Linux on Acer 1410, 1810TZ and 1810T

I'm having an issue with my wireless connections when using a mobile hotspot on my phone. I've narrowed it down to the Ubuntu installation on my Acer 1410. The hotspot works fine with my Dell using Ubuntu 9.10 or Win XP and when using Win 7 on the 1410. The problem is that I really only use the Acer with Ubuntu.

The only difference between Ubuntu on the Dell and Ubuntu on the Acer are the tweaks provided here. So I'm wondering if there is a problem with backports or something else. At this point, I've gone into synoptics and removed the "linux-backports-modules-wireless" but the problem is still there.

Here is what's happing. When connected to the hotspot, I can load a page or two and then the phone is telling me that the Acer is disconnected. It then then reconnects it to the hotspot. Meanwhile, Network Manager on the Acer never realizes that it has lost it's connection and shows that the connection still has full strength. But the browser stops responding. The phone alerts me each time the connection is dropped (and immediately reconnected) which is about every 20-30 seconds. I've never had this happen on any other wireless network, but the Palm Pre Plus' 3G hotspot works fine with everything else.

Any ideas?

 

Solved by removing linux-backports modules.

 

Hello!
I own a Acer 1810TZ and i am quiete new to Ubuntu (i am using 9.10 karmic kaola).

Recently i've found some very usefull tips here but the amount of information is a little bit confusing to me.
May its possible to get an summary of the tweaks i should know for my 1810TZ?

For example, i didn't get my microphone working, the battery-power is still not as big as on Win7 (i followed the steps at the beginning of the thread).
And after installing the AHCPI package it hasnt been possiblee for me to fire up Win7 on my other partition.

Thanks a lot
8ender

 

guide updated, lucid is coming!

 

Hello,

I've a new problem
acerhdf module doesn't load automatically at startup.
I've had this line: « options acerhdf kernelmode=1 » in my file « /etc/modprobe.conf», and I've added « acerhdf» in this file «/etc/modules».

I've forgotten something?!

Thanks

Nico

 

after booting, please attach the dmesg output file

 

The result of «dmesg» is in file attached: dmesg.txt

Thanks a lot

Nico

 

what happens if, after booting, you modprobe the module? Can you try de following:

sudo modprobe acerhdf
dmesg > dmest.txt

and attach the dmest.txt file?

 

Hi there!

I've done a script that should make it all automatically. In detail:

What the script does:

• Configure gnome-power-manager backlight dim and hard disk power saving
• Download, patch, install and setup acerhdf
• Install the power saving script
• Install the debugging script
• If laptop-mode-tools is installed, suggest uninstalling and, if you want, uninstall
• Fix the brightness hotkeys issue (jumps 2 levels on every key press)
• Disable ethernet Wake on Lan (doesn't enable when on AC)
• Disable uneeded services: cron, anacron and atd (they don't enable when on AC)

What the script doesn't:

• Add the noatime parameter to the ext2/3/4 partitions in fstab. You'll have to do it manually.

How it works:
In a terminal, you can run the following:

• To install everything: ./InstallAcer_11.6_PowerSaving.sh --install_all
• To install only acerhdf: ./InstallAcer_11.6_PowerSaving.sh --install_acerhdf
• To reinstall acerhdf: ./InstallAcer_11.6_PowerSaving.sh --reinstall_acerhdf
• To uninstall: ./InstallAcer_11.6_PowerSaving.sh --uninstall
• To debug (after install): CheckPowerSaving. The output will show the values applied.

Disclaimer:

• This script comes with no warranty. Use it at your own risk. I won't be responsible for any damage this could do to your system or data.

Feedback is welcome, thanks!

 

I've no problem when I use «modprobe acerhdf».

Thanks a lot for the script

 

quite strange..

I don't know where the problem lies.. maybe some mandriva user will be able to help. It seems it should be related to mandriva. Have you double checked acerhdf is in /etc/modules and spelt correctly?

 

Ok, Thanks.

I hope some mdv user will be able to help me....

 

I followed the mentioned steps to tweak my 1810TZ.
Now i am a little bit confused about the cpu-temperature.
I use to measure the temperatures with the sensors-applet.
The hdd is constantly around 38 °C - i guess thats ok.
But the CPU is always around 60 °C. Is this a good temperature for a CPU?
I think it is not a matter of the outside temperature, which is actually 20 °C.

