Revision 10 as of 2009-05-14 02:15:00

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AspireOneDiscussion.

I've created this page in the hope that we can keep the more confusing issues from the Aspire One page leaving it as clean as possible. Unfortunately the AspireOne page lately seems to be assuming knowledge and experience that most users will not have. Please remember most people with an Aspire one just want the thing to work and Ubuntu on the Aspire One may well be the first experience of Linux these people have. I've kicked this page off with the Video and Hibernate problems.

To Fix Choppy Video Playback With Intel Video

  1. Pass enable_mtrr_cleanup to kernel in /boot/grub/menu.lst. (Explanation of problem at: http://perens.com/blog/2009/01/31/13/)

  2. Determine video memory register and assign to mtrr. Explanation at: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-intel/+bug/314928

  3. Make fix load automatically at each XSession startup. Explanation at: http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=7078262&postcount=35
    Alternately create your fix file as root somewhere safe: sudo gedit /usr/local/bin/fixmtrr

    • #!/bin/bash
      if ! `cat /proc/mtrr | grep -q "write-combining"` ; then

      • echo "base=0xyourbase size=0xyoursize type=write-combining" > /proc/mtrr

      fi

    Set execute permissions on the file
    • sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/fixmtrr
    Set sudoers access using sudo visudo - (following goes at the end of the file):

    • yourusername ALL=NOPASSWD: /usr/local/bin/fixmtrr

    Place the autorun command in the System/Preference/Startup Applications dialog (or Sessions on earlier Ubuntu's):
    • sudo /usr/local/bin/fixmtrr

  4. *Optional* You can get latest version of Intel driver (v. 2.7.0) by adding the following ppa to your sources: deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/glasen/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main [Edit: The more recent and complete updates might be available here: https://launchpad.net/~ubuntu-x-swat/+archive/x-updates/]

== Discuss==

First Problem the Easiest way to build a new kernel is with kernelcheck and it will take the original kernel options and you can search for and add enable_mtrr_cleanup in the build. This looks to be what bruce perens did. The problem is that there are 8 mtrr registers and the bios uses them all by default, leaving none for X this slows down the Aspire one.

There are some issues. On a 8GB Aspireone I found that 3Gb of free space wasn't enough to build the kernel and also you need to allow windows to be moved above the screen a little to be able to see whats happening with kernelcheck. So I had to build on a separate system but 2.6.29 works and frees two mttr registers (but the Wireless light doesnt flash anymore) its noticably faster in use.

NEW!! Easier workflow - UNR Choppy Flash Video for Dummies:

I am a linux dummy, but a total computer nerd. This solution took my Flash Video from NO speed to full speed allowing me to watch Hulu and You tube with no video hesitation. I will walk you through step by step:

1. Install UNR 9.04

2. DO NOT install Flash from the default respository.

3. Install Flash 10 from Adobe following these instructions in terminal:

$ cd /tmp

$ wget http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player_10_linux.tar.gz

$ tar -zxvf install_flash_player_10_linux.tar.gz

$ cd install_flash_player_10_linux

$ ./flashplayer-installer

4. Then, add the following to /boot/grub/menu.lst with these commands

$ sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

where you see # defoptions in that file, add the following: enable_mtrr_cleanup mtrr_spare_reg_nr=1 to make it look like this:

# defoptions splash quiet enable_mtrr_cleanup mtrr_spare_reg_nr=1

Save this file, exit, restart

Multiple resported success from the Acer Aspire forums. Although, several have said they get marked improvement in just making the defoption changes.

I do not think modifying the memory register is necessary for very smooth video playback.

That is it!!

To get Hibernate working (using TuxOnIce)

  1. Make sure that you have a swap partition set up (it doesn't have to be as big as 2xRAM)

  2. Add the TuxOnIce PPA repositories (and don't forget to add the auth key), which you can find here: https://launchpad.net/~tuxonice/+archive/ppa

  3. Follow the instructions here: http://lists.tuxonice.net/lurker/message/20090409.181125.d20e0bbe.en.html

After that hibernate should work correctly!

Discuss

This section is clear as mud it needs a rewrite so its step by step. It looks like it will clash with the intel video problem and that also needs some consideration. Have you read the Instructions in that link? Its far too 'elite' for ordinary users , and I'm not sure about the rest. If someone can understand what needs doing feel free to translate it for the rest of us.

any other issues

feel free to point out other areas where the documentation is weak. Even better if you can fix it.

I created a package for the fan control module which uses DKMS and includes an init script to load the module on boot. I'm tempted to add the information on the main page but I don't want to tread on anyones toes. The package is here

https://launchpad.net/~paul-hirst/+archive/ppa

If anyone is interested they can contact me on LaunchPad. Thanks.

Can I request a brief guide to using the 'Storage Expansion' slot to combine an SD card with the SSD under Jaunty?

Visual effects in AA1 150

I am using AA1 150. After having automatically upgraded from Intrepid Ibex to Jaunty, I can't enable any visual effects (the computor says "video effects could not be enabled"). But, at least one of the effects was very important for users of netbooks: it is the ability to drag a window from one screen to another. Have you encountered this problem? How has it to be solved for AA1? Best regards, Alexandre.