Dell Inspiron 6000
 

Just bought a new Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop.

Overall, it's a great laptop. There are a few things I can't get working though...

First, there's no DMA, this is probably the biggest problem. HD access is slow, CD/DVD drive access is slow.... it's sorta ugly... I can't view any videos because the computer can't access the data fast enough to play it.

hdparm -d1 /dev/hda1
Could be just that Slackware's kernel doesn't have the right DMA settings, I'll look into this more later.

Second, there's no 3D acceleration. This laptop has an ATI X300 PCI Express x16 in it, which, I have no idea if PCI Express works with Linux yet. The FGLRX drivers from ATI are working fine with X, running at 1280x800 resolution, but glxgears gives only 100-200 FPS. I have /dev/shm mounted as tmpfs, a trick I learned on my previous desktop with ATI card, but still nothing more. AGP Gart doesn't insert right (obviously, since it's not AGP), but I don't know how PCI Express works under Linux....

Third, I can't get the 2.6 kernel to work. I have Slackware -current installed on this computer (10.1 upgraded), but whenver I try out the new kernel it won't work. The problem is it won't detect the ATA Disk Drive, and I can't figure out which option I need to get it to work. The model number is HTS548060M9AT00 a Hitachi 60 GB laptop drive. It works fine in the Slackware 2.4 stock kernel, but even with EVERYTHING in the ATA/etc section built in to the kernel on the stock Slackware 2.6 kernel, I can't get it to detect the drive...

Finally, there's no sound. I haven't actually looked into this, but when I run alsaconf it can't detect a sound card. I've been too busy trying to get the first three to work to bother trying this one.

I've been trying for a couple of days now to find information on these problems, and I can't find anything. Beyond these problems, it is, as far as I can tell, the ultimate laptop.

Errm... could a mod move my post to "Linux - Laptop and Handhelds"? I feel stupid for completely missing that forum....

Nobody?

Any ideas on any of these problems would be great.

Okay, I just sort of solved my 2.6 kernel problem, I at least know what the problem is now.

The 2.6 kernel doesn't support this HD or IDE bus, at all. I stripped the options bare in my 2.4 kernel, with only the Universal EIDE enabled, and it worked fine. As soon as I disabled that option it had the same effect as the 2.6 kernel had. So, EIDE supports more computers in 2.4? What?

I just tried the 2.6.12 kernel that just came out recently, and the same thing, no luck.

My 2.4 kernel is actually 2.4.29, I'm going to go test 2.4.31 and see if that is broken too. If so, then I can figure out which version actually broke the support.

I am trying the same thing, and having the same problems with 2.6.12.2. The HD is a 40 gig model TOSHIBA MK4026GAX. I hope that the answer below is NOT the actual answer. Does the 2.6.12.2 kernel support this drive and if so, how do I go about getting it to work. The error I recieve after the many many compiles of the kernel is as follows:

VFS: Cannot open root device "303" or unknown-block(3,3)
Please append a corrrect "root=" boot option
Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown block(3,3)

Any help with this is greatly appreciated.

Still no replies? I am having a hard time resolving this.

Can you post your lspci and your lsmod?

Due to the inability to boot into the 2.6.12.2 kernel, this is the output from 2.4.29 (default install)

lspci

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corp.: Unknown device 2590 (rev 03)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corp.: Unknown device 2591 (rev 03)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corp. I/O Controller Hub USB (rev 03)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corp. I/O Controller Hub USB (rev 03)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corp. I/O Controller Hub USB (rev 03)
00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corp. I/O Controller Hub USB (rev 03)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corp. I/O Controller Hub USB2 (rev 03)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corp. 82801BAM/CAM PCI Bridge (rev d3)
00:1e.2 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corp. I/O Controller Hub Audio (rev 03)
00:1e.3 Modem: Intel Corp. I/O Controller Hub Modem (rev 03)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corp.: Unknown device 2641 (rev 03)
00:1f.2 IDE interface: Intel Corp.: Unknown device 2653 (rev 03)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corp. I/O Controller Hub SMBus (rev 03)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc: Unknown device 5460
03:00.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation: Unknown device 170c (rev 02)
03:01.0 CardBus bridge: Ricoh Co Ltd RL5c476 II (rev b3)
03:01.1 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Ricoh Co Ltd R5C552 IEEE 1394 Controller (rev 08)
03:01.2 Class 0805: Ricoh Co Ltd: Unknown device 0822 (rev 17)
03:03.0 Network controller: Intel Corp.: Unknown device 4220 (rev 05)