The BIOS is up-to-date and i never recognized the fan as described by many 1018TZ owners.
OS: Ubuntu 9.10

 

It's ok.

I've added "acerhdf" in /etc/modules, but with kernel 2.5 and above, it's in /etc/morprobe.preload.

Thanks

Nico

 

Has anyone experienced Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10 changing its icons automatically after each startup, especially on battery power. I've experienced it changing the icons from Humanity to Gnome automatically. The problem seems to resolve if the power cable is connected. I can't change the icons back to Humanity using the Appearance application under System>Preferences. Any suggestions?

 

I could use the Appearance application to change the top panel back to Humanity but not the icons. The choice of icons seems random and changes every time the system is rebooted.

 

Hello, I'm totally new in Linux, can you tell me what should I do in order to install ubuntu on 1810T? Is there any netbook 64bit version? I'vre read of these scripts etc.. how are they supposed to be used?
Plz a noob step by step explanation... Thank you very much...

 

Anyway, which version of ubuntu would you advice, pcx86, pc64bit or netbook remix??

 

Hi,

I would advise the PC 64 bits.

As for a detailed explanation... Download the install script in the 1st post of the thread and unzip it. Put the file InstallAcer_11.6_PowerSaving.sh in you home directory and then open a terminal and enter the following order: ./InstallAcer_11.6_PowerSaving.sh --install

That should take care of everything.

 

Thanks, but since I'm totally noob in linux... should I first install ubuntu and after this script? or what?

 

yes, of course.

 

Hi

Thanks for the nice script and other usefull tips.

I added a few lines to the script. Maybe you also want to do this.

Code:

  if on_ac_power; then
...
      ## Change Governor to performance
      echo performance > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu1/cpufreq/scaling_governor
      echo performance > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor
     
  else
...
      ## Change Governor to ondemand
      echo ondemand > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu1/cpufreq/scaling_governor
      echo ondemand > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor

And then install, configure and start Prelink:
prelink - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Code:

sudo apt-get install -y prelink &&
sed -i 's/PRELINKING=unknown/PRELINKING=yes/g' /etc/default/prelink &&
echo "DPkg::Post-Invoke {\"echo Running prelink, please wait...;/etc/cron.daily/prelink\";}" >> /etc/apt/apt.conf &&
/etc/cron.daily/prelink

Prelinks starts once (quite long time) when scripts runs.
Afterwards it will prelink each new installed app, lib,...



And maybe add some tmpfs to fstab to reduce disk activity:

Code:

#TMP Filesystems
echo "tmpfs /tmp tmpfs noexec,defaults,noatime 0 0" >> /etc/fstab &&
echo "tmpfs /var/tmp tmpfs noexec,defaults,noatime 0 0" >> /etc/fstab &&
sudo mount -a

and disable Swappiness:

Code:

#Disable Swappiness
echo "vm.swappiness=1" >> /etc/sysctl.conf

I also have done a nice cleanup script:
If you have "localepurge" installed and configured you can un-comment the localepurge section.

Code:

#!/bin/bash

OLDCONF=$(dpkg -l|grep "^rc"|awk '{print $2}')
CURKERNEL=$(uname -r|sed 's/-*[a-z]//g'|sed 's/-386//g')
LINUXPKG="linux-(image|headers|ubuntu-modules|restricted-modules)"
METALINUXPKG="linux-(image|headers|restricted-modules)-(generic|i386|server|common|rt|xen)"
OLDKERNELS=$(dpkg -l|awk '{print $2}'|grep -E $LINUXPKG |grep -vE $METALINUXPKG|grep -v $CURKERNEL)
GREEN="\e[0;32m"
YELLOW="\033[1;33m"
RED="\033[0;31m"
ENDCOLOR="\033[0m"

clear
#CHECK IF ROOT
if [ $USER != root ]; then
  echo -e $RED"Error: must be root"
  echo -e $YELLOW"Exiting..."$ENDCOLOR
  exit 0
fi

#FREE DISK SPACE CALCULATION
FREEOLD=0
for (( i=1; i<=10; i++ ))
do
TMP=$(df | grep dev/sda$i | awk '{print $4}')
if [ $TMP > 0 ]; then
let FREEOLD=$FREEOLD+$TMP
fi
done

