Last week I upgraded to latest Ubuntu, Maverick 10.10.
Everything seems fine; Ireally suggest anyone of you with a u810 to upgraded asap.
- external monitor: works great
- suspend/resume: works great
- touchscreen: uhm ... the touch driver failed working. As pointed by nerd65536 and mifa (thanks for the fast fix), just with a small modification everything is working again.
So please find here the latest version of the driver !!
Also, following the suggestions from nerd65536, this version fixes the driver problem on suspend/restart, and README instructions are improved.
2010-10-18
2010-09-02
Linux on a U810 - ubuntu install latest kernel
To solve some issues with external monitor, I was suggested by
https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=26833
to install latest kernel. So I did, here are the steps:
1) download *386, *all packages from
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/
linux-headers-2.6.36-020636rc2_2.6.36-020636rc2.201008230905_all.deb
linux-headers-2.6.36-020636rc2-generic_2.6.36-020636rc2.201008230905_i386.deb
linux-image-2.6.36-020636rc2-generic_2.6.36-020636rc2.201008230905_i386.deb
2) install
$ sudo dpkg -i *.deb
=> done, not the new kernel appears in the grub menu !
3) note to main: to de-install:
If you would like to uninstall a mainline kernel anyway, first use:
* dpkg -l | grep "linux\-[a-z]*\-"
to find the exact name of the kernel packages you want to uninstall, and then do:
* sudo apt-get remove KERNEL_PACKAGES_TO_REMOVE
Remember that several packages belong to one kernel version: common headers, architecture specific headers and the architecture specific image.
https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=26833
to install latest kernel. So I did, here are the steps:
1) download *386, *all packages from
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/
linux-headers-2.6.36-020636rc2_2.6.36-020636rc2.201008230905_all.deb
linux-headers-2.6.36-020636rc2-generic_2.6.36-020636rc2.201008230905_i386.deb
linux-image-2.6.36-020636rc2-generic_2.6.36-020636rc2.201008230905_i386.deb
2) install
$ sudo dpkg -i *.deb
=> done, not the new kernel appears in the grub menu !
3) note to main: to de-install:
If you would like to uninstall a mainline kernel anyway, first use:
* dpkg -l | grep "linux\-[a-z]*\-"
to find the exact name of the kernel packages you want to uninstall, and then do:
* sudo apt-get remove KERNEL_PACKAGES_TO_REMOVE
Remember that several packages belong to one kernel version: common headers, architecture specific headers and the architecture specific image.
2010-07-28
Linux on a fujitsu U810 - Lucid setup
As a reminder for anyone upgrading to lucid:
when I booted into X after upgrading to ubuntu lucid, I missed the minimize/maximize/close buttons at the top-right of every window; for some reason, they are not there.
In order to make these buttons reappear, proceed as follows: (info taken from
http://www.baptiste-wicht.com/2010/05/ubuntu-lucid-lynx-buttons-right/)
- start gconf-editor (type gconf-editor at the terminal)
- go to : apps > metacity > general. You’ll see here a key named button_layout with the default value of “close,minimize,maximize:”. To put the buttons like in
the other versions, you just have to edit this value to
:minimize,maximize,close
And then all your windows will have the normal button order at the right of the window title bar.
- if you want to include the window menu, you can change the value to :
menu:minimize,maximize,close
when I booted into X after upgrading to ubuntu lucid, I missed the minimize/maximize/close buttons at the top-right of every window; for some reason, they are not there.
In order to make these buttons reappear, proceed as follows: (info taken from
http://www.baptiste-wicht.com/2010/05/ubuntu-lucid-lynx-buttons-right/)
- start gconf-editor (type gconf-editor at the terminal)
- go to : apps > metacity > general. You’ll see here a key named button_layout with the default value of “close,minimize,maximize:”. To put the buttons like in
the other versions, you just have to edit this value to
:minimize,maximize,close
And then all your windows will have the normal button order at the right of the window title bar.
- if you want to include the window menu, you can change the value to :
menu:minimize,maximize,close
2010-07-24
Linux on a Fujitsu U810, U820 - keyboard lights
short story: it's working !! - keep reading
Some readers of this blog where still missing this feature, so I engaged the daunting task of finding some time and energy to solve this issue. After 5 hours of googling, reading documentation about acpi, linux kernel, reading c code for the linux kernel drivers, googling for ubuntu file repository source files, ... I found the solution, which is very easy:
=> keyboard lights can be easily controlled by accessing the sysfs <=
Since the sysfs is root-only, I have created a small c program, with automatic compile and install, that makes keyboard-lights accessible for any user.
