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Installing Archlinux x86_64 on Dell new Mini 10 (Inspiron 1012-9118)

Last updated: April the 24^th, 2010

General Hardware Specifications of Dell new mini10 (Inspiron 1012 (1012-9118):

This laptop is operating under Kernel version 2.6.33

Basic Installation of Archlinux x86_64:

• Why to use Archlinux x86_64 : because of the processor and the graphic card (integrated in it) which need fairly recent kernel and xorg server. I would rather have installed Debian Stable but even Debian Unstable does not seem recent enough (needs Debian Experimental parts). Despite being a rolling release distribution which forces its admin to continuously upgrade, I do appreciate Archlinux for its stability and KISS principle. X86_64 because it is a dual core 64 bits proc.

• Obtaining Archlinux x86_64 : download an Archboot hybrid image (rather than a regular Arch image, due to recent hardware of the netbook). Transfer it to your usb key. See Arch Wiki.

• Installing : just follow the installation procedure. See Arch Wiki.

• Post-Install modifications/tweaks : for the wifi card and the digital TV you need firmwares that are to be copied to /lib/firmware . Pay attention to the fact that the Broadcom BCM4312 wifi card is a 14e4:4315 version. See links hereunder.

Setting up additional features for Archlinux x86_64

• Not OS specific (same problem in preinstalled Windows 7 Starter Fr): Brightness function keys (Fn-F4,Fn-F5) need to setup the BIOS to function properly (something like « Function keys : FUNCTION» instead of « Function keys : MULTIMEDIA »).

• Getting the touchpad to operate more smoothly: install and execute gsynaptics.

• Cpu frequency scaling, sensors, suspend/hibernate, just look at the Archwiki.

• Nothing particular: just explore the ArchWiki.

Unresolved issues

• For the present being, none I can think of.

Configuration Files

• No particular Configuration files needs to be modified

More Specific Information. Specific stuff such as:

• $ lspci
  00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Pineview DMI Bridge
  00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Pineview Integrated Graphics Controller
  00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Pineview Integrated Graphics Controller
  00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 02)
  00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 02)
  00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 2 (rev 02)
  00:1c.3 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 4 (rev 02)
  00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 02)
  00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 02)
  00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 02)
  00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 02)
  00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 02)
  00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev e2)
  00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation Tigerpoint LPC Controller (rev 02)
  00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 82801GR/GH (ICH7 Family) SATA AHCI Controller (rev 02)
  00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 02)
  05:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8101E/RTL8102E PCI Express Fast Ethernet controller (rev 02)
  07:00.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4312 802.11b/g (rev 01)
  0b:00.0 Multimedia controller: Broadcom Corporation Device 1615

• $ lsusb
  Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
  Bus 004 Device 005: ID 413c:8160 Dell Computer Corp.
  Bus 004 Device 003: ID 413c:8161 Dell Computer Corp.
  Bus 004 Device 004: ID 413c:8162 Dell Computer Corp.
  Bus 004 Device 002: ID 0a5c:4500 Broadcom Corp. BCM2046B1 USB 2.0 Hub (part of BCM2046 Bluetooth)
  Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
  Bus 001 Device 002: ID 064e:8101 Suyin Corp.
  Bus 001 Device 003: ID 2040:2011 Hauppauge WinTV MiniCard [Dell Digital TV Receiver]
  Bus 001 Device 005: ID 0bda:0158 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. USB 2.0 multicard reader
  Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
  Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
  Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

Contact Information

• didier dot gaumet at gmail dot com

Links:

• archlinux website

• Dell Inspiron 1012 (new Mini 10) specs

• Dell Inspiron 1012 (new Mini 10) documents

• how to install wifi card firmware

• download DVB-T card firmware

• Linux Laptops Home

Plus other useful things you may have discovered

Any impressions on the laptop in general - build, hardware etc. : While I dislike this netbook touchpad (I hope I will get used to it), very different from my Inspiron 1300 one, I appreciate Dell effort to bring up a netbook with a good Linux compatibility. It is silent (such a relief...) and seems rather well built.

PROS : silent (fanless), WXGA 10.1'' display (1366x768), integrated TV tuner, general linux compatibility, smaller than a 11.6'' or 12'' netbook with a sufficient WXGA resolution better than the average WSVGA one found on other 10.1'' netbooks

CONS : glossy LCD (reflects), glossy cover (becomes easily dirty), white chassis, tricky touchpad

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