fedora 7 in acer aspire 4520

Thursday, August 30, 2007

personally, i choose this laptop because i can decided either to included windows or not , but i want to run fedora 7 instead linpus os. so here is my exprience with acer aspire 4520.
please note that my fedora 7 actually clone installation from desktop pc, i doing rsync to clone whole linux partition from my old desktop into this nice laptop.. : )

Item
Hardware Components
Status
Notes
CPUAMD
Turion 64x2 mobile technology TL-56
nvidia
works
kernel
2.22.4-65.fc7 smp
GraphicsNvidia
Geforce 7000M
works
used
livna nvidia kernel module* or from NVIDIA website
LCD
Panel
14.1" WXGA 1280x800
acer
crystalbrite tft lcd
works
just use normal display configuration in gome
Acer
Webcam
acer crystal eye 1.3worksinstall uvcvideo as kernel modules*
Disk
Storage
SATA 120 GB - ST9120822AS
works
using driver pata_amd -default
Ethernetnvidia
nforce ethernet
works
default nvidia ethernet or download/compile forcedeth & install as module*
WirelessAtheros
AR5BXB63
- mistakenly report as AR5006EG
swork
work with ndiswrapper modules as report by madwifi support list* read the following posted
SoundRealtek
- High Definition Audio
works
need to
download/compile realtek driver & install as module*
DVD
RW Super Multi Drive
DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer
drive (DVD+/-RW)
works
-HL-DT-ST default driver works like normal
BluetoothBluetooth
2.0
works
- but not test because doesn;t have :P
IrDAFIR
works
Stable FIR stack
ModemAgere
WinModem
Untested
- i used streamyx adsl :P
Built-in
Card Reader
Memory Stick reader, SDcard, Xd Card,
MMC
works
- work with Sandisk SD card 512Mb
FloppyN/A
-
-
TouchpadSynaptic
touchpad
works-works like normal,left,right, middle button , also work as scroll button
Acer
hotkey
hotkey for wireless,mail, bluetooth,??,??
works
-by using acer_acpi ,next post
(doesn't need this settings if use ndiswrapper)

full specification

nvidia GeForce 7000M
package from livna
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-devel-100.14.11-1.lvn7
nvidia-graphics-helpers-0.0.21-22.fc7
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-100.14.11-1.lvn7
kmod-nvidia-100.14.11-1.2.6.22.4_65.fc7
you can also download and install nvidia driver from - need to login as single users


Atheros AR5006EG or AR5007EG
Generally, atheros support under linux via madwifi package, but it take me 4 days to figure out that this card doesn't work in linux yet...silly me, i does'nt read the last line in compatible list... lol but i believe maybe if you try to compile your own kernel without 4k stack, it might be run successfully

Chip:
wi-fi.org says that is AR5006EG
Supports:
IEEE 802.11b, 802.11g
Notes:Dosen't
work at all.
Notes:DevID
0428
Notes:In
windows it's appears like AR5007EG
Notes:
.inf file information

.inf file in windows:
%ATHER.DeviceDesc.3067% = ATHER_DEV_04281468.ndi, PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_001C&SUBSYS_04281468 //References to this Device, Look ATHER_DEV_04281468.ndi ,an curiosity look DeviceDesc, = 3067
...
[ATHER_DEV_04281468.ndi.NT] //more parameters referencing this device
Characteristics = 0x84 ; NCF_PHYSICAL | NCF_HAS_UI
BusType = 5
DelReg = 5211.DelReg
AddReg = 5211.reg, ATHER.reg, 5211.reg, 5212.abgmp.reg, customer3a.reg, ATHER_DEV_04281468.ID.REG
CopyFiles = ATHER.CopyFiles.nt, DEFAULTDESTDIRS
DelFiles = ATHER.DelIniFiles
//and the end of file we have
ATHER.DeviceDesc.3067 = "Atheros AR5007EG Wireless Network Adapter" // look that DeviceDesc.3067 references to AR5007EG.!!????

