Ubuntu Sony Vaio Sr

Hi guys, I recently downloaded and installed Ubuntu on my desktop. It wasn't too hard. However, I am also willing to install Ubuntu on my laptop. My question is how can i make the MODE and those awsome sony button work on Ubuntu and also the 1.3 motion eye to work. Another key issue i have is the Fn functional key for the laptop, i need it to work.

So, am I trading off Linux for less functionality? If I can get those things to work, how and where can i download the necessary sony hardware software/drivers for ubuntu?

 

I haven't found anything that makes the Mode buttons work. But the function keys for volume and mute do work. The only function keys that don't work for me right out of the box were the screen brightness and zoom in/zoom out keys. I tried a lot of different programs to try and capture the signal sent to the laptop when the mode keys & function+screen brightness were pressed, but Ubuntu just acts as though nothing has happened. I'd definitely be interested if someone could at least make the screen brightness make. (Have you tried posting in the Linux forums here? The people there will be able to help you out more.)

And for the 1.3 Motion Eye, this is the page with the drivers. My linux kernel is too new and they haven't developed a new driver yet, but wait awhile and it should be out.

 

Okay thx, how about the network drivers? I searched a whole lot but i couldn't find a sr network card driver. I need to use the ubuntu for internet lol.

 

Just tried to load Ubuntu on cd (try ubuntu on cd option) for my laptop, and all i get is a blank black screen. Nothing else, i found on the forum that ubuntu might not support the intergrated video card.

 

Well, I have the Atheros card, which is pretty well supported in Ubuntu. I think the newer releases should cover the Intel cards as well. Which version of Ubuntu did you install? I hear that 8.10 supports the integrated card? I can't test this myself because I have dedicated ATI.

 

i have 8.10. Downloaded 2 days ago. Works pretty good on desktop, but i can't get the monitor to function on the laptop (at least i think) because all i get is a blank screen, i can hear the sound thing though.

Second, is it safe to install Ubuntu ontop of my windows vista 64bit? Because on my desktop i have 2 harddrives, so it was pretty easy to choose the partition. On my laptop i only have 1 partition.

 

Well, I performed a backup before installing Ubuntu and made recovery disks just to be safe. The process was relatively painless, though. The partition manager in Ubuntu worked well, re-allocating the size of the windows partition and allocating a spot for the Linux partitions.

 

A little bit late, but this worked for my lappy (SR19XN) and might help others:

This is only for the SR with the intel gpu.

1 - install ubuntu with the alternate cd (text based installation)
2 - boot ubuntu in recovery mode
3 - choose "xfix", then type "exit" to go to recovery menu again
4 - choose "root" and type "nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf"
5 - when editing this file put this exactly: (kudos to claudio camacho)

Code:

## Monitor settings
# Built-in LCD display
Section "Monitor"
	Identifier  "LVDS"
	VendorName  "Sony"
	ModelName   "Vaio SR X-black LED"
   	Option      "DPMS"
	Modeline    "1280x800_76.00"  108.77  1280 1360 1496 1712  800 801 804 836  -HSync +Vsync
	HorizSync   62-63
	VertRefresh 76-77
    Option      "Monitor-LVDS" "LVDS monitor"
EndSection


## Graphics card driver
Section "Device"
	Identifier  "Card0"
    Driver      "vesa"
    #Driver      "intel"
	VendorName  "Intel Corporation"
	BoardName   "Cantiga Integrated Graphics Controller (Q45)"
    Option      "MonitorLayout" "LVDS"
	BusID       "PCI:0:2:0"
EndSection


## Display settings
Section "Screen"
	Identifier "Screen0"
	Device     "Card0"
	Monitor    "LVDS"
    DefaultDepth 24
	SubSection "Display"
		Viewport   0 0
		Depth     24
	EndSubSection
EndSection

6 - save file, type "exit", and choose "resume"

that should work... if not... post your problem because i might have skipped someting

cheers