Linux on the ASUS N10 N10J

I add more info than is necessary to the howto... since it can't hurt. In any event, it doesn't work out of the box, it needs the new kernel or the tweaks or both.

 

Did you follow the guide? What step are you stuck on?

Edit: Updated howto for NVIDIA 180.35, out yesterday Feb 24: release notes.

 

roger that.

 

If you're running Gnome, try gnome-volume-control and go to Edit->Preferences and check all the boxes, then go to Recording and make sure Capture is turned up. Don't turn it up too loud or it will feed back. Just was tweaking my audio and remembered your problem. Hope it helps.

Edit: If you're on KDE try doing the equivalent in kmix

Also added a tweak to Part 3 about colors being wrong in Totem/Gstreamer video playback.

According to the ASUS drivers RSS feed there is a new N10J 210 BIOS out, but I can't find a download location that has the file. The release notes only say: "Support Atom N280" so I'm not sure it's an important update. But it does make me wonder if there are going to be N10 models with the N280 now. The performance increase from N270 to N280 is negligible from what I've read so it shouldn't be a huge deal.

 

I am having a problem compiling the kernel I get this error at the end...

Code:

make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux-2.6.29-rc6'
/usr/bin/make -j2   ARCH=i386 \
			     -C Documentation/lguest
make[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/linux-2.6.29-rc6/Documentation/lguest'
cc -Wall -Wmissing-declarations -Wmissing-prototypes -O3 -I../../include -I../../arch/x86/include -U_FORTIFY_SOURCE    lguest.c  -lz -o lguest
lguest.c:34:18: error: zlib.h: No such file or directory
make[1]: *** [lguest] Error 1
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux-2.6.29-rc6/Documentation/lguest'
make: *** [debian/stamp/build/kernel] Error 2
root@minipimpin:/usr/src/linux-2.6.29-rc6# cd ..
root@minipimpin:/usr/src# dpkg -i linux-image-2.6.29-rc6_2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom_i386.deb
dpkg: error processing linux-image-2.6.29-rc6_2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom_i386.deb (--install):
 cannot access archive: No such file or directory
Errors were encountered while processing:
 linux-image-2.6.29-rc6_2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom_i386.deb
root@minipimpin:/usr/src# 

I have followed the guide step by step, any ideas?

 

Are you on Ubuntu? Try this:

Code:

sudo apt-get install zlib1g-dev

Also, make sure to fakeroot make-kpkg clean now before you rebuild.

Edit: Added zlib1g-dev to the directions...

 

Does it matter if I compile the source form root or my user? and yes, I am on ubuntu

 

Doesn't matter, but AFAIK dpkg won't create debs when run from regular user. So you cam compile manually by make, but not the way it's presented in the howto.

ps: don't know if you know:
"This is just a note to point out that official ffmpeg and MPlayer SVN now contain full VDPAU support. It's unlikely that NVIDIA will publish any more versions of its patches. We suggest users move to using the official ffmpeg/MPlayer code."

regards,
--
Luke

 

The kernel should be compiled as a regular user. Just make sure to run it fakeroot, otherwise you will get errors creating the .debs

Thanks, I'm updating the howto for that now. Appreciate the tip

 

hey groceries, how did you get the startup script to work, I did this

Code:

 $ modprobe -r asus_laptop; modprobe asus_laptop

and it does not seem to want to run, As far as I can tell, it needs to be run under sudo or as root. I places it in init.d and from what I can tell, it does not run. Is there a way to run it as root or under sudo from init.d?

 

Init is a main linux process (id 1). It's owner is root. It runs everything on a linux box, including scripts in init.d. AFAIK Correct me if I'm wrong...

regards,
--
Luke

 

Yes, it needs to be run as root. For example, on Ubuntu (for Debian remove sudo from the commands below):

Code:

sudo nano /etc/init.d/asus_laptop

Here's an example script:

Code:

#!/bin/bash
modprobe -r asus_laptop
modprobe asus_laptop

Now run:

Code:

chmod +x /etc/init.d/asus_laptop
sudo update-rc.d asus_laptop start 99 2 .

And it will run on startup. You can also make a resume script:

Code:

sudo nano /etc/pm/sleep.d/resume.sh

Here's the script:

Code:

#!/bin/bash
modprobe -r asus_laptop
modprobe asus_laptop
modprobe -r ath9k
modprobe ath9k

Make sure it's executable:

Code:

sudo chmod o+x /etc/pm/sleep.d/resume.sh

And that should be all you need to do.

