HP Compaq nc2400 Notebook
<<TableOfContents: execution failed [Too many arguments] (see also the log)>>
1. Hardware information
Manufacturer: HP/Compaq
Model: nc2400
CPU: Intel(R) Core Duo U2500 CPU 1.20 GHz
RAM: 1 GB
Hard drive capacity: 60GB
Display: 12.1" WXGA TFT LCD
lspci 00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS, 943/940GML and 945GT Express Memory Controller Hub (rev 03) 00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03) 00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS/GME, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03) 00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 01) 00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 01) 00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 01) 00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 01) 00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 01) 00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 01) 00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 01) 00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev e1) 00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 01) 00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller (rev 01) 02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5788 Gigabit Ethernet (rev 03) 02:09.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Cardbus Controller 02:09.1 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Texas Instruments PCIxx12 OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller 02:09.4 Communication controller: Texas Instruments PCIxx12 GemCore based SmartCard controller 08:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection (rev 02)
1.1. Standard Features
Hardware Components
This system might be called a Netbook except for the integrated CD-RW/DVD drive.
Linux compatibility, the DVD drive in a small package, and no Windows Vista were key requirements in selecting this notebook.
Low cost was nice too.
2. CentOS-5
Installed CentOS 5.3 from USB SDHC 8 GB media.
2.1. Installation
First installed Ubuntu 9.04 to shrink Windows XP Pro partition (since Red Hat declines to support anything to do with NTFS) and test. Booted from CentOS 5.3 USB installation media (as a test of USB install procedure), and performed GUI install. All defaults (Remove all Linux partitions) except adding packages including KDE, k3b, development packages, and emacs; needed to use advanced GRUB options when installing from USB to write GRUB to the hard disk rather than the USB key. Subsequently performed a fresh 5.4 QA-version install which went fine except for the display blanking part way through. Install completed successfully and reboot was OK.
2.2. Post-installation notes
Video, sound, wired network, keyboard, integrated pointing device all worked out of the box.
CD/DVD read: works
CD/DVD write:works with k3b
LAN: works
Wireless: works with iwl3945 driver and NetworkManager
Sound: works
Video: works
USB: works
Firewire: N/A
Media card reader: N/A
Touchpad or other pointing device: works
- Accelerator buttons (music, DVD, web, other):
Adaptive CPU speed: works
Sense battery level: works
Suspend (manual): not tested
Suspend (close lid): not tested
Fingerprint reader: not tested
PCMCIA: not tested
Connecting with NetworkManager to a "WPA Personal" encrypted network that does not broadcast the SSID has proven a bit dicey at best. What worked for me was following the procedure on the web page cited above, including disabling the network and wpa_supplicant services. Reboot, log in to GNOME, left-click the NetworkManager icon in the top bar on the right (may look more like a mouse than a network icon) and select the "Connect to Hidden Wireless Network..." option. Any other way of configuring such a network seems to fail. Unencrypted networks that broadcast an SSID seem to be no problem. Have not tried WEP or other encryption schemes.