||<>|| = General = These instructions cover the late 2010 !MacBookAir3,1 and !MacBookAir3,2 models. Some of the information in this article is derived from the [[http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1603365|Ubuntu Forums]] and previous [[MacBookAir|MacBook Air]] installation instructions. '''''Note:''''' ''These instructions may broken as of {{{linux-image-3.8.0-17-generic}}}. An early version of {{{linux-image-3.8.0-17-generic}}} broke the ability to build {{{nvidia-experimental-310}}} dkms modules. Please see [[https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nvidia-graphics-drivers-updates/+bug/576648|LP Bug #576648 - package nvidia-* failed to install/upgrade: nvidia-* kernel module failed to build (Unable to determine the target kernel version.)]]. A fix was released but I am unable to test.'' = Installation = || Installation works using the Apple !SuperDrive or generic USB DVD drive; additional steps may be required for other installation methods, such as [[http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=10886829&postcount=320|these for an USB stick method]]. || Use the [[https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MactelSupportTeam/AppleIntelInstallation|Intel CPU-based Macintosh Generic Installation Instructions]] with the [[http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/raring-desktop-amd64+mac.iso|64-bit Mac (AMD64) desktop image]] (this link should be updated after release). The default Nouveau NVIDIA GeForce 320M video drivers are extremely buggy on !MacBookAir3,1 and !MacBookAir3,2 and may result in a pulsating line on the right-hand side of the screen or random crashes and freezes. This will be fixed during Post-Install. If installation fails due to a crash simply start over; it will install successfully eventually. Note: wondering what filesystem to choose? For SSDs, it seems recommended to pick ext4 with journaling as this supports TRIM functiality. Read more at http://sites.google.com/site/lightrush/random-1/howtoconfigureext4toenabletrimforssdsonubuntu = Post-Install = Everything works out of the box with the exception of the Nouveau NVIDIA GeForce 320M drivers. The Nouveau drivers are extremely unstable and result in random crashes and freezes. == Install NVIDIA drivers == Immediately upon rebooting run ''System Settings -> Software & Updates -> Additional Drivers'' and install ''Using Experimental NVIDIA binary Xorg driver, kernel module and VDPAU library from nvidia-experimental-310 (proprietary)''. Before rebooting open a Terminal and execute the following to generate a default {{{xorg.conf}}}: {{{ sudo nvidia-xconfig }}} This is a critical step; not running {{{nvidia-xconfig}}} by hand results in a broken X. Please see [[https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nvidia-graphics-drivers-experimental-310/+bug/1159269|LP Bug #1159269 - Installing nvidia-* results in black/blank screen on boot on MacBookAir3,1]]. Reboot and login. Upon logging in immediately run ''NVIDIA X Server Settings'', select ''X Server Display Configuration'', and click ''Save to X Configuration File''. This customizes the generic {{{xorg.conf}}} generated by {{{nvidia-xconfig}}} and tailors it for your specific system. == Fixing brightness keys == An additional option needs to be added to the ''Device'' section of {{{xorg.conf}}}. Please see [[https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nvidia-graphics-drivers-experimental-310/+bug/1159274|LP Bug #1159274 - Brightness can't be adjusted after running nvidia-xconfig (nvidia-experimental-310) on MacBookAir3,1]]. Open a Terminal and execute the following to edit {{{xorg.conf}}}: {{{ sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf }}} Find the ''Device'' section and add the following: {{{ Option "RegistryDwords" "EnableBrightnessControl=1" }}} The entire ''Device'' section should looks similar to: {{{ Section "Device" Identifier "Device0" Driver "nvidia" VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation" BoardName "GeForce 320M" Option "RegistryDwords" "EnableBrightnessControl=1" EndSection }}} == Avoid long EFI wait before GRUB == If your Macbook spends 30 seconds with "white screen" before GRUB shows, try booting from your Mac OS X install disc, select language, then click ''Utilities -> Terminal'', and enter: {{{ bless --device /dev/disk0s1 --setBoot --legacy }}} Assuming that the bootloader is on sda1, otherwise /dev/disk0s2 if it's on sda2, etc. ^https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Macbook#Avoid_long_EFI_wait_before_GRUB^ == Missing keys == You may have noticed that some keys are missing from the keyboard. Most of these can be accessed with the Fn key: || FN+Backspace || Delete || || FN+Return || Insert || || FN+Up || Page Up || || FN+Down || Page Down || || FN+Left || Home || || FN+Right || End || == Superdrive Doesn't Work == Actually, it does, but only if you boot (or re-boot) the Macbook with the Superdrive plugged in. It doesn't seem to work if you hot-plug it -- probably the same mechanism that keeps the Superdrive from working with any other system than the Macbook Air. == Disable the Mac Startup Sound == The "BONG" when you turn on your laptop driving you crazy? Via the [[https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/MacBook#Mute_startup_chime|ArchLinux Wiki]]: 1. Reboot into the OSX installation media (holding down C to boot from the DVD or USB stick) 1. From the Utilities menu, start the Terminal 1. Issue the following command: {{{ # /usr/sbin/nvram SystemAudioVolume=%01 }}} '''Note''' - Think carefully before disabling the startup sound. It serves the same purpose as the BIOS beep does on a PC - it lets you know that all the hardware was initialized properly. You could be disabling an important diagnostic tool. ---- CategoryMac CategoryInstallation