Installation
1 download the fujitsu-kbdlights-0.1.0.tar.gz to any directory in your computer
2 decompress the package (it will create another directory, fujitsu-kbdlights-0.1.0/)
tar zxvf fujitsu-kbdlights-0.1.0.tar.gz
3 compile and install
cd fujitsu-kbdlights-0.1.0
make
sudo make install
4 and in a command shell, you can type
fujitsu_kbdlights on
fujitsu_kbdlights off
fujitsu_kbdlights toggle
fujitsu_kbdlights
5 if you want, you can bind any of the previous commands to a hot-key using any keyboard setup utility
Enjoy typing at night !!
Some readers of this blog where still missing this feature, so I engaged the daunting task of finding some time and energy to solve this issue. After 5 hours of googling, reading documentation about acpi, linux kernel, reading c code for the linux kernel drivers, googling for ubuntu file repository source files, ... I found the solution, which is very easy:
=> keyboard lights can be easily controlled by accessing the sysfs <=
Since the sysfs is root-only, I have created a small c program, with automatic compile and install, that makes keyboard-lights accessible for any user.
Installation
1 download the fujitsu-kbdlights-0.1.0.tar.gz to any directory in your computer
2 decompress the package (it will create another directory, fujitsu-kbdlights-0.1.0/)
tar zxvf fujitsu-kbdlights-0.1.0.tar.gz
3 compile and install
cd fujitsu-kbdlights-0.1.0
make
sudo make install
4 and in a command shell, you can type
fujitsu_kbdlights on
fujitsu_kbdlights off
fujitsu_kbdlights toggle
fujitsu_kbdlights
5 if you want, you can bind any of the previous commands to a hot-key using any keyboard setup utility
Enjoy typing at night !!
2010-07-20
Linux on a Fujitsu U810, P1620, T1010 - Touchscreen IX
Following the request from several users, and a little bit late, I have adapted the driver to work on systems with kernel-compiled usbhid module.
The problem was that, in certain cases (fedora and other distributions) the usbhid module is compiled in the kernel, not compiled as a module. In these cases, the prior script that performs the correct binding of the device to the fujitsu_usb_touchscreen module was not working. Also, the previous script, even it was working, was not very polite and was not following correct computer initialization procedures.
You can find the new driver here.
To follow installation instructions, go read this previous post.
The problem was that, in certain cases (fedora and other distributions) the usbhid module is compiled in the kernel, not compiled as a module. In these cases, the prior script that performs the correct binding of the device to the fujitsu_usb_touchscreen module was not working. Also, the previous script, even it was working, was not very polite and was not following correct computer initialization procedures.
You can find the new driver here.
To follow installation instructions, go read this previous post.
2010-05-14
Fujitsu U810 - Ubuntu upgarde to 10.04, Lucid Lynx
update 2010.09.02: I recently installed the kernel 2.6.36, and then,
- suspend/resume works as expected
- external monitor works great !!
- mouse pointer is ok
- boot is as long as expected
=> so, now I can recommend to upgrade to lucid, as long as you install this kernel release.
To install this kernel in ubuntu, read this post.
This last week-end I took fresh air and made the brave decision to upgrade my U810 to the latest ubuntu, lucid lynx, 10.04, released two weeks ago.
Long story short: don't do it yet.
Details:
- suspend / resume was working flawless in 9.04, and fast; with 10.04, something strange is happening, many times on opening the screen does not resume, and even resuming sliding the power button the machine resumes but external usb devices and monitor don't work, and I have to go through a several Ctr+Alt+F1 - Ctrl+Alt+F7 sequences to have usb devices working back
- external display behaves strange: I wrote 'nomodeset' option in the kernel load commenad line at grub, to have the external monitor working. But :
Working with the monitor tool in System -> Preferences is like a nightmare, sometimes it works, other doesn't, so I have to keep trying selecting the external monitor, then it gives some error, then I select it again, then it works , ....
Many times, when the screen-saver launches, the external monitor gets disabled (some other it doesn't), and I have to go to the Monitor tool nightmare
- the mouse pointer is broken; botom 30% is the usual arrow-bottom, but the 70% rest is the text-entry cursor; even it seems a small annoyance, its a big usability issue; many times I end up pressing options I didn't want to !