#PURGE KERNELS?
echo -e $YELLOW"Do you want to remove old Kernels?"$ENDCOLOR
read -p "(y/n) " QUESTION
case $QUESTION in
	y)  echo -e $YELLOW"Old Kernels will be purged."$ENDCOLOR; PURGE='yes';;
	*)  echo -e $YELLOW"Old Kernels will NOT be purged. Continue with [RETURN]"$ENDCOLOR; PURGE='no';; 
esac

#REMOVED CACHE
echo -e $YELLOW"Cleaning apt cache..."$ENDCOLOR
aptitude clean -y

#REMOVE OLD CONFIGS
echo -e $YELLOW"Removing old config files..."$ENDCOLOR
sudo aptitude -y purge $OLDCONF

#REMOVE OLD KERNELS
if [ $PURGE = "yes" ]; then
  echo -e $YELLOW"Removing old kernels..."$ENDCOLOR
  sudo aptitude -y purge $OLDKERNELS
fi

#EMTPYING TRAHES
echo -e $YELLOW"Emptying every trashes..."$ENDCOLOR
rm -rf /home/*/.local/share/Trash/*/** &> /dev/null
rm -rf /root/.local/share/Trash/*/** &> /dev/null

#REMOVE UNUSED LOCALES
#echo -e $YELLOW"Removing not used Locales.\n"$ENDCOLOR
#localepurge

#FREE DISK SPACE CALCULATION
FREENEW=0
for (( i=1; i<=10; i++ ))
do
TMP=$(df | grep dev/sda$i | awk '{print $4}')
if [ $TMP > 0 ]; then
let FREENEW=$FREENEW+$TMP
fi
done

#SHOW FREED DISK SPACE
let FREED=$FREENEW-$FREEOLD
let FREED=$FREED/1024
echo -e $GREEN$FREED'MB have been freed.'$ENDCOLOR

#FINISH
echo -e $YELLOW"\nScript Finished!"$ENDCOLOR

But I have a problem:
My touchpad doesnt work.

Code:

$ dmesg | grep pad
[    4.061721] Synaptics Touchpad, model: 1, fw: 7.2, id: 0x1c0b1, caps: 0xd04731/0xa40000

FN+F7 works (pop up in notification area)

BR
nexxx

 

Here's how to update the BIOS with NO windows, NO dos boot usb stick. It's really slick, especially since I totally wiped Windows off my 1410..

Download the bios version you want from Acer's website.

Unzip the zip file.

You'll find two Windows programs under the Windows directory - these are actually self-extracting 7z archives.

Install a 7z decompresser - on Fedora, it's p7zip-plugins-4.65-2.fc12.x86_64

Using 7z, blow apart the archive, and then copy the ZH7_*.fd file to a usb stick, and follow the directions below.

 

While trying to solve a playback problem with PulseAudio in Ubuntu 10.04, I discovered that the Sound Recorder works fine as well as Skype (tried Skype call testing service).

What I did, among other things, was change the PulseAudio Preferences (System>Preferences). Under the Simultaneous Output tab, I checked the box that said "Add virtual output device for simultaneous output on all local sound cards". Then I selected "Simultaneous output to Internal Audio Analog Stereo" under the Output tab of Sound Preferences (System>Preferences). If PulseAudio Preferences is not installed, it can be selected using Synaptic Package Manager (System>Administration) by searching for "paprefs".

I hope this is not just a fluke on my system and that it can be replicated in other systems. Cheers!

 

Interesting. Doesn't get skype working for me (Lucid 64-bit, latest Skype 64-bit beta initiated without the prefix noted below, everything maxed in alsamixer), but might perhaps be replicated by those who've done the "other things" you did.

OTOH skype seems to work quite happily when inititated by a Gnome custom application launcher panel applet containing PatrickVogeli's solution:

Code:

/bin/sh -c "PULSE_SERVER=127.10.10.1 /usr/bin/skype"

 

Problem with Ubuntu 10.04 amd64

FATAL: Error inserting acerhdf (/lib/modules/2.6.32-21-generic/kernel/drivers/platform/x86/acerhdf.ko): No such device

Cheers.

 

Thank you for the power saving script.

Some feedback:-

I've got a 1810TZ running a freshly installed Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid. After extracting the script I unplugged from the mains, and the battery indicator was showing 5 hours 7 mins charge remaining with the battery 99.8% charged. This was with WIFI on, medium brightness, the only app running being Firefox with this page open.

