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| = Kown issues and usage notes for Ubuntu vanilla installs = | = Known issues and usage notes for Ubuntu vanilla installs = |
IMPORTANT: If you are having hardware issues, please contact Dell directly.
Useful links
Bug reporting and answers tracker
Ask a question about the Mini 9 by registering on Launchpad
Dell Mini 9 bugs reported in Launchpad - may include some issues not listed in this page, also useful to report new bugs
Forums and mailing lists
Dell Ubuntu forum @ Ubuntu Forums
Dell's mini 9 community site including user forums like the Ubuntu on Mini 9 forum.
Specifications and documentation
Dell Mini 9 user guides, including the Ubuntu Quick Reference Guide
Installing Ubuntu Hardy Heron (8.04.1) on the Dell Mini 9
This section documents installing Ubuntu Hardy 8.04.1 onto a Dell Mini 9.
CD Install or DVD recovery
The device doesn't come with a CD/DVD drive, so you will need to attach a USB one to the unit, and place your Ubuntu install CD in the drive. To boot from the CD ROM, press 0 during the initial boot screen (where it shows the Inspiron Logo) and choose the CD ROM drive from the drop-down menu.
Ubuntu Netbook Remix install
An installer for Ubuntu Netbook Remix 8.04.1 is now available as a binary image that can be put on a USB stick or on a CD-ROM to install it on any Atom-based netbooks, including the Dell Mini 9. This is especially useful if you want to run an LPIA-optimized version of Ubuntu. UNR install instructions are available on its wiki page.
System recovery with a DVD ISO
A system recovery DVD comes with Ubuntu factory-installed systems performs a full wipe of the system and installs Ubuntu 8.04.1. This is not suitable for dual boot configurations if you already have WinXP on your system, and requires and external CD-ROM driver to be attached to a USB port.
The official recovery image was available at Dell Support - apparently Dell has removed it as it included commercial codecs and LinDVD which can't be resditributed for free. As an alternative, consider using Ubuntu Netbook Remix.
Ubuntu 8.04.1 install
If you try and install the vanilla 8.04 CD, the CD will try to boot, however it will quickly drop out to a Busybox prompt telling you there is a modprobe problem. This doesn't happen on the updated 8.04.1
You can choose either the Try Ubuntu method or the Install Ubuntu method. The OS installs just as you would expect with Ubuntu. If you have never installed Ubuntu, a page with general install instructions can be found at HowtoForge.
Kubuntu (KDE 4.1) install
I've found the KDE 4 interface to be beter with the 1024x600 screen resolution, Gnome is a great interface, but using packages such as Gimp and Evolution don't scale down corectly, so clicking on next and cancel buttons can be a bit of guesswork.
The KDE 4.1 version of Kubuntu can be downloaded from here,
http://www.kubuntu.org/getkubuntu/download
like Ubuntu, we are looking to use the 8.04.1 release of Kubuntu, you will also need to choose the option marked
Kubuntu 8.04 KDE4 Remix - Featuring the cutting edge KDE 4 with community support only
Boot from the CD, and install the complete OS, reboot when the installation is complete.
This part of the install can also be done, with the downloaded ISO, and the information found on Install from USB Stick
However to get the wifi to work, you will need to run
sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get upgrade
Then reboot the PC, alternatively, the Ethernet port should work fine.
Updating the packages
Once rebooted, the default Kubuntu 4.1 install isn't the prettiest one, however we can ensure things are a lot more streamlined, by installing the additional packages from the Launchpad repositories.
Open the Konsole app and enter the command
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
and add the line
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-members-kde4/ubuntu hardy main
to the end of the list, save the file, and exit
Update the repository
sudo apt-get update
Once the update has complete, you will need to update some packages.
sudo apt-get install kubuntu-kde4-desktop kdeplasma-addons amarok-kde4 and kontact-kde4 kate-kde4 kmail-kde4'''
I've installed a few extra packages from the norm, the Amarok 2 is still flaky at time of writing, let all these packages install and reboot the PC, the login screen might still look a bit strange, compared to the rest of the layout, which should now have the more up to date backdrop.
