***
NOTE:
This thread is old, it's no more updated.
If you plan to install Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) or Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx), check this other thread:
HOWTO: Use the repository on K/Ubuntu 9.10 and 10.04
***

I setup a new repository dedicated to NC10, with the purpose to simplify the Ubuntu installation and configuration on our NC10.

You can find it here: https://launchpad.net/~voria/+archive/ppa

This repository replaces my old howtos; however they are good yet, if you want to continue to set up your installation the old way.
This is the list of packages contained in it:

- 915res
- acpi-support
- alsa-modules
- arandr
- gnome-power-manager
- hal-info
- hostapd
- linux-backports-modules
- module-init-tools
- nc10-fb
- nc10-scripts
- network-manager
- usplash
- usplash-theme-ubuntu
- usplash-theme-ubuntu-blue
- usplash-theme-ubuntu-green
- xserver-xorg-input-synaptics

Now a little howto for using the repository.

I wrote the following instructions starting from a freshly installed Ubuntu, with 'proposed' repositories enabled and all the latest updates installed.
If you already followed my old howtos, there will be no problems because all the packages in repository have version number greater than my old packages. So, they will be updated to latest versions anyway.

First thing to do, let's add the repository to our installation.

Go to 'System'->'Administration'->'Software Sources'.
Click on 'Third-Party Software', 'Add' and paste one of the following lines, depending on your Ubuntu version.

if you are using Karmic:

if you are using Jaunty:

If you are using Intrepid:


then click on 'Add Source'.

If you need the source code, add this line too:

for Karmic:

for Jaunty:

for Intrepid:


Now go on 'Updates' and make sure the option 'Pre-released updates (*-proposed)' is enabled.

Click on 'Close', then 'Reload'.
An error will popup for security reasons, due to the missing GPG signing key.

Open a terminal and launch this command

This will install the GPG key for the repository.
You will have to confirm the operation, typing 'Yes' means you trust my repository (me ).

Now the repository is enabled, just update the system to latest versions to have all the issues with Ubuntu on NC10 automatically fixed.

Here is a summary of all the issues and their fixes.

- The FN keys issue
Automatically fixed with official kernel 2.6.27-13 and newers.

- The brightness problem with gnome-power-manager and the FN-F5 key
Automatically fixed.
To enable the FN-F5 key you have to install the nc10-scripts package, containing the needed script, that will be automatically mapped to the key.
However, if you already have a local configuration in your user home for hotkeys, this has the precedence over the global one.
To use the global one, you need to delete the following configuration files in your home:

Notice that this way any other manually configured hotkey is lost too. You have to reconfigure them.

NOTE:
If you are on Jaunty, you have to enable the 'commands' plugin in advanced compiz configuration in order to use keybindings.
Install the compizconfig-settings-manager package to get the advanced compiz configuration manager.

- Enable the wireless card (with RFKILL support) and the FN-F9 key
Just install the linux-backports-modules-jaunty package if you are on Jaunty, or the linux-backports-modules-intrepid package if you are on Intrepid.
To enable the FN-F9 key you have to install the nc10-scripts package, containing the needed script, that will be automatically mapped to the key. Also, a new rule is added to sudo configuration file in order to run the script with no password needed. Like the FN-F5 key, you have to delete the user local configuration (if it exists and it was created before the new package was installed) to use the global one.

- The sensitivity issue with the touchpad
Automatically fixed.

- The excessive Load Cycling problem
Automatically fixed.
At your choice, you can change the default options for laptop-mode in /etc/laptop-mode/laptop-mode.conf file. More informations here.

- Update ALSA drivers
Just install the alsa-modules package.

- Enable the FN-F4 key
Check this howto for more info.

All you have to do now is to setup all the remaining unused FN keys the way you want, you can find more instructions here.

Happy 'ubuntuing' with your NC10!

Added the status for FN-F5 key.

Updated the status for FN-F9 hotkey.

