Questions about laptops in relationship to Ubuntu. Common subjects are trackpads, batteries and wireless cards.
24
votes
4answers
10k views
Why does my computer get less battery life with Ubuntu compared to Windows?
Last year I purchased a Dell Inspiron 5315 laptop shipping with Windows 7 preinstalled. I installed Ubuntu 10.10 alongside it with dual-booting. On upgrading to Ubuntu 11.10, I was upset to find I now ...
24
votes
2answers
908 views
How may I improve my boot / shutdown time?
I have a pretty decent laptop (Intel Core i7-3520M CPU @ 2.90GHz, SataII SSD from Samsung, 8GB Ram), but I not satisfied with my boot and shutdown times...
I have installed bootchart, and am trying to ...
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 ...
23
votes
1answer
10k views
Is “laptop-mode-tools” still relevant for 12.04 and the 3.x kernels?
I'm using Ubuntu 12.04 x64 and trying to choose power management software. Laptop-mode-tools have a lot of features, but the only reason why I'm worry about is that it's manual and config files are ...
20
votes
5answers
2k views
Does it make sense to create swap partitions for new installations nowadways?
For a desktop installation in a new and shiny laptop (let's say 16gb ram and ssd hd), does it make sense to have a swap partition?
20
votes
5answers
6k views
OUCH! Laptop running SUPER HOT after 12.10 upgrade!
I was running 12.04 with Unity 3D for 6 months; my laptop ran almost silently and cool enough to hold on my lap with ~4 hours of battery life. I updated to 12.10 and switched to the Gnome 3 Shell. Now ...
18
votes
6answers
18k views
Unable to change brightness in a Lenovo laptop
Brightness adjustment keys <Fn + ⇑/⇓> have no effect (although they are recognized by the environment), and I can't change the brightness using GUI tools as well. This seems like a problem in ...
17
votes
3answers
23k views
What does the kernel boot parameter “set acpi_osi=Linux” do?
I am facing an issue with brightness control in my laptop which has Intel HD graphics. So when I searched for a fix I found that a common suggestion is to edit the GRUB file line,
...
17
votes
4answers
7k views
Laptop battery life drastically decreased compared to Windows 7 [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why does my computer get less battery life with Ubuntu compared to Windows?
I am running Ubuntu 10.10 on my Dell Studio XPS 1640 and have about one hour of battery life ...
16
votes
1answer
408 views
How can I make my laptop “phone home” if it ever gets stolen?
If my laptop ever gets stolen, I want it to make an attempt to "phone home" so that I can track it down.
What can I set up to accomplish this?
15
votes
5answers
3k views
Thinkpad middle button scrolling
I'm running Ubuntu on my Thinkpad T60. Is there a way to get the middle button to act like a scroll like it would when it runs Windows?
I'd like to be able to hold the middle button down and scroll ...
15
votes
2answers
10k views
Enabling Mic Mute button and light on Lenovo Thinkpads
I have a mic mute button on my Lenovo Thinkpad T420 , but it doesn't work.
So I tried xev command to monitor press event, and that key wasn't captured.
Is there anyway to fix it , like add raw key ...
14
votes
7answers
11k views
Laptop minimal power consumption tweaks
I've recently installed Ubuntu 11.10 on a new Lenovo X220 laptop with a 9-cells battery. I have a trans-atlantic flight coming up, and I would like to use my laptop during it. Lenovo claims that ...
13
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I configure the screen to lock when I close the lid?
I've configured Ubuntu to put the screen in black when I close the lid of the laptop, but I want that, when I open it again, it demand the password like blocking the screen with Ctrl+Alt+L, but I ...
12
votes
7answers
1k views
Does Ubuntu only work on Desktop PCs?
On the download page for Ubuntu it says "Download Ubuntu for your desktop". Is ubuntu 12.10 only compatible with desktops? Or does it work with notebooks as well?
12
votes
3answers
10k views
How can I limit battery charging to 80% capacity?
I just learned that some Lenovo laptops include a utility that offers to limit battery charging capacity to within 0–80% in order to slow the attenuation of the battery lifespan:
How can I do this ...