- booting seems to me much longer than with previous version ....
In ubuntu 9.04 everything was working very fine, very fast, not even a slight issue; with this version, the problems are too serious to recommend and upgrade, so just wait.
I'll be updating my system as new updates are available, and I'll post back when the issues described are solved.
BTW: the touchscreen driver compiled and works as usual !
- suspend/resume works as expected
- external monitor works great !!
- mouse pointer is ok
- boot is as long as expected
=> so, now I can recommend to upgrade to lucid, as long as you install this kernel release.
To install this kernel in ubuntu, read this post.
This last week-end I took fresh air and made the brave decision to upgrade my U810 to the latest ubuntu, lucid lynx, 10.04, released two weeks ago.
Long story short: don't do it yet.
Details:
- suspend / resume was working flawless in 9.04, and fast; with 10.04, something strange is happening, many times on opening the screen does not resume, and even resuming sliding the power button the machine resumes but external usb devices and monitor don't work, and I have to go through a several Ctr+Alt+F1 - Ctrl+Alt+F7 sequences to have usb devices working back
- external display behaves strange: I wrote 'nomodeset' option in the kernel load commenad line at grub, to have the external monitor working. But :
Working with the monitor tool in System -> Preferences is like a nightmare, sometimes it works, other doesn't, so I have to keep trying selecting the external monitor, then it gives some error, then I select it again, then it works , ....
Many times, when the screen-saver launches, the external monitor gets disabled (some other it doesn't), and I have to go to the Monitor tool nightmare
- the mouse pointer is broken; botom 30% is the usual arrow-bottom, but the 70% rest is the text-entry cursor; even it seems a small annoyance, its a big usability issue; many times I end up pressing options I didn't want to !
- booting seems to me much longer than with previous version ....
In ubuntu 9.04 everything was working very fine, very fast, not even a slight issue; with this version, the problems are too serious to recommend and upgrade, so just wait.
I'll be updating my system as new updates are available, and I'll post back when the issues described are solved.
BTW: the touchscreen driver compiled and works as usual !
2009-12-18
Ubuntu Karmic - Update to Thunderbird 3
Given the fact than, even thunderbird 3 is already released, but not included in standard ubuntu package repository, I went the ubuntuzilla route to have thunderbird upgraded to 3.
Here are the steps, that you can also find here:
command line, as normal user:
synaptics package manager
command line, as normal user
It took about 5 minutes all the process, then restarted thunderbird, and all is fine, and I'm happy!!
Here are the steps, that you can also find here:
command line, as normal user:
echo "deb http://switch.dl.sourceforge.net/project/ubuntuzilla/apt all main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list > /dev/null
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com C1289A29
synaptics package manager
- update
- install ubuntuzilla
command line, as normal user
ubuntuzilla.py -a installupdater -p thunderbird
ubuntuzilla.py -a checkforupdategui -p thunderbird
ubuntuzilla.py -a install -p thunderbird
It took about 5 minutes all the process, then restarted thunderbird, and all is fine, and I'm happy!!
Linux on a Fujitsu U810 - External Monitor in Karmic Koala
After using the 'nomodeset' option explained here, I also found a new improvement:
in order to switch from external monitor to only use LCD, pressing FN+A works as expected, out-of-the-box!!
=> thus, it is not necessary to do the hack explained here anymore !!
Wow, every time this computer is faster and more powerful; I'm using it on a daily basis for work, so I was thinking about switching to a new laptop, but this u810 is getting faster and with more features !
I only miss integrated 3G ....
in order to switch from external monitor to only use LCD, pressing FN+A works as expected, out-of-the-box!!
=> thus, it is not necessary to do the hack explained here anymore !!
Wow, every time this computer is faster and more powerful; I'm using it on a daily basis for work, so I was thinking about switching to a new laptop, but this u810 is getting faster and with more features !
I only miss integrated 3G ....
2009-12-16
Linux on a Fujitsu U810 - Upgrade to karmic koala - External Monitor Update
Following the bug resolution here, I currently have the following setup to have the external monitor working as it was working in Ubuntu's previous version, jaunty:
In file /boot/grub/menu.lst, in the kernel line, I have added the nomodeset option:
And reboot.