I put the 'metacity-common' package back to the original state from Ubuntu, then I moved the 'lcdonoff.sh' and 'wlonoff.sh' scripts respectively in 'gnome-power-manager' and 'linux-backports-modules' packages.
This way things are more logical.

Because of this change, an error *may* pop up while upgrading to latest packages, followed by a "send report" window. Just ignore and close it. Then re-do the upgrade to put all the things to the right places.

VoRia, you are the best.
I did as you advised: enabled proposed repositories and updated it to 2.6.27-13; then I added your repository and updated; finally I did the Fn-F5 fix. Everything just works including the F9
I am now to update the ALSA drivers to the new Ubuntu as you mentioned to fix the F6 muting issue.
Thanks a million once again.

I'm glad that everything works nice for you too.

If you have any question or idea to make the repository work better, let me know!

Thanks for doing this. I've been waiting for just such a thread before trying out Ubuntu on my sammy.

Not everything has worked for me. No sound or wifi, and external display is highly problematic (a general problem that relates to linux and gnome). I have done few things (I did not remember all, and probably most of them were mistakes), copy the xorg.conf of the Ubuntu wiki and everything was finally working appart external display too much problematic. I will use XP when I teach with projector.

Remark
The xorg.conf (of Ubuntu wiki) does not match your update: Four wide displacements are necessary to go accross the screen.

Ubuntu Light
- Because NC10 is standardized, is it possible to build a live cd from a standard install once jaunty is out?
- Or try to adapt the tutorials (see later links) to build a minimal ubuntu adapted to the NC10?
- With additionnal info to install Ubuntu remix package (already done in Ubuntu wiki).
http://wiki.dennyhalim.com/
http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20081215

Regards

Concerning the sound and wifi, you can find the needed packages for making them work on my repository.
Concerning the external display, it's the last thing that needs to be fixed.
The xorg.conf file found on the Ubuntu wiki simply extends the Virtual Desktop size up to the video card hardware limit (2048x2048), making possible to extend desktop on multiple monitor. I'm not sure if it is of any use if you only need to clone the screen on external display.
Anyway, at the moment the FN-F4 key does not work at all, the only way to use an external display is through the 'Screen'->'Preferences'->'Screen Resolution' tool. And I really don't like it. Instead, I've found a nice app here, and I'm considering to add it to my repository, and to map it automatically to the FN-F4 key. With that utility, you can configure the external display with just some mouse clicks.
I suggest to try it.



I'm sorry, I don't understand what you are referring to. None of my fixed packages modifies the xorg.conf file.



Yes, it would be possible to build a customized livecd (like it happens with other netbook series), but I really don't have the time to mantain such a thing.
In my opinion the repository is enough for now, however I would be happy if someone wants to take the initiative to do something bigger, and I would give an hand for sure.
It would be really nice if the entire community can work on something like this.

*Sound and wifi
I have used your repository after a new install. I do not know really why sound was not working at first. Concerning Wifi, it seems that it is a problem of Network Manager that is sometimes unable to access to wifi. I disconnect the wired connection, erase my previous wireless config, create a new wifi... and then everything was ok (but I have spent some times before to understand that the problem can be resolved simply... I have believed it was because of my security options of my network).

*The xorg.conf file found on the Ubuntu wiki simply extends the Virtual Desktop size up to the video card hardware limit (2048x2048).
It's the maximal resolution Compiz can support. However, user has to care that all resolutions up to 2048 are then proposed (thus xorg.conf can be configured to specify only the possible resolutions).
The functional problems are general and described at: http://nc10linux.wordpress.com/2008/12/ ... l-screens/
I have already tested python-randr. Apparently the best one but a huge amount of Qt libraries are needed. Python-randr apparently fails to switch when you select mirror or extend function. That can be problematic. I have tested an alternative gtk one (they are 5-6) and unfortunately forget the name of most of all.
In my point of view the best way is probably to toggle display only to the external screen and automatically toggle to the internal one when external display is off (I configure XP to do so). NC10 screen is small, thus if you stand up by the side of your presentation you can not look at your LCD screen (like those of bigger notebooks) to control it. However the standard screen monitor does not allow this simple configuration. This solution allows to connect projector or screen of various resolution without any problems created by the special 1024x600 resolution of the internal screen. It is therefore the most generic one. I have been unable to arrive to this solution using xrandr commands.