Notes:It's
returns Hal status 13, and sometimes hal status 3
Notes:In
Openhal the interface ath0 show up there aren't any communication, the
commands like iwlist return error.
Notes:Suported
by ndiswrapper ver 1.47 (use tarball package) with windows xp driver.
Notes:In
Fedora 7, crash (kernel panic) when try to load ndiswrapper (modprobe
ndiswrapper)
Notes:Crash
because default kernel limit stack to 4k. Need to recompile kernel with
CONFIG_4KSTACKS disabled.
(from
madwifi compatible list)

Acer Webcam CrystalEye webcam
currently this webcam run successfully in ekiga and cheese. You need to install uvc driver as kernel module, please note that this driver implements as V4L2, so if you got webcam apps, set it as v4l2 driver.
http://linux-uvc.berlios.de/#download

you should see this message after install this driver.
[root@fedorasal]# dmesg | grep uvc
uvcvideo: Found UVC 1.00 device Acer
CrystalEye webcam (064e:a101)
usbcore: registered new
interface driver uvcvideo

Sound
it seems like realtek HDA, so i grab source from here choose the Unix(Linux) > Others = Version 4.06b

wget ftp://202.65.194.212/pc/audio/realtek-linux-audiopack-4.06b.tar.bz2
tar -xvf realtek-linux-audiopack-4.06b.tar.bz2
cd realtek-linux-audiopack-4.06/

unpack alsa-driver-rt20070820.tar.bz2(use file-roller or command)
download realtek12.tar.gz (67.5kb) from here https://bugtrack.alsa-project.org/alsa-bug/view.php?id=3104
patch this driver by overwrite into this folder
alsa-driver-rt20070820/pci/hda

then pack it back as alsa-driver-rt20070820.tar.bz2 , just use file-roller in gnome by right-click

this will fixed silent bug

run sh install.sh

then add the following lines in
/etc/modprobe.conf
options snd-hda-intel model=toshiba

restart or modprobe snd-hda-intel
thats all for now, sorry for my poor english. actually this is my first blog :P

Posted by fedorasal at 7:09 PM  

25 comments:

Hello,

Before anything else, congratulations on your laptop!

I also have a similar laptop (4520G) and experienced problems with it as well. I might be able to help with your Wi-Fi device, though.

I'm willing to bet that's an AR5007EG, and Linux (I use Ubuntu) mistakenly reports it with me as well. Scratch MadWiFi and go with ndiswrapper and wpa_supplicant.

As for your audio, do you have system sounds (log in, log out, etc) and flash audio (YouTube, for example)? I compiled the ALSA 1.0.15RC1, and got audio from music players, but no system audio and flash audio. I still have to try the Realtek patch, though. I see that ALSA added ALC268 support with the hda_codec codec, but ALSA keeps on using the hda_intel codec.

Lastly, how did you get drivers for the Crystal Eye camera? I can't seem to find any V4L2 drivers--let alone software. Will uvcvideo suffice? I might need the camera to work with Kopete and Eyejot, aside from standard photos and video.

Anyway, thanks for the time and congratulations for an almost perfect Fedora installation!

--redwinedrummer

Anonymous said...
September 2, 2007 at 8:18 AM  

hi john perez, it seems we have same problem with wifi, hope we can solved it soon,
about the audio, i already make a new post regarding that bug
also about the uvcvideo too.
and thanks for your comments, i really appreciate it :)

fedorasal said...
September 3, 2007 at 7:49 PM  

hi
i am sasikumar and i am using acpire 4520 laptop only. For me sound is not working and i tried ur method also but my the result is my sound drive itself corrupted can u help me to fix the sound problem.

Thank u

Unknown said...
October 7, 2007 at 11:09 PM  

hi sasikumar, did you have any error message during the installation?, maybe someone can help you.

fedorasal said...
October 8, 2007 at 7:48 AM  

I also follow your instructions for sound also not work, so I try install the newest alsa firmware, driver, and lib and it works for me :D

Unknown said...
October 8, 2007 at 6:29 PM  

Hi,
Prakash here. I have the same laptop. My sound card is not working. I tried the steps given by you. When i run "$ sh install.sh" in alsa-driver-rt20070820 folder, it says error: No input file. I try to do the same step in realtek-linux-audiopack-4.06/ folder. But there is no file with install.sh. Instead in tried ./install. Here I m getting error like, "error:Found in-built alsa in your kernel". I m struggling to solve my sound card problem. And i tried ur steps in F7 for AMD 64 bit os. did u tried in 32 bit or 64 bit?.
FYI, I tried latest beta version Open suse.10.3 ans Ubuntu gutsy. Its detected the hardware with chip set Realtek alc268. But sound is not coming.
Help me to solve my sound card problem.
My eamil id: asprakash83@gmail.com

Prakash.A.S said...
October 9, 2007 at 12:15 AM  

@prakash : maybe you can install the newest (or development) version of alsa, it works with me.

