Acer Aspire 3680 - Edgy Install Guide

[Hase]

Acer Aspire 3680-2022
Intel® Celeron® M Processor 430
512MB PC4200 DDR2 RAM
Combo 8x DVD-ROM; 24x24x24 CD-RW
80GB 4,200RPM Ultra ATA Hard Drive
14.1" WXGA CrystalBrite, 1280 x 800 at 24-bit
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Video Chipset
Acer InviLink 802.11b/g Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wireless Network

Ubuntu 6.10 Edgy Eft

Wireless - Atheros Communications, Inc. AR5005G 802.11abg NIC (rev 01)
I was pleasantly surprised to find that such a cheap system would be sporting an Atheros wireless chipset and that it worked perfectly after install. Additionally, I was even more pleased to see that it was an 802.11a/b/g chipset, not just b/g as advertised. I have also noticed that the WiFi switch on the front of the machine does actually work despite the fact that the light does not come on or go off. If anyone has a fix for that, please let me know. I was pleased to find wpa_supplicant installed by default in Edgy. This meant all I had to do to get it working was create /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf and re-write /etc/network/interfaces. Examples to follow. My configuration uses the interface file to defer to the settings in wpa_supplicant.conf, which in my opinion offers far more and more powerful options to automate login with WPA, WEP and unprotected networks. Ask if you have any config questions.

/etc/wpa_supplicant.conf

ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant
ctrl_interface_group=0
eapol_version=1
ap_scan=1
fast_reauth=1

network={
	ssid="home_network"
	psk=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
	key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
	proto=WPA
	priority=5
}

network={
	ssid="friends_network"
	key_mgmt=NONE
	wep_key0=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
	wep_tx_keyidx=0
	priority=4
}

network={
	ssid=""
	key_mgmt=NONE
	priority=2
}

/etc/network/interfaces

auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

auto ath0
iface ath0 inet dhcp
pre-up wpa_supplicant -Bw -Dmadwifi -iath0 -c/etc/wpa_supplicant.conf
post-down killall -q wpa_supplicant

Video - Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
Default drivers work perfectly, except for resolution. See next.

Display - 14.1" WXGA 1280 x 800 at 24-bit
The default install left the display a little weird so I apt-got (apt-getted?) “915resolution”. I then configured it to use the appropriate resolution at the correct color depth. I've seen where others have had to do other stuff to get it to stick after reboot but I haven't needed to. The following two commands worked all by themselves.

sudo apt-get install 915resolution
sudo 915resolution 3c 1280 800 24

Sound - Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 02)
The sound was muted by default. You have to activate the “surround” slider (From the volume control GUI, edit > preferences > check “Surround”), un-mute it and adjust it. Sound! (Though still not as loud as I'd like, it is acceptably audible.) Initially I tried new drivers as suggested in the forthcoming link, then tried the "surround" unmute. AlexTheMad helped isolate the fix as only needing the "surround" unmuted. (Thanks for the help, AlexTheMad!)
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HdaIntelSoundHowto
A kernel and header update broke my audio. The following instructions reinstalled the appropriate drivers and got me noisy again.
Drivers
Library
Utils

sudo apt-get install build-essential ncurses-dev
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-`uname -r`

sudo mkdir -p /usr/src/alsa
cd /usr/src/alsa
sudo cp /whereveryouputthedownloads/* .
sudo tar xjf alsa-driver-1.0.14rc3.tar.bz2
sudo tar xjf alsa-lib-1.0.14rc3.tar.bz2
sudo tar xjf alsa-utils-1.0.14rc2.tar.bz2

cd alsa-driver-1.0.14rc3
sudo ./configure --with-cards=hda-intel
sudo make
sudo make install

cd ../alsa-lib-1.0.14rc3
sudo ./configure
sudo make
sudo make install

cd ../alsa-utils-1.0.14rc2
sudo ./configure
sudo make
sudo make install

Multimedia
In order to get Totem to play all my favorite Divx .avi files, as well as getting them to show up as thumbnail frames from the video, I followed the instructions here (Restricted Formats) and then here (Windows Codecs). If your movies still don't become thumbnails, clear out "/home/[username]/.thumbnails/fail/gnome-thumbnail-factory/". When Gnome tries and can't make a thumbnail, it notes it there and never tries again. Emptying that directory will make it retry all the failed files.

sudo apt-get install gstreamer0.10-pitfdll gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse gxine libxine-main1 libxine-extracodecs ogle ogle-gui

wget -c http://www.debian-multimedia.org/pool/main/w/w32codecs/w32codecs_20061022-0.0_i386.deb
sudo dpkg -i w32codecs_20061022-0.0_i386.deb

Flash

sudo apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree

ACPI
Works straight out of the box (Thanks Mugster!). I thought I'd see if the Acer ACPI package added functionality or improved anything and it does not appear to do anything other than waste your time installing it.

[javatoast]

Great how-to. This solved my problem with the resolution after days of searching... Question for you. On the Acer Aspire 3680, how do I get the system to recognize an external monitor. Specifically, how can I make it automatically adjust the resolution correctly?

Thanks

[Hase]

I've not yet tried that function. When I get home I'll tackle it. If you get that running, post the solution here or send it to me so that I can add it to the tutorial. It'd be great if we can get all the relevant info assembled here.
Stuff I'm still looking for and will add when the opportunity presents itself:
Better keyboard setup
Bluetooth setup
Four-way scroll button below touchpad setup
(By the way, I'll be sure to credit anyone for their submissions and help!)

[AlexTheMad]

Originally Posted by Hase Acer Aspire 3680-2022 I may not have needed to install the new drivers so, try the “Surround” slider thing first, then let me know.

I just did this without installing any new drivers and it worked. What bugs me though is that when I plug in headphones the PC speakers still sings. I have to mute "Surround" every time I use headphones.

[Hase]

Originally Posted by AlexTheMad What bugs me though is that when I plug in headphones the PC speakers still sings. I have to mute "Surround" every time I use headphones.

I have noticed this on two other laptops I've owned (IBM and HP). I've never come across a fix for this though. Thanks for the answer about the drivers!

[Hase]

How-To revised to reflect remedial steps taken after an update to headers broke the sound.

[Mugster]

First of all, extremely nice guide, and the only one i could find on the web for this model laptop. I took the $399 deal...

I'd advise not using the acer acpi, as it was originally coded to get the wireless going on a 64 bit OS, and is evidently no longer maintained. All the power management stuff works out of the box, at least on fc6 (same kernel). These celeron M chips do not implement speedstep anyway from what i can tell.

I left a little room on my hd to install edgy and give it a go. Mebbe i'll be a new convert

Keep up the good work!

[pavelchjen]

Nice. What BIOS version do you have? I find in store same model ACER laptop. but it have preinstalled windows vista, don't know will it have troubles with booting.. (cause of "bios vista oriented" problem")

[Hase]

Mine did come loaded with Vista as well. I don't have the unit with me right now but when I get it I will find out the specific information for you!

[pavelchjen]

does your laptop have a Windows Vista BASIC label ?