I ran the script and installed everything (and removed the laptop package), immediately after installation, battery life had jumped to 7 hours. An hour on it's down to 6 hrs 10 mins.

Looking good. Thank you once again.

 

Perhaps the problem, and hence the solution, was unique to my system.

I am running an Acer Aspire 1410 with Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10 upgraded to Ubuntu 10.04.

I had used the "sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-alsa-karmic-generic" solution previously to solve the internal mic problem in UNR 9.10.

I had installed "pavumeter", "pavucontrol", "padevchooser" and "paman" using Synaptic Package Manager in UNR 9.10.

I had also installed "asoundconf-gtk" and "earcandy" using Synaptic Package Manager after upgrading to 10.04.

If I select "Internal Audio Analog Stereo" under Output under Sound Preferences, I get the following error messages:

Sound Recorder: I can record but during playback "Disconnected: Connection terminated", "pa_stream_cork() failed: Connection terminated". The error messages are repeated twice.

Rhythmbox Music Player (this was my initial problem): When I select a song for playback, I get this error message: "Playback Error. pa_stream_writable_size() failed: Connection terminated." or "Playback Error. Internal data flow error."

Cheers!

 

Now working! Adding the line in acerhdf.c:

{"Acer", "Aspire 1810TZ", "v1.3310", 0x55, 0x58, {0x9e, 0x9e, 0x00} },

because the last firmware is 3310!

Thanks a lot! Cheers.

 

Hey people,

just found this thread via reference to my homepage, would you please be so kind and report your BIOS findings, bugs, ideas and improvements for acerhdf to me

You can find my contact details on http://piie.net

Makes it much easier for me to keep track of new BIOS versions and get it into upstream kernel, so that you don't have to patch acerhdf everytime you update your kernel.

thank you very much!
--peter;

 

May I humbly suggest that the Skype internal microphone problem is due to linux-backports-modules-alsa 2.6.32-22.13 found in Ubuntu 10.04?
I was previously using 2.6.32-21.11 generic (which was working fine with Skype) and decided to upgrade to the latest version. Thereafter the microphone failed to work on Skype beta 2.1.0.81 and produced silence.
Using the /bin/sh -c "PULSE_SERVER=127.10.10.1 /usr/bin/skype" solution restored the microphone after selecting HDA Intel, ALC269 Analog Default Audio Device (default:card=INTEL) under the microphone box in Options>Sound Devices. However, the sound quality was impaired by static noise. Using a previous workaround suggested in the Ubuntu Forums reduced the static: using PulseAudio Volume Control to adjust the volume of the Input Device (Internal Audio Analog Stereo) to 10% on the left and 90% on the right.

Cheers!

 

hi,
no luck, I still get the crackling noise, don't you?

I will later reboot and try in windows, since I've never tried the mic there. Maybe I have a hardware issue.

 

I have BIOS v1.3308 (01/05/2010), so I had to add that to acerhdf. (found via lshw, fyi)

Also the script did erroneously detect that I had laptop-mod-tools installed, I changed the line

Code:

if [ `dpkg -s laptop-mode-tools | grep not-installed | cut -d " " -f 4` ] ; then

to

Code:

if [ `dpkg -s laptop-mode-tools 2>&1 | grep 'not installed' |cut -d " " -f 4` ] ; then

to fix it, both in the install and Check script.

Thanks for all those tips.

If you want to make the script as automatic as expected, you could maybe detect the mounted filesystems on /dev/sda and the current BIOS version automatically.

 

I still get the background static, but the level is lower when compared to Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10. I upgraded the Acer Aspire 1410 from UNR 9.10 to 10.04.

On another note, my iPod Touch works with UNR 10.04 now.

 

How is going the undervolting feature?

Cheers.

 

Undervolting your Intel CPU under Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

Undervolting in Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid) LTS Open Minded Brain

Not working for me... anyway great article.

 

The above compiled fine and seems to work just fine on my Fedora install. I am showing two possible CPU voltages:

Code:

[root@ace Downloads]# cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/phc_default_vids
23 15
[root@ace Downloads]# 

However manually setting the lower voltage does not seem to reduce the wattage any:

Code:

echo "15" > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/phc_vids && echo "15" > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu1/cpufreq/phc_vids

Measuring with powertop it is very hard to see any difference, maybe .1 watt?