Open Konsole again, and type
sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get upgrade
With this done, not only is the interface more streamlined, applications and dialog boxes which would normally open larger than the screen size will become scalable.
Install all the updates, and reboot. You should now have a cleaner looking system, to get the soundcard working, following the above instructions, for fixing the soundcard.
Additional Packages
Some additional packages which you may wish to install, in order to make KDE 4.1 just that little more "appealing" are
kpowersave - provides a system tray icon displaying remaining power
kscreensaver-kde4 - provides screen savers
GTK-QT
To improve the look of GTK (Gnome) apps, use the gtk-qt-engine-kde4 ackage, which makes the apps look a little more slick.
sudo apt-get install gtk-qt-engine-kde4
LANCELOT
If you're not a fan of th new KDE menu, thats ok, its a plasmoid, and cna be change easily, using Lancelot as you've already added the necessary repostory, this can be installed quickly, (From Konsole)
sudo apt-get install plasmoid-lancelot
Then add the new Widget on the Deskbar plasmoid.
Cairo-Dock
Cairo-Dock is an animated application launch bar for the desktop comparable to Mac OS X's Dock, or Rocket Dock (for those of you who come from Windows).
It is compatible with Compiz-Fusion, Beryl, Compiz, and also Xcompmgr, but it can run without a composite manager (with fake transparency). Cairo-Dock can run under GNOME, KDE, and XFCE.
More information about Cairo-Dock can be found here
Change the Login Screen back to GDM
Usplash change
KDE 4 will change the USplash (graphical boot and shutdown) theme to Kubuntu. Run these two commands to switch back to the Ubuntu theme, the first will prompt you to select the theme you want:
sudo update-alternatives --config usplash-artwork.so sudo update-initramfs -u
Useful links for KDE 4.1 installs
Knows issues and usage notes for all Mini 9 systems
Special keys
With the new BIOS A01 and A02, the keys F11 and F12 have been remapped:
F11 -> Fn+Z
F12 -> Fn+X
F12
On the Dell Mini 9, you will notice a message at boot time proposing among other options to press F12 for boot options. There is no F12 key on the Mini9, however pressing "0" will have the same result.
F11
The F11 key commonly used to switch applications to full-screen mode does not physically exist on the Mini 9 keyboard. It has been mapped to the "Windows" key, also called "Super" key in some utilities.
Bluetooth / WiFi switch
The Function + "2" keys combination will cycle through enabling Bluetooth and wireless capabilities.
Upgrading the BIOS
As of Dec. 29 2008 it is not recommended to apply any BIOS upgrades unless they are specifically approved for Ubuntu (ie any BIOS upgrades available from the Dell website). The recommended BIOS update method is documented at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DellBIOS . If such method doesn't propose updates, then it should be considered none are available yet.
Outdated BIOS upgrades for Ubuntu are available at Flashing the BIOS From the Solid-state Drive in Ubuntu. You may want to check that page from time to time to watch for updates.
Resetting your password
You need to first boot into Recovery Mode (see below if your system came with Ubuntu pre-installed).
Once the boot sequence ends, you will be at a prompt similar to:
root@machine:~#
Type the following command to find out your username:
getent passwd 1000 | cut -d : -f 1
Supposing your username is "james", the output would be:
james
proceed to reset the password by issuing this command:
passwd james
You will then be prompted twice for a new password. There will be no feedback, so you need to type the new password blindly:
Enter new UNIX password: Retype new UNIX password:
Once the password has been successfully changed, you will get a confirmation message:
passwd: password updated successfully
You can then resume normal booting by typing CTRL-D (hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the D key) or typing exit followed by ENTER.
Interface Changes
- FONT SIZES
The default font sizes are very large, you may want to edit the font sizes in the System > Preferences section, to about 8, keep the fonts however as changing them can make the system look a little strange.
Performing system updates
Use a wired connection to fully update your system. Once this connection is established, install all the required updates and reboot the computer.
Known issues and usage notes for Ubuntu factory-installed Mini 9 systems
Making a backup of your recovery media
On a Windows system, you can use the free, GPL Infrarecorder software. Insert your optical media and choose "Read Media", follow the prompts.