==========================================================
lsmod

Module Size Used by Not tainted
hci_usb 8344 0 (unused)
bluez 27812 1 [hci_usb]
uhci 24284 0 (unused)
ehci-hcd 17516 0 (unused)
usbcore 58828 1 [hci_usb uhci ehci-hcd]
i810_rng 2528 0 (unused)
b44 13612 1
ohci1394 23888 0 (unused)
ieee1394 41604 0 [ohci1394]
ds 6548 1
yenta_socket 10436 1
pcmcia_core 39140 0 [ds yenta_socket]

OK. I have gotten past the initial problem and now /dev/sda3 (my HD) is found and the filesystem. Yet, bootup pauses at the root fsck and I see that /dev/hda3 is not found and swap on /dev/hda2 is not found. Where do I need to tell it that the swap is now /dev/sda2....and why or what is still searching for /dev/hda3????

!!UPDATE!!

You must change fstab accoridingly. Once I changed /dev/hda in fstab to meet the new sda format...it worked flawlessly.

Cool, glad you got it figured out. You might want to check Intel's website for drivers. My Toshiba laptop has Intel AGP, wireless and wired NICS and chipset. They do offer drivers, but I must say they are lacking in the ease of installment. I expected more out of Intel.

Hi tinman77,

I'm the same notebook as you, but have a 80Gb Hitachi drive.

When I upgrade my kernel to 2.4.21-27 and above, my linux can't find the root partition as well.

How did you get yours to work?

Cheers
Oracbase

I would like to advice you to upgrade to 2.6.* kernels. With the latest 2.6.13 (time of writing).

First compile the 2.6.* kernel as per usual with all the correct settings. Make sure you compile the Intel PIIXn chipsets support (Device Drivers--> ATA/ATAPI/MFM/RLL Support) into the kernel since this is the Intel mobile chipset driver.

As usual copy your kernel image to /boot and install the kernel modules.

Editing /etc/lilo.conf
<snip>
image = /boot/2.6.*kernel
root = /dev/sdaX
label = 26version
read-only
<snip>

Leave the boot = /dev/hda as it is first.

Next edit /etc/fstab
make sure your /dev/hdaX is all switched to /dev/sdaX.

Reboot.

And you will be able to boot your linux with SATA support.

If you need the config for Dell Inspiron 6000 email me at carboncopy[dot]public[at]gmail[dot]com

Hi Carboncopy,

Thanks for your advice.
However, I have downloaded CENTOS Linux 4.1 with kernel 2.6.x, and it works now.

The only think not really working right now is the wireless ipw2200.

Do you know how to get this Intel 2200 wireless to work?

Cheers
Oracbase

Yes I got IPW2200 to work.

Steps.

1. Download ieee80211 subsystem for Linux - http://ieee80211.sourceforge.net/downloads.php
2. Download ipw2200 - http://ipw2200.sourceforge.net/#downloads
3. Download firmware - http://ipw2200.sourceforge.net/firmware.php
4. Untargzip firmware and copy the *.fw files to /lib/firmware (Slackware, might be diff on Centos, read the README)
5. Untargzip ieee80211 subsystem. make, make install (Make sure you have the 2.6.* kernel source installed).
6. Untargzip ipw2200. make, make install.
7. modprobe ipw2200 and you are done.
ifconfig would show your wifi card as eth1.

Please read the INSTALL file of ipw2200 and ieee80211 It have certain requirements on the kernel.

Dell 9300 Hard drive
 

Hey there i was wanting to know if anybody could tell me how to get past this problem with my dell I 9300 hard drive. I have found alot of great info on this post and on others as well. Unfortunately I am at work right now and do not have my laptop with me. But from what i have found.......If i install slackware 10.1 it does install and works ok for the most part but it is slow and choppy too. That is running kernel 2.4.29 i can upgrade to 2.4.31 and it runs better but still along the same lines. If if try to install any 2.6.X it kernel panics on me every time. This is typically what i get.


VFS: Cannot open root device "402" or unknown-block(4,2)
Please append a correct "root=" boot option
Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown block(4,2)

So i did alot of digging. The Dell has a 100GB HD in it and it is a PATA HD from what i can find out. I also (correct me if i am wrong) found out that it is still an IDE drive but in linux is looked at as scsi sata drive. So with that being said and the research i have done, I recompiled the kernel for the 100000th time and i turned off all ata ide functions and enabled scsi, scsi sata support and the intel pIIx as well.