EDIT:

The above was at idle. Running at 100% CPU I reduced wattage from 18.4w to 16.7 by undervolting.

 

When I tried that with a 1410/SU2300, it really didn't have any effect either..

so, when it comes to undervolting, in the case of the 1410/SU2300, it doesn't get you anything.

 

Now working... but no undervolting... 1.7w is not bad.

 

running idle undervolting won't bring any benefits, since these low power cpus already run at its lowest voltage while idle.. at least the su4100 does.

 

Just a quick question for you guys who own an Acer Aspire Timeline 1810T(Z): What is the normal temperature that your CPU reaches when you do nothing but maybe chat and e-mail? Mine goes up to 55°C, sometimes 60°C, which is quite noticeably hot if you use the computer as an actual laptop. Do you think this is unusual? (I'm running Linux Mint 8 KDE, btw, and I never noticed this behaviour, only after a plane journey did I become aware. Maybe some physical damage?)

 

In a 22C house mine runs at ~50C idle. While compiling or heavy work it will hit 60C.

 

Hi every one

I've also a issue with T°.
But I've an other with its detection. I use «lm_sensors», and I've T° information in a plasmoïde [ I use Mandriva2010 64b], but this information doesn't update ! ! It keep the first information

Someone have an idea ?!

Thanks

Nico

 

Hi everyone, I just bought a Gateway EC1803u Notebook - Intel Core 2 Solo ULV SU3500 1.4GHz, 2GB DDR2, 250GB HDD, 11.6" Display, Vista Home Premium.

I want to install Ubuntu 10.04 on it but first I want to update the bios. Has anyone with a Gateway EC1803U successfully done both with great results? Since I've never updated the bios on my computer before, I do not want to mess it up on my first try. Therefore I would like a very clear procedure outlined if someone can kindly provide it. Is v3303 from the acer website the latest version and will it work for the EC1803U?

I have Vista Home Premium. Is it possible to update the bios from Windows without booting from a flashdrive? I tried emailing Gateway customer support but they said that they didn't have the updated version of the bios and they couldn't provide any further assistance at this time. Hence I'm posting here.

Thanks in advance.

 

Hey,

I have a Gateway EC1803h which I bought 8 months ago with Vista installed. It has the same specs as your EC1803u, apart from the RAM, mine has 3GB.

I had registered for my free Windows 7 upgrade and received the kit months ago, but just managed to do the upgrade last weekend, as well as a Ubuntu 10.04 64-bit install that went without a hitch.

I'm telling about it in this other thread.

What's missing from my other post is I since updated my BIOS. I decided to go with the Acer BIOS which was more recent than the one on the Gateway Upgrade DVD. By the way the latest is v3310. The .zip file contains executable files for DOS or Windows (32 and 64-bit), just use the Windows one. Pick the one that ends with _x86.exe, if your Vista Home Premium is 32-bit. Plug your laptop to the AC cord to be on the safe side. And by the way, once you double-click the .exe, that's it, BIOS upgrading starts and there is no popup window asking you for confirmation! It takes a couple of minutes to complete, then the computer reboots by itself, which scared the hell out of me (!), but it's okay.

Afterwards, boot time for Windows 7 was reduced from almost 2 minutes to about 50 seconds. Many people have reported about this, it seems the original BIOS is faulty or something. Plus it solved my problem with Ubuntu as well.

Ubuntu 10.04 is really nice and responsive on this laptop.

 

The packard bell seems to be identiall to the gateway, so:

I have upgraded a packard bell using the acer 1410 bios, no problems.

 

Doing just that (running on battery), and CPUID Hardware monitor under Windows 7 claims my CPU temp is 36°C (room temp ~25°C). I am not sure if the readings of that tool are really correct. At least my laptop isn't very hot (from feel&touch)

Michael

 

Sounds low to me. My 1410T SU2300 operates at 50C-52C. I don't feel any heat when it operates at this temp. A bit higher under stress.

Bronsky

 

What software are you using to check the temperatures? Wenn looking at yours and those from other members, I am starting to doubt if CPUID is reliable on the 1810 and related.

Michael

 

Thanks Gemnoc and Patrick. I was able to update the bios succesfully. I also installed Ubuntu 10.04. There are a few minor things to be tweeked. I'll have to run the script now.
Anyway, thanks for your help.