Battery not charging
A recent bug report indicates that enabling airplane mode interferes with the battery being able to charge again. If you enabled this by mistake or otherwise, it may be the cause of the problem.
To disable the airplane mode doesn't require installing any additional application. Follow these steps:
- Start the Airplane mode application
if you're using the Classic Desktop, go to System > Preferences > Airplane mode
if you're using the Dell Desktop, click on the Ubuntu logo on the top leftmost par of the screen, then go to System > Preferences > Airplane mode
- Go to the "Airplane Mode" tab and click "Disable Airplane Mode"
If you can confirm this work around please comment Bug #302924 accordinggly.
Booting into Recovery mode
If you have an original Dell Mini 9 with Ubuntu pre-installed, you may have a hard time entering the GRUB menu as the default delay is zero. This is particularly problematic if you're trying to reset your password using the passwd command.
You can enter the recovery mode following these steps:
- Boot the mini 9 while pressing ESC every second
- When you see the "MBR 2FA:" prompt or similar, the boot process is stopped.
- Press ENTER and ESC very fast one after the other.
- You should then see the GRUB menu. Using the up and down arrows, highlight the second option and press ENTER to boot into recovery mode.
1 GB RAM limitation, system crashes
This happens on factory-installed Ubuntu Mini9s or when using UNR (lpia kernel).
See this forum post - kernel recompiling may be necessary
Adding more memory than you ordered from Dell may also cause system crashes.
Smaller disk space than expected
Some early Mini 9 systems shipped with Ubuntu pre-installed may report smaller disk space than expected (ie. 4GB instead of 8GB or 16GB). The "missing" space is on the system, but remains unformatted. This has been resolved in later factory installed systems as well as in an update at the Dell Mini repositories. Perform all updates and it should be resolved.
Wifi
If you are having issues with wifi or can't seem to have it recognized, make sure your system is fully updated. Disabling the restricted wifi drivers and re-enabling them may be necessary.
The FN-2 (Function + "2") combination of keys will cycle between enabling wireless and bluetooth modes.
If your wifi is properly recognized but you are not detecting any access points, try this:
Go to System > Administration > Network
Click the Unlock button
Highlight Wireless connection with a single click
Click on Properties
Ensure Enable automatic mode is checked. Click OK
- Close all network preferences windows
- Wait 15 to 60 seconds
- Click the Network Manager icon in GNOME panel, access point(s) should appear
Also see this thread on the Ubuntu Forums for more information.
If you are having issues where the PC locks up soon after attaching to your wifi hub, this may be a conflict with the ACPId, to disable this on startup
Ubuntu -> System -> Administrator - > Services
- Click on unlock, enter you password
- Scroll down, untick Power Management (acpid)
Sound
Microphone problems
On early factory-installed Ubuntu systems this may be necessary to properly enable microphone functionality:
- Start a terminal window
Type alsamixer
Select Capture (tab)
Right arrow to Capture, up arrow until its at a reasonable level
rightarrow to Input Source, up arrow to select Front Mic
Skype
Skype is distributing an i386 build of their program. This is fine for most desktop machines, but for a netbook using Intel Atom and an lpia kernel instead of i386, you will need to install Skype via the command line instead of the graphical interface. This is true of many Debian packages which are not available through the Ubuntu repositories.
To do this, download Skype for Ubuntu to your home directory. Then open a terminal (Application > Accessories > Terminal) and run the following command to install Skype:
Note: Please make sure that you moved the package to your home directory and that the package name matches.
sudo dpkg -i --force-architecture skype-debian_2.0.0.72-1_i386.deb
Known issues and usage notes for Ubuntu vanilla installs
Enabling sound
If your Mini9 is not a factory-installed Ubuntu system or if you re-installed using vanilla Ubuntu media, this is how to enable sound:
From the command prompt:
sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base
Add this line to the end:
options snd-hda-intel model=dell
- Save the file and exit.
- Reboot the computer.
- Once the computer is booted, double-click on the sound icon in the toolbar.
- Increase the speaker volume.
Compiz
Works fine after the updates.
Webcam
Works after all updates applied.
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