- This is a work in progress, and I’ll be updating it as I migrate from my previous laptop to the new one. -
After using the E1505 for four months, I found it just wasn’t for me; while it performed well and was reliable, it was simply too large for the amount of traveling I’m doing now. I’ve recently replaced it with an HP DV2000 (see Ubuntu on the HP DV2000).
I recently purchased a Dell Inspiron E1505. This is the successor to the Inspiron 6000 and roughly the same as the Inspiron 6400 sold through the Small Business segment of dell.com. It has the following specifications:
- Intel Core Duo 2.0GHz
- 2 GB RAM
- Integrated Intel 950 GM graphics
- WSXGA+ 1680×1050 True Life display
- 100 GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive
- Intel 3945 802.11a/b/g
- Dell 350 Bluetooth module
- Integrated 10/100 network
After getting it unpacked, I resized partitions and reinstalled Windows XP Media Edition on a smaller partition. The Dell supplied MediaDirect software is installed in partition 3 and Dell recover utilities are installed in partition 1. With Windows XP in partition 2, this puts Linux entirely in an extended partition. Of course, it’s fine with that, you just need to install GRUB to the MBR.
I installed Ubuntu 6.06 (Dapper) Beta 2 from the text-based installation CD. You can download the ISO from http://releases.ubuntulinux.org/6.06/.
Most of the integrated hardware is recognized by default; the notable exceptions are the dual core processor, wireless and the video adapter. While the video adapter is configured and X will load, it does not use the correct resolution by default.
Dual Core
I ordered my E1505 with the 2GHz Core Duo dual core processor. In order to take advantage of both cores you need to install an SMP linux kernel. Under Ubuntu this simply requires installing a 686 kernel. If you install the linux-image-686 package you will have an SMP capable kernel. I recommend also uninstalling the linux-image-386 package; if you do not, you’ll get kernel updates for both when new versions are released.
Video
The E1505 has an optional WSXGA+ display (1680×1050) which I opted for. In order to configure it for full resolution, you need to use the 915resolution program to dynamically patch the BIOS. I found the blog entry at http://klepas.org/2006/04/09/ubuntu-on-the-inspiron-6400/ with instructions on completing the configuration. My command line was slightly different, but overall that has the information you need.
Intel 3945 802.11
Wireless was a bit trickier.
A good guide to installing the 3945 driver on Ubuntu can be found at http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=140085
Look at the post from justhamade.
Bluetooth
I purchased a Logitech V270 Bluetooth mouse at the same time as my E1505. I’ve used a Logitech notebook mouse with a dongle for a couple years; it’s been my experience that they do a good job of balancing size and portability. That is, they’re slightly larger than some of their Microsoft counterparts, which makes them just large enough to use on a daily basis. Ubuntu recognized the Bluetooth chipset and installed the appropriate packages (the Bluez stack) at installation.
Before using the mouse you need to pair it with the computer. Bluetooth uses a shared pin system for pairing; this mouse has a set pin of 0000. To pair it with the computer, I used the following sequence of commands:
nathan@liza:~$ hcitool scan
Scanning ...
00:07:61:3B:1D:F8 Bluetooth Travel Mouse
nathan@liza:~$ sudo hcitool cc 00:07:61:3B:1D:F8
nathan@liza:~$ sudo hcitool auth 00:07:61:3B:1D:F8
nathan@liza:~$ sudo hcitool info 00:07:61:3B:1D:F8
Requesting information ...
BD Address: 00:07:61:3B:1D:F8
Device Name: Bluetooth Travel Mouse
LMP Version: 1.2 (0x2) LMP Subversion: 0x545
Manufacturer: Cambridge Silicon Radio (10)
Features: 0xfc 0xff 0x0f 0x00 0x08 0x08 0x00 0x00
<encryption> <slot offset> <timing accuracy> <role switch>
<hold mode> <sniff mode> <park state> <RSSI> <channel quality>
<SCO link> <HV2 packets> <HV3 packets> <u-law log> <A-law log>
<CVSD> <paging scheme> <power control> <transparent SCO>
<AFH cap. slave> <AFH cap. master>
nathan@liza:~$ sudo hidd --connect 00:07:61:3B:1D:F8
MediaDirect
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Thanks for posting this. I couldn’t get my v270 to connect to a Dell D600 with a USB Bluetooth adapter. You command line instructions we’re spot on.
-c