I said I was going to write about this and the problems and solutions I’ve come across and stick them together for anyone following my footsteps with this laptop. Most of my problems were with X and the resolution because I was new to this in general. There are still some things I have not tested or are not working yet and they include the bluetooth module (not tested), the wireless card (it’s an ipw3945 - have yet to install the drivers) and finally the Intel GMA 950 video card (or is it a GMA 945…?), whose 3D drivers I have yet to install (but works perfectly otherwise). Sound was almost completely inaudible with Dapper Drake Flight 5, though Flight 6 fixes the problem.
As the Intel GMA 950 graphic card did not function at optimal resolution (ie. non-wide screen aspect and 800x600), had to use 915resolution. Version 0.5.0 exists/existed in the Dapper repositories at the time, though had to download version 0.5.2 (see earlier link). Did the following once installed:
# 915resolution -l
Pick an unsused mode (one’s resolution you will never use - 5a for me). Next we need to ‘re-configure’ that mode to the prefered resolution. I changed the resolution of 5a to 1680x1050 with a depth of 32 by doing the following:
# 915resolution 5a 1680 1050 32
Backup /etc/X11/xorg.conf, and then add the wanted resolution configuration to xorg.conf:
Option "ForceBIOS" "1600x1200=1680x1050"
So make note of the following snippets from /etc/X11/xorg.conf:
Section "Device"
Identifier "Generic Video Card"
Driver "i810"
BusID "PCI:0:2:0"
Option "ForceBIOS" "1680x1050=1600x1200"
EndSection
Where '1680x1050' is your desired resolution and '1600x1200' is the original resolution of the mode you changed.
And:
EndSection
Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection
Now make sure the driver is set correctly ("i810").
Finally in order to run 915resolution at every boot before X starts, add to'/etc/init.d/bootmisc.sh', before "exit", the following (change the variables for your desired configuration):
/usr/sbin/915resolution 5a 1680 1050 32
And restart X in order for the changes to take effect.
It was quite easy to do. In total that took about 6 minutes and provided you backup the files you’re editing nothing can go awry, though make sure you pick a resolution your display can actually perform.
Cheers.
41 comments
It’s nice to hear that you’ve got a Intel Pro Wireless chipset, I’ve got IPW2200 and have been happy with the driver support from Intel. You should definitely be able to get it working :D
That browser sniffing code is interesting — which Wordpress plugin is that?
“Using Internet Explorer 6.0 on Windows 98” - ?!?!
The browsersniffer.
lol
Thought you’d like that one, I installed it through Wine. It’s handy to make sure designs work cross-browser.
Cheers for the link!
I wouldn’t ever bother, personally.
Hi,
I’ve got the same dell laptop and tried what you did to be able to use the 1680x1050 resolution.
However, there’s just something I’m not sure about what you wrote in your article:
First:
Option “ForceBIOS” “1600x1200=1680x1050”
And in the device snipplet:
Option “ForceBIOS” “1680×1050=1600×1200″
Is there any mistake here?
Mhh, I don’t think it matters if you reverse them, though I’m not certain. It works for me thus far…
Have a look at this: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/i915Driver
I’ve uploaded a copy of my xorg.conf file. You can find it here: http://klepas.org/files/xorg.conf.6400
Thanks for the link.
After installing Dapper, it finally worked. Actually, I just updated to Dapper, and it worked
But something with the wifi went wrong (udev) and I had to upgrade the kernel, and reinstall the wifi.
Ahhh.. Finished.
No worries.
You must have the ipw3945 wifi card then! How did you get it working!? :)
Hi,
I tried the above steps. But I’m unable to change “bootmisc.sh” as it requires root password. And Ubuntu didn’t provide an option for root password. How to edit the file???
Moreover, i cannot restart X without the permissions. Are ubuntu guys making it easy or difficult to adapt to Linux. F***ing stuff…………..
Ok sorry for the abusive language above but HOW TO EDIT A FILE WHO’S OWNER IS ROOT ???????????????????????
Use sudo. There is no default root user under Ubuntu.
Notes on this is under the Ubuntu book, which comes in the example package. It is also on the wiki: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/RootSudo
This is a common misunderstanding and cause for confusion. Googling for it would probably have given you a faster response, than having to wait for me to respond here :) Cheers.
