Questions related to physical hardware, and how it interacts with Ubuntu.
98
votes
14answers
88k views
How well do laptops with Nvidia Optimus work?
I am considering buying a Dell XPS 15 laptop. The laptop has a Nvidia 420m card which should work with Linux but I keep reading that the Nvidia Optimus technology isn't supported on Linux. I am not ...
90
votes
8answers
17k views
I have a hardware detection problem, what logs do I need to look into?
I am trying to ask a question about getting my hardware to work but I don't know what information to add to my question to get help, what do I need to do?
48
votes
9answers
35k views
Does Ubuntu support USB 3.0?
I have a Western Digital My Book 3.0 - 1 TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive, and I wanted to know if it would work on Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat.
47
votes
9answers
4k views
Which computers are guaranteed to work?
Before I buy my next laptop, I'd like to make sure that it will work perfectly with Ubuntu. Is there a list of completely supported computers anywhere?
35
votes
5answers
5k views
What is the equivalent of Windows System Properties or Device Manager?
I am new to Ubuntu. In Windows, if I want to know my system properties/configuration, I can see it by going to Control Panel and clicking on the System icon. I can also get a detailed list of the ...
23
votes
11answers
4k views
Who makes laptops for Ubuntu?
I'm looking for a laptop and would like to avoid the whole 'is this [specific configuration of hardware] compatible with Ubuntu?' process by finding a laptop manufactured with Ubuntu in mind.
I know ...
21
votes
10answers
5k views
Which hard disk drive is which?
I want to know which hard disk drive corresponds to which device path. It's trivial to match the hard disk stats (brand, size) with the dev path, but I want more. I want to know which drive is which ...
19
votes
8answers
33k views
Nvidia driver activated but currently not in use
I have just finished an install of ubuntu 11.04 beta 2. At the end of the installation I got a message informing that I do not have the required hardware for unity, and that I should choose "ubuntu ...
18
votes
11answers
33k views
How to remove the “AMD Testing use only” watermark?
I've installed the latest catalyst driver (beta) following the step in this guide for Ubuntu Quantal Quetzal.
My system is 64 bit and my graphic card is an ATI RadeonHD 6670, this g.c. is Officially ...
17
votes
4answers
42k views
How do I fix a “Wireless is disabled by hardware switch” error?
I just updated to Ubuntu 12.04 from 11.10 but soon after updating I was disappointed to see that
Wireless is disabled by hardware switch.
I can not click the button 'Enable wireless' which is ...
16
votes
3answers
2k views
Where can I buy a keyboard with an Ubuntu logo on the super key?
Anyone knows where I can get a keyboard to buy with the Ubuntu logo on the super key?
If not where can I get some durable small plastic Ubuntu logos about 8 to 9 mm in diameter that I can use to glue ...
15
votes
4answers
13k views
How can I find my hardware details?
Is there any built-in software or terminal method allowing me to view the hardware profiles on my system? Windows equivalent of such a feature would be Device Manager.
15
votes
3answers
6k views
How to set up multiple hard drives as one volume?
I am about to set up box to basically be a file server. I plan on having multiple drives in the box, and would like to set them all up so that they appear to be a single drive. So I could essentially ...
14
votes
5answers
15k views
14
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it possible to query maximum ram my mobo takes?
Is it possible to query through Terminal how much ram my motherboard can take?
I'm looking to see if i can even upgrade.
14
votes
3answers
2k views
Do I need to replace my hard disk?
Whenever I start my computer Ubuntu pops up the following error:
A hard disk may be failing
one or more hard disk report health problems
A friend of mine ran some test and it was found that my hard ...
14
votes
4answers
18k views
When will we get Sandy Bridge support?
I'd like to build a machine running Ubuntu and using the new Sandy bridge (i5 2500 specifically) intel cpu's. I heard that 10.10 doesn't have the best support (or simply won't work) with the new cpus ...
14
votes
2answers
243 views
Why do some commercial apps have a section called 'also requires' and free apps don't?
In the Ubuntu Software Center paid (commercial) applications get a section called 'Also requires' which is quite neat.
Why don't the free applications get this feature?