For wireless you can use information from http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=503537.
I've tried and it works.

Unknown said...
October 9, 2007 at 9:40 PM  

I have this laptop, I have installed ubuntu 7.04 with all updates then follow the instructions given here...

It works including WiFi (using ndiswrapper)...

I have used envy to install nVidia Graphics...

Amit Mendapara said...
October 17, 2007 at 6:21 AM  

about sound audio problem, i believe there are several method to solve it, u can tried with latest alsa development files, actually i have tried for several times to make it work..
so good luck.. :)

sufiahyusof said...
October 18, 2007 at 9:00 PM  

you might want to try latest alsa files,
http://fedoraforum.org/forum/showthread.php?p=883338#post883338
hope it work..

fedorasal said...
October 19, 2007 at 2:41 AM  

My system does not boot after install with either of the 2 kernels .Any suggestions .

Kernel panic cannot mount /sysroot

October 23, 2007 at 11:03 PM  

fedorasal......awk org malaysia ke? kat mana? aku teringinla nak pakai fc7 ni tapi hampeh aku xretila menda2 mcmni.....

Anonymous said...
October 24, 2007 at 8:27 PM  

Fedora 8 Live can't find any hd on my laptop (aspire 4520, like yours), so can't even install it... Any idea?

Anonymous said...
January 20, 2008 at 11:39 AM  

try change the SATA/IDE ATA settings in Bios.

Anonymous said...
February 1, 2008 at 11:45 PM  

I have 4520 with fedora 8 livecd.
I have access to hard drive, network (not wireless) etc.
$ cat /tmp/lspci
00:00.0 RAM memory: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 0547 (rev a2)
00:01.0 ISA bridge: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 0548 (rev a2)
00:01.1 SMBus: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 0542 (rev a2)
00:01.2 RAM memory: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 0541 (rev a2)
00:01.3 Co-processor: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 0543 (rev a2)
00:02.0 USB Controller: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 055e (rev a2)
00:02.1 USB Controller: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 055f (rev a2)
00:04.0 USB Controller: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 055e (rev a2)
00:04.1 USB Controller: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 055f (rev a2)
00:06.0 IDE interface: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 0560 (rev a1)
00:07.0 Audio device: nVidia Corporation MCP67 High Definition Audio (rev a1)
00:08.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 0561 (rev a2)
00:09.0 IDE interface: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 0550 (rev a2)
00:0a.0 Ethernet controller: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 054c (rev a2)
00:0c.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 0563 (rev a2)
00:0e.0 PCI bridge: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 0563 (rev a2)
00:12.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation Unknown device 0533 (rev a2)
00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] HyperTransport Technology Configuration
00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Address Map
00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] DRAM Controller
00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Miscellaneous Control
01:09.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Ricoh Co Ltd R5C832 IEEE 1394 Controller (rev 05)
01:09.1 Generic system peripheral [0805]: Ricoh Co Ltd R5C822 SD/SDIO/MMC/MS/MSPro Host Adapter (rev 22)
01:09.2 System peripheral: Ricoh Co Ltd Unknown device 0843 (rev 12)
01:09.3 System peripheral: Ricoh Co Ltd R5C592 Memory Stick Bus Host Adapter (rev 12)
01:09.4 System peripheral: Ricoh Co Ltd xD-Picture Card Controller (rev 12)
07:00.0 Ethernet controller: Atheros Communications, Inc. AR5006EG 802.11 b/g Wireless PCI Express Adapter (rev 01)

Anonymous said...
February 4, 2008 at 9:09 AM  

if you successfully installed windows XP(not VISTA) without any problem in Acer Aspire 4520, probably you don't have any problem to install linux,
this is due to SATA settings in BIOS, xp and linux need a driver to access the harddisk in SATA mode,

so , just change it to IDE mode



Narcolessico said...

Fedora 8 Live can't find any hd on my laptop (aspire 4520, like yours), so can't even install it... Any idea?

