kubuntu 8.10 (32bit) on Sony VAIO VGN-SR29XN

[jankushka]

thought someone might find this useful.

just bought a sony vaio vgn-sr29xn (at digitec.ch, with free delivery, for a very very good CHF 1399.-).

installed 32bit kubuntu 8.10 on it (with the minimal image net install cd).

kernel: 2.6.27
now running 2.6.27-11-server (intrepid-proposed repos) with -generic settings
the -server is to be able to address all of the 4gb of ram, without having to install the 64bit os version

graphics card: intel gma 4500mhd
works out of the box.
earlier issues corrected as of
xserver-xorg-video-intel driver 2.4.1-1ubuntu10.3 (intrepid-updates repos)

wireless card: intel wifi link 5100
works out of the box.
tested with knetworkmanager with wpa-psk (wpa2).
driver: iwlagn

embedded web cam: ricoh co ltd uvc camera
works out of the box.
tested with cheese and skype (does not work with camorama).
driver: uvcvideo

fingerprint reader
no support out of the box.
no specific drivers/tools found in the repos.

5 in 1 sd cards reader: ricoh co ltd r5c822
works out of the box.
reads sd/sdio/mmc/ms/mspro
driver: sdhci-pci

memory stick reader: ricoh co ltd r5c592
does not work out of the box.
and it seems no driver is available for it.

suspend to ram:
works out of the box.

suspend to disc (hibernation):
works out of the box.

i'll try and update this page whenever i have anything new.
just reply to this post if you want keep an eye on it.
hth.


ps:
one thing i don't like about ubuntu is the fact that the -generic 32bit kernel is not pae aware.
so i'll only be able to address 3gb of ram (out the 4gb i have).
a workaround is to use the -server kernel (which is pae aware, but not tuned for desk/laptops).
the solution is to install the 64bit version of the os.
i don't see why the -generic kernel is not pae aware just like the -server kernel, though...

[Guest]

Re: kubuntu 8.10 (32bit) on Sony VAIO VGN-SR29XN

Did you manage to map Fn+(F5 F6) and special keys?
Trying to get those to work, but no luck so far.

[jankushka]

Re: kubuntu 8.10 (32bit) on Sony VAIO VGN-SR29XN

haven't tried.
haven't had time to look into it.
i think it has to do with /etc/acpi/sonybright.sh, though.
for now i remapped them to meta-f5 and meta-f6 in kde keyboard shortcuts.
good enough for me.
if you manage to fix it, please post back...

on another issue...
i'm currently using the 32bit -server kernel with the following /etc/sysctl.conf file:

me@peanuts:~$ cat /etc/sysctl.conf
#
# /etc/sysctl.conf - Configuration file for setting system variables
# See /etc/sysctl.d/ for additional system variables.
# See sysctl.conf (5) for information.
#
# ################################################## ############################
# this is an attempt to retune the -server kernel to be like the -generic kernel
# ################################################## ############################
kernel.threads-max=46592
kernel.msgmni=1728
fs.file-max=291839
net.ipv4.route.redirect_load=5
net.ipv4.route.redirect_silence=5120
net.ipv4.route.error_cost=250
net.ipv4.route.error_burst=1250
net.token-ring.rif_timeout=150000
net.core.wmem_default=112640
net.core.rmem_default=112640

with parameter settings taken from the -generic kernel.
can see all the 4gb of ram and seems to work well.

oh...and i think we have no hope to get the fingerprint reader to work.
no drivers.

cheers

[Guest]

Re: kubuntu 8.10 (32bit) on Sony VAIO VGN-SR29XN

those keys just do not get mapped (tried xev).
acpi_listen does map the special keys but grabs the same code for all of them.
Fn+F5 F6 does not get mapped at all.

i think some time must elapse before ubuntu/kubuntu supports this model (which I think I'll stick to).
using the 64 bit version here. suspend is a bit buggy, but hibernate works like a charm.

bought it last week for EUR 1.000,00 in a retailer sales