So at this point i still get the kernel panic but the number has changed from 402 to 802 or 804 block 8,4or2. Any ways i have tried in the kernel (by the way was 2.6.13) turning off all the scsi and there is an option for ata sata support for pata drives. This is a new feature of the kernel or i should say that the kernel is supporting. I still get the same error. I would not be fighting this so much to make it right if i was not certain that the HDD should be getting seen as SDA4 opposed to HDA4 but i ran the live version of the gentoo linux and it sees everything just fine as sda.


Please help i am ready to start beating my self because i am running out of ideas.


gopher0749@yahoo.com
or you can call me over the internet thru sip 677814 after 6pm any day

thanks



To add to this as well i made the changes in the lilo.conf file
/dev/sda4
and to the fstab
/dev/sda2
/dev/sda4

is there anywhere else that i should make a change to this ?

also to add to this i made changes the the /etc/lilo.conf to reflect the /dev/sda4 and to the fstabe swap and hd /dev/sda2 and /dev/sda4

Hey all,
I'm running a Dell Inspiron 6000 with Mdk 10.1 and I think I almost have wireless working. I get an IP address, but can't browse. The output from 'lsmod|grep eth1' is "eth1: duplicate address detected". Any suggestions at all would be appreciated.

How did you set the IP address for your eth1 on Mdk 10.1? DHCP or fix IP?

If you are using fix IP you got to reconfigure it to another IP or reconfigure the other offending machine. :)

If it is DHCP (which I find unlikely), then you got somebody hording an IP on your network. :)

Thanks for answering,
You'll find this very strange then, I'm trying to configure it for DHCP on public WAP's. Here is some of my terminal output.

[kris@localhost kris]$ su
Password:

[root@localhost kris]# dmesg|grep eth1
eth1: duplicate address detected!

[root@localhost kris]# iwconfig eth1
eth1 IEEE 802.11b ESSID:"Daylight" Nickname:"localhost"
Mode:Managed Channel:6 Access Point: 00:11:95:1C:39:81
Bit Rate=11Mb/s Tx-Power=20 dBm
RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Encryption key:off
Power Management:off
Link Quality:89/100 Signal level:-34 dBm Noise level:-80 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:17 Missed beacon:6

[root@localhost kris]# ifconfig eth1
eth1 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:12:F0:43:38:0D
inet addr:192.168.0.167 Bcast:192.168.0.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
inet6 addr: fe80::212:f0ff:fe43:380d/64 Scope:Link
UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1
RX packets:106 errors:0 dropped:17 overruns:0 frame:0
TX packets:8 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
RX bytes:23574 (23.0 Kb) TX bytes:1052 (1.0 Kb)
Interrupt:17 Base address:0x7000 Memory:dfdfd000-dfdfdfff

[root@localhost kris]# lsmod|grep ipw
ipw2200 122828 0
firmware_class 7232 1 ipw2200
ieee80211 29092 1 ipw2200

[root@localhost kris]# dmesg|grep ipw2200
ipw2200: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200/2915 Network Driver, 1.0.0
ipw2200: Copyright(c) 2003-2004 Intel Corporation
ipw2200: Detected Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection

It looks to me like I have an IP, but I still can't browse. I read somewhere that the "Duplicate address error" was possibly the result of DNS being misconfigured, but I thought I wouldn't have to worry about that if I'm using DHCP over a public WAP.
BTW, I didn't start with a clean install. I bought this machine because hardware support was supposed to be certified and I first tried to use 'Configure Your Computer' to set this up. Maybe something is still hanging around from an earlier install attempt(?!).

Yeah, your wifi seems to be in order.

But would like you to check a few things just for the sake of being sure.

1. can post your route info:
2. what does /etc/resolv.conf says?

3. 4. 5. if you have netwatch installed, observed whether there is any BAD MAC address for your IP. Is there is a BAD MAC address then you would probably have some one using 192.168.0.167 as a fix IP.


Well this is not all that you could do. But it is a start.

[kris@localhost kris]$ su
Password:

[root@localhost kris]# route
Kernel IP routing table
Destination Gateway Genmask Flags Metric Ref Use Iface
192.168.0.0 * 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth1
default 192.168.0.1 0.0.0.0 UG 0 0 0 eth1

/etc/resolv.conf
nameserver 192.168.0.1

ping 192.168.0.1
seems to give an endless output, don't know how to make it stop. Please forgive my ignorance.

