This is a survey about Linux related hardware features of the Packard Bell Easynote A5, a cheap A4 size ultralaptop :
This laptop is very well supported using a recent Linux distribution.
Near all fonctions work out of the box.
The display need 855resolution
to get 1240x768 (see Monitor section).
Multidedias keys works with
lineakd (see keyboard
section) and wireless can be managed with ndiswrappers and INPROCOMM
IPN 2220 driver.
The firmware of the CD-DVD writer QSI DVD+/-RW SDW-082 need to be ujpdate for correct use.
ACPI support is good (battery,fan and ac adaptater) but I cant get suspend/resume working.
Philippe Descamps <pwrdesc_AD_free_POINT_fr>
On my Easynote A5, I have installed the Mandriva Linux Limited Edition 2005. I have choosen it for severals reasons:
It's a faste and simple distribution
It's up to date.
It's stable.
It has a very good packages system.
Last, it french so do I.
The Kernel version is 2.6.11-6mdk-i686.
Here is my xorg.conf:
# File generated by XFdrake.
# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the XF86Config man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************
Section "Files"
# Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (they are concatenated together)
# By default, Mandrake 6.0 and later now use a font server independent of
# the X server to render fonts.
FontPath "unix/:-1"
EndSection
Section "ServerFlags"
#DontZap # disable <Crtl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
#DontZoom # disable <Crtl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse does not work
EndSection
Section "Module"
Load "dbe" # Double-Buffering Extension
Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
Load "extmod"
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
Load "synaptics"
Load "glx" # 3D layer
Load "dri" # direct rendering
Load "/usr/X11R6/lib/modules/extensions/libglx.a"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard1"
Driver "keyboard"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "fr"
Option "XkbOptions" "compose:rwin"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "SynapticsMouse1"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "MinSpeed" "0.06"
Option "MaxSpeed" "0.12"
Option "BottomEdge" "4200"
Option "TapButton1" "1"
Option "TapButton2" "1"
Option "TapButton3" "1"
Option "SHMConfig" "on"
Option "FingerLow" "25"
Option "LeftEdge" "1700"
Option "MaxTapMove" "220"
Option "MaxTapTime" "180"
Option "FingerHigh" "30"
Option "VertScrollDelta" "100"
Option "RightEdge" "5300"
Option "TopEdge" "1700"
Option "AccelFactor" "0.0010"
Option "Repeater" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "CircularPad" "on"
EndSection
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "monitor1"
VendorName "Generic"
ModelName "Flat Panel 1280x"
HorizSync 31.5-90
VertRefresh 60
# TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
# 768x576 @ 79 Hz, 50 kHz hsync
ModeLine "768x576" 50.00 768 832 846 1000 576 590 595 630
# modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
ModeLine "1280x768_75" 102.98 1280 1360 1496 1712 768 769 772 802 -HSync +Vsync
# modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
ModeLine "1280x768_60" 80.14 1280 1344 1480 1680 768 769 772 795 -HSync +Vsync
# modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
ModeLine "1280x768_50" 65.18 1280 1336 1464 1648 768 769 772 791 -HSync +Vsync
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "device1"
VendorName "Intel Corp."
BoardName "Intel 85x"
Driver "i810"
Screen 0
BusID "PCI:0:2:0"
Option "DPMS"
EndSection
Section "Screen"
Identifier "screen1"
Device "device1"
Monitor "monitor1"
DefaultColorDepth 16
Subsection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x768"
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x768"
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x768"
EndSubsection
Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x768"
EndSubsection
EndSection
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "layout1"
InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "SynapticsMouse1" "CorePointer"
Screen "screen1"
#Option "Xinerama"
EndSection
Some notes:
The box is advertised as a 1280x800 display, but it is actually a 1280x768 as I can see in the Packard Bell Doc on disk (file:/mnt/win_c/APPS/DOC/02/02intro.htm). After installation the resolution is 1024x768. See Monitor section to get the native resolution of 1280x768.
Initially a tap on the track pad work like a third buton clic and is therefore totaly unusable. Synaptics option "MaxTapTime" can be set to "0" to disable the tap function or the Option "TapButton3" "1" must be add to correct that behaviour. I use the first option.
