Maciek's notebook: May 2011

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Notes from Ubuntu 11.04 install on Acer Aspire 522 - BZ499

C-50 Ontario processor is 64-bit, so we'll use the 64 bit image: ubuntu-11.04-desktop-amd64.iso
installed image onto USB stick using: 'sudo usb-creator-gtk' command
make sure BIOS is configured to read from USB stick before HDD
note: ubuntu kept hanging on me (mouse cursor/throbber frozen)... from posts on Net I suspect it is due to wireless driver

solution: install with wired connection plugged in; this allowed me to do install no problem
this link sounds relevant: http://fossplanet.com/f10/[bug-775034]-[new]-natty-freezes-due-acer-aspire-one-522-wireless-148584/

suspend and hibernate work right out of the box with this (tested both)
clicking on Additional Drivers in top bar, it seems we are already using Broadcom STA wireless driver (hence could conflict with other one)
now able to use wifi (w/o wired plugged in) using following:

add in /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf this line: "blacklist atl1c"
"sudo update-initramfs -u"

suspend still works
outstanding issues:

(non-proprietary) video driver has poor YouTube playback, etc.
after resume (from Suspend?) the Ubuntu top and left bars stop updating visually (Ubuntu One compiz component; switch to "Ubuntu Classic" in GDM and all is well)

attempting ATI/AMD proprietary FGLRX gfx driver install...

resume from suspend no longer working... can't even ping the machine (but did not check earlier that I actually could)

went back to non-proprietary video drivers

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Ubuntu: gVim in fullscreen

Under compiz window manager, you need an extra package, which is not installed by default in Ubuntu 11.04. I've set the keybinding through gnome settings, and that was not sufficient to have the fullscreen action work.

Steps:

apt-get install compiz-plugins-extra
Systems Settings > CompizConfig Settings Manager > Extra WM Actions > Toggle Fullscreen (provide keybinding, such as Alt-Enter)
I found that I needed to restart the window manager for this to start working.

Source:
http://askubuntu.com/questions/2140/is-there-a-way-to-turn-gvim-into-fullscreen-mode

Ubuntu/gnome: disabling password request on resume

Problem: on resume from suspend, Ubuntu/GNOME presents password entry dialog, which is annoying.

Found a working solution here:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1466504

Namely:

1. As you've probably already done, uncheck:
"lock screen when screen saver is activated"
in the System->Preferences->Screen Saver menu.
2. Type gconf-editor in a terminal. Under apps/gnome-power-manager/locks check:
"use_screensaver_settings".
3. If still asked for password, you can (also in gconf-editor) go to desktop/gnome/lockdown and check:
"disable_lock_screen"
Credits to itslofty below for this tip!

I only had to do steps 1 and 2 on my Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwal on the Acer Aspire 522 BZ499.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Ubuntu + my Acer Aspire 522 BZ499

Various notes on trying to get latest Ubuntu (11.*) running on my AO522 netbook.

Useful links;