda_intel"; if that fails, then kill everything that's using the sound card).
Aside from the sound card issue, not too many problems have occurred. I'm happily typing this on my D630 now.
Comments:
<< Home
Hi Matt,
I, too, am a D630 Ubuntu user. I decided, however, for no reason in particular, to install Feisty. Thanks for some friendly support in the community (http://ubuntuforums.org/
showthread.php?t=500668), I am running the version 2.1.0 xserver-xorg-video-intel drivers for my x3100 GMA.
However, I can't for the life of me get a dual display running. Xinerama crashes when I try and enable it in the ServerFlags section of xorg.conf. I haven't really played around with xRandRm, but I wasn't really aware that was needed to run an external display in conjunction with the laptop's display.
I'd really like to get this working, and I was wondering if you could post any additional details (such as tips and maybe your xorg.conf) that might help me out.
Thanks from a fellow D630 Ubuntu-er,
Dave
I, too, am a D630 Ubuntu user. I decided, however, for no reason in particular, to install Feisty. Thanks for some friendly support in the community (http://ubuntuforums.org/
showthread.php?t=500668), I am running the version 2.1.0 xserver-xorg-video-intel drivers for my x3100 GMA.
However, I can't for the life of me get a dual display running. Xinerama crashes when I try and enable it in the ServerFlags section of xorg.conf. I haven't really played around with xRandRm, but I wasn't really aware that was needed to run an external display in conjunction with the laptop's display.
I'd really like to get this working, and I was wondering if you could post any additional details (such as tips and maybe your xorg.conf) that might help me out.
Thanks from a fellow D630 Ubuntu-er,
Dave
Try running "xrandr --version"; if it reports version 1.2, then it's incredibly easy to dualhead. All you'll need to do is "xrandr --output VGA --mode <screen size in pixels> --left-of LVDS". Substitute right-of, etc., if needed. You may have to set your virtual screen size in xorg.conf, which sets the upper-limit on how big your screen can be. Let me know if you need more information. Contacting me over AIM would probably be easiest for specific issues.
Hi Matt. I am running Gutsy Ubuntu on a DELL D630. I have a couple of problems:
1) The speakers do not mute when I plug in the headphone.
2) I can either run Compiz or get direct rendering. When I run compiz, full screen video is slow.
Have you experienced that as well? Any tips? Thanks.
Francisco
1) The speakers do not mute when I plug in the headphone.
2) I can either run Compiz or get direct rendering. When I run compiz, full screen video is slow.
Have you experienced that as well? Any tips? Thanks.
Francisco
# posted by 
: October 25, 2007 at 10:10 PM
: October 25, 2007 at 10:10 PM
> 1) The speakers do not mute when I plug in the headphone.
I can't remember if I've had exactly this problem. The closest problem I've had was that the speakers wouldn't turn back on when I unplugged headphones. I'm not quite sure what I did, if anything, to fix it. I've read about your problem though, so you could try a Google search -- I think it happened on a few Thinkpads.
> I can either run Compiz or get direct rendering. When I run compiz, full screen video is slow.
I don't know what to tell you here. I have the X3100 integrated graphics, which seemed to just work with Ubuntu and Xorg after I set my resolution properly. If you've got the nVidia card that you can get now, I can't help you.
Post a Comment
I can't remember if I've had exactly this problem. The closest problem I've had was that the speakers wouldn't turn back on when I unplugged headphones. I'm not quite sure what I did, if anything, to fix it. I've read about your problem though, so you could try a Google search -- I think it happened on a few Thinkpads.
> I can either run Compiz or get direct rendering. When I run compiz, full screen video is slow.
I don't know what to tell you here. I have the X3100 integrated graphics, which seemed to just work with Ubuntu and Xorg after I set my resolution properly. If you've got the nVidia card that you can get now, I can't help you.
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home
Archives
May 2007 June 2007 August 2007 October 2007 April 2008 May 2008 January 2009 May 2011
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]