[ubuntu] Dell XPS m1330 and 8.04 Hardy Heron

[ethanay]

UPDATE: Ok, as I promised (a while ago) I am posting my install/setup notes...ask if they don't make sense and I will try to explain (they make sense to me!)
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Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron
install and setup notes

Install process:
Hardy does an excellent job of detecting hardware (at least on this laptop). The only big option here is partitioning, and I will pass on a recent recommendation and change that has worked well for me: Create a / (root) partition as /dev/sda1. You can safely make it any size from about 7gb - 12+gb (imo more than that seems excessive).

The size depends on how many programs you will install and how much tmp file space you need: If you install TONS of programs and need a lot of tmpfile space, then spring for the larger size. I have (what I consider) a lot of extras installed right now, and am using about 4.9gb.

Copy /home/ethan to new setup; exclude unnecessary .hidden_folders
unnecessary with install to / (root) partition only

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Add medibuntu repository (restricted extras)
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu
sudo wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/hardy.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install medibuntu-keyring && sudo apt-get update
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enable Dell Hardy respositories: http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php...Dell_PPA_Entry
/etc/apt/sources.list
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/dell-team/ubuntu hardy main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/dell-team/ubuntu hardy main
----------------------------------------
enable backports, restricted repositories and updates
install linux-backports-modules-X-generic, linux ubuntu modules (Dell)

bugs: hard drive click after suspend?
uvcvideo error
intel wireless
see ugly_fix (posted below)

change keyboard shortcuts
system > preferences > keyboard shortcuts
media player: shift ctrl m
calculator: shift ctrl c
e-mail: shift ctrl e
web browser: shift ctrl i
search: shift ctrl s
panel menu: shift ctrl super (windows key)
run terminal: <super>t (edit manually in gconf-editor > apps > metacity)
zoom in/out: ctrl alt +/-
expo key: says "ctrl alt"e but is really <super>e
toggle maximization state: shift alt b
minimize: shift alt d
move: shift alt m
resize: shift alt r
toggle all workspaces: shift alt a
max vertically: shift alt v
max horizontal: shift alt h
hide all and focus desktop: ctrl alt h


install backup scripts to /usr/local/bin
backup_incremental /home/ethan /media/disk
A cousin gave me a set of simple backup scripts that utilize the power of rsync and hardlinks to make incremental backups to the location of your choice. They can be run by cron, but I run it manually with a simple wrapper script, so all I type in the terminal is "backup."
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Uninstall unnecessary software
Clean/disable unnecessary boot services, session, modules
I don't use accessibility, apmd, bluetooth, evolution, etc and don't need them running.
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Install complete generic kernel: restricted and backports
I don't recommend installing the realtime kernel in addition, because 1) it requires specific performance tuning that conflicts with power-management and interface interactivity (once setup correctly). It also broke hibernate for me while using the generic kernel, even after uninstalling. If you need realtime performance, dual boot. I recommend 64studio.

More Packages
firmware-addon-dell, firmware-tools > these let you update firmware, bios, etc
sensors-applet > enable acpi cputemp monitoring in the panel
hddtemp (no autoload), sysfsutils, sysinfo, powertop, FATsort [for pmp], checkinstall

lilypond, jedit, lilypondtool
http://lilypondtool.organum.hu/
Musescore+fluid-soundfont-gm
http://www.pianosounds.com/freesoundfont.htm
make sure it uses hw:0 and not "default"

Wine, GNU Solfege, Gnome Office, Zim Desktop Wiki, cGmail, Stellarium, MusicBrainz Picard, Grsync, Gwget, APTonCD, Firestarter, Deluge, Audacity, Ubuntu Restricted Extras, GNUSound, Advanced Desktop Effects Settings (ccsm), Sound Converter, OpenOffice Suite, Mozilla Thunderbird, GNUCash, Gnome-do, xpad
start GNU Solfege with the --no-sound flag, setup sound, exit, start normally

---------------------------
add AWN repository
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=762363
echo 'deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/reacocard-awn/ubuntu hardy main' | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
echo 'deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/reacocard-awn/ubuntu hardy main' | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list

Configure Avant Window Navigator
ubuntu theme -- http://thelinuxmovement.blogspot.com...e-for-awn.html
rhythmbox plugin -- http://wiki.awn-project.org/Plugins:Rhythmbox
unzip to /home/username/.gnome2/rhythmbox/plugins (2 files + 2 folders)
enable within rhythmbox plugins

install gnome-do gnome-do-plugin-rhythmbox
add gnome-do -q to startup sessions
gconf-editor > apps > gnome-do shortcut: <super>d
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GnomeDo/Plugins
configure indexing locations and depth: /home/ethan/.config/gnome-do/FileItemSource.config
/home: 1
/home/ethan: 3
/home/ethan/Desktop: 1
/home/ethan/Documents: -1 (infinite)
/usr/bin: 1
install tracker-utils and add tracker search plugin

configure deluge
automatic blocklist: http://bluetack.gotalkaboutit.com/bluetack/level1.zip

Configure desktop appearance:
top bar (from left to right)
launchers: xpad, gedit, gnome-do, file search
applets: keyboard layout switcher, workspace switcher, trash, cpu temp monitor, system monitor (cpu, mem, net, hdd; 2 sec frequency), weather, volume control, sys tray, clock

terminal
transparency, dark color schema for contrast (white on black)

gconf-editor
Power management settings
actions -- hibernate and suspend
dim screen = 12 [lowest setting]
no lock screen on suspend/hibernate
metacity global key bindings
<super>t launch terminal
nautilus
check desktop icons visible

add startup items > system > preferences > sessions
Gnome-do
Avant-window-navigator

Set preferred applications (preferences): Thunderbird, Rhythmbox

install wineapps
finale notepad (see e-memory)
encore (see e-memory)
configure wine: windows xp, alsa sound driver
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disable apmd in system > administration > services -- suspend and hibernate OK!
----------------------
Keep powernowd [default is ondemand] OR...
uninstall powernowd
I prefer to uninstall and use sysfsutils to automatically load cpufreq_ondemand. If you don't use them, the other cpufreq options are

If uninstalling, use only ondemand/native powersave governor default:
unload cpufreq_conservative, cpufreq_powersave, cpufreq_userspace
blacklist if necessary: add blacklist [module name] to /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist

install sysfsutils
add to /etc/sysfs.conf
devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor = ondemand
check with cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor
set on the fly with cpufreq-selector -g ondemand or performance
if ondemand is not enabled at startup, load
add to /etc/modules *if necessary
acpi_cpufreq
cpufreq_ondemand
cpufreq_stats
freq_table*
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for sysctl.conf if not default
min_power < /sys/class/scsi_host/host0/link_power_management_policy

change concurrency = none to "shell" in /etc/init.d/rc
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to run 16-bit wine apps
sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=0

to make permanent: edit /etc/sysctl.conf
and change the line that reads:
vm.mmap_min_addr = 65536
to
vm.mmap_min_addr = 0
--------------------------
disable splash screens for debug/something interesting and informative to look at
/boot/grub/menu.lst -- remove "quiet" and "splash"
## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash
execute: sudo update-grub
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laptop automatic power management
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=729644

http://www.lesswatts.org/tips/

/usr/lib/pm-utils/power.d/laptop-tools
change dirty_writeback_centisecs to 1500 (was 30) and disk_idle_secs to 5 (was 2)
------------------------------
performance tuning
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwapFaq
add vm.swappiness = 10 to /etc/sysctl.conf to reduce kernel tendency to use swap
this is trivial and probably unnecessary (i don't do it) -- Linux already does a good job managing swap (sooo much better than windows!)
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to change root password (if necessary):
sudo passwd root
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If changing partitions after install:
update /etc/fstab
update /etc/initramfs-tools/conf.d/resume
run update-initramfs -u
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UGLY_FIX
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persistent safe hdparm setting (254)
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...5/comments/273
copy 99-hdparm-fix.sh to /etc/pm/*.d/99-hdparm-fix.sh
see http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=772159
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uvcvideo on sleep
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...57/comments/15
add "uvcvideo" to SUSPEND_MODULES in /usr/lib/pm-utils/defaults
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iwl3945 scanning issues
http://www.intellinuxwireless.org/bu...gi?id=1579#c15
create /etc/modprobe.d/iwl3945 and add
alias wlan0 iwl3945
options iwl3945 disable_hw_scan=1
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BEGIN OLD POST
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Hello all, I'd like this to be a thread for any XPS M1330/1530 owners to discuss 8.04 Hardy Heron on their systems. I'll kick things off Intel Centrino Core2 Duo 1.5ghz 2 gb ram DVD +/- RW Intel integrated (X3100?) video Intel 3945abg wireless networking External hard drive for /home backup and file archiving I was new to Ubuntu from Windows, and 7.10 Gutsy was my first installation, ditching Vista. I haven't decided whether/when I will upgrade, because (thanks to the help of several other people) my 7.10 installation is finally very stable -- so much so that I'm beginning to take it for granted even though the first couple of months were shaky. However, there are three big reasons for me to upgrade: 1) take full advantage of the Long Term Support (LTS) 2) potential increased hardware compatibility and battery life 3) a chance to finally undo, once and for all, the infamous Dell Media "self-destruct" Direct button in #2 above, I that the following are fixed by default a) get rid of the excessive hard-drive wear and tear bug b) suspend and hibernate work reliably out of the box [note: I said "reliably", not "completely bug-free" ] c) the internal microphone finally works d) less 3945 wireless woes (iwl3945 has been VERY buggy, so I'm still using ipw3945, which locks occasionally) Here are a lot of the references I used to get 7.10 working OK -- hopefully they won't be necessary for 8.04! http://blog.higherthings.org/borghar...icle/3077.html http://www.nervous.it/2007/11/linux-dell-xps-m1330/ https://wiki.ubuntu.com/InstallingUbuntuOnADellXPSM1330 http://www.wains.be/index.php/2008/0...ell-xps-m1330/ http://www.atlas95.com/blog/tag/xps-m1330/ http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=622378 cheers, ethan

[jespdj]

I am already running 64-bit Ubuntu 8.04 RC on my M1530 and it works great. No big issues.

http://jesperdj.pbwiki.com/Ubuntu-on-the-Dell-XPS-M1530

By the way, there is a Dell Ubuntu Support forum here on ubuntuforums.org, your poll would have fit better there.

The Dell Media Direct button doesn't destruct anything on my M1530. When I press it to start the computer, it displays the Media Direct boot screen with GRUB overlaid on it in an ugly way, and it just proceeds to boot Ubuntu. Partitions or the MBR isn't destroyed.

a) get rid of the excessive hard-drive wear and tear bug

Not fixed in 8.04, but it isn't an Ubuntu- or Linux-specific problem anyway. Just apply the "ugly fix" described in that post.

b) suspend and hibernate work reliably out of the box [note: I said "reliably", not "completely bug-free" ] c) the internal microphone finally works d) less 3945 wireless woes (iwl3945 has been VERY buggy, so I'm still using ipw3945, which locks occasionally)

Suspend and hibernate work normally and without any problems.
The internal microphone works, thanks to a new version of ALSA.
My M1530 has the 4965 and doesn't have any problems with connecting.

The only thing that I haven't yet working is the fingerprint reader.

[atlas95]

All is working immediately, don't worry. It is the best computer I have never had with linux.

[jespdj]

I now also have the fingerprint reader working - I just forgot to install libpam-thinkfinger.

[barbarian]

Not planning on it because I'll plan to make fresh install

[Kernel Sanders]

I've had nothing but problems

My 3 issues are:

1) The wireless appears to work fine, but won't connect to ANY network.

2) I have the dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 128mb graphics card, and although Hardy says it's using the only compatible driver (the non-free one), in the admin menu it's ticked as enabled, but the next column shows a red light and "not enabled".

3) I assume because of the above, this is why when I select the best desktop effects, it returns a "cannot enable" or similar message.

Gutted

[thebigham]

sigh..i got the m1330 and i updated, and tons of problems.

1. I can't even shut down without pressing the power button.

2. Suspend and hibernate never works.

3. The sound is really low even when its on max volume.

4. I can't even connect to the internet most of the time. When it's finally connected, i get 5mb and below out of a 10mb connect and the connection is very unstable, disconnects constantly. Three other computers with in my house with wireless connection works perfectly fine.Nightmares

[ethanay]

hey thebigham,

i'm curious:

1) what hardware do you have?
2) did you do a clean install, or did you do the upgrade?
3) are you using the 32-bit or 64-bit version?

As i understand it, the upgrade doesn't always work and can break several things. if/when i do upgrade, i am planning on doing a clean install:

1) make a redundant backup of my /home folder
2) reboot and check and see if the "media direct" self-destruct thing is still there
3) zero the hard drive anyway just to be sure
4) do a fresh install of 8.04 from the live cd with separate /boot (12gb), /swap (4gb) and /home (rest) partitions.


ps i plan on using the 32-bit as i understand overall there are less software/hardware complications, less online support, and not much performance difference except for certain specific operations

[ethanay]

Hi Kernel Sanders,

What wireless card do you have? which driver set are you using? (if intel: ipw, iwl, or ndiswrapper?) Did you try connecting to any networks manually via commandline? were they a,b, or g networks?

ethan

[Daelyn]

Originally Posted by Kernel Sanders I've had nothing but problems 1) The wireless appears to work fine, but won't connect to ANY network.

Have a look at this thread if you use the iwlwifi driver
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=764886