Looking through Windows

Posted under Technology by Kimberly on Sunday 31 August 2008 at 8:59 pm UTC

acer_laptop

Well, I have a licence for Windows XP professional, and while I am not one to generally endorse Microsoft. I find myself having installed Windows XP on my Acer Aspire 4315. I’m going to dual boot it with Ubuntu 8.10 when it is released.

My decision to install Windows came from the small hardware issues I was having with Ubuntu 8.04. I was having intermittent wireless problems with the Atheros wireless drivers, Printing issues and various other little things under Linux. I am pleased to say that I have no such problems under Windows XP. I do hope Intrepid (Ubuntu 8.10) will solve many if not all the issues I was having. But for now, Windows XP is working like a dream. I guess I am hoping Linux will have no hardware issues once Windows XP becomes completely unsupported as I will not upgrade from Windows XP to any other Windows version.

I almost hate to say I am running Windows XP on it. :) but, like I said while I am not generally one to endorse Microsoft products. We live in a world where hardware is designed for Windows and is generally better supported under Windows.

I have got everything working like a dream, Sound, Modem, Network, Wireless, Dual View/TV out, Webcam etc…. I have even found Windows Live Writer to be an excellent desktop blogging package.

For those of you looking for Windows XP drivers for Acer Aspire 4315 Notebook. Google search the following drivers. All implement well and so far have given me no cause for concern

AHCI_Intel_v7.5.0.1017_XP
Audio_Realtek_v6.0.1.5413_R167_XP_Vista
Chipset_Intel_v8.3.0.1013_XP32
Lan_Marvell_v10.15.4.3
Modem_Lite-on_v.2.1.77.9
TouchPad_Synaptics_v9.1.11.0_XP32
VGA_Intel_v6.14.10.4847win2k_xp
Wireless_Atheros_V5.3.0.67_XP_XB63_XB62(WHQL)

If you know of better drivers please leave a comment. These work for me but I can’t guarantee they will work for everyone else.. :)


Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid) on it’s way

Posted under Technology by Kimberly on Monday 4 August 2008 at 11:19 pm UTC

I’m just sitting here sneazing my head off, Such a pretty sight :) Not.

I have been reading the Ubuntu Website & Forums

I’m kind of excited about the upcoming release of Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid) You can view the Release Schedule

I guess I’m interested to see how upgrading from Hardy goes on my laptop. The last upgrade I did using a package manager ( yum on Fedora 8 ) left some problems lying around with packages that caused dependancy conflicts with future Fedora 9 updates. It wasn’t really hard to remove the problematic packages from Fedora 8 on Fedora 9. Though it would have been nice if Fedora had taken care of them to begin with. It’s not like they were packages from other repos.

Anyway, It will be good to see how Ubuntu handles upgrading Hardy to Intrepid. Ubuntu 8.10 release is scheduled for 30th October 2008, so I will let you all know how I get on with upgrading my Acer Aspire 4315 laptop.


Acer Aspire 4315 Laptop

Posted under Technology by Kimberly on Saturday 19 July 2008 at 5:38 pm UTC

Acer Aspire 4315 I just bought a new Acer Aspire 4315 Laptop from Dick Smith which came with Ubuntu Hardy Heron. I have to admit I am very impressed with it. I had a little issue with the wireless drivers but it was easily fixed. The only bit that isn’t supported is the 56k modem, as it is linked with the sound system I read that getting the modem to run can screw up the whole install so I won’t bother looking into it. I don’t use 56k modem’s for net connections, It’s either wired or wireless so the modem not running does not bother me in the slightest. The rest of the hardware was supported out of the box with out me having to go though and struggle setting setting up hardware drivers. Skype does some problems with the capture device and I still have a problem with it resetting the capture volumes back to 0, but I don’t see it as too much of an issue at the moment.

I have yet to try my webcam, I will have to do that when I get home as we are in Auckland until Monday. Over all I am very pleased with the Acer and it was cheaper than I was expecting plus it came with a free upgrade to 1gig of ram.