To install the intel 3945 wifi card, I just read the long post about it in the Ubuntu forum:
Page 17 has been the most interesting for me (especially the post of Dwarfy):
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=140085&page=17&highlight=ieee 3945
Important facts:
- You need to download ieee80211 version 1.1.11. (not the most recent one), ipw3945 version 1.0.3 and the microcode and daemon, as Dwarfy advised.
I tried to use the latest version of ieee80211 (1.1.13) with ipw3845 1.0.0 but it seemed somewhat unstable.
- The micro code goes into this directory for Ubuntu:
- You may get a problem with udev which prevents ipw3945 from appearing properly after loading it. For example, you’d see that the loading is OK, but no wireless active card is listed with iwconfig.
The problem appeared to me after upgrading to Dapper from Breezy.
Solution: use a better kernel than 2.6.12 (I chose the 2.6.15) and don’t forget to check that the ipw3945 driver isn’t already enabled in it. (It shouldn’t)
Off topic: what’s the name of the plugins you use for your comments?
As of right now I am not using any additional plugins or features that enhance commenting. I’m waiting on some stuff to happen so I can begin to revamp this place into a purely personal site and stick any more formal writings off site. When that takes place I intend to make use of the browsersniffer, tag warrior and change text-box plugin. :)
Hello im thinking about getting a Dell 6400 laptop myself I read some other guides and they talked about backing up the Dell “special” MBR. Do you need to back up and/or restore the special Dell MBR if you want to reinstall windows (for any reason). Where can I obtain the Dell MBR code (i have not previously owned a dell product so getting it from another dell computer is not an option).
Umm, I wouldn’t know. I have noted the ‘MediaDirect’ close to the power button on the laptop that seems to be some sort of power-on button for a media system or perhaps some sort of Dell-Windows hybrid - not sure.
When I press it the laptop turns on and then I see this rather large and blue (if I recall correctly) screen with ‘Dell’ and ‘MediaDirect’ written on it. Then… after a few seconds it goes back to my lovely GRUB menu.
So I am guessing since the MBR is essentially the first thing read, that this MediaDirect thing is hard-coded into the chips within somewhere because I never booted Windows even once on this laptop - removing it within seconds of turning on the laptop (and that included the MBR).
Cheers, Pascal
Heh. Well i intend to install ubuntu on the laptop as soon as i get it. In anycase I hear that the Dell recovery disc can be ordered from the Dell company. I’ve tried to contact them about the cd to see if the MBR code is in but i got no response :(
I might give them a buzz myself later today and see if there is a such a thing for this MediaDirect function and whether they can send the recovery disc to me. I guess it’s handy for when you want to sell the machine and some Windows user wants to place Windows on it.
Before I call I’m going to check also whether this disc wasn’t already included perhaps as part of the OEM install discs and extra software. Cheers.
Well i got my laptop and installed ubuntu on it. I got the 686-smp kernel and followed your instructions to get my resolutions working right. In any case did you ever get your wireless card working? Im having some troubles. I tried reading the post above with getting things to work according to dwarfy’s post. Everything compiled fine and the results that lsmod yeilded was identical to that of dwarfy’s. However when i try to sudo ifup eth1 && sudo dhclient eth1 the wireless card doesnt get an ip assigned to it. I read the other pages of the post and it said that the driver for the card was implemented into the kernel after “-23” and right now im running “-27”. In anycase ive pastebinned my iwconfig for refrence. If you have information on how to get the wireless card up and running please respond :) http://pastebin.com/790410
N0dl: hey, cool!
Alright, you’ve got the resolution working.
Wireless card is working also. You will need:
Now you’re ready to rock an roll. Compile the subsystem, the ucode, the daemon and then the driver. I can’t fully remember how I did (though it is documented) it so I’m going to do some digging and see if I can write a howto for it in the next week or so. I received help from a overseas friend to get it working, so I’ll see if I can get him to help me out.
Good luck!
Edit #1: There is an informative thread on the Ubuntu forums which although is partially out of date or for other cards as well, it does contain some useful info. Found here.
Edit #2: Stupid me, check out the informative comment just above by Kyadrin! The ucode goes into:
/lib/hotplug/firmware/Also note he mentions that you may need to use older versions, not the latest of the IEE802.11 subsystem, which is what I did when I got my wireless working. Not sure whether this has changed. I can atleast tell you it works for me with ieee80211-1.1.14, ipw3945-ucode-1.13, ipw3945d-1.7.19 and ipw3945-1.0.12.
Edit #3: Unrelated to wireless, but the Dell MediaDirect thing that comes on the laptop and is wipped when I reformated the HD can be reinstalled along with Windows from the discs you get with your laptop. I checked, the MediaDirect installer CD is there. No clue what it [MediaDirect] actually is, not that I care.
Well it turns out that my card was already dected and good to go (i did not need network-gnome manager nor install the drivers) The only thing is that my wifi signal is alittle weak (my router isnt too great hence takes several dhcpcd eth1 to finally get an ip offer). I am not running gnome nor kde or xfce for that matter. I am running openbox, Is there a way to test (via a terminal) that the resolution i am running is the one i specified in my Xorg.conf? I followed the stpes in your guide but how can i be sure if things are working. When i went through the steps and changed my resolution it didnt seem all to different than before (it looks like it was still 1200x800 display). I read the wiki docmuentation that you linked too as well. Things still look the same but im assuming everything went well… If you know a way to test if a person is running at a certain rez do tell :)
UPDATE: I *actually* got my resolution to work correctly. Apparently running 915resolution -l does not show the modes the graphic card reads but simply displays the modes that you can write to. If you check on your /var/log/Xorg.0.log you can see which modes your card actually reads. Once you find a certain mode that matches with the one displayed on hack’s list you simply pass 915resolution mode xres yres bit edit your Xorg.conf with the ForceBIOS statement and setting the depth with the corresponding res edit /etc/default/915resolution so it patches at every boot restart X and your good. The only resolution i got to work right was 1280x800 at 114 dpi.
I upgraded my screen to a 1680x1050 WSXGA one. The default option was the 1280x800 one. :)
Hello again. Im just wondering. Has the Direct Media splash screen ever just randomly appear when you booted up? When I booted today a direct media splash screen appeared at boot. This is the first time its happened to me. weirdness
Has yet to happen to me — strange, but I think of no consequence.
Great, great!!! Thanks!!!
I used this on HP Pavillon DV6147ea with Intel 945 GMA.
Thx for this great little tut! Helped me a lot getting my widescreen display to work properly! u iz teh greatest :)
I have a G965 chipset with a GMA X3000 onboard video chip. When I run 915resolution, I get:
sudo 915resolution -l — -
Intel 800/900 Series VBIOS Hack : version 0.5.2
Intel chipset detected. However, 915resolution was unable to determine the chipset type.
Chipset Id: 29a08086
Please report this problem to stomljen@yahoo.com — -
I have contacted that email address, but never get a response. Should 915resolution work for my chipset? Is 915resolution actively updated with newer chipset types?
Hey Ken. I’ve had no experience with that card.
Is your resolution a wide screen resolution? That’s the first thing I’d check (I’m guessing it isn’t, hence you’re looking for answers
).
I know that Steve Tomljenovic has never responded to my emails through that address. I don’t know whether he has another contact address, and the 915resolution website is outdated.
I’m honestly not sure. I don’t think 915resolution is for a G965 chip. It could just be outdated. I’m not sure.
Sorry I wasn’t of more assistance. Check the Ubuntu forums.
hey, so i followed the steps and got the config right.
Like I do the alt ctrl backspace and get the 1280x800 of my laptop (Inspiron 6400, i945 video). which is cool.
But the fix on the bootmisc.sh wont work, every time i restart the config is lost.
This is how mi bootmisc.sh looks like: — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
#!/bin/sh
### BEGIN INIT INFO
# Provides: bootmisc
# Required-Start: $local_fs hostname $remote_fs
# Required-Stop: $local_fs
# Default-Start: S
# Default-Stop:
# Short-Description: Miscellaneous things to be done during bootup.
# Description:
### END INIT INFO
PATH=/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin
[ "$DELAYLOGIN" ] || DELAYLOGIN=yes
. /lib/init/vars.sh
do_start () {
#
# If login delaying is enabled then create the flag file
# which prevents logins before startup is complete
#
case "$DELAYLOGIN" in
Y*|y*)
echo "System bootup in progress - please wait" > /var/lib/initscripts/nologin
;;
esac
# Create /var/run/utmp so we can login.
: > /var/run/utmp
if grep -q ^utmp: /etc/group
then
chmod 664 /var/run/utmp
chgrp utmp /var/run/utmp
fi
# Set pseudo-terminal access permissions.
if [ ! -e /dev/.devfsd ] && [ -c /dev/ttyp0 ]
then
chmod -f 666 /dev/tty[p-za-e][0-9a-f]
chown -f root:tty /dev/tty[p-za-e][0-9a-f]
fi
# Update motd
uname -snrvm > /var/run/motd
[ -f /etc/motd.tail ] && cat /etc/motd.tail >> /var/run/motd
# Save kernel messages in /var/log/dmesg
if which dmesg >/dev/null 2>&1
then
savelog -q -p -c 5 /var/log/dmesg
dmesg -s 524288 > /var/log/dmesg
chgrp adm /var/log/dmesg || :
elif [ -c /dev/klog ]
then
savelog -q -p -c 5 /var/log/dmesg
dd if=/dev/klog of=/var/log/dmesg &
sleep 1
kill $!
[ -f /var/log/dmesg ] &fi
#
# Save udev log in /var/log/udev
#
if [ -e /dev/.udev.log ]
then
mv -f /dev/.udev.log /var/log/udev
fi
# Remove bootclean's flag files.
# Don't run bootclean again after this!
rm -f /tmp/.clean
}
case "$1" in
start|"")
do_start
;;
restart|reload|force-reload)
echo "Error: argument '$1' not supported" >&2
exit 3
;;
stop)
# No-op
;;
*)
echo "Usage: bootmisc.sh [start|stop]" >&2
exit 3
;;
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — As u see there are 2 ‘exit’ i tried specifyin the adress before both but nothin happens.
hope someone can help me =S
Sorry, I’m at a conf and not online too much.
So you’ve added
/usr/sbin/915resolution 5a 1280 800 24(where 5a is the mode you selected) to your bootmisc file?Here is the tail of my bootmisc file under Ubuntu:
echo "Usage: $0 start|stop" >&2exit 3;;esac/usr/sbin/915resolution 5a 1680 1050 32: exit 0I don’t know bash too well and I’m not entirely sure what you’ve done. Just append the line before the exit.
If it doesn’t work come back and I’ll see what I can do.
IT WORKED!!!!
so it turns out that at least on my bootmisc I had to ADD the last line aaand a 3rd exit, not put before the one i already had, but it worked finally =D
thanks a lot pascal!!! =)
No worries. Cheers. :)
Firstly, thanks for that guide. Unfortunately if I suspend or hibernate, the resolution does not reestablish itself. I have to manually run 915resolution again and then restart X. Is there any way to fix this so it works automatically?
Actually, I managed to answer my own question.
$ cd /etc/acpi
$ sudo -s
*prompt for password*
# gedit hibernate.sh
This opens hibernate.sh.
I recommend that you first save a backup copy.
Now go to the end of the file (just after the last line) and enter the following (on a new line)
/usr/sbin/915resolution 5a 1680 1050 32
(remember to change your settings if you used different ones, such as the “1680”)
Save the file (as hibernate.sh).
Robert is your mother’s brother!! Hibernate at will.
Sean:
bootmisc(.sh)is a script run during the boot process. It is not (re-)run whilst coming out of suspend/hibernation. I’ve not played with either (suspend/hibernation) so I’m not sure what script file to place what you’ve placed inbootmisc. You need to look into the script files located under/etc/hibernateand/etc/suspend.Sorry I can’t be of further assistance…
…btw… Whoa! You’ve got suspend/hibernate working? Under which Ubuntu? What did you do? :)
Awesome! Did hibernate work out of the box though? :)
Ааану-ка ребятки голосуем!!!
Принзавайтесь прокащники и владелььцы сайта klepas.org ))))
ЧТО выбудетк делать этим летом?!
Nice walk through. i solved this in a similar but slightly different way on the Vaio. see below:
http://fubuntu.blogspot.com/2007/05/enabling-widescreen.html
Perhaps a little simpler for people like me who dont understand computers.
tomt: Nice, thanks for posting.
This entry is now out of date, re that 915resolution needs only to be installed (ie. apt-get install 915resolution) on the Inspiron 6400 with the Intel GMA 945 for the corrrect resolution to be obtained.
Thanks for linking though!