For example Amnesia: The Dark ...
13
votes
4answers
951 views
List the hardware info and status in my computer
I was wondering how to list all the
hardware info in my computer?
Both terminal and GUI solutions
please.
Is there a single utility to monitor
most hardware's working status? Just like some ...
13
votes
1answer
4k views
How can I find out what RAM a computer system has?
I'm looking for a way to find out what kind of RAM a system has (clocking speed, DDR-X etc.). Is there a specific command for that? I'm only aware of free or lspci which don't offer those things.
12
votes
4answers
3k views
How do I know if a laptop will work with Ubuntu?
I want to buy a laptop at some point in the near future, but not knowing beforehand whether it works with Ubuntu makes the whole operation risky and tiresome. I would like to know if there is some ...
11
votes
4answers
3k views
Best hardware for a Ubuntu Computer? [closed]
I'll be needing a new PC soon, but I've decided to build my own, so my question is...what's the best hardware for Ubuntu? Specifically, in terms of graphics cards; I'm looking for something that will ...
11
votes
5answers
9k views
Why doesn't Adobe Flash Player 11.x have hardware acceleration?
I am using Ubuntu 11.10 with a Nvidia Geforce 8600M GT and a Nvidia Geforce 525M GT (drivers; nvidia-current-updates via Ubuntu).
While Adobes Flash Player 11.x was working with full Hardware ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
How resilient is Ubuntu to repeated “power-off” shutdowns?
My company is considering the use of Ubuntu as an OS for use on a hardware device.
It would be installed on compact flash drive - apparently this is not standard flash drive but a specific type of ...
10
votes
11answers
2k views
What webcam can I buy that works out of the box with Ubuntu?
I need to set up a video conference, yet I have no webcam. I'm looking to buy something that works out of the box with Ubuntu 10.04, and as many possible conferencing apps as possible. Can anyone ...
10
votes
3answers
5k views
How do I find out my motherboard model?
Is there a way to find what motherboard model I have?
If yes, how, please?
10
votes
2answers
7k views
How to find out what Graphics Card is present in your system?
Is it possible to find the exact configuration and model of your systems graphics card in Ubuntu 10.10?
10
votes
3answers
6k views
Good NVidia drivers for a GeForce GT 330M on a VAIO laptop?
With the latest 3 distribution versions of Ubuntu I've always had problems with NVidia GPUs. Even when I installed the official commercial drivers (which are not in the repositories and are shown as ...
10
votes
9answers
3k views
Is 1GB RAM with integrated graphics sufficient for Unity 3D on 12.04?
I have been using Ubuntu since Hardy Heron (8.04). I used Natty, Oneiric with Unity. But When I recently (more than 1 month now) upgraded My Ubuntu to Precise (12.04), the performance of my laptop is ...
10
votes
5answers
594 views
Can you get computers with Ubuntu preloaded in the UK?
I found some places which sell computers in the US that have Ubuntu preloaded but not in the UK. Can you buy computers with Ubuntu preloaded in the UK? Thank you!
10
votes
2answers
511 views
What should I know about SSDs that can be used with Ubuntu?
I'm building a new configuration and intend to buy an SSD with it. I recall that the first SSDs were problematic in Linux for some reason (maybe lack of TRIM support?).
Is there something to ...
10
votes
1answer
4k views
How to get sensor readings for recent hardware?
How do I best update lm-sensors to work with recent hardware?
I have a fresh install of Ubuntu 10.10 server, and get the following:
$ sudo apt-get install lm-sensors
$ sensors
No sensors found! ...
10
votes
2answers
917 views
MP3 player with good podcast support?
By good podcast support I mean:
resuming the audio files where I
switched off the player or skipped
the file.
Synching with my podcatcher
(currently I'm using Miro but I could
change): deleting ...
9
votes
6answers
20k views
What's the maximum amount of RAM I can use on an specific hardware
I've an Asus U31SD Notebook with an i5-2430M CPU. The Asus site says that the maximum RAM is 8 GB, but Intel's says my CPU supports 16 GB. What is the maximum RAM I can use on this system ...
9
votes
4answers
11k views
Drivers for Realtek wireless module for Toshiba C850-A965?
