Update: I have created a seperate page now that I’m going to be actively updating instead of trying to either keep updating this post or adding additional posts. Click here to go to the page.
Of course the first thing that I did with the laptop is to wipe the hard drive clean. I have a school edition of Windows XP Pro that is going to replace the Windows XP Home and I’m also going to be installing Gentoo Linux on it as well. I’ve decided to add some information on getting linux to work though since the hardware is relatively new and doesn’t completely work correctly in all aspects.
I’ve followed the basic Gentoo Handbook for installation. Here is some additional information and thoughts about it though.
For the most part, I followed the handbook very closely. The exception is when it came to the kernel, I used gentoo-dev-sources ebuild gentoo-dev-sources-2.6.11-r2.ebuild. You should make sure to use at least a 2.6.11 kernel as it’s when support was added for the 915 chipset. I posted both my .config and xorg.conf which the links can be found at the bottom of the post.
I used a stage3 for a pentium 3 to start off with. Right before I started to install system software though, I added the following lines to /etc/portage/package.keywords so that I would be using gcc-3.4.3 which has better support for pentium-m.
sys-devel/gcc ~x86
sys-libs/libstdc++-v3 ~x86
sys-libs/glibc ~x86
sys-devel/gcc-config ~x86
Before I compiled and switched to gcc-3.4.3, my cflag was -march=pentium3 and after switching to gcc-3.4.3 i changed that to -march=pentium-m. Did a emerge gcc, then used gcc-config to switch to using 3.4.3. Of course doing this can cause problems with other packages in portage. If you chose just to stick with gcc-3.3.5 i would recommend using -march=pentium3 and not -march=pentium-m or -march=pentium4.
Monitor/Graphics
Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Graphics Controller
I have the 15.4 inch UltraSharp WSXGA+ LCD Pane. This willl make a difference in setting up the modelines and resultion in the xorg.conf file. This has to be the most dissappointing part as of yet. Since there is no support for the 915GM in xorg 6.8.2 yet (possibly patch in the future) we will have to wait until 6.8.3 or install a cvs version of xorg which contains the drivers. It does work with vesa drivers (not so good though). This is also where using the 2.6.11 kernel is needed since the kernel does have drivers for it. I’m still messing around the the xorg.conf working on tweaking everything, but for the most part everything works great. I have posted my xorg.conf for people that want to see what I’ve done (and possibly share some additional tweaks they’ve done).
xorg.conf
Disks
Intel Corporation 82801FBM (ICH6M) SATA Controller
This section caught me off guard at first since I didn’t know that the hard drives were now using SATA interfaces in the laptop. The biggest notible difference is that the hard drive device is now at /dev/sda instead of what most people are used to as /dev/hda. The cdrom is at /dev/hdc (or /dev/cdrom or /dev/cdroms/cdrom0). In the kernel, I had to make sure that I enabled the driver for this which was:
CONFIG_SCSI_SATA=y
CONFIG_SCSI_ATA_PIIX=y
CONFIG_SCSI_QLA2XXX=y
SD Slot
I have not got this to work yet. Anybody that has some ideas on how to get this to work, it would be a great help to people. I have these set in the kernel though:
CONFIG_MMC=y
CONFIG_MMC_BLOCK=y
CONFIG_MMC_WBSD=m
Wired Network Adapter
Broadcom Corporation BCM4401-B0 100Base-TX
Just make sure in the kernel you have:
CONFIG_B44=y
Works fine then.
Wireless Network Adapter
Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2915ABG MiniPCI Adapter
I chose to use the ipw2200 drivers for this card. At this time it is said that adhoc mode does not work which is not a problem for a majority of people since they usually use access points anyways. My card works perfectly with these drivers though. You need to make sure that you enable the following in the kernel to use these drivers though:
CONFIG_CRYPTO_ARC4=y
CONFIG_CRYPTO_MICHAEL_MIC=y
After that, just emerge net-wireless/ipw2200 and then follow the directions that it gives after installing if you want to automatically load the modules. I’ve tried this with B and G networks with different configurations, but haven’t tested it with an A network, but don’t see any problems when I do eventually come across one.
Audio
Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) AC’97 Audio Controller
I use also and I just had this in my config and it worked perfectly:
CONFIG_SND_AC97_CODEC=y
CONFIG_SND_INTEL8X0=y
USB/Firewire
FireWire (IEEE 1394): Ricoh Co Ltd R5C552 IEEE 1394 Controller
Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller
Works perfectly find using any availabe standard documentation. Nothing special.
Update: I would recommend watching the entire Linux Category for more information and updates.
Output From lspci -v
——————————
0000:00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/PM/GMS/910GML Express Processor to DRAM Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Capabilities: [e0] #09 [2109]
0000:00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Graphics Controller (rev 03) (prog-if 00 [VG
A])
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: fast devsel, IRQ 11
Memory at dff00000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable)
I/O ports at ec38 [size=8]
Memory at c0000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=256M]
Memory at dfec0000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256K]
Capabilities: [d0] Power Management version 2
0000:00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Graphics Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Memory at dff80000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable)
Capabilities: [d0] Power Management version 2
0000:00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #1 (rev 03) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 11
I/O ports at bf80 [size=32]
0000:00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #2 (rev 03) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 7
I/O ports at bf60 [size=32]
0000:00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #3 (rev 03) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 9
I/O ports at bf40 [size=32]
0000:00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB UHCI #4 (rev 03) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 7
I/O ports at bf20 [size=32]
0000:00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 03) (prog-if 20 [EHCI])
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 11
Memory at ffa80800 (32-bit, non-prefetchable)
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [58] #0a [20a0]
0000:00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev d3) (prog-if 01 [Subtractive decode])
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=03, subordinate=04, sec-latency=32
Memory behind bridge: dfd00000-dfdfffff
Capabilities: [50] #0d [0000]
0000:00:1e.2 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) AC’97 Audio Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 11
I/O ports at ed00
I/O ports at ec40 [size=64]
Memory at dfebfe00 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=512]
Memory at dfebfd00 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
0000:00:1e.3 Modem: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) AC’97 Modem Controller (rev 03) (prog-if 00 [Generic])
Subsystem: Conexant: Unknown device 5423
Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 7
I/O ports at ee00
I/O ports at ec80 [size=128]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
0000:00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801FBM (ICH6M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 03)
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0
0000:00:1f.2 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801FBM (ICH6M) SATA Controller (rev 03) (prog-if 80 [Master])
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, 66Mhz, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 7
I/O ports at
I/O ports at
I/O ports at
I/O ports at
I/O ports at bfa0 [size=16]
Capabilities: [70] Power Management version 2
0000:00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 10
I/O ports at 10c0 [size=32]
0000:03:00.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4401-B0 100Base-TX (rev 02)
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 64, IRQ 9
Memory at dfdfe000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable)
Capabilities: [40] Power Management version 2
0000:03:01.0 CardBus bridge: Ricoh Co Ltd RL5c476 II (rev b3)
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 168, IRQ 7
Memory at 10000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable)
Bus: primary=03, secondary=04, subordinate=07, sec-latency=176
Memory window 0: 10400000-107ff000 (prefetchable)
Memory window 1: 10800000-10bff000
I/O window 0: 00004000-000040ff
I/O window 1: 00004400-000044ff
16-bit legacy interface ports at 0001
0000:03:01.1 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Ricoh Co Ltd R5C552 IEEE 1394 Controller (rev 08) (prog-if 10 [OHCI])
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 9
Memory at dfdfc800 (32-bit, non-prefetchable)
Capabilities: [dc] Power Management version 2
0000:03:01.2 Class 0805: Ricoh Co Ltd: Unknown device 0822 (rev 17) (prog-if 01)
Subsystem: Dell: Unknown device 0188
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 10
Memory at dfdfc700 (32-bit, non-prefetchable)
Capabilities: [80] Power Management version 2
0000:03:03.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2915ABG MiniPCI Adapter (rev 05)
Subsystem: Intel Corporation: Unknown device 1020
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 7
Memory at dfdfd000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable)
Capabilities: [dc] Power Management version 2
Have you tried the Intel’s 915G driver for xorg 6.8.2?
Get it from the intel link on:
http://www.geocities.com/stomljen/
I think you will also need the 915resolution utility to set a wide screen video mode.
Hi,
this Guide was a great help, but there was still something wrong with the cdrom device.
I couldn’t enable dma, and watching a dvd was just a painfull thing.
I found this on the official gentoo boards:
http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-306856-postdays-0-postorder-asc-highlight-inspiron+6000-start-75.html
“in /usr/src/linux/include/linux/libata.h change
#undef ATA_ENABLE_ATAPI /* define to enable ATAPI support */
to
#define ATA_ENABLE_ATAPI /* define to enable ATAPI support */”
Ahh, I forgot you can disable ATA/ATAPI support in the kernel config, since it’s not needed.
your Guide was a great help however I’m still having issues with the DVD-ROM (not writer) drive. I enabled ATAPI support in libata.h as well as the driver needed in the kernel.
DMA is disabled for your DVD interface.This will probably result in a serious performance hit when playing DVDs. You can issue the command
hdparm -d1 /dev/hdc
trying to set DMA (which i knew wasnt going to work) returns
/dev/hdc:
setting using_dma to 1 (on)
HDIO_SET_DMA failed: Operation not permitted
using_dma = 0 (off)
any ideas? arg…. I’m using kernel 2.6.10 and inspiron 6000 DVD-ROM drive Model=TSSTcorpCD-RW/DVD-ROM TSL462C
dont know what else I can do. well thanks in advanced.
where did you get the verticle refreash rate and horizsyn for your inspiron 6000? i have the same laptopb but with only wsxga (1200×800)please help me because i want to install slackware on my machine
Hi All,
I’ve just installed FC3 on my inspiron 6000, and was wondering if there’s a way to configure my display.
I have ATI radeon 128mb 300 video card
15.4′ USXA display
I am unable to adjust resolution, and select proper monitor on my system.
Thanks for your help!
Regards,
— Boaz
FC4 has the 1280×800 display that works. FC3 has to be configured as a VESA and then edit the xorg.conf file (/etc/X11/xorg.conf) to 1280×800 everywhere it says 1024×768. Or just D/L FC4 and fuget about it.
My biggest frustration is the VGA driver issue. The i915GM should work. There are drivers on the intel sight for Linux but there require teh Kernel sources files and I never could get it to compile because of that. I have tried adding Source files and such… but to no avail… the VESA driver is all that is left between me & M$ freedom.
ANy knoews on if the Intel915GM will be added? Especially since the Intel 915 is suppoerted?
Great howto for the Inspiron. I’ve been following it but I’ve run into a prob. I’m trying to get my wireless card going and when I emerge -av ipw2200 I don’t get any directions to follow afterwards. The emerge goes fine… but now I don’t know where to go.
Yeah, ya know what. I found it. Of course after writing the above.
What about suspend to ram and hibernation?
I’ve been able to let work suspend to ram and hibernation, but I’ve still some minor problems. After wake up from suspend to ram the USB is not functional. I need a modprobe -r ohci_hcd (or rmmod) and modprobe ohci_hcd to let it work again.
And a wake up from hibernation (to disk) the acpi and events often don’t work anymore (it happens sometimes not at every wake up).
I’ve installed Kubuntu Hoary with a kernel 2.6.12 taken from Ubuntu Breezy development tree and patched with some late patches.
I installed Debian on my laptop. Everything’s running fine with my customized kernel, with minor exceptions:
– when I close the screen case and open it again, my screen will not wake up. I have to hard-boot. Same problem with hibernate-to-ram for obvious reasons.
– my Toshiba DVD drive won’t work. It is detected, but no /dev/ link points to it. Not /dev/hdc, /dev/cdrom, /dev/scdX, /dev/sdX.
I would really appreciate any suggestions, as I am quite clueless with these two issues, and I have spent quite a while working on them already, without a result.
See http://zux.sjr.fi/lnx/dell for the dmesg output and the kernel config. The DVD drive information is marked with red in the dmesg file.
I have already bypassed the problem described by previous folk. I installed acpid and vbetool programs and my /etc/acpi directory contains the file
dpms_on.sh with:
#!/bin/sh#
/usr/sbin/vbetool dpms on
while the file /etc/acpi/events/dpms_on contains:
# /etc/acpid/events/dpms_on
# This is called when the user opens the screen lid
# /etc/acpid/dpms_on.sh for further processing.
event=button/power.*
action=/etc/acpi/dpms_on.sh
Thus, after the screen lid is opened I press the power button and screen is back on.
It’s probably newbie’s solution, but please note I don’t
use my battery at all – 100% time my notebook is plugged
on. Hence, I don’t need to suspend. But for the folk who needs it, it’s easy to write appropriate scripts. However,
the ‘wake up’ script should contain at the end the
vbetool dpms on line – otherwise, the screen will be still
blank.
By the way – is there anything wrong with the acpi
modules in kernel or what? When I use acpi=off at startup there is no problem with the screen…
Per-olov
For Inx.
when you close the lid it goes into suspend-to-ram status. It doesn’t wake up because of the SATA driver that is compiled like a module. The kernel doesn’t find the hard disk anymore and is not able to load the sata module.
Following this howto for the Inspiron 9300 I’ve resolved all my problems with the i6000.
http://www.rtr.ca/dell_i9300/
I had only to modify the sleep script proposed into the how-to to let the USB works properly after resume from suspend to ram.
—
#!/bin/sh
# determine current console number:
currentvt=`/bin/fgconsole`
# switch away from X11, to avoid touchpad lockup on resume
if [ ! “$currentvt” = “12” ]; then
/usr/bin/chvt 12
fi
modprobe -r uhci_hcd
modprobe -r ehci_hcd
# go into standby
sync; sync
echo -n mem >/sys/power/state
# emerge from standby on resume
# reinitialize video to get text console working again on resume
vbetool post
# switch back to original console/X11 screen
if [ ! “$currentvt” = “12” ]; then
/usr/bin/chvt $currentvt
fi
modprobe -r uhci_hcd
modprobe uhci_hcd
modprobe ehci_hcd
—
I found I couldn’t emerge the wireless card driver (or rather one of it’s dependant packages) without also defining:
CONFIG_CRYPTO_AES_586=y
um… forgive me if this sounds somewhat facil of me, but would i be right in assuming that the mmc port is going to be read through the pci bus? if so, then couldn’t setting the pci hotplug configuration to ‘on’ possibly help? i’m a hardware tech, and i’m not used to messing around with kernels, but from what i remember, motherboards don’t read information from mmc slots directly per se; they’re taken through the same bus as the pci (or, in this case, the pcmcia bus *i think*).
just a random musing. if it’s wrong, then forgive me. if it’s right, then i’m glad to have been of some assistance, especially given that so many people have had such problems with the card readers in laptops.
uh… right. i feel like a bit of a plank, in case anyone here reads this; i’ve done some further research, and it looks like the sd card is run through a new ricoh chipset, that also partially looks after the pcmcia cards. guess i’ll have to try harder, then 🙂
Hi James,
Thanks a million for your tips on the Inpiron 6000. I followed your xorg.conf example and got my notebook with +WSXGA screen to work properly. With the latest kernel, I was able to use the i810 driver (instead of vesa). There is absolutely no need to run 915resolution. You rock!!!!
I am running Debian and got the sd card slot to work by applying the patch here http://mmc.drzeus.cx/wiki/Linux/Drivers/sdhci
Hi, I emerged the ipw2200 driver and such just as you described, and autoloaded the module, however eth1 (wireless card) can’t scan for any networks in the area when i know there are because my other computer 2 feet to the right found 5. Any thing i need to modify to enable scanning?