I recently did a fresh install of Kubuntu 8.04 (hardy) on my Sony Vaio (VGN-NR220E), this is a list of notebook hardware that does or doesn’t work with linux. It is mostly based on my experience with kubuntu 8.04, but it should be pretty much same with other distributions, using latest kernel.
First of all, a little about hardware:
- VGA: Intel X3100 - chipset: Intel Mobile GL960
- Audio: Intel 82801H HDA (ICH8 Family)
- Modem: Conexant HDAUDIO SoftV92 Data Fax Modem with SmartCP
- Ethernet: Marvell Technologies 88E8039
- Wireless: Atheros AR5007EG (most probably)
- Misc: Builtin Card Readers (SD/MMC/Express Card/Sony Memory Stick)
Works:
- Audio: Works out of the box.
- VGA: Works out of the box
- Ethernet: Works out of the box, it uses “sky2″ module, so, if it doesn’t work in your distro, make sure it is loaded.
- Card Readers: Works out of the box, Only tried with SD card, but I assume others should work too.
- Wireless: Atheros AR5007EG drivers are available from madwifi, but they are quite new, and currently they are not available in any distro that I know of. You can manually install the new/patched madwifi drivers.
Step-by-step instructions are provided at ubuntu forums. Ubuntu users can follow it step-by-step, others can look at it to get the general idea.
- LCD Brightness: You will need xbacklight (a command-line only program) to change the LCD brightness. You can change brightness using the following command:
xbacklight -set X
where X is any value from 0 - 100, if that doesn’t work, then run
xrandr --output LVDS --set BACKLIGHT_CONTROL native
and then try again. Hopefully this will work now. For future, you can add the xrandr line in your ~/.profile file (that is .profile file in your home directory), so, that you won’t have to run it yourself after every login.
Doesn’t Work:
- Modem: Drivers for conexant are available from linuxant.com for “a modest price”. I don’t really need modem so, I never tried hard looking for open source drivers but the quick google search didn’t return any satisfactory results.
- Keys: FN keys, S1 and AV Mode.
I am still trying to get the keys to work, if you have any idea, please let me know.
Once again, we are observing DST (Daylight Saving Time) in Pakistan; tonight at midnight, all clocks were moved one hour ahead - causing an hour early power load-shedding :(.
If you are living in Pakistan and haven’t changed your computer clock yet, you can update the zone info and have your computer automatically change it’s time (both tonight and at the end of DST).
For more information click on your operating system: Microsoft Windows or Linux (unix, bsd, solaris).
By Aqeel
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March 17, 2008
Today, while browsing the LinuxMint forums, I found a link to a nice article Linux is Not Windows.
It is aimed at Windows users coming to Linux, and would help them set their expectations. If you have never understood why people like Linux so much, or had trouble explaining why you like it, then go ahead and read it.
By Aqeel
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February 27, 2008
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has finally lifted the lifted the ban, which it imposed few days ago, after YouTube removed the offensive video from the site.
I am a fan of YouTube (and other Google products) and am glad that it has respected the feelings of Muslims all around the world.
By Aqeel
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February 23, 2008
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has recently ordered all ISPs to block access to popular video sharing site YouTube, due to some “objectionable content”. Here is an email sent to customers of micronet (taken from naitazi):
Dear Valued Customer:
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (www.pta.gov.pk) has directed all ISPs of the country to block access to www.youtube.com web site for containing blasphemous web content/movies.
The site would remain blocked till further orders from PTA. Meanwhile, Internet users can write to youtube.com to remove the objectionable web content/movies because this removal would enable the authorities to order un-blocking of this website.
We’re sorry for any inconvenience.
Best Regards
Manager
Technical Assistance Center
Micronet Broadband Pvt. Ltd.
Islamabad
There is lot of speculation on what this “objectionable content” might be, many people are thinking it is due to recent videos uploaded on youtube that showed election rigging, though according to some people it’s due to a controversial Dutch movie against Islam.
In any case, this kind of blockage never works, one, it can be easily bypassed and two, it makes people wonder the reason behind the ban and then those who wouldn’t look for it under normal circumstance, tries to check it too.
Update: According to news, the ban is due to a controversial anti-islam movie uploaded by Dutch politician Geert Wilders. You can read about it more on TheNews, DailyTimes & The Post.
By Aqeel
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February 23, 2008
One month ago, I mentioned that I am de-activating my DSL service and applying again for the discount, that connection still isn’t re-activated.
The short version of the story is given below, if you want to know the complete detail, which includes my rant too, it’s after the jump.
Short Version:
It’s been a month since I re-applied for the connection, first they kept saying it would take 2-3 more days, and then when they finally came by for installation, they found out my username / password is not authenticating and apparently they will fix it later that day, 2 more weeks have passed and I am still without a connection. Every person we contact in morning prmoises that it will be done by evening, in evening they say in 15 mins, and after 15 mins they have already left for home. Next day, we can’t find that person again and the process continues.
Read More »
By Aqeel
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January 20, 2008
I have been planning to get the 30% discount offered to the students enrolled in any university / college, which is affiliated with HEC (Higher Education Commission of Pakistan). To make sure that person applying for the discount is eligible for the discount, they would first contact university registrar and upon approval, follow up the application.
This process shouldn’t be much of a problem, except that you can not apply for discount if you are already using PTCL Broadband connection, you would first have to disconnect their service and apply again, which would take almost a week (according to call center representative, whereas I have heard many people complaining that it takes much longer).
Anyways, I am going to return the equipment and give application for disconnection tomorrow, and as I don’t have modem or any other form of internet connection available, I might not be able to come online for a week or two. Let’s hope it doesn’t take too long.
By Aqeel
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January 15, 2008
Couple of days ago I got a text message on my cell, from a friend. It was a small quiz type thingy, in which you ask recipient few questions about yourself. I forwarded it to a few of my friends and asked couple of online friends, only a few responded to it, interestingly, results were quite accurate so, I am posting that here:
Question 1) What is best in me?
i) Umm…
ii) Caring person.
iii) You’re always here when i need to talk.
iv) You are really good and nice to your friends.
Question 2) What is bad in me?
i) Lazy.
ii) Boring, sometimes.
iii) Don’t know you well enough to know your bad sides
iv) Irresponsible
Question 3) I am just like a?
i) Computer Worm
ii) Teddy Bear
iii) Fortune cookie - You always tell me what to do.
iv) (No answer)
i, ii, iii & iv are all real people. 
I agree with their answers, except that I don’t think myself irresponsible, at least not most of the time.
Let me know what do you think of me?
By Aqeel
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January 10, 2008
Happy New Year to muslims all around the world (and anyone else who uses hijri calendar)
By Aqeel
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December 31, 2007
Happy New Year everyone, I hope this year will bring you (more) happiness and joy.
P.S: I updated the wordpress to latest version (fixes some critical security issues), everything seems to be working fine, but if you find anything broken, let me know. Thanks