[root@localhost kris]# ping 192.168.0.1
PING 192.168.0.1 (192.168.0.1) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=1 ttl=255 time=2.98 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=2 ttl=255 time=3.67 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=3 ttl=255 time=2.00 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=4 ttl=255 time=2.72 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=5 ttl=255 time=1.86 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=6 ttl=255 time=7.60 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=7 ttl=255 time=1.85 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=8 ttl=255 time=4.75 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=9 ttl=255 time=2.13 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=10 ttl=255 time=1.87 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=11 ttl=255 time=1.88 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=12 ttl=255 time=1.86 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=13 ttl=255 time=2.43 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=14 ttl=255 time=3.63 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=15 ttl=255 time=1.97 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=16 ttl=255 time=1.86 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=17 ttl=255 time=3.67 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=18 ttl=255 time=1.95 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=19 ttl=255 time=2.51 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=20 ttl=255 time=3.00 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=21 ttl=255 time=2.01 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=22 ttl=255 time=2.02 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=23 ttl=255 time=1.97 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=24 ttl=255 time=1.86 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=25 ttl=255 time=1.86 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=26 ttl=255 time=8.57 ms

[root@localhost kris]# dig google.com

; <<>> DiG 9.3.0rc4 <<>> google.com
;; global options: printcmd

;; Got answer:
;; ->>HEADER<<- opcode: QUERY, status: NOERROR, id: 8476
;; flags: qr rd ra; QUERY: 1, ANSWER: 2, AUTHORITY: 4, ADDITIONAL: 4

;; QUESTION SECTION:
;google.com. IN A

;; ANSWER SECTION:
google.com. 300 IN A 216.239.57.99
google.com. 300 IN A 216.239.37.99

;; AUTHORITY SECTION:
google.com. 269690 IN NS ns2.google.com.
google.com. 269690 IN NS ns3.google.com.
google.com. 269690 IN NS ns4.google.com.
google.com. 269690 IN NS ns1.google.com.

;; ADDITIONAL SECTION:
ns1.google.com. 343313 IN A 216.239.32.10
ns2.google.com. 343313 IN A 216.239.34.10
ns3.google.com. 170513 IN A 216.239.36.10
ns4.google.com. 170513 IN A 216.239.38.10

;; Query time: 46 msec

;; SERVER: 192.168.0.1#53(192.168.0.1)

;; WHEN: Sat Sep 17 10:20:41 2005
;; MSG SIZE rcvd: 196

[root@localhost kris]# netwatch -e eth1
bash: netwatch: command not found
[root@localhost kris]#

I checked my install disks and couldn't find netwatch. Apparently I can't do that right now. Also, I'm living dangerously and have the firewall turned off, for now. Sorry for the clumsy formatting.

Hmm.. things seems to be in order.

How about That would allow you to ping for 10 times. If you want it to ping for less time then -c 4 that would be 4 times. Continuesly would be without any options. Ctrl-C to stop it.

Does the public access point requires you to go through proxy?

For example http proxy 192.168.0.1 port 8080?

Judging by the out put of the ping command, it looks like it's working. I still can't browse with Firefox, though. Do I have to manually set a mount point or is it the 'Duplicate address' issue. BTW, I scavenged the 'dhclient' command from the LQ Wiki (don't know if it will help). In any event, I really appreciate your replies, thanks for all your help.

[root@d5lc1971 kris]# ping -c 10 google.com
PING google.com (216.239.57.99) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 216.239.57.99: icmp_seq=1 ttl=240 time=37.7 ms
64 bytes from 216.239.57.99: icmp_seq=2 ttl=240 time=49.9 ms
64 bytes from 216.239.57.99: icmp_seq=3 ttl=240 time=71.8 ms
64 bytes from 216.239.57.99: icmp_seq=4 ttl=240 time=58.3 ms
64 bytes from 216.239.57.99: icmp_seq=5 ttl=240 time=62.5 ms
64 bytes from 216.239.57.99: icmp_seq=6 ttl=240 time=52.6 ms
64 bytes from 216.239.57.99: icmp_seq=7 ttl=240 time=119 ms
64 bytes from 216.239.57.99: icmp_seq=8 ttl=240 time=68.5 ms
64 bytes from 216.239.57.99: icmp_seq=9 ttl=240 time=83.8 ms
64 bytes from 216.239.57.99: icmp_seq=10 ttl=240 time=36.1 ms

--- google.com ping statistics ---
10 packets transmitted, 10 received, 0% packet loss, time 9009ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 36.120/64.142/119.714/23.251 ms