 

Thanks ALLurGroceries. I received the error below when I tried to install the new Kernel. I used the force command to complete the process.

fred@fred-laptop:/usr/src$ sudo dpkg -i --force- linux-image-2.6.29-rc6_2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom_i386.deb
(Reading database ... 136237 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace linux-image-2.6.29-rc6 2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom (using linux-image-2.6.29-rc6_2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom_i386.deb) ...
Done.
Unpacking replacement linux-image-2.6.29-rc6 ...
Running postrm hook script /sbin/update-grub.
Searching for GRUB installation directory ... found: /boot/grub
Searching for default file ... found: /boot/grub/default
Testing for an existing GRUB menu.lst file ... found: /boot/grub/menu.lst
Searching for splash image ... none found, skipping ...
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.29-rc6
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
Found kernel: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Updating /boot/grub/menu.lst ... done

Setting up linux-image-2.6.29-rc6 (2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom) ...
Running depmod.
Finding valid ramdisk creators.
Using mkinitramfs-kpkg to build the ramdisk.
Not updating initrd symbolic links since we are being updated/reinstalled
(2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom was configured last, according to dpkg)
Not updating image symbolic links since we are being updated/reinstalled
(2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom was configured last, according to dpkg)
Running postinst hook script update-grub.
Searching for GRUB installation directory ... found: /boot/grub
Searching for default file ... found: /boot/grub/default
Testing for an existing GRUB menu.lst file ... found: /boot/grub/menu.lst
Searching for splash image ... none found, skipping ...
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.29-rc6
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
Found kernel: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Updating /boot/grub/menu.lst ... done

Examining /etc/kernel/postinst.d.
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/dkms
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/nvidia-common
run-parts: /etc/kernel/postinst.d/nvidia-common exited with return code 20
Failed to process /etc/kernel/postinst.d at /var/lib/dpkg/info/linux-image-2.6.29-rc6.postinst line 1181.
dpkg: error processing linux-image-2.6.29-rc6 (--install):
subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Errors were encountered while processing:
linux-image-2.6.29-rc6


My main goal was to increase the network speed (edited mlme.c and changed the value to 400). Which I believe it did, however there were a couple of problems. One; I cant see the speed in NetworkManager Applet 0.7.0 All I get is:

Speed Unknown

Two; when I try to install other programs I get the following message:

dpkg: error processing linux-image-2.6.29-rc6 (--configure):
subprocess post installation returned error exit status 2
Error were encountered while processing:
linux-image-2.6.29-rc6

So what did I do wrong? And thanks for all the work you have done on this thread.

PS I have an N router, can I increase the speed even more?

 

You should never have to force the installation of the kernel -- that is a sign that something went wrong. That does not look clean. You should remove the kernel and start again from fresh source.

To clean up:

Code:

dpkg -r linux-image-2.6.29-rc6
dpkg -r linux-headers-2.6.29-rc6
rm -rf /lib/modules/2.6.29-rc6
rm -rf /usr/src/linux-2.6.29-rc6

It'll warn you about removing the kernel, ignore it and rebuild the kernel using the howto guide.

N will run faster, but it has nothing to do with the MONITORING_INTERVAL tweak... don't go higher than 400 unless you want to test uncharted territory. I haven't pushed it past 400.

EDIT: THIS IS IMPORTANT!! I guess you're running Ubuntu? There is a bug ticket. Try this and then rebuild the kernel:

 

Thank you Groceries and others, if there was a place to donate to, I would. Your help has been incredible, Thank-you!

 

Nice, glad to help. I wouldn't have written the howto if I didn't enjoy it though, and answering questions here keeps me on my toes. Also it's a great way to learn about bugs, so make sure to post if you run into problems (or even better, solutions!). The guide wouldn't be half as good without the input of everyone on this thread!

 

I followed the instructions and received the same error:

run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/nvidia-common
run-parts: /etc/kernel/postinst.d/nvidia-common exited with return code 20
Failed to process /etc/kernel/postinst.d at /var/lib/dpkg/info/linux-image-2.6.29-rc6.postinst line 1181.
dpkg: error processing linux-image-2.6.29-rc6 (--install):
subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Errors were encountered while processing:
linux-image-2.6.29-rc6

I used the:
sudo apt-get purge nvidia-common
sudo apt-get install nvidia-common


HOWEVER, when I used the:
sudo apt-get purge nvidia-common
then
sudo dpkg -i linux-image-2.6.29-rc6_2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom_i386.deb