* The xorg.conf (of Ubuntu wiki) does not match your update: Four wide displacements are necessary to go accross the screen. I'm sorry, I don't understand what you are referring to. None of my fixed packages modifies the xorg.conf file.
It was just that I have applied the xorg.conf of the Ubuntu wiki and update with your repository. Just to inform user that the touchpad option into the xorg.conf are not done taking into account your patches.

* Ubuntu light
I am not a specialist, and do not think maintain a new live cd (especially entirely customized) is of interest. But is any live cd builds with the standard tool already included in Ubuntu works in any NC10? That could simplify the process of Ubuntu install on NC10. We don't care about the size of the iso because we use USB key.

I 'd like to test and adapt the tutorials (see previous messages) for the NC10. However I did not know all the absolute necessary packages for the netbooks. Furthermore, I'd like to wait that all patches will be included into Jaunty and standard repositories before spending time on this project.

The ALSA modules for audio are included in official kernels, my repository does not touch them unless you manually install the alsa-modules package (a custom package on my repository that install a newer ALSA version, needed if you want to fix the problem with the FN-F6 key). Anyway, I'm glad that both sound and wifi work for you now.



I'm testing python-randr with my 19" monitor and it's working good with all the combinations I tried (cloned, extended, all resolutions supported by my monitor).
Anyway, what I like about python-randr is the Layout capability. At the moment you can save different layouts with different options and activate them with just one click. I sent an email to the developer asking for a way to load a layout directly from the command line, without having to load the entire gui. It would be very nice for scripting stuff. My idea is to use the gui just to configure the needed layouts, then use a script (mapped to the FN-F4 key) to switch those layouts. We'll see, I'm waiting for his answer.



I completely missed the point, sorry



You can use any livecd you want with the NC10, just as you do with any other x86 pc. There are no differences.
And I'm pretty sure that Jaunty will officially fix all the issues we are having with Intrepid, so the standard livecds will make everything work out of the box.
Honestly, I do not see anything that should be adapted in the tutorials that you linked

There is a new linux-backports-modules package on the repository.
For the changelog, look here.

Very nice, this repository probably saved hours of work for me

For me, it did NOT work with a fresh jaunty install, only with an intrepid one. (i use pxe boot, maybe the installation medium matters).
With intrepid, after following your guide, pretty much everything works but sound. Going to bed now, I'll try to fix that tommorrow.

On a side note, gmail thinks the activation email for this forum is spam.

edit: Nevermind, audio works just fine after all. for some reason, the gnome-volume-control muted the front speakers (obviously the only ones..).

I have one remaining question. How do I enable/disable bluetooth/webcam? I'm sure that saves a little bit more power

First of all, welcome


My repository does not contain any package for jaunty. It's only for intrepid (for now).



Thanks for the info, we'll take a look on that.



The ALSA modules included in the latest kernel available on intrepid (2.6.27-13) work good except for the FN-F6 key (a popup is shown when the key is pressed but audio is not muted/unmuted). To fix this, simply install the alsa-modules package from my repository. This will install newer ALSA modules (it's ONLY for 2.6.27-13 kernel).



Take a look here.

Thanks for the fast answer!

Obviously, I installed all packages from your repository before posting.

I did not try your packages but your guides on jaunty - using (several) atkh5 versions, I was able to load a driver and find networks, but never able to connect (syslog: timeout for dhcpdiscover).

I am also experiencing quite a lot of kernel panics, no idea why.

Another thing: What would be the best way to disable automatic loading of BT/Webcam modules? Currently, they're always on after boot, and I have to disable them after every reboot. Rather than doing so, I'd like to have to specifically enable them.