I find the screen very nice and sharp, not any flickering even in small lines (I'm working with a 24'', 1900x1200), even better than in previous ubuntu. (Do I have to remember that using windows, maximum external resolution is 1600x768? ;-))
overall, I feel this new version much faster that previous, much more responsive, so I encourage all of you to upgrade asap, you won't be disappointed !!
update: I have even activated compiz, and the system still feels very responsive, so I keep it activated !
In file /boot/grub/menu.lst, in the kernel line, I have added the nomodeset option:
title Ubuntu 9.10, kernel 2.6.31-17-generic
root (hd0,4)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-17-generic root=UUID=<deleted> ro quiet splash nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.31-17-generic
And reboot.
I find the screen very nice and sharp, not any flickering even in small lines (I'm working with a 24'', 1900x1200), even better than in previous ubuntu. (Do I have to remember that using windows, maximum external resolution is 1600x768? ;-))
overall, I feel this new version much faster that previous, much more responsive, so I encourage all of you to upgrade asap, you won't be disappointed !!
update: I have even activated compiz, and the system still feels very responsive, so I keep it activated !
2009-11-27
Linux on a Fujitsu U810 - webcam II
After debugging the camera upside-down issue, here are the final instructions to have the webcam working 100%:
1) install the r5u87x software to download the firmware to the webcam
from the package readme:
2) if your webcam doesn't work yet, reload the uvcvideo module:
as root:
rmmod uvcvideo
modprobe uvcvideo
and then the last lines of 'dmesg' should be:
[ 562.597838] uvcvideo: Found UVC 1.00 device (05ca:1841)
[ 562.610394] input: UVC Camera (05ca:1841) as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb1/1-5/1-5:1.0/input/input19
[ 562.610538] usbcore: registered new interface driver uvcvideo
[ 562.610546] USB Video Class driver (v0.1.0)
And it's done!!!
It works (I have tested it) with cheese, xawtv, skype (the image with skype is horizontally mirrored, but t works).
1) install the r5u87x software to download the firmware to the webcam
from the package readme:
Ubuntu
$ sudo apt-get install libglib2.0-dev libusb-dev build-essential gcc automake mercurial
$ hg clone http://bitbucket.org/ahixon/r5u87x/
$ cd r5u87x
$ make; make rules
$ sudo make install
$ sudo r5u87x-loader --reload
r5u87x-loader will automatically be run on boot when it detects your webcam.
2) if your webcam doesn't work yet, reload the uvcvideo module:
as root:
rmmod uvcvideo
modprobe uvcvideo
and then the last lines of 'dmesg' should be:
[ 562.597838] uvcvideo: Found UVC 1.00 device
[ 562.610394] input: UVC Camera (05ca:1841) as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb1/1-5/1-5:1.0/input/input19
[ 562.610538] usbcore: registered new interface driver uvcvideo
[ 562.610546] USB Video Class driver (v0.1.0)
And it's done!!!
It works (I have tested it) with cheese, xawtv, skype (the image with skype is horizontally mirrored, but t works).
2009-11-24
Linux on a Fujitsu U810 - webcam
update 2009.11.27: please go to this post for webcam setup, where easier instructions and links to latest versions of software is included !!
With the U810, the webcam has two annoyances:
- the webcam is windows based, to webcam's firmware is in the windows driver, and needs to be downloaded to the webcam before using it
- the webcam is mounted upside down, so in some cases you may see the image upside down; it's needed to make the driver to automatically flip back the image, unless the video application can do it
1) to have the webcam firmware load to the webcam, you have to have the "R5U87x Userspace Tools" available here: http://bitbucket.org/ahixon/r5u87x/src/
having that package installed and compiled, then, as root, first unload the webcam module and then run the command to load the firmware:
will load the correct firmware to the webcam.
This action must be done on every computer reboot; I haven't automated this step, but it should be fairly easy to do.
2) once the webcam is set, just loading the kernel module will find the webcam; as root just type:
running dmesg you can see that the webcam is now detected:
and from this point on the webcam is available in video apps like cheese or skype.
In cheese, there is one video filter which you can activate to automatically flip back the image, so it's not upside down.
To have the image automatically upside down back, so it shows ok, last time I checked I needed to manually apply a patch to the uvcvideo module, since this module didn't have any option to activate this 'filter' automatically; I'll check again later ...
update: I have already contacted someone that may help having this upside down annoyance fixed, so keep tuned for more info !!
With the U810, the webcam has two annoyances:
- the webcam is windows based, to webcam's firmware is in the windows driver, and needs to be downloaded to the webcam before using it
- the webcam is mounted upside down, so in some cases you may see the image upside down; it's needed to make the driver to automatically flip back the image, unless the video application can do it
1) to have the webcam firmware load to the webcam, you have to have the "R5U87x Userspace Tools" available here: http://bitbucket.org/ahixon/r5u87x/src/
having that package installed and compiled, then, as root, first unload the webcam module and then run the command to load the firmware:
# rmmod uvcvideo
# ./loader
r5u87x firmware loader v0.2
Searching for device...
Found camera: 05ca:1841
Camera reports negative microcode state.
Sending microcode to camera...
Enabled microcode.
Camera reports microcode version 0x0103.
Successfully uploaded firmware to device 05ca:1841!
will load the correct firmware to the webcam.
This action must be done on every computer reboot; I haven't automated this step, but it should be fairly easy to do.
2) once the webcam is set, just loading the kernel module will find the webcam; as root just type:
# modprobe uvcvideo
running dmesg you can see that the webcam is now detected:
[81252.074453] uvcvideo: Found UVC 1.00 device(05ca:1841)
[81252.077719] input: UVC Camera (05ca:1841) as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.7/usb1/1-5/1-5:1.0/input/input25
[81252.077863] usbcore: registered new interface driver uvcvideo
[81252.077871] USB Video Class driver (v0.1.0)
and from this point on the webcam is available in video apps like cheese or skype.
In cheese, there is one video filter which you can activate to automatically flip back the image, so it's not upside down.
To have the image automatically upside down back, so it shows ok, last time I checked I needed to manually apply a patch to the uvcvideo module, since this module didn't have any option to activate this 'filter' automatically; I'll check again later ...
update: I have already contacted someone that may help having this upside down annoyance fixed, so keep tuned for more info !!
2009-11-16
Linux on a Fujitsu U810 - Upgrade to karmic koala
Yesterday I was brave enough to upgrade my reliable jaunty to an unpredictable karmic, so here are my results so far:
- touchscreen driver - works ok
I just reinstalled it just typing, with the latest version,
make clean
make
sudo make install
and it worked OK
- external monitor - I'm having some issues:
Update: also read this update
*) in order to have the monitor work, I have to plug it once ubuntu is started (was ok on jaunty)
*) my monitor is 1920x1200, the maximum I get is 1360x768 (was ok on jaunty)
I have just opened a bug in the video-intel group at xorg, https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=25115
- suspend/resume - works ok!
- fujitsu buttons driver (fjbtndrv) - works ok
- webcam - works ok!
- touchscreen driver - works ok
I just reinstalled it just typing, with the latest version,
make clean
make
sudo make install
and it worked OK
- external monitor - I'm having some issues:
Update: also read this update
*) in order to have the monitor work, I have to plug it once ubuntu is started (was ok on jaunty)
*) my monitor is 1920x1200, the maximum I get is 1360x768 (was ok on jaunty)
I have just opened a bug in the video-intel group at xorg, https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=25115
- suspend/resume - works ok!
- fujitsu buttons driver (fjbtndrv) - works ok
- webcam - works ok!
2009-08-21
Linux on a Fujitsu U810, U820, P1620, P1630, T1010, B8260 - Touchscreen X
andrew, a reader of this blog, has posted a comment noting that this linux touchscreen driver also works on a fujitsu p1630, so p1630 owners, welcome to this blog!
2009-07-17
Linux on a Fujitsu U810, P1620, T1010, B8260 - Touchscreen IX
An anonymous user has sent a comment where s/he tells me that the fujistu_usb_touchscreen driver is also working for the Fujitsu B8260!
Thanks for the comment; I'll update the docs!
Thanks for the comment; I'll update the docs!
2009-07-15
Linux on a Fujitsu U810, P1620, T1010 - Touchscreen VIII
Following a request from a user, I have adapted the driver to work on a Fujitsu T1010.
The problem was that, for an unknown reason, when running the calibration script, inside the driver code -1 was considered bigger than 94. I think that behavior must be because of some integer sign issues either because the new kernel, either because who knows; the truth is that this comparison works fine in my system, but doesn't on the T1010.
So, if you find that the calibration script doesn't work properly, then update to this newer version and try again.
Thanks to draco, for reporting the driver works on a T1010, for reporting the bug and letting me remote connect to his computer to debug the driver.
uname -a was:
Linux xxx 2.6.28-13-generic #45-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jun 30 22:12:12 UTC 2009 x86_64 GNU/Linux
You can find the new driver here.
To follow installation instructions, go read this previous post.
The problem was that, for an unknown reason, when running the calibration script, inside the driver code -1 was considered bigger than 94. I think that behavior must be because of some integer sign issues either because the new kernel, either because who knows; the truth is that this comparison works fine in my system, but doesn't on the T1010.
So, if you find that the calibration script doesn't work properly, then update to this newer version and try again.
Thanks to draco, for reporting the driver works on a T1010, for reporting the bug and letting me remote connect to his computer to debug the driver.
uname -a was:
Linux xxx 2.6.28-13-generic #45-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jun 30 22:12:12 UTC 2009 x86_64 GNU/Linux
You can find the new driver here.
To follow installation instructions, go read this previous post.
Ubuntu automatic updates
Since I moved to Ubuntu 9.04, jaunty jalopnik (or something like that, to lazy to check), I lost automatic updates.
Even I had all settings set so I wanted to check for updates daily, and be notified when new updates were available, it was not working; the system was not doing the automatic fetch of new updates, so I was doing manual updates.
But that finished yesterday, when I looked into the issue. To make it short: the problem is that the automatic updates procedure does not run on a daily basis, not that the notification icon that I liked very much on ubuntu 8.04 was not appearing.
To solve that, I noticed that in /etc/cron.daily there was a script called apt, which is the one to make the daily updates, so that was fine.
But the problem is that this file didn't have the proper execution permissions, so, as root, I typed in the console:
update: at http://www.watchingthenet.com/how-to-restore-automatic-update-notification-icon-in-ubuntu-9-04.html i found the solution to restore update manager notification icon: open geconf-editor (in a terminal type 'gconf-editor &') and unselect the key '/apps/update-notifier/auto_launch' See the screenshot below!
Even I had all settings set so I wanted to check for updates daily, and be notified when new updates were available, it was not working; the system was not doing the automatic fetch of new updates, so I was doing manual updates.
But that finished yesterday, when I looked into the issue. To make it short: the problem is that the automatic updates procedure does not run on a daily basis, not that the notification icon that I liked very much on ubuntu 8.04 was not appearing.
To solve that, I noticed that in /etc/cron.daily there was a script called apt, which is the one to make the daily updates, so that was fine.
But the problem is that this file didn't have the proper execution permissions, so, as root, I typed in the console:
chmod ugo+x /etc/cron.daily/aptNow I have daily updates back! Now the problem that I'm facing is that when new updates are available, update manager starts automatically showing the update manager screen, instead of just the notification icon. I think I read about this issue somewhere, and a gconf setting needs to be set to solve this problem. I'll update this post once I solve this last nuisance.
update: at http://www.watchingthenet.com/how-to-restore-automatic-update-notification-icon-in-ubuntu-9-04.html i found the solution to restore update manager notification icon: open geconf-editor (in a terminal type 'gconf-editor &') and unselect the key '/apps/update-notifier/auto_launch' See the screenshot below!
2009-07-10
Linux on a Fujitsu U810 - X Graphics Performance
After upgrading to ubuntu 9.04, and setting up the latest intel video driver repository to be able to work with an external monitor, I was fiddling a little with some internal-external monitor.
Then, some days later, I notice I was experiencing X was extremely slow; when running glxgears, I was getting about 60fps, scrolling a web page on firefox was flickering, and I was a little on misery. I thought that was the price, so I've been like that for one month.
But yesterday it was enough!
I send the 'grep 'EE' /var/log/Xorg.0.log' command, and I saw the following error in the X log file:
intel(0): Cannot support DRI with frame buffer width > 2048
So after some googling, what I did was to look at the xorg.conf file. For some unknown reason to me, I had the following
So after restoring the Virtual values to 2048 2048, and restarting X, now graphics was much improved!!
Now glxgears gives me 530fps, a x10 increase in performance, and it really is much more responsive!!
I found some other suggestions in the net that didn't work:
- include Option "AccelMethod" "xaa" -> the computer hung
- include the command export INTEL_BATCH=1 to my .bashrc -> no effect
I have to investigate these other suggestion found:
Option “PageFlip” “true”
Option “TripleBuffer” “true”
Option “XvMC” “true”
Option “XvMCSurfaces” “7″
I'll update this post once I test this options.
Then, some days later, I notice I was experiencing X was extremely slow; when running glxgears, I was getting about 60fps, scrolling a web page on firefox was flickering, and I was a little on misery. I thought that was the price, so I've been like that for one month.
But yesterday it was enough!
I send the 'grep 'EE' /var/log/Xorg.0.log' command, and I saw the following error in the X log file:
intel(0): Cannot support DRI with frame buffer width > 2048
So after some googling, what I did was to look at the xorg.conf file. For some unknown reason to me, I had the following
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
Device "Configured Video Device"
SubSection "Display"
Virtual 5094 2048
EndSubSection
EndSection
So after restoring the Virtual values to 2048 2048, and restarting X, now graphics was much improved!!
Now glxgears gives me 530fps, a x10 increase in performance, and it really is much more responsive!!
I found some other suggestions in the net that didn't work:
- include Option "AccelMethod" "xaa" -> the computer hung
- include the command export INTEL_BATCH=1 to my .bashrc -> no effect
I have to investigate these other suggestion found:
Option “PageFlip” “true”
Option “TripleBuffer” “true”
Option “XvMC” “true”
Option “XvMCSurfaces” “7″
I'll update this post once I test this options.
2009-06-10
Flashblock extension for Firefox
Lately I'm experiencing high cpu usage when navigating the internets, specially due to the fact that flash is now everywhere: ads, videos, image scrolls, graphics, animations, ...
Flash has became an essential tool not only in bad-designed websites, I mean, even google uses it!!
Since Flash support in linux is very badly implemented, and my now-more-than-1-year-old u810 is not such a powerful computer, I decided to install the 'flashblock' extension.
With this plugin enabled, instead of flash automatically clogging my system, for each flash object a squared box appears with a play button inside, which when being pressed then plays the flash.
It works very well and avoids my computer look like hung when anvigating or opening multiple tabs in firefox.
P.D.- I'm still waiting for adobe to release a decent flash player for linux, when will that happen please?
Flash has became an essential tool not only in bad-designed websites, I mean, even google uses it!!
Since Flash support in linux is very badly implemented, and my now-more-than-1-year-old u810 is not such a powerful computer, I decided to install the 'flashblock' extension.
With this plugin enabled, instead of flash automatically clogging my system, for each flash object a squared box appears with a play button inside, which when being pressed then plays the flash.
It works very well and avoids my computer look like hung when anvigating or opening multiple tabs in firefox.
P.D.- I'm still waiting for adobe to release a decent flash player for linux, when will that happen please?
2009-05-27
Grab and Drag extension for Firefox
A month ago I read about a firefox extension that would help screen panning for touchscreen users.
Since touchscreen in my u810 was not working, I had to first make the touchscreen work, thus I programmed the fujitsu_usb_driver.
So that, last week I installed this extension, which can be found here.
I've been using it during all this last week, and I can tell you that it works very well, it's reliable, and I find it very useful. So that, I recommend you to try it if you use a touchscreen tablet computer.
I find it so useful that I even use it when using an external mouse!
Don't hesitate to go to its website and take a look at the screenshoots.
P.D.- I have not any relationship with the developer(s) whatsoever, just talking as a normal user for this plugin...
Since touchscreen in my u810 was not working, I had to first make the touchscreen work, thus I programmed the fujitsu_usb_driver.
So that, last week I installed this extension, which can be found here.
I've been using it during all this last week, and I can tell you that it works very well, it's reliable, and I find it very useful. So that, I recommend you to try it if you use a touchscreen tablet computer.
I find it so useful that I even use it when using an external mouse!
Don't hesitate to go to its website and take a look at the screenshoots.
P.D.- I have not any relationship with the developer(s) whatsoever, just talking as a normal user for this plugin...
2009-05-19
Linux on a Fujitsu U810, P1620 - Touchscreen VII
New update of the touchscreen driver package: the driver was not working ok when the screen was rotated.
I think that now, accuracy is good in all screen orientations.
Follow the instructions in this earlier post for download and installation.
I think that now, accuracy is good in all screen orientations.
Follow the instructions in this earlier post for download and installation.
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