Linux 2.6.11-6mdk-i686-up-4GB #1 Tue Mar 22 15:51:40 CET
2005 i686 GNU/Linux
Processor:
processor : 1
vendor_id : GenuineIntel
cpu family : 6
model : 13
model name : Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor 1.30GHz
stepping : 6
cpu MHz : 598.150
cache size : 1024 KB
fdiv_bug : no
hlt_bug : no
f00f_bug : no
coma_bug : no
fpu : yes
fpu_exception : yes
cpuid level : 2
wp : yes
flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr mce cx8 sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss tm pbe
bogomips : 2572.28
ATA device, with non-removable media
Model Number: ST950212A
Serial Number: 3LE05N1X
Firmware Revision: 3.05
Standards:
Used: ATA/ATAPI-6 T13 1410D revision 2
Supported: 6 5 4 3
Configuration:
Logical max current
cylinders 16383 65535
heads 16 1
sectors/track 63 63
--
CHS current addressable sectors: 4128705
LBA user addressable sectors: 97692174
LBA48 user addressable sectors: 97692174
device size with M = 1024*1024: 47701 Mbytes
device size with M = 1000*1000: 50018 MBytes (50 GB)
Capabilities:
LBA, IORDY(can be disabled)
bytes avail on r/w long: 4 Queue depth: 1
Standby timer values: spec'd by Standard, no device specific minimum
R/W multiple sector transfer: Max = 16 Current = 16
Advanced power management level: unknown setting (0x8080)
Recommended acoustic management value: 254, current value: 0
DMA: mdma0 mdma1 mdma2 udma0 udma1 udma2 udma3 udma4 *udma5
Cycle time: min=120ns recommended=120ns
PIO: pio0 pio1 pio2 pio3 pio4
Cycle time: no flow control=240ns IORDY flow control=120ns
Commands/features:
Enabled Supported:
* READ BUFFER cmd
* WRITE BUFFER cmd
* Host Protected Area feature set
* Look-ahead
* Write cache
* Power Management feature set
Security Mode feature set
* SMART feature set
* FLUSH CACHE EXT command
* Mandatory FLUSH CACHE command
* Device Configuration Overlay feature set
* 48-bit Address feature set
SET MAX security extension
Advanced Power Management feature set
* DOWNLOAD MICROCODE cmd
* SMART self-test
* SMART error logging
Security:
Master password revision code = 65534
supported
not enabled
not locked
frozen
not expired: security count
not supported: enhanced erase
|
dev |
Mount point |
Type |
size |
|---|---|---|---|
|
hda1 |
ND |
Hidden W95 FAT32 |
4 Go |
|
hda2 |
/mnt/win_c |
NTFS |
12 Go |
|
hda5 |
/ |
ext3 |
15 Go |
|
hda6 |
/home |
ext3 |
3 Go |
|
hda7 |
/mnt/trans |
FAT32 |
10 Go |
|
Hda8 |
swap |
Linux swap |
1 Go |
512 MB (Double-bank Connection)
32 MB used by video ram
L1
Cache : 32 KB
L2 Cache : 1024 KB
TFT WXGA display (1280x768 LCD panel capable) with perfect contrast.
You will need the program 855resolution to correct the mode lines for the Intel 855GM chipset. I put this init-script in /etc/init.d/resolution855, plus one alias in rc5.d named S85resolution855 :
#!/bin/bash
# # 855resolution [-p] [-l] [-f bios_type] [mode X Y] # Set the resolution to XxY for mode # Ajout perso pour prendre de bonnes résolutions # en conjonction avec xorg.config personnalisé : # Subsection "Display" # Depth 16 # Modes "1280x768" # EndSubsection 855resolution 4d 1280 768 855resolution -l &
Output from lspci:
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 82852/82855 GM/GME/PM/GMV Processor to I/O Controller (rev 02)
00:00.1 System peripheral: Intel Corporation 82852/82855 GM/GME/PM/GMV Processor to I/O Controller (rev 02)
00:00.3 System peripheral: Intel Corporation 82852/82855 GM/GME/PM/GMV Processor to I/O Controller (rev 02)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 82852/855GM Integrated Graphics Device (rev 02)
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation 82852/855GM Integrated Graphics Device (rev 02)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 03)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 03)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 03)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-M) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 03)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev 83)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801DBM (ICH4-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 03)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801DBM (ICH4-M) IDE Controller (rev 03)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) SMBus Controller (rev 03)
00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 03)
00:1f.6 Modem: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) AC'97 Modem Controller (rev 03)
02:02.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)
02:04.0 Ethernet controller: Linksys, A Division of Cisco Systems [AirConn] INPROCOMM IPN 2220 Wireless LAN Adapter (rev 01)
02:06.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments Texas Instruments PCIxx21/x515 Cardbus Controller
02:06.2 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Texas Instruments Texas Instruments OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
02:06.3 Unknown mass storage controller: Texas Instruments Texas Instruments PCIxx21 Integrated FlashMedia Controller
Output of lsmod:
Module Size Used by speedstep-lib 3428 0 raw 6720 1 i915 17280 1 drm 58164 2 i915 md5 3648 1 ipv6 232320 12 rfcomm 33692 0 l2cap 20644 5 rfcomm bluetooth 41380 4 rfcomm,l2cap snd-seq-dummy 2596 0 snd-seq-oss 31584 0 snd-seq-midi-event 6208 1 snd-seq-oss snd-seq 47472 5 snd-seq-dummy,snd-seq-oss,snd-seq-midi-event snd-seq-device 6796 3 snd-seq-dummy,snd-seq-oss,snd-seq snd-pcm-oss 49056 0 snd-mixer-oss 17248 1 snd-pcm-oss snd-intel8x0 29184 1 snd-ac97-codec 75256 1 snd-intel8x0 snd-pcm 80712 3 snd-pcm-oss,snd-intel8x0,snd-ac97-codec snd-timer 20324 2 snd-seq,snd-pcm snd-page-alloc 7428 2 snd-intel8x0,snd-pcm snd 46980 11 snd-seq-oss,snd-seq,snd-seq-device,snd-pcm-oss,snd-mixer-oss,snd-intel8x0,snd-ac97-codec,snd-pcm,snd-timer soundcore 7104 1 snd parport_pc 31588 0 lp 9864 0 parport 31624 2 parport_pc,lp af_packet 16232 0 pcmcia 18632 2 yenta_socket 19720 1 rsrc_nonstatic 9056 1 yenta_socket pcmcia_core 41504 3 pcmcia,yenta_socket,rsrc_nonstatic video 13892 0 thermal 10600 0 tc1100-wmi 5188 0 processor 18164 1 thermal fan 3108 0 container 3040 0 button 4880 0 battery 7460 0 ac 3300 0 eth1394 17160 0 8139too 21376 0 mii 4224 1 8139too ide-cd 36772 0 ohci1394 30916 0 ieee1394 292088 2 eth1394,ohci1394 loop 13544 0 ntfs 205176 1 nls_iso8859-15 4288 2 nls_cp850 4544 1 vfat 11200 1 fat 35964 1 vfat slamr 401000 2 intel-agp 19996 1 agpgart 28168 3 drm,intel-agp nvram 6984 0 evdev 7744 1 usblp 10752 0 ehci-hcd 28456 0 uhci-hcd 28816 0 usbcore 105880 4 usblp,ehci-hcd,uhci-hcd ext3 123304 2 jbd 48344 1 ext3
It has an internal wireless card, the Linksys INPROCOMM IPN 2220 .
The driver for ndiswrapper is in /mnt/win_c/PNP/WLAN. You may
download
from
ftp://ftp.aopen.com.cn/pub/nb/2681/driver/wlan.zip
Don't
forget to change parameters of the firewall for this new connection.
Also an onboard Realtek is available (Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)). It worked just fine out of the box.
The winmodem (Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) AC'97 Modem Controller (rev 03)) start with the slmodem-2.9.10 driver load by dkms-slmodem 2.9.10-7mdk. But I only get the message "Pas de porteuse" (no line detect)
Output from lspci:
VGA compatible controller: Intel Corp. 82852/855GM Integrated Graphics Device (rev 02)
Display controller: Intel Corp. 82852/855GM Integrated Graphics Device (rev 02)
Module: Card:Intel 85x
hardware acceleration : works
$
gears
Loading required GL library /usr/X11R6/lib/libGL.so.1.2
2179
frames in 5.000 seconds = 435.800 FPS
2183 frames in 5.002 seconds
= 436.425 FPS
2183 frames in 5.001 seconds = 436.513 FPS
2181
frames in 5.001 seconds = 436.113 FPS
The Multimedia audio controller is on Intel ICH Card. Alsa module: snd-intel8x0. The two speakers in front are quite good.
Multimedia keys can be activate using lineakd
. Other related hardware function keys (like sleep, unable/disable
wi-fi, lighter/darker screen) are already active :-). The two
"internet" keys for running browser and eMailer are'nt
recognise by X. The browser key even don't generate event. The
eMailer key may be affected to a keycode with the line setkeycodes
e073 123
Here is the two scripts required by lineakd
to emulate the Funtion keys behaviour, put them in your ~/.lineak
folder :
lineakkb.def #### User Defined Keyboards ####
[EasyNoteA5]
brandname
= "UltraLaptop/notebook"
modelname
= "PackardBell EN-A5 (User
Defined)"
[KEYS]
play
= 162
previous
= 144
next
= 153
stop
= 164
volumeup
= 176
volumedown
= 174
mute
= 160
#
www = 148
Mail
= 210
[END KEYS]
[END
EasyNoteA5]
# end User Defined Keyboard EasyNoteA5
lineakd.conf
#
LinEAK Configuration for EasyNoteA5 (User Defined)
# (generated by
pwrdesc@free.fr)
# Global
settings
KeyboardType = EasyNoteA5
CdromDevice =
/dev/cdrom
MixerDevice = /dev/mixer
#
Specific keys of your keyboard
# You can use xmms in place of
amarok
play
= "amarok –pause"
previous = "amarok
--previous"
next = "amarok --next"
stop =
"eject" # or stop = "amarok –stop"
volumeup
= "amixer sset Master 1+"
volumedown = "amixer sset
Master 1-"
mute = "amixer sset Master toggle"
#
WWW = "mozilla-firefox"
Mail = "kmail"
#
end lineakd.conf
There are two slightly unusual "internet" keys for runing browser and emailer programs. The browser key produces no scancode and cant be used. The second key (eMail key) have the scancode e073 and can be bind to keycode 123 with the folowing command (write at the end of the file /etc/rc.local) :
setkeycodes e073 123
Output from acpi -V
Battery 1:
charged, 100%
Thermal 1: ok, 45.0 degrees C
AC Adapter 1:
on-line
Fn F1 send a sleep event -> pmsuspend2 disk/memory
Suspend to RAM (the default): when resume (by pressing power button) the screen is always black and eventually the computer shutdown !
Suspend to disk : If you change the option "memory" to "disk" in file /etc/acpi/events/sleep, suspend change to hibernate (on disk). After restart computer go to standard login... and crash.
No floppy drive available, so not applicable.
This computer has a card reader wich can read the following medium :
MultiMediaCard,
Memory Stick,
Memory Stick PRO and
SD card.
My SD card was immediately recognized and opened.
QSI DVD+/-RW
SDW-082
CD/DVD burner
|
Mediums |
CD-ROM |
CD-R |
CD-RW |
DVD-ROM |
DVD-RAM |
DVD-R |
DVD-RW |
DVD+R |
DVD+RW |
DVD+R9 DL |
|
Read |
24x |
24x |
24x |
8x |
* |
6x |
6x |
6x |
6x |
* |
|
Write |
- |
24x |
10x |
- |
- |
8x |
4x |
4x |
4x |
- |
Problems occur when writing CD-ROM : process stop after writing 64 MB. Firmware update to LX43 cure the problem.
I have three USB 2.0 ports. They work fine and just out of the box. I don't have any Firewire devices, so I haven't any info on this.
This laptop doesn't have a serial nor parallel port.
The author owns this document.
The document is freely
distributable under license terms of GNU
Free Documentation License
(http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html).
All comments,
suggestions or help is very welcome and encouraged.
Please send
whatever comment you want to the author.
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