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
2answers
8k views
How to copy an Ubuntu install from one laptop to another
I am going to change my machine: from a laptop with Ubuntu to another laptop where I am going to install Ubuntu...
I am quite happy with the current system, what I am afraid of is having to rebuild ...
11
votes
4answers
4k views
Is 100% CPU usage harmful while update-apt-xapi runs?
(System: 11.10 running Unity 3D)
When update-apt-xapi is running, CPU usage stays at 100% (for about a couple of minutes). Is that normal?
I understand that the command runs update-apt-xapian-index ...
10
votes
4answers
18k views
Cannot make Wi-Fi hotspot
I want to make my laptop as wi-fi hotspot. To do so, I pressed button Settings->Network->Wireless->Use as Hotspot..
Then it creates a wireless network connection 'Hostspot' and connects. But it gets ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
Disable pad click
I keep typing in the wrong place because of the pad getting touched while I am typing causing a click that re-place the cursor in another position. In Windows, I can easily disable that so the pad is ...
10
votes
4answers
26k views
How do I share my Wi-Fi via Wi-Fi Direct on my laptop?
On Windows, my laptop's wireless card had the ability to share its own internet by Wi-Fi Direct. I could connect by laptop to other devices via Intel's My Wi-Fi program, which I believe uses Wi-Fi ...
10
votes
0answers
875 views
Can I default Bluetooth to off on my laptop Lenovo T61 [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Deactivate Bluetooth on startup
After every boot Bluetooth is on by default. I only very occasionally use Bluetooth so I would really like this to be defaulted to off ...
9
votes
5answers
1k views
How to secure Ubuntu for a non-technical user? (your mom)
My mother will be traveling for a while and I need to provide her with a secure laptop so she can work. A windows laptop is out of the question because:
she'll be logging into dodgy hotel wireless ...
9
votes
4answers
24k views
Trying to boot from usb [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Boot failure : No DEFAULT or UI configuration directive found!
I have similar issues but none with the 12.04 build.
Im trying this on a dell d610 laptop with a bad hard ...
9
votes
2answers
616 views
Why does powertop still detect tunable settings on >12.04?
According to this Q&A laptop-mode-tools and powertop are not needed anymore with ubuntu 12.04 as the power savings are now included in the kernel.
So I decided to remove laptop-mode-tools from ...
9
votes
2answers
4k views
How to make keyboard backlight Fn buttons work in Samsung Series 9?
I've just installed Ubuntu 12.10 on my Samsung 900X4C. However, I can't get the keyboard backlights to work.
I added the keymaps as per community docs - Samsung Series 9 (section Function Keys). But ...
9
votes
3answers
263 views
Ubuntu suspends when the lid is closed after pressing shutdown
I am running 12.10. Usually when I am in a hurry I press the shutdown button on the bar and close the lid of my laptop just after that. Often, I observe that instead of shutting down, the system ...
8
votes
5answers
510 views
How do I port my settings from my Desktop to Laptop
I am currently using Ubuntu 10.04 installed on my desktop box. I have got a new laptop and I will be using it from now on. But I will have to do the setup all over again (setting up ...
8
votes
3answers
3k views
Ubuntu on samsung 9 series thin laptop
Has anyone tried loading ubuntu 11.04/10.10 on new Samsung Series 9 (NP900X3A). It looks pretty thinner and similar to Macbook Air. Does it has good support with ubuntu ?.
8
votes
4answers
365 views
Live CD works OK. Is it OK to assume a new install will work?
I've got a Toshiba a505 laptop and tried the live CD with great results.
However, I haven't found any reports on this PC working 100% OK on Ubuntu 10.10 yet. I do have seen (and tried installing ...
8
votes
2answers
114 views
Do you get preloaded drivers + OS on System 76 laptops?
I'm looking forward in buying a System76 notebook. My question: is the x64 Ubuntu 12.04 the exact same one from the website or do you get a tweaked, driver preloaded OS? Thanks.
8
votes
4answers
7k views
Suspend/hibernate doesn't work on an Asus laptop
I'm having issues suspending Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) on my new Asus U30SD-XA1 laptop. It's a new laptop on the market. Is this a known issue and is there a fix for it?