Anonymous said...
February 4, 2008 at 3:42 PM  

Hi,,
I need some help in installing the sound driver in FC7. I have Acer Aspire 4520 AMD64 AthelonX2 on which FC7 is installd. The kernal version in use is 2.6.20-2925.9.fc7xen.
The audio device is realtek hd audio which is mentioned in the blog. I tried the steps to install the sound card driver as written in the blog but when I tun the install script, after some code compilation I get a TUI screen(the blue screen for configuration in linux). The first screen says:
"ALSA configurator version 1.0.14"
When I press OK, it searches for any sound card.
After 100% search a new message comes. Is says: No Supported PnP or PCI card found. Would you like to probe legacy ISA sound cards/chips?
On pressing YES it says: "No legacy drivers are available"

I m stuck with this problem and haven't found any solution for this. Please help me in this matter..
Thanks....

Unknown said...
March 2, 2008 at 1:31 AM  

arun,
u don't have to install or recompile it if u upgrade your fedora into version 8, it will simply solved your problem with sound .

try upgrade ur fedora thru yum.. it worked for me :)

Anonymous said...
March 3, 2008 at 4:42 AM  

Hi,
Thanks :-)
i have tried to do this.. but fc8 gives error when it boots after installation. Installation is just fine. I selected all packages and installed using fc8 x86_64 DVD i downloaded from one of the fedora project's mirror. I will write the exact error i get in the next text.
Arun

Unknown said...
March 3, 2008 at 11:01 AM  

Hi,
Today I installed fc8 x86_64 from the FC8 DVD. After installation I got following error when fc8 boot after installation:

Unable to access resume device (LABEL=SWAP-sda3)

mount: Could not find filesystem '/dev/root'

setuproot: moving /dev failed: No such file or directory

setuproot: error mounting /proc: No such file or directory

setuproot: error mounting /sys: No such file or directory

switchroot: mount failed: No such file or directory

Kernel panic: Not syncing: Attempted to kill init!


The partition table of my hard disc is as follows:

/dev/sda1 - 15 GBs - Win - Primary
/dev/sda2 - 20 GBs - ext3 - Primary
/dev/sda3 - 2 GBs - Linux SWAP - Primary
/dev/sda5 - 20 GBs - Win - Logical
/dev/sda6 - 20 GBs - ext3 - Logical
/dev/sda7 - 2 GBs - Linux SWAP - Logical

From the above:
/dev/sda2 - FC7 x86_64 is installed on this.
/dev/sda3 - Is the linux SWAP which I created while installing FC7

/dev/sda6 - FC8 x86_64 is installed on this.
/dev/sda3 - Is the linux SWAP which I created while installing FC8

The label is /dev/sda6 is /12 in the /etc/fstab of FC8
The file also contained the Linux SWAP partitions entry in for both /dev/sda3 and /dev/sda7
I removed the entry of /dev/sda3 from it but still while booting it tried to access /dev/sda3. This i am assuming
from the error messages I got at the time of boot up.

So, here is my problem with FC8, so please if someone could help me out with booting fc8 on my 4520.
I really want to listen music on my linux system with full graphics support and network support.
The sound card does not work with fc7, I have written this before. The graphics drivers is also not supported in it
due to which I am not able to enable the desktop effects. And with network card I have this strange problem that is
even if i configure manual address for my interface, at boot up is tries for a DHCP discovery and after booting when
i check if ifcfg-eth file, it has DHCP congiurations in it. Strnage.. huh!!!!
Please help me out....
Thanks a ton..
Arun

Unknown said...
March 9, 2008 at 11:47 AM  


Unable to access resume device (LABEL=SWAP-sda3)

mount: Could not find filesystem '/dev/root'

setuproot: moving /dev failed: No such file or directory

setuproot: error mounting /proc: No such file or directory

setuproot: error mounting /sys: No such file or directory

switchroot: mount failed: No such file or directory

Kernel panic: Not syncing: Attempted to kill init!


it seems,the kernel is boot but the root path is wrong..
check your grub.conf & post it here..
or
post your grub command by pressing letter 'e' in grub menu

Anonymous said...
March 19, 2008 at 5:23 PM  

I have acer arcade deluxe. but blu-ray movies dont work. software has blu-ray support so what the problem? [...]resource[...]

July 5, 2008 at 6:57 AM  

I might need the camera to work with Kopete and Eyejot, aside from standard photos and video.

cheap computers said...
November 24, 2009 at 11:03 AM  

it seems we have same problem with wifi, hope we can solved it soon

cheap computers said...
December 21, 2009 at 6:30 AM  

Hey great stuff, thank you for sharing this useful information and i will let know my friends as well.

July 19, 2010 at 9:52 PM  

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