Review of Dell XPS 410n with Ubuntu Feisty preinstalled

[benanzo]

Dell XPS 410n with Ubuntu Feisty preinstalled

I received my XPS with Ubuntu today. The first thing I will say is that when the Fedex guy delivered it he asked if Dell was having some kind of liquidation sale because he has delivered more Dells today than ever before. He told me that he had already delivered five and there were eleven more on the truck. (Just throwing that out there.)

First impression:

Opening the box I was immediately met with a glaring view of the Windows Vista logo on the giant instruction poster. The instructions detailed how to use the remote that comes bundled with Vista for use with Vista Media Center (among other things.) Uggh. I quickly discarded that to the side. I rifled through the other documentation provided searching for any sign of a Quick Start pamphlet for Ubuntu...no luck. Nothing whatsoever in the paper documentation mentioned Ubuntu in any way and nowhere did I even see the Ubuntu logo. In fact, the Dell XPS 410 Owner's Manual offers a significant amount of information for troubleshooting drivers, but it was all Windows-specific. Nowhere in the box was an Ubuntu 7.04 "Feisty Fawn" install disc. No discs of any kind.
UPDATE:
After being contacted by Dell, I was informed that I should have received an Ubuntu install disc with the system. I did not, however. And after reviewing some others' experiences with their machines, I realize that I am in the minority of those who didn't get the disc.

Specifications:

XPS 410n, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6420 (2.13GHZ,1066FSB) with 4MB cache
2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE
500GB Serial ATA II Hard Drive(7200RPM)
16X DVD+R/RW CD-RW Combination Drive
Integrated Audio
No monitor (I use an ACER AL1916W 19" Widescreen with DVI)
375 Watt PSU

First Power-On:

I hooked up my gear and powered it on. This machine is remarkably silent. The disk spun up and the Dell BIOS screen appeared. I was required to accept the DELL EULA by pressing "any key" in order to continue the boot process:


GRUB flashed it's 2 second warning then the familiar Ubuntu Feisty bootsplash appeared. After a few seconds I was met with a new user wizard set against the default Feisty wallpaper. This wizard asked me to choose a username/password and a timezone. I entered the data appropriately and was then sent to the GDM login. I entered my information and the Ubuntu desktop appeared. The hostname is preset as dell.

UPDATE:
The GRUB menu lists an entry for booting to a recovery environment, which I assume is /dev/sda2 (see below).
Here's the /boot/grub/menu.lst


Problems:

Screen Resolution
My native resolution of 1440x900 was not recognized immediately. While I don't think this should be a surprise to anyone with a widescreen monitor, I was slightly disappointed. Since I did not order a Dell monitor with this machine, I cannot say whether it would be the case with those also. I do, however, think that Dell took some steps to attempt resolution autodetection for some of (their) monitors since the default /etc/X11/xorg.conf file included many resolution modes which I don't think it would have otherwise. X did not see fit to use mine (though it was listed) so it defaulted to 1024x768. This was an easy fix by going to System -> Preferences -> Screen Resolution and changing it, which took effect immediately and without further tinkering.

Restriced Drivers Manager - nVidia
Didn't work. It said it was doing something and showed the nice little download and install meter, then it asked me to reboot...then it killed X when it came back up.
I had to do this manually:

sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx

sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

Select nvidia as the driver, not nv.

This worked like a charm on the first try (which happened to be while I was in a console after X died.)
UPDATE:
In my contact with Dell, I was told that the process of installing the proprietary nvidia module via Restricted Drivers Manager was tested pretty thoroughly. And from my review of other accounts with similar hardware, this problem was, again, uncommon. I am not willing to rule out user error though I followed the obvious steps to enable this functionality. I will do a system restore in the coming days to re-test this process and will report back.

UPDATE:
I have run through a reinstall from the Recovery Console (which was a breeze - took 12 mins to get a factory-default system back. That's impressive.) Unfortunately the same problem with resolution detection cropped up again. This time it defaulted to 1400x1050.
Here's the default /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Here's the /var/log/Xorg.0.log
You might notice that X thought I was attached to a KVM...which wasn't true. I tried both DVI and D-SUB connections, both with the same results. I believe these files are from a D-SUB connection.
The good news though, was that Restricted Manager did install the proprietary nvidia module without hassle the second go around. (I wonder if this was related to DVI vs D-SUB and the improper resolution detection? I wish I'd kept the logs from the first time.) When the machine came back after the nvidia module was installed, the proper 1440x900 resolution was present in the System -> Preferences -> Screen Resolution menu, and changing it was trivial.

