Ubuntu Wiki

• Contact: JoseLang

• Brand: Samsung
• Model: Q45

• Website: http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=itbusiness&type=notebookcomputers&subtype=qseries&model_cd=NP-Q45A007/SUK

Update 25 Mar 2008: Hardy release pending, new support updated.

Update 1st Sep 2007: There are (at least) two versions of this laptop. One includes an Intel (chipset) graphics card, the other version includes an Nvidia GeForce 8400M. The original report was for the Intel card, I have added information on the GeForce version where applicable.

Current Issues (Hardy Beta) Update 25/03/08

* On resume from suspend the processor is always in Performance mode, not OnDemand or Powersave. The processor speed can still be adjusted, it just doesn't resume at it's previous setting.

* On resume from suspend the sound stops working.

The sound can be fixed by reloading the snd_hda_intel kernel module. This means shutting down any programs that are using the soundcard, and running the following:

modprobe -r snd_hda_intel
modprobe snd_hda_intel

* WLAN very occasionally on reconnect takes the 100% CPU and doesn't complete the connection. This is random and rare, I haven't worked out where it happens yet.

* Power usage is significantly above Vista (about 14 Watts on idle as opposed to 9 Watts). I suspect this is just the state of Linux power usage at the moment, it seems to have the same power usage on Fedora 9 Alpha.

Current Issues (Gutsy Beta) Update 03/10/07

• Hardware volume keys control volume of built-in speakers only. As headphone and speaker output are separate on this chipset, it would be better to control PCM, as that will affect both.
• WLAN driver has some freezes under heavy use (freezes after 2-3 hours)

Intel graphics version

Updated BIOS to 08ST using boot CD from Samsung download site. Gutsy Beta install works with boot parameter "acpi=off". There is no need for a replacement DSDT anymore.

Saved the BIOS 08ST original DSDT, disassembled and compiled it using iasl without errors or warnings (Thank you Samsung).

update packages

edit /etc/modprobe.d and add

blacklist video

edit /boot/grub/menu.lst add bootparameter (remove acpi=off)

acpi_fake_ecdt=1

Initial resolution is 1024x768 After adding 1280x800 resolution by reconfiguring xorg.conf screen is working at correct resolution but gnome panels are still at the places for 1024x768 and refresh rate in System>Prefences>Screen Resolution shows 30Hz.

Bug filed https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/131646

run sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg and configure 1280x800 resolution

To get Compiz working:

open /usr/bin/compiz and comment out the line

T="$T 8086:2982 8086:2992 8086:29a2 8086:2a02 8086:2a12"  # intel 965

this line blacklists the intel GM965 graphics. Not sure yet how stable this is and what other side effects this may have.

Nvidia graphics version

• backlight brightness control does not work
• Sleep/Hibernate does not work

• Update 22.03.2008 new BIOS (11ST) seems to make Suspend To Ram possible (at least with other distributions, (please edit if you can confirm it) BUT brightness controls and wireless switch won't work anymore

Current Issues (Original Feisty Release)

Graphical installer fails when loading ACPI modules. Text based install possible with acpi=off followed by upgrading the Kernel to 2.6.20-16, installing the intel driver for GM965 and setting up the xserver. After this you get a desktop but no power management. To get Power Management working, blacklist video and remove the acpi=off from /boot/grub/menu.lst. Uses Restricted Intel Pro/Wireless 3945 Network Connection Driver (wireless network itself works ok).

(*1) 3D Acceleration - glxgears give 1570 FPS and 3D Acceleration is reported as yes. 2D desktop works perfectly but freezes and crashes using 3D screensavers, Beryl/Compiz or Compiz-Fusion

Update 14/07/07 with the latest updates of the mesa/dri/gl Beryl/Compiz is not freezing anymore. 3D screensavers also run ok now.

Update 01/07/07 The GeForce equipped laptop boots using the fail-safe graphical installer. It requires installation of NVidias latest beta-driver (checked with 100.14.11) to work. For comparison, glxgears in this version runs at ~4600fps.

(*2) Sleep - After waking up from Sleep/Suspend, the screen back light is not switched back on again. Pressing Fn+Arrow Up (Brightness up) will switch on the back light.

(*3) UVC driver for the camera is available from http://linux-uvc.berlios.de/

(*3.1) UVC driver is included in Gutsy but the camera does not work with Ekiga out-of-the-box. Update 14/10/07 Works for me in Gutsy.

System Info

bios-version:04ST
system-manufacturer:SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
system-product-name:SQ45S70S
system-version:04ST

Kernel

2.6.24-12-generic

Hardware details

|| Microphone works || untested || Yes. Internal mic requires using ALSA and device "capture,0" in some apps || Untested ||

Notes

The GeForce version requires the newest beta-driver from NVidia. I recommend envy for installation, see http://www.albertomilone.com/nvidia_scripts1.html -- it builds deb packages for the newest driver and installs them.

To get Feisty working you could try the following

1. Use text based install from alternate CD via textmode

2. After reboot, switch to the command line (CTRL+ALT+F1) and update the kernel

sudo apt-get update

and

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

3. Install the xserver-xorg-video-intel driver

sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-intel

and reconfigure the xorg.conf

sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

Select the intel driver and set the color depth to 16 bits.

4. reboot and the xserver works but you don't get power management. To get the Power Management working:

add line "blacklist video" to /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist

edit your /boot/grub/menu.lst and remove acpi=off

Reboot and you should have a working Feisty desktop

5. Sound module needs restarting after Resuming. See Hardy (beta) notes.

CategoryLaptop