Slackware 14.1 on Netbook

Bller · 10-01-2014, 05:32 AM

Hi guys.

Its been quite some time since i`ve passed by to say hi.
Glad to be back and speaking of getting back, i would like your opinion on the following question that i have :

I have this farely low end MSI (Wind) U90X Netbook, Intel Atom N270 - 1.6 GhZ , 1GB RAM , 50 GB HDD which i used with ubuntu 10.04 untill now. But i miss Slackware so much that i want to install it on this puppy.

Would it run ok ? Would i have any problems with wi fi (RL8987SE) or anything else it may concern me ?

Did anyone try this before ? How`d it go ?

Thanks a bunch, You rock !

Stephen Morgan · 10-01-2014, 09:35 AM

I have an Intel Atom N450, 1.2GHz, 160GB HDD, !GB RAM, 10" screen. Too slow for Ubuntu, honestly, but works fine with a lighter DE than Unity/Gnome. I used CrunchBang for a bit, but the WiFi setup required a specially compiled kernel module, for Broadcom. It all works out of the box on Slackware, though. I use Ratpoison for my WM now, on Slackware-current, and all is fine.

allend · 10-01-2014, 09:38 AM

I am running Slackware-current on a netbook with similar specifications (Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz 160 GB HDD with Slackware in a 40GB partition). Everything runs, but I prefer using a lightweight window manager (WindowMaker is my choice) as KDE is slow to load.
The Intel Atom N270 requires the 32bit version of Slackware. Also, it does not have hardware virtualisation support, so running a virtual machine, while possible for some operating systems, is so slow that it is not worth the wait.
Apparently your netbook uses the Intel 945GM graphics chipset, similar to the Intel 945 GME graphics chipset in my netbook, and has the same 1024x600 screen resolution. This was problematic a while back when the kernel was switching to KMS, but I now have zero problems. A tweak I use is to add ' video=1024x600' to the append= line in my /etc/lilo.conf. If you play with the xrandr panning and scaling options, you can overcome some of the problems of the low screen resolution.
I think your wifi is actually the RTL8187SE. This is supported by the mainline kernel by the r8187se kernel module and should just work out of the box.

Slack_Buddha · 10-01-2014, 10:05 AM

On a netbook i would probably run fluxbox or some other lightweight wm because a full DE is going to slow your computer down.

Bller · 10-01-2014, 10:25 AM

Thanks guys. Yes, indeed gnome 2 is slow as hell on it, also the correct wifi driver is RTL8187SE as allen said. So i might give this a try later this week. I m still concerned about the small screen resolution as I know the default one was back in the 13.0 release was 1024x768 which could create some problems. I ll come back after i install it with any problems i may encounter.
Thanks again

!

rokytnji · 10-01-2014, 10:32 AM

Code:

$ inxi -zv7
System:    Host: darkstar.example.net Kernel: 3.10.17-smp i686 (32 bit gcc: 4.8.2)
           Desktop: Fluxbox 1.3.5 dm: gdm Distro: Slackware 14.1
Machine:   System: manda (portable) product: Intel powered classmate PC v: Gen 1.5L
           Mobo: N/A model: N/A
           Bios: American Megatrends v: CM94515A.86A.0024.2008.0715.1716 date: 07/15/2008
CPU:       Single core Intel Core N270 (-HT-) cache: 512 KB
           flags: (nx pae sse sse2 sse3 ssse3) bmips: 3192
           clock speeds: min/max: 800/1600 MHz 1: 800 MHz 2: 1600 MHz
Memory:    Using dmidecode: you must be root to run dmidecode
Graphics:  Card: Intel Mobile 945GSE Express Integrated Graphics Controller
           bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:27ae
           Display Server: X.Org 1.14.3 drivers: intel (unloaded: vesa)
           Resolution: 1024x600@53.3hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel 945GME x86/MMX/SSE2
           GLX Version: 1.4 Mesa 9.1.7 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:27d8
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k3.10.17-smp
Network:   Card: Realtek RTL8101E/RTL8102E PCI Express Fast Ethernet controller
           driver: r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI port: ec00
           bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 10ec:8136
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
           WAN IP: <filter> IF: eth0 ip: N/A ip-v6: N/A
           IF: wlan0 ip: N/A ip-v6: N/A
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 63.6GB (8.7% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: KingSpce_KSD size: 63.6GB serial: 984082600254
           Optical: No optical drives detected.
Partition: ID-1: / size: 15G used: 2.7G (19%) fs: xfs dev: /dev/sda1
           label: N/A uuid: f1514248-82a4-4793-b2e4-2d94b3e953d7
           ID-2: /home size: 44G used: 1.6G (4%) fs: xfs dev: /dev/sda3
           label: N/A uuid: 97334dd8-0850-42fb-bda2-4b80af118be1
           ID-3: swap-1 size: 1.05GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda2
           label: N/A uuid: cbccfa7b-652e-44cd-b7e1-be88c61f634a
RAID:      System: supported: linear raid0 raid1 raid10 raid6 raid5 raid4 multipath
           No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
           Unused Devices: none
Unmounted: No unmounted partitions detected
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 60.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 131 Uptime: 2:23 Memory: 280.8/2005.8MB
           Init: SysVinit v: 2.88 runlevel: 4 default: 4 Gcc sys: 4.8.2
           Client: Shell (bash 4.2.502 running in xterm) inxi: 2.2.14