[root@d5lc1971 kris]# dhclient eth1
Internet Systems Consortium DHCP Client V3.0.1
Copyright 2004 Internet Systems Consortium.
All rights reserved.
For info, please visit http://www.isc.org/products/DHCP

sit0: unknown hardware address type 776
eth0: unknown hardware address type 24
sit0: unknown hardware address type 776
eth0: unknown hardware address type 24
Listening on LPF/eth1/00:12:f0:43:38:0d
Sending on LPF/eth1/00:12:f0:43:38:0d
Sending on Socket/fallback
DHCPDISCOVER on eth1 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 6
DHCPOFFER from 192.168.25.1
DHCPREQUEST on eth1 to 255.255.255.255 port 67
DHCPACK from 192.168.25.1
bound to 192.168.25.95 -- renewal in 1481 seconds.

Your IP has changed from the last you reported.

At it seems that you are even on a different subnet.

I seriously suspect you need to set the proxy setting in firefox. I think you should contact the administrator of the public access point for more info. :)

Free wifi is cool. If it works.

Oh that reminds me of 'free' 1 hour limited wifi service at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport. Makes transit a more bearable ordeal.


p.s.
Oh, can you browse with WindozeXP which came with the machine?

Hey again carboncopy,
Yes I can browse with XP. No, I don't think it's a proxy issue. I've been trying more than one AP, I seem to get pretty much the same results at most other public AP's. I can look in the settings in Firefox, but if it can't be set to pick up proxy automaticly then I'm not sure what to do. I'll have to try again next weekend as I'm pretty busy this week.

I have an Inspriron 6000 notebook

The harddrive it NOT IDE its sata
Cdrom is ATAPI

Its sad how little support there is for dell laptops on linux.... but i think it will change soon, i heard they are shipping now with some kind of distro?

go ahead and e-mail me Derrekito AT gmail.com if you need more help with this problematic laptop.

It took me more the a week to 'figure out' the SATA harddrive. :)

Dell Inspiron 6000 problematic Laptop?
Not for me. However, I have not tested the bluetooth and firewire yet.

The rest works great. Even ATI latest installer driver works.

However, I did have the first laptop replaced because in WinXP, the display gets turn off after WinXP boot logo. But no problem in Linux.

Now with the replacement unit, everything works fine. And no dead pixel (the original laptop have one).

Oh, I do have a problem (in Linux only) with the Broadcom 440 NIC with 100Mbit HalfDuplex HUB. It gets freak out by its own packets. So a max transfer rate of around 300kbyte/s. This is due to Broadcom driver problem.

About Dell shipping laptop with Mandriva. Well it is in France only. And with low-end Dell Latitude lapys only at this moment. Hope to see removal of M$ tax.

OT. Can I get a refund for M$ Works since I don't use it?

I say problematic because it sorta forces you to use 2.6 kernel to get wireless network card going but i need the 2.4 kernel for other hardware on my computer.... just lots of compromises with this model caused by lack of linux support on dell's side for sure. Wish we could get a refund for that crap they made us buy and dont use... M$ XP being the main thing.

IPW2200 Wireless
 

:D :D :D :D
Hey guys, I just tried to change the proxy settings in Firefox with no luck. On a whim, I decided to try Mozilla . . .
. . . It works(!!!). Thanks, I'll be checking out your link and doing alot of exploring. I don't know how to fix Firefox yet, but at least I'm live. I think the sun's coming up (in more ways than one), gotta go to work; thanks again for all your help.

apparently it is possible to get a refund from microsoft for the winXP license - i don't know about the works software, or any of the other rubbish. it might be worth talking to corel about psp, too - they've always seemed like a relatively decent-minded company, so they may be willing to aquiesce on the license issue. your best bet is to try and contact microsoft's resident office/branch in your country, and harangue them until they give in.

both my father and i have worked for years in IT support, and if you know anyone that's built up a working relationship with microsoft (be it on a technical level, or purely though buying a great many products of 'theirs'), they may be able to swing it for you.
microsoft operates much like a beehive; if you're trying to get in, you'll get stung contantly. once you're inside, you can get away with murder. odd but true.

For viewing video's, they advise to bypass cacheing for the cdrom/dvd, you can do this by addressing '/dev/cdrom' (maybe depends on distro). This should read the drive in 'raw' mode.
I have a 1.5G cpu with 256Mb ram and I can view dvd's just fine, better than in 'Windows' (big surprise).
As far as I'm concerned, most stuff coming out of 'Hollywood' these days is so boorish and uninspiring as to not be worth the trouble anyway. :scratch: