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Thread: Acer 5920(G) - Karmic tweaks

  1. #1
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    Acer 5920(G) - Karmic tweaks

    Okey, Dokey, fellow 5920(G) owners!

    Here's some tips that may help to make your Karmic experience a little better. Most of the methods described are as per those that worked for Jaunty (see thread here, but there are a few new issues that we need to take a look at. Conversely, on my system, the brightness control now works correctly, so I have omitted the steps for fixing this. If it's an issue for anyone else, please let us know.

    All the guidance below is what works for me. I am not an expert, and all advice comes with the usual disclaimers!


    Part 1: Media Keys

    OK, we'll start off with the most complicated bit. We need to patch xserver-xorg-input-synaptics to cope with the media keys.

    - Get the sourcecode of syndaemon and build dependencies

    Code:
    apt-get source xserver-xorg-input-synaptics
    sudo apt-get build-dep xserver-xorg-input-synaptics
    - Patch syndaemon

    Code:
    cd xserver-xorg-input-synaptics-1.1.2
    wget "http://bugs.gentoo.org/attachment.cgi?id=202431&action=view" -O tools/syndaemon.patch
    patch tools/syndaemon.c tools/syndaemon.patch
    - Configure and make

    Code:
    ./autogen.sh
    make
    Now, we'll make 2 fdi files- one for the media keys, and one for the touchpad proper.

    Code:
    gksu gedit /etc/hal/fdi/policy/touchpad.fdi
    Put this in the file, then save:

    Code:
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
    <deviceinfo version="0.2">
    
      <device>
        <match key="info.udi" string="/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/platform_i8042_i8042_AUX3_port_logicaldev_input">
            <merge key="info.product" type="string">Touchpad</merge>
            <merge key="input.x11_options.AlwaysCore" type="string">true</merge>
            <merge key="input.x11_options.RTCornerButton" type="string">2</merge>
            <merge key="input.x11_options.RBCornerButton" type="string">3</merge>
            <merge key="input.x11_options.LTCornerButton" type="string">4</merge>
            <merge key="input.x11_options.LBCornerButton" type="string">5</merge>
            <merge key="input.x11_options.TapButton1" type="string">1</merge>
            <merge key="input.x11_options.TapButton2" type="string">1</merge>
            <merge key="input.x11_options.TapButton3" type="string">1</merge>
            <merge key="input.x11_options.PalmDetect" type="string">0</merge>
            <merge key="input.x11_options.PalmMinWidth" type="string">0</merge>
            <merge key="input.x11_options.PalmMinZ" type="string">0</merge>
        </match>
      </device>
    
    </deviceinfo>
    Now for the mediakeys:

    Code:
    gksu gedit /etc/hal/fdi/policy/mediakeys.fdi
    Code:
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
    <deviceinfo version="0.2">
    
      <device>
        <match key="info.udi" string="/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/platform_i8042_i8042_AUX2_port_logicaldev_input">
            <merge key="info.product" type="string">Mediakeys</merge>
            <merge key="input.x11_options.AlwaysCore" type="string">true</merge>
        </match>
      </device>
    
    </deviceinfo>
    And save again.

    Now, we need to make sure that we're using our newly patched version of Syndaemon, not the old one. So go to System > Prefs > Startup Apps, and find the Syndaemon entry. If you don't have one, you can create a new one.

    Replace the command with:

    Code:
    /home/<username>/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics-1.1.2/tools/syndaemon -t -n Touchpad
    Note the '-n Touchpad' bit. The other switches are up to you.

    Now we need to remap the media key 'buttons', so add another command to your startup apps (or replace the previous equivalent):

    Code:
    xinput set-button-map "Mediakeys" 1 2 3 17 18 19 20 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
    You can call it what you like.

    If you have not yet done so, install xbindkeys and xvkbd, and open the configuration file for editing:

    Code:
    sudo apt-get install xbindkeys
    sudo apt-get install xvkbd
    gedit .xbindkeysrc
    Copy this text into the file:

    #Mutlimedia control keys:
    Code:
    "xvkbd  -text "\[XF86AudioPlay]""
        b:17
    
    "xvkbd  -text "\[XF86AudioStop]""
       b:18:
    
    "xvkbd  -text "\[XF86AudioPrev]""
        b:19
    
    "xvkbd  -text "\[XF86AudioNext]""
        b:20
    This works perfectly with all the Gnome music players that I have tried. While you're here, you can map your blue 'e' key to run Exaile, or whatever else you want:

    Code:
    #Map 'e' key to launch exaile
    "exaile %f"
        c:219
    It turns out that Karmic has integrated syndaemon, so to prevent two instances of the process starting, go to System > Prefs > Mouse > Touchpad, untick 'Disable touchpad when typing'.

    And you're done. Restart for the changes to take effect. **NOTE: THE BLUE E-KEY WILL ONLY WORK AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED PART 3 BELOW**

    Part 2: The Hotkeys

    If your hotkeys (the fn keys for suspend, etc) aren't working right, you can follow this section. With thanks to Alkis and Percy for the work on this bug.

    Download a new fdi file from here. Now you need to replace your old /usr/share/hal/fdi/information/10freedesktop/30-keymap-acer.fdi file with the one you just downloaded. The steps below assume that you have downloaded the file to your home folder.

    **THIS IS RISKY. PLEASE ONLY FOLLOW THESE STEPS IF YOU UNDERSTAND THEM, AND ARE ABLE TO UNDO THEM. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!**

    Code:
    sudo mv /usr/share/hal/fdi/information/10freedesktop/30-keymap-acer.fdi /home/<yourusername>/30-keymap-acer-old.fdi
    sudo cp 30-keymap-acer.fdi /usr/share/hal/fdi/information/10freedesktop/
    Note that the first command may generate a 'file not found' error. If so, don't worry, just carry on. That should fix any issues with your fn keys. It also sets us up for part 3.

    Part 3: Enable the € and $ keys

    We need to make a script that will run every time you log in. In this example, I will make a hidden folder in your home folder and put it in there.

    Open a terminal, and type:
    Code:
    cd .startscripts
    gedit eurodollar.sh
    And paste this code:
    Code:
    #!/bin/sh
    echo 'keycode 186 = dollar dollar dollar dollar dollar' | xmodmap -
    echo 'keycode 185 = EuroSign EuroSign EuroSign EuroSign EuroSign' | xmodmap -
    Now, to set this script to run on every login, go to System > Prefs > Sessions, and under Startup Programs, add again:
    Name: EuroDollar
    Command: sh /home/<username>/.startscripts/eurodollar.sh
    Description: Enables € and $ keys.

    And close. You should see this come into effect when you next restart X, or log out/in.

    Please note that if you have multiple users on your system, you will need to follow parts 1 and 3 for each user.

    Part 4: Fix the glitchy sound.

    You may have noticed some pops from the speakers from time to time. It seems that this is an issue with power-saving. To fix:

    open a terminal and type:
    Code:
    /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
    At the start of the last line, insert: #
    You will probably have to re-start for this change to take effect.

    -------------------

    OK, that's it. Let us know by posting on the thread how you have got on with the fixes above. If there's anything missing or incorrect, please do post so that your corrections can help others.

    Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the solutions posted above, including on the Intrepid / Jaunty thread, and a special shout to Mohr Tutchy who keeps coming up with the goods regarding xinput.

    Cheerio!
    Charlie
    Last edited by FokkerCharlie; November 26th, 2009 at 06:39 AM. Reason: Syndaemon tweak

  2. #2
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    Re: Acer 5920(G) - Karmic tweaks

    It looks really strange, but some keys are working (play and stop). There is the output from xev:
    Code:
    KeyRelease event, serial 30, synthetic NO, window 0x3600001,
        root 0x13c, subw 0x0, time 806024, (-448,385), root:(537,410),
        state 0x0, keycode 36 (keysym 0xff0d, Return), same_screen YES,
    "   XLookupString gives 1 bytes: (0d) "
        XFilterEvent returns: False
    
    PropertyNotify event, serial 33, synthetic NO, window 0x3600001,
        atom 0x210 (_NET_WM_ICON_GEOMETRY), time 806422, state PropertyNewValue
    There is no output for rev / fwd buttons. If I try to start script manually I have
    Code:
    device has no buttons
    Something was changed with the device?

  3. #3
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    Re: Acer 5920(G) - Karmic tweaks

    One more thing - I have also some problems with sound. Sometimes there are loud cracks from speakers. I think that they are connected with initialization of sound card. First crack is just before first sound during starting of KDE, next cracks may be heard after long break between sounds (reinitialization of the sound card?).
    In System properties / Multimedia / Music my sound card is mentioned as "HD Intel ALC1200 Analog". As far as I remember, in 9.04 it was "ALC 888" or something like this.
    Does anyone have similar problems?

  4. #4
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    Re: Acer 5920(G) - Karmic tweaks

    Hi Errenay.

    That's strange. A report from the Intrepid/Jaunty thread reports all OK with the media keys. Can you post the output from xev | grep button without xbindkeys running (as above). And also, without the button remapping script running (disable it in the startup apps menu, log out and in again)?

    For sound problems, have you tried this:

    http://swiss.ubuntuforums.org/showpo...0&postcount=12

    Charlie

  5. #5
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    Re: Acer 5920(G) - Karmic tweaks

    Output after xev | grep button: "play" button:
    Code:
    ^[[A^[[A^[[
    "stop":
    Code:
    ^[[B^[[B^[[B
    rev / fwd: nothing.
    With script disabled output is the same
    About sound - it looks that after commenting out the line, there are no cracks. Thank you!
    Last edited by errenay; November 6th, 2009 at 09:42 PM.

  6. #6
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    Re: Acer 5920(G) - Karmic tweaks

    Errenay- was this output from xev when you have xbindkeys running, or without?

    Charlie

  7. #7
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    Re: Acer 5920(G) - Karmic tweaks

    With karmic the target of syndaemon and synclient are the media keys instead of the touchpad.

    I can't solve this problem with these methods
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...07&postcount=4
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=517156

    That is probably because syndaemon and synclient don't need SHMConfig=true anymore.

  8. #8
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    Re: Acer 5920(G) - Karmic tweaks

    Hi Mohr

    I installed Karmic yesterday, and have been grappling with this issue. It's a pain...

    And is it just me, or is the fn+f4 suspend key not working?

    Working on it...

  9. #9
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    Re: Acer 5920(G) - Karmic tweaks

    Quote Originally Posted by FokkerCharlie View Post
    Errenay- was this output from xev when you have xbindkeys running, or without?

    Charlie
    The output was checked after using
    Code:
    killall xbindkeys

  10. #10
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    Re: Acer 5920(G) - Karmic tweaks

    That's strange. Can you disable the button-remapping script, log out/in again and try again?

    Suspend hotkey works now. Should have followed my own instructions.

    Charlie
    Last edited by FokkerCharlie; November 10th, 2009 at 08:41 PM.

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