Code:

]$ df -h
Filesystem      Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/sda1        15G  2.7G   12G  19% /
/dev/sda3        44G  1.6G   42G   4% /home
tmpfs          1003M  4.0K 1003M   1% /dev/shm

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ml#post5247476

Code:

$ lsusb -t
/:  Bus 05.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=uhci_hcd/2p, 12M
/:  Bus 04.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=uhci_hcd/2p, 12M
/:  Bus 03.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=uhci_hcd/2p, 12M
/:  Bus 02.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=ehci-pci/8p, 480M
    |__ Port 6: Dev 2, If 0, Class=Video, Driver=uvcvideo, 480M
    |__ Port 6: Dev 2, If 1, Class=Video, Driver=uvcvideo, 480M
    |__ Port 7: Dev 3, If 0, Class=Vendor Specific Class, Driver=rt73usb, 480M
    |__ Port 8: Dev 4, If 0, Class=Mass Storage, Driver=ums-realtek, 480M
/:  Bus 01.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=uhci_hcd/2p, 12M

In case you wonder How I did this

http://forum.salixos.org/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6131

Bller · 10-01-2014, 10:45 AM

So basically you installed Salix and set the vesa frame buffer to 800x600 and that was it? No fuss with the graphics after ?

Bller · 10-01-2014, 10:48 AM

I also saw Intel graphics driver. How did that go ? Did you install proprietary driver for it ?

rokytnji · 10-01-2014, 11:04 AM

Quote:

So basically you installed Salix and set the vesa frame buffer to 800x600 and that was it? No fuss with the graphics after ?

No. No need.

Code:

$ inxi -G
Graphics:  Card: Intel Mobile 945GSE Express Integrated Graphics Controller
           Display Server: X.Org 1.14.3 drivers: intel (unloaded: vesa)
           Resolution: 1024x600@53.3hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel 945GME x86/MMX/SSE2
           GLX Version: 1.4 Mesa 9.1.7

vesa is unloaded.

Quote:

I also saw Intel graphics driver. How did that go ? Did you install proprietary driver for it ?

No. No need. Kernel handled that.

Bller · 10-01-2014, 11:08 AM

Cool, than i would safely go and install it on my system. I would chose XFCE4 as WM, would that be light enough ?

Slack_Buddha · 10-01-2014, 11:09 AM

If XFCE is too heavy on your machine you can always give Fluxbox a try.

rokytnji · 10-01-2014, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bller

Cool, than i would safely go and install it on my system. I would chose XFCE4 as WM, would that be light enough ?

Whatever makes you feel comfy. I am comfy (comfortable) using fluxbox.
I run XFCE (MX-14) on a Acer Aspire One ZG5 with 1 gig of ram OK.

Same specs practically as your netbook or this one.
You might want to check out the MLED thread also since Kikinovak made a XFCE version also.