Basically, whenever I ...
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
2answers
1k views
What is that Dell laptop on Ubuntu home page?
With the release of Natty Narwhal, the Ubuntu homepage is sporting a new look - the one with a Dell laptop. I'm interested to know what Dell laptop model is that? It looks really nice but I can't find ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
Is 12.04 compatible with the Dell XPS 14Z laptop?
Thinking of buying above Ultrabook and installing Ubuntu. Anyone done this already?
8
votes
2answers
2k views
Ubuntu 12.04 freezing on new laptop [closed]
I recently got a new laptop (System76 Gazelle Professional), which came preloaded with Ubuntu 12.04. I have been using it for several days. Multiple times the screen has simply frozen, with an ...
8
votes
3answers
5k views
External monitor set as primary even when disconnected from laptop
My Lenovo X200 laptop has developed a problem recently whereby I get a blank internal screen on booting into Ubuntu 11.10 (display works normally during boot and I get a moment of desktop before it ...
7
votes
6answers
3k views
is it safe to use ubuntu 12.04 on modern laptop? [closed]
hello I am new to Ubuntu ad using Ubuntu v12.04 on my Asus k53sv-sx521d laptop. I want to make sure that Ubuntu is not going to reduce longevity of my laptop
or going to harm my laptop parts ...
7
votes
4answers
11k views
How do I set default display brightness?
Is it possible to set the default display brightness so you don't have to re-adjust it everytime you reboot? My laptop display is killing my eyes at the login screen already because it starts at 100% ...
7
votes
3answers
10k views
I have a laptop, can I use Wifi and cable (Ethernet) networking at same time?
I have an intranet without connection to the Internet, and then I have WiFi with connection to the Internet.
Can I make a configuration that makes it possible to be connected to the Internet through ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Recommendations for a touchscreen laptop [closed]
Which touchscreen computers work best with Ubuntu? I'm looking for one and am wondering what the best one is.
7
votes
3answers
2k views
ACPI issue, help to fix broken DSDT on an HP Pavilion DV6-6008el
I'm having a hard time fixing the ACPI subsystem of an HP laptop (Pavilion DV6-6008el, Ubuntu Natty 64-bit).
I can boot only if acpi=off is specified as kernel parameter in grub, otherwise blank ...
7
votes
1answer
2k views
Wake laptop when lid is opened?
I have a SAMSUNG laptop, which by the experience in the last months, has been a great one. I am actually implementing some functionality to it, and since I noticed, I am able to wake up my laptop from ...
6
votes
4answers
5k views
Screen Brightness Stuck on high on an HP dv7t laptop
I have an otherwise fully-functioning install of Ubuntu 12.04 on my HPdv7t laptop.
When I press the 'brightness buttons' on the keyboard the associated images appear on my screen to say I am ...
6
votes
2answers
5k views
Can and should I try enabling the CONFIG_INOTIFY kernel configuration option?
PowerTOP just offered the following suggestion:
Suggestion: Enable the CONFIG_INOTIFY
kernel configuration option. This
option allows programs to wait for
changes in files and directories
...
6
votes
3answers
239 views
What should I look for, or avoid, in a laptop that will run Ubuntu?
Instead of asking the question, "What laptop make/model is good to use with Ubuntu?", I was wondering if focusing on the characteristics of a laptop would be helpful. Things I am wondering about are ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
Noise problems when playing any sound (On laptops or when using any sound apps)
I have fresh installed Ubuntu 11.04 on my Lenovo SL500. My problem is I have constant noise on my headphone although all sound channels and microphone is muted from alsamixer.
Any body have same ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
Fn key sticks down
Just bought my significant other a shiny new Samsung Q330 13" netbook, stuck an OCZ Agility in it and installed Maverick. Just as a quick aside, this is a devastating combination. Graphics work ...
6
votes
4answers
4k views
Switching between graphics cards
I've just bough an Asus laptop which is equipped with two graphics cards; one integrated in the intel i3 CPU and a Radeon Mobility HD5145.
Will Ubuntu switch between the cards to balance ...