The standard kernel 2.6.20-16-generic is installed.
here's the config

Dell's configuration of my disk:

ben@dell:~$ sudo parted
GNU Parted 1.7.1
Using /dev/sda
Welcome to GNU Parted! Type 'help' to view a list of commands.
(parted) print                                                            

Disk /dev/sda: 500GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number  Start   End     Size    Type      File system  Flags
 1      32.3kB  49.4MB  49.3MB  primary   fat16             
 2      49.4MB  2204MB  2155MB  primary   fat32             
 3      2204MB  2410MB  206MB   primary   ext3         boot 
 4      2410MB  500GB   498GB   extended               lba  
 5      2410MB  5059MB  2649MB  logical   linux-swap        
 6      5059MB  500GB   495GB   logical   ext3              

(parted)

You might be wondering what the two vfat partitions at the front of the disk are:
/dev/sda1 mounts to /media/DellUtility

ben@dell:/media/DellUtility$ ls
Adaptec2.mdm  DELLBIO.BIN   IMchEcc.mdm   Nic.mdm       System.mdm
Adaptec.mdm   Dellboot.exe  INT15_88.COM  Parallel.mdm  UsbBist.mdm
ami_raid.mdm  DELLDIAG.COM  IoApic.mdm    Pci.mdm       UsbDevID.mdm
AUTOEXEC.BAT  DELLDIAG.EXE  IR.mdm        Perc2Ada.mdm  USBEHCI.mdm
AUTOEXEC.UP   DellDiag.INI  Keyboard.mdm  PM.MDM        UsbKbd.mdm
BiosMp.mdm    DELLRMK.BIN   LSI.mdm       Pnp.mdm       UsbMass.mdm
CABLES.mdm    DellSys.msm   Memory.mdm    Raid.mdm      Usb.mdm
Cache.mdm     DELLTBUI.EXE  MiscPci.mdm   Scsi.mdm      UsbMouse.mdm
COMMAND.COM   DIR.LST       Mouse.mdm     SEAL.EXE      USBOHCI.mdm
CONFIG.SYS    Diskette.mdm  MpCache.mdm   SEAL.INI      UsbTm.mdm
CONFIG.UP     Disk.mdm      mpmemory.exe  Serial.mdm    UsbUfi.mdm
COPYUP.BAT    Dvd.mdm       NbBatt.MDM    Smbios.mdm    USBUHCI.mdm
Cpu.mdm       GenAudio.mdm  Nbfan.MDM     SMBus.mdm     Video.mdm
DDInit.mim    HDAudio.mdm   NbSvc.MDM     Smi.mdm
DDINIT.MLM    Iaudio.mdm    Nbtherm.MDM   SYMTREE.INI
DELL          IEEE1394.mdm  nic8254x.MDM  SYSBDMON.mdm

What is this??
UPDATE:
I wont be clearing this partition after all, since magicfab pointed out that it is a Dell hardware diagnostics environment implemented in DOS. I have the tendancy to jump to conclusions when I see anything .EXE

/dev/sda2 mounts to /media/OS

ben@dell:/media/OS$ ls
autoexec.bat  COMMAND.COM  DELLBIO.BIN  initrd.gz  misc     ub704img.tgz
cmd.cfg       debs         DELLRMK.BIN  LINLD.COM  scripts  vmlinuz

The debs directory is empty. This partition contains a couple utilities to rescue your system like fdisk, vim, etc.

UPDATE:
It was suggested below by the keen eyes of kkass that the ub704img.tgz listed above might be the Ubuntu install image, which turns out to be correct. I missed that. I assume that when you boot to the System Restore console, it reinstalls Ubuntu from this image.

LSPCI
LSUSB

Everything else about the system is rather unremarkable. It works the same way any other Ubuntu system would. Beryl installed and runs great (after the nvidia driver was installed properly.) It uses the default Ubuntu repositories, nothing Dell-specific. There are no Dell logos anywhere on the desktop and nothing in the menus. There is no crapware (AKA unsolicited software trial-versions) installed anywhere obvious. This is basically a vanilla Feisty install. The only tinkering Dell did, (I think), was add some resos to xorg.conf and add some recovery/diagnostic partitions.

All the essential hardware functions properly. This includes (non-accelerated) graphics via the Free nv driver (default). Hibernation and suspend both work out of the box with both the nv driver and the nvidia driver. All sound playback/recording works without hassle. This includes headphone sensing, which has been trouble for some. The CD/DVD-R/W works as it should for burning/erasing discs. I have not investigated CPUfreq scaling, but will soon.

I cracked open the case and had a look inside and was delighted. They'v got some crazy fan-thing on the CPU that spins almost entirely silently. Everything inside is removable just by lifting a lever or two, or by pinching a clamp. It is very easy to add/remove drives etc. Both the hard disk and the DVD-r/w that shipped with it are SATA2. There are a total of 6 SATA channels, 1 IDE channel (if I remember right) for two drives master/slave, 1 floppy, 3 PCI, 1 PCI-E x16, 2 PCI-E x1, 6 rear USB, 2 front USB, front panel mic/headphone jacks. There is room for a total of two 3.5" internal drives and 2 external 5.25" drives as well as 2 external 3.5" slot for floppy or mem. card reader etc. As I said, everything snaps in/out. It is extremely trivial to add/remove hardware.


Final Thoughts:

I think Dell has done a good thing with this system. They obviously made an effort with resolution detection (which was going to be sore no matter what) and did an excellent job of keeping the crapware off the system. If you want a machine that's going to run all the apps you need and do it well, and without having to research endlessly for compatible hardware to make one yourself, this machine is good for you. I have seen nothing that makes this a deal-breaker for the average user...assuming they don't want to enable 3D out of the box. That still takes some skills.