I listen to his/her radio station myself. It Roks,

dugan · 10-01-2014, 12:05 PM

While we're on the topic of lightweight window managers: let me put in a recommendation for IceWM. It was my favorite for many years.

rokytnji · 10-01-2014, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugan

While we're on the topic of lightweight window managers: let me put in a recommendation for IceWM. It was my favorite for many years.

It is still my favorite also.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ml#post5236866

Edit: The Cloned sister of my SaliX Netbook, (same specs, different distro),

Code:

harry@biker:~
$ inxi -zv7
System:    Host: biker Kernel: 3.12.1-antix.1-486-smp i686 (32 bit gcc: 4.7.3)
           Desktop: IceWM 1.3.7 dm: slim
           Distro: antiX-13_386-full Luddite 01 June 2013
Machine:   System: manda product: Intel powered classmate PC v: Gen 1.5L
           Mobo: N/A model: N/A
           Bios: American Megatrends v: CM94515A.86A.0024.2008.0715.1716 date: 07/15/2008
CPU:       Single core Intel Core N270 (-HT-) cache: 512 KB
           flags: (nx pae sse sse2 sse3 ssse3) bmips: 3191
           clock speeds: min/max: 800/1600 MHz 1: 800 MHz 2: 1600 MHz
Memory:    Using dmidecode: you must be root to run dmidecode
Graphics:  Card: Intel Mobile 945GSE Express Integrated Graphics Controller
           bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:27ae
           Display Server: X.Org 1.16.0.901 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1024x600@53.33hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel 945GME x86/MMX/SSE2
           GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 10.2.6 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:27d8
           Sound: ALSA v: k3.12.1-antix.1-486-smp
Network:   Card: Realtek RTL8101E/RTL8102E PCI Express Fast Ethernet controller
           driver: r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI port: ec00
           bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 10ec:8136
           IF: eth1 state: down mac: <filter>
           WAN IP: <filter> IF: eth1 ip: N/A ip-v6: N/A
           IF: wlan1 ip: <filter> ip-v6: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 63.3GB (55.9% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: KingSpec_KSD size: 63.3GB serial: ZF18613012400045
           Optical: No optical drives detected.
Partition: ID-1: / size: 59G used: 34G (60%) fs: ext2 dev: /dev/sda1
           label: / uuid: dfe6cc48-1f85-47b5-a8ce-a7ea94b42f4b
RAID:      No RAID data: /proc/mdstat missing-is md_mod kernel module loaded?
Unmounted: No unmounted partitions detected
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 50.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 98 Uptime: 11 min Memory: 257.1/2014.9MB
           Init: systemd v: 208 runlevel: 5 default: 5
           Gcc sys: 4.9.1 alt: 4.4/4.7/4.8
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.251 running in roxterm) inxi: 2.2.14 
harry@biker:~
$ inxi -r
Repos:     Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/antix.list
           deb http://antix.daveserver.info/testing testing main
           Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list
           deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ testing main contrib non-free
           deb http://security.debian.org/ testing/updates main contrib non-free
           Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/various.list
           deb http://mozilla.debian.net/ experimental iceweasel-beta
           deb http://www.duinsoft.nl/pkg debs all
harry@biker:~

http://postmyimage.com/img2/579_screenshot.jpg

K-Wizzz · 10-01-2014, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Morgan

I have an Intel Atom N450, 1.2GHz, 160GB HDD, !GB RAM, 10" screen. Too slow for Ubuntu, honestly, but works fine with a lighter DE than Unity/Gnome. I used CrunchBang for a bit, but the WiFi setup required a specially compiled kernel module, for Broadcom. It all works out of the box on Slackware, though. I use Ratpoison for my WM now, on Slackware-current, and all is fine.

How exactly do you configure your window managers, especially ratpoison, evilwm or window maker? Especially when you want to have power and network management.

As far as I got: have to install a tray (from SBo) to include nm-applet and xfce4-power-manager (put to sleep/hibernate after idle time or low battery). But I do not like that idea since both tools produce tray pop-ups that disturb the window management, take window focus, etc.