And then I did not receive the error, this was the output:
fred@fred-laptop:/usr/src$ sudo dpkg -i linux-image-2.6.29-rc6_2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom_i386.deb
(Reading database ... 127912 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to replace linux-image-2.6.29-rc6 2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom (using linux-image-2.6.29-rc6_2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom_i386.deb) ...
Done.
Unpacking replacement linux-image-2.6.29-rc6 ...
Running postrm hook script /sbin/update-grub.
Searching for GRUB installation directory ... found: /boot/grub
Searching for default file ... found: /boot/grub/default
Testing for an existing GRUB menu.lst file ... found: /boot/grub/menu.lst
Searching for splash image ... none found, skipping ...
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.29-rc6
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
Found kernel: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Updating /boot/grub/menu.lst ... done

Setting up linux-image-2.6.29-rc6 (2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom) ...
Running depmod.
Finding valid ramdisk creators.
Using mkinitramfs-kpkg to build the ramdisk.
Not updating initrd symbolic links since we are being updated/reinstalled
(2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom was configured last, according to dpkg)
Not updating image symbolic links since we are being updated/reinstalled
(2.6.29-rc6-10.00.Custom was configured last, according to dpkg)
Running postinst hook script update-grub.
Searching for GRUB installation directory ... found: /boot/grub
Searching for default file ... found: /boot/grub/default
Testing for an existing GRUB menu.lst file ... found: /boot/grub/menu.lst
Searching for splash image ... none found, skipping ...
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.29-rc6
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.27-7-generic
Found kernel: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Updating /boot/grub/menu.lst ... done

Examining /etc/kernel/postinst.d.
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/dkms



So do you think I can install the nvidia-common now and everything will be ok?

 

I have no way of knowing, sorry... nobody else has posted with this problem... you'll have to figure it out by trial and error. If you hit upon the solution please post it so that I can make a note of it in the guide.

Edit: Updated howto for 2.6.29-rc7

 

Sorry to bug you AllUrGroceries but my Linux distro is running slow on my beloved Asus. My first distro choice was gOS 3.1 which was based off of Ubuntu 8.04 and is kinda just a re-skin. After I updated the kernel and got everything peachy it was still running choppy. For example, when i clicked on a menu it phased in rather then popping up. I gave up on that distro and switched over to Linux Mint 6 “Felicia” KDE CE RC1 which although is just a release candidate after i installed it everything worked including wireless and it recognized the GPU. But it still runs slow. Can you help me?

 

teh LULz? IHBT... have you tried turning it off and on again?

Edit: Updated howto on 3/13 for 2.6.29-rc8

 

How do I do that?

 

How do you make a troll worthy of teh LULz?

 

Fine, if i won't get any help I will just go back to windows.

 

I understand, trolling can be hard. Someone please lend a helping hand to poor Dr.frankinfurter he needs his LULz.

 

I will just re-install and if I have trouble I will post on the Ubuntu forums. I heard that those people aren't s. I guess that's Linux elitism for you some one can't figure something out and he is treated like a retard. Maybe I was wrong for trying to switch...

 

Do you have a real question or are you just here to troll?

Edit: There's a howto guide, maybe it will help you?! I dunno.

 

I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth Pony up a specific question and see if we can help you.

 

Hi guys
This is a great forum!
I have some advices and some questions.
Advices first.
I installed Ubuntu 8.10 and wifi worked out of box so I did not have to make my own kernel.
That should be mentioned in the manual.
I also wanted to use the nvidia drivers provided by ubuntu.
But to make run both graphic cards was tough.
So my advice how to change the manual is:
Install ubuntu with nvidia off so you get drivers for intel.
Backup /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so and /usr/lib/libGL.so.1 !!!!!
Reboot with nvidia on.
Ubuntu offers you a driver so take it. (Much easier for newbies)
Then create vid_switch xorg.conf.intel and xorg.nvidia as in http://www.linlap.com/wiki/asus+n10j
Change lines
ln -sf /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so.180.18 /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so
ln -sf /usr/lib/libGL.so.180.18 /usr/lib/libGL.so.1
according to the version of nvidia drivers you installed.
copy back libglx.so -> libglx.so.intel and libGL.so.1.2
Reinstalling xserver-xorg-core and libgl1-mesa would not work here!!!
I think it is becouse ubuntu knows nvidia is installed and does not recover those files but it took me ages to reolize that so for newbie it would be a real pain.
If you write this as an alternative to the nvidia.run driver it would help some people i guess.

And now questions:
Fn + volume makes a cute picture of changing sound but it changes nothing.
I guess it keep changing something different. (microfon?)
Do you have the same problem?
Where can i setup this?

And fingerprint reader.
I followed the link and made it work but it behaves strange.
In GDM FP works but if i want to write password I have to write it twice.
Synaptic starts only with FP, with password it tells nothing and dies.
In console (ctrl alt f1) if i sudo it waits.
If i use FP it writes ok but i does not do the command.
Then it asks me for the password.
Without FP it waits for a keypress and then asks for a password.
So it works somehow but not good enough.
Did you have the same problem and solved it?
Should i post this also to the FP site?
Thank you again for this forum. (and some answers )

 

Welcome to the forum, raptor2

Not sure about that - it worked fine for me (on Debian Sid) using aptitude to reinstall the intel packages. Also I had mentioned that Ubuntu's wireless works out of the box but it started getting too windy in Part 0 so I removed it. (Edit: I put it back in the howto). You should really build the custom kernel anyway because it has better performance.

If you go to System->Preferences->Sound and change the Default Mixer Tracks to Master or Front that should solve this problem.

Sorry, I can't help you with this maybe someone else can. I don't use the fingerprint reader at all. Good luck.

 

Sound solved thanks.
About the libs I am sure.
I reinstalled them 100 times with X running, without and I never got the files back.
The only solution was to uninstall nvidia driver and then reinstall the libs.
But I find it better the way I wrote.
At least write in the manual it is better to start with Intel and then backup the 2 files just in case. It would have saved me around 2 days of labouring.
And about the kernel, I will have a look at it so you see me here again
If I find a solution for the FP let you know.
I find it pretty cool to have FP working in Linux

 

I tried the kernel but after dpkg -i linux-image-2.6.29-rc8_2.6.29-rc8-10.00.Custom_i386.deb
I have been given this
Examining /etc/kernel/postinst.d.
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/dkms
run-parts: executing /etc/kernel/postinst.d/nvidia-common
run-parts: /etc/kernel/postinst.d/nvidia-common exited with return code 20
Failed to process /etc/kernel/postinst.d at /var/lib/dpkg/info/linux-image-2.6.29-rc8.postinst line 1181.
dpkg: error processing linux-image-2.6.29-rc8 (--install):
subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 2
Errors were encountered while processing:
linux-image-2.6.29-rc8
That does not look good.
It looks like it does not like my nvidia.
What should I do?

 

We saw this one a couple pages back on page 22 I think. Try:

sudo apt-get purge nvidia-common
sudo dpkg -i linux-image-2.6.29-rc8_2.6.29-rc8-10.00.Custom_i386.deb
sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-2.6.29-rc8_2.6.29-rc8-10.00.Custom_i386.deb
sudo apt-get install nvidia-common

If that works let me know and I'll mention it in the howto guide.

 

Awesome thread, Groceries - thanks for taking the time and effort to get this up and running. I am currently waiting for Update Manager to migrate me from 8.04LTS to 8.10, in the hope that wireless will magically work under kernel 2.6.27, even though your guide makes me think I will still need to install 2.6.29-rc8. Its particularly awesome to find such a current guide to Linux on a specific netbook, and one which is being actively maintained. You have my vote for President of the Known World at the next election

 

LOL thanks

I think you should be good with 2.6.27-11 or later on Ubuntu in terms of wireless. I forget the exact kernel where they started bundling ath9k but it was around there. The custom kernel will give you better performance of course

Edit: Updated howto for NVIDIA 180.41 (stable prerelease) out yesterday... release notes here. Also there is a new 185.13 Beta release.

My webserver is going down for maintenance @ 12AM EST March 22... (it's back up now )

 

Great!
It did work I only must have cd /usr/src again.
It also asked me whether I am sure to make the kernel again when it already exists so I said I do.
I did not reboot yet.
I also made work the fingerprint except screensaver.
Please write in the manual the link you provide is for FP0.5 only.
If you want to use the newest 0.9 you need to download it from http://www.n-view.net/Appliance//fingerprint/download_current.php which includes Install-step-by-step.pdf which must be follown and the provided link.
The link is now obsolete.

 

Forgot to mention you have my vote as well

 

Very good info, thanks!! +rep for you
I'm going to mess with the fingerprint reader since I've not tried it out yet and then I'll update the howto guide with your new info.

After you reboot you'll need to reinstall your NVIDIA drivers (or remove them, install the intel stuff, prepare the script, reinstall nvidia). But in any case your display drivers will be broken until you reinstall the Intel and/or NVIDIA driver packages after your reboot into the new kernel.

 

Before I reboot again.
If you remove the link for FP you should mention it is an Upec device so according to the pdf installed --with-upek.
Another thing I forgot to mention.
Yersteday I had blue picture with totem and the cheap work around did not work.
Today (no reboot even to to same kernel!) I reinstalled the nvidia drivers (as you told me to) and now the picture is OK.
We will see in the new kernel.

 

OK I will keep that in mind about the fingerprint reader, thanks... for the nvidia tweak not working it's probably because you had the Ubuntu nvidia driver package installed? The official nvidia installer is different and that's what the tweak works with as far as I know. The official nvidia driver is much more up to date, there's a new one out basically every two weeks or so

 

So I rebooted to intel and no need to reinstall the drivers.
3D works the same way as in 2.6.27 = it does but it does not redraw very much.
When I run glxgears and move their window they leave a "printscreen" there the same way as in 2.6.27
Now i tried video and it does not work at all, is it becouse the drivers?
Now I reboot to nvidia.

 

Not sure about the video not working with intel graphics, what are you using to play the video, Totem? You could try reinstalling the Intel X.org driver and trying again after restarting gdm.

If you were using the patched mplayer that only works with the NVIDIA card.

Otherwise, I don't have a good idea sorry

 

So after reinstalling intel drivers and repeated other work i got 3D in both cards working but video does not play with intel

Opening video decoder: [dshow] DirectShow video codecs
Win32 LoadLibrary failed to load: wmv8ds32.ax, /usr/lib/win32/wmv8ds32.ax, /usr/local/lib/win32/wmv8ds32.ax
Warning: DS_Filter() could not open DirectShow DLL. (DLL=wmv8ds32.ax, r=0x99d2ca8)
Failed to create DirectShow filter
ERROR: Could not open required DirectShow codec wmv8ds32.ax.
You need to upgrade/install the binary codecs package.
Go to http://www.mplayerhq.hu/dload.html
VDecoder init failed
Opening video decoder: [dmo] DMO video codecs
Win32 LoadLibrary failed to load: wmvdmod.dll, /usr/lib/win32/wmvdmod.dll, /usr/local/lib/win32/wmvdmod.dll
IMediaObject ERROR: 0x88deba9 could not open DMO DLL (0x0 : 0)
Failed to create DMO filter
ERROR: Could not open required DirectShow codec wmvdmod.dll.
You need to upgrade/install the binary codecs package.
Go to http://www.mplayerhq.hu/dload.html
VDecoder init failed
Opening video decoder: [ffmpeg] FFmpeg's libavcodec codec family
Selected video codec: [ffwmv2] vfm: ffmpeg (FFmpeg M$ WMV2/WMV8)

Any ideas?

 

It plays with no program and i did not patch mplayer.

 

OK looks like you're using mplayer, so the only idea I have is to follow the error message and install the binary codecs:

http://www.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/releases/codecs/essential-20071007.tar.bz2

Extract the entire contents of the essential-20071007 directory to /usr/local/lib/codecs/

Check out the README file from the above tar.bz2 if that doesn't work.

 

Guide to automatically switch between NVIDIA & Intel graphics subsystems in the N10J and N10Jc

I may merge this into the main howto depending on your feedback.

Edit: Merged into main howto.

 

Good one, should be in the manual.
In my case I would it change it this way.
With intel the gdm starts, which is important for me to be online!
So I have to download nvidia.run before rebooting.
DHCP does not work here and I could not manage ifconfig.
The intel video still does not work:/
I reinstalled ubuntu-extras xserver-xorg-video-intel and downloaded the codecs but wmv8ds32.ax is not there anyway.

 

Good point about the internet access. I'll modify the guide to reflect that... not sure about your codecs, does it work with nvidia but not intel?

 

Now I tried to play the video with nvidia and it sais the same error.
The the video plays with no problem....
So it is not about the codec I think...

 

If it gives you errors but plays then there probably isn't much of an issue, but if it can't play at all with intel graphics then that is a problem. I thought it would be codecs, maybe the mplayer bundle doesn't have the right one. Microsoft describes Wmv8ds32.ax as the codec for Windows Media Video decompressor version 8. Maybe that can help you (the file might be located on your windows partition, and you could copy it over to linux for instance).

 

Good point with the copiing.
I tried it and there is no error with codecs no.
But it does not play:/
After all the messages it just keeps writing:
Starting playback...
X11 error: BadAlloc (insufficient resources for operation)?,?% 0 0
X11 error: BadAlloc (insufficient resources for operation)?,?% 0 0

It playes sound (did before also) but no picture.
I am really curious what could it be.
I looked at /var/log/Xorg.0.log but I found nothing bad.
I try to attach it here.