UPDATE:
For more information regarding Dell's Ubuntu machines, they have a wiki and a mailing list (where the Dell devs hang out.)

I want comments!

AFTER THOUGHTS:

There have been quite a few criticisms of Dell and Ubuntu regarding the Restricted Manager debacle killing my X Server when it rebooted. I think this criticism is misguided. It is important to remember whose ultimate fault that was: nVidia's. Ubuntu's ability (or inability) to smoothly load a proprietary module is worthless if we can't support it, if we can't own it. I am sure the nVidia developers can't help but agree. They no doubt work hard to get their GPUs up-to-snuff for even the most demanding GNU/Linux user. They are hackers at heart, just like us. But unfortunately the company that employs them sees them as nothing more than ones and zeros. Their paychecks are just an impact on the bottom line. This minimalism strikes deep with every developer of Free software. If we make it, we own it, and we share it to make it better. Every bullet needs to fly at nVidia. Or not. They may never get the clue. They may just decide to keep their secrets and for that they may just find a smaller and smaller crowd singing their praises.

[stmiller]

Wow very interesting about the partitions. And no Ubuntu CD included? That is rather unexpected. Anyways great review, thanks for the info!

[magicfab]

Originally Posted by benanzo I can, however, assume that Dell took some steps to attempt resolution autodetection for some of (their) monitors since the default /etc/X11/xorg.conf file included many resolution modes which I don't think it would have otherwise.

Regarding video, no, this is actually a vanilla install, just as if you had installed from the CD (except for partitioning), using the OEM mode, plus some additions.

Originally Posted by benanzo /dev/sda1 mounts to /media/DellUtility ben@dell:/media/DellUtility$ ls Adaptec2.mdm DELLBIO.BIN IMchEcc.mdm Nic.mdm System.mdm Adaptec.mdm Dellboot.exe INT15_88.COM Parallel.mdm UsbBist.mdm ami_raid.mdm DELLDIAG.COM IoApic.mdm Pci.mdm UsbDevID.mdm AUTOEXEC.BAT DELLDIAG.EXE IR.mdm Perc2Ada.mdm USBEHCI.mdm AUTOEXEC.UP DellDiag.INI Keyboard.mdm PM.MDM UsbKbd.mdm BiosMp.mdm DELLRMK.BIN LSI.mdm Pnp.mdm UsbMass.mdm CABLES.mdm DellSys.msm Memory.mdm Raid.mdm Usb.mdm Cache.mdm DELLTBUI.EXE MiscPci.mdm Scsi.mdm UsbMouse.mdm COMMAND.COM DIR.LST Mouse.mdm SEAL.EXE USBOHCI.mdm CONFIG.SYS Diskette.mdm MpCache.mdm SEAL.INI UsbTm.mdm CONFIG.UP Disk.mdm mpmemory.exe Serial.mdm UsbUfi.mdm COPYUP.BAT Dvd.mdm NbBatt.MDM Smbios.mdm USBUHCI.mdm Cpu.mdm GenAudio.mdm Nbfan.MDM SMBus.mdm Video.mdm DDInit.mim HDAudio.mdm NbSvc.MDM Smi.mdm DDINIT.MLM Iaudio.mdm Nbtherm.MDM SYMTREE.INI DELL IEEE1394.mdm nic8254x.MDM SYSBDMON.mdm This is going to get deleted ASAP. What is this?? A Windows recovery partition? Did anyone say anything about Windows??

Windows ? These are DOS-based utilities. This is a diagnostics partition. It's a good idea to keep that around at least initially.

/dev/sda2 mounts to /media/OS ben@dell:/media/OS$ ls autoexec.bat COMMAND.COM DELLBIO.BIN initrd.gz misc ub704img.tgz cmd.cfg debs DELLRMK.BIN LINLD.COM scripts vmlinuz The debs directory is empty. This partition contains a couple utilities to rescue your system like fdisk, vim, etc.

This is the recovery partition.

Regarding the lack of a CD I would call Dell and ask about that!

Cheers,

[benanzo]

good info, I will keep it around for a little while.

[kkass]

I agree with magicfab, keep those dell tools around. Also, take a quick look at 'ub704img.tgz'. It is very likely that is the Ubuntu install CD. I would also bet that you can boot to that partition somehow.

Can you halt Grub and take a look at what options it gives you. Posting /boot/grub/menu.lst might be interesting as well. Alternately, take a look at the bios boot options and see what happens when you boot to their recovery partitions.

[benanzo]

I checked the GRUB boot menu and there is an entry for booting to a recovery environment.
I've updated the review.

[wormser]

Did it come with a Designed for Ubuntu Linux?

[benanzo]

nope

[dwasifar]

Interesting that it comes with a recovery partition. I pulled a Dell rep into chat the other day to ask about that, and he assured me with complete certainty that there was no recovery partition, only CDs.

[benanzo]

Or, in my case, no CDs, only recovery partitions.