I just bought a new Toshiba system, and before installing Ubuntu, I tried it out on a live CD. Unfortunately, Ubuntu doesn't recognize any wireless adapter.
$ sudo lshw -c network
*-network ...
9
votes
2answers
3k views
Numeric keypad not working
I am running Ubuntu 10.04, fully updated, from an external USB hard drive.
Everything works really well, except the keyboard. The numeric keypad is not working. The keys don't do anything, with or ...
9
votes
2answers
4k views
How do I tell if Ubuntu supports hardware-accelerated graphics on my laptop?
The new Gnome 3.0 requires hardware acceleration support. I wanted to try it out -- but how do I tell whether hardware acceleration is supported on my machine?
9
votes
1answer
655 views
How to quickly and thoroughly use a LiveCD to test for hardware incompatibility?
Often people wanting to know if Ubuntu will run on a potential hardware purchase are advised to use the LiveCD, perhaps in-store, to check hardware compatibility. For example, this answer suggests ...
8
votes
10answers
801 views
I want to use my old PIII to learn basic linux stuff, should I use ubuntu?
Hey, everyone, I'm using Macs for years,and since I'm fascinated by the terminal and command line, I try to learn the basic linux stuff, so I don't care about gaming or web browsers,the only thing I ...
8
votes
5answers
12k views
What are 11.04's system requirements? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How do I find out which version and derivate of Ubuntu is right for my hardware in terms of minmal system requirements?
Will - and when how much – will the system ...
8
votes
5answers
10k views
Do the latest Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processors just work with 12.04?
I am thinking of buying a new laptop, and need Ubuntu as my OS. Is it true that the latest Intel i3, i5, i7 CPUs work properly immediately after install, or do I need to install some additional ...
8
votes
5answers
3k views
How do I check how much physical RAM I am using in GB or MB format?
How do I check my whether my Ubuntu is 32-bit or 64-bit and whether or not it is using full RAM? I'm concerned that because my system is 32-bit it isn't using the maximum OS-supported RAM. It says my ...
8
votes
2answers
501 views
Is installing Ubuntu on Mac as simple as installing on a generic PC?
I am planning to buy a new laptop and as I'm an Ubuntu Fanatic. I'd like to know whether the procedure of installing Ubuntu on a Mac is as simple and straight-forward as it is on a PC. If it is then ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
How many usb hard drives can be plugged into a laptop using a port replicator?
I've got a laptop with 2 USB 2.0 and 1 USB 3.0 ports and I would like to know how many USB hard drives I could plug into it. Is there a hard limit in the Linux kernel?
On the performance side, what ...
8
votes
4answers
4k views
Right click doesn't work on HP mini 210 touchpad
Need help in getting the right mouse click to work on a HP mini 210-1015TU when using the touchpad.
If I plug in a USB mouse, both left click and right click function as normal. Using the touchpad ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
Dell Studio XPS 16 overheats
Since I have switched from Win 7 to Ubuntu, it seems my laptop is much hotter and the fan is much louder. Is it normal behavior or maybe can I fix this by tweaking some settings? If so, what would be ...
8
votes
5answers
2k views
What ebook reading devices work well without Windows or Wine?
I want to purchase an eBook reader device and eBooks. I don't use Windows, Mac OS or Wine. Most eBooks sold today are encumbered with DRM. Therefore, I need a workflow to buy and read DRM eBooks ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
Why does my CPU usage keep spiking?
My CPU usage keeps spiking a lot. I can be sitting on my desktop and my CPU usage will go up to around 90%, according to Conky.
Here is the output of top:
PID USER PR NI VIRT RES SHR S ...
8
votes
1answer
295 views
HTML5 multi touch events from touch screen
I have a Ubuntu machine with a 24" touchscreen and it is working fine. I can move the mouse, do gestures with several touch points and such so the hardware is working fine. Now I wonder if it is ...
8
votes
3answers
3k views
lspci and lshw show no network devices
Upgraded to Ocelot over the weekend. All had been working ok until I booted the computer this morning. Now I have no wired network connectivity through the integrated card.
Networking icon shows ...
