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Setting up Ubuntu 7.10 on HP Pavillion dv6500t laptop

Ok. this is my new challenge. Having worked on linux for so long and always wanted to see ubuntu on my laptop, I started setting it up on my new HP laptop and I am going to use latest and greatest Ubuntu 7.10.

First the specs of the laptop...
  • HP Pavillion dv6500t
  • Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7300 (2.00 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
  • 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
  • 2GB DDR2
  • 383MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
  • HP Imprint (Influx) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
  • Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
  • 120GB 5400RPM
  • LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer
Now, coming to some action...

Installation
Nothing could be much simpler.
  • Boot using the Ubuntu CD
  • Double click the "install" icon
  • Follow the simple on-screen instructions
  • Reboot after installation and you are on your new ubuntu desktop (login window actually)
  • Login using the username and password you created during installation.
Connecting to Internet
well, that surely would be the first order of the day and here is how it went for me
  • i use WPA based authentication on my wireless router
  • my wireless card was detected
  • i clicked on the network tray icon to pick up the SSID of my wireless netwrok
  • i was prompted for the WPA password
  • and then a password to store it in a keyring
  • thats it. i was online while it left a staircase kind of icon in the tray
  • feeling happy because without internet, i could have had a major challenge
Nvidia Display Card
I had tried to set it up using Ubuntu 7.04 tribe 5 on the same laptop but was quite disappointed with the stability of the effects. Infact, i quit trying after a while and reverted to the not so funky aka default desktop.
So, here is how it went with the new Ubuntu 7.10.
  • When i booted the new ubuntu 7.10, i got the warning message about having hardware that with run with restricted/proprietary drivers.
  • i clicked the "restricted driver" icon and click on "Click to use" checkbox
  • it swiftly instally the nvidia-new driver
  • reboot
  • go to Systtem --> Preference --> Appearance
  • go to the "visual effects" tab in the configuration window
  • I picked up "Normal" mode for effects and was prompted for the "keep configuration", "previous configuration"
  • this is really making me happy now. So, i am thinking of graduating :)
  • in the same visual effects windows, i now picked up the "Extra Effects" and bravo, ubuntu developers have really worked hard, everything is working great. Kudos!
Most of the M$ Vista aspirants should be happy with what Ubuntu has to offer with these extra effects enabled but if you are somewhat adventurous, you can install compiz packages to take the graphics to a limits. I haven't tried it on Ubuntu 7.10 so I dont know if thats a good idea. With 7.04 and on this laptop configuration, i was challenged. will try it sometimes and let know how it went.

Sound

Sound on this laptop does not work out of box. But the instructions @
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HdaIntelSoundHowto

are just great for gutsy 7.10. Just download and compile the latest alsa 1.0.5 driver, lib and utils and you have the sound right there on your laptop.

Bluetooth
not tested yet

5-in-1 media card reader
  • SD card slot - works like a charm. In fact, prompts me to import pictures because thats what i got there. Cool. i was using 2GB ultra II SD card
  • Sony Memory Stick - ?
S-Video Port
works out of box. Fn+F4 key combination sends to TV. Needs to pressed twice to play on both Tv and Laptop. I have some challenge with the display area on the TV though which i need to further investigate.

Media
?
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