Linux on the HP Compaq nc8430 Notebook
first at all: my english isn't very
well, because of this i will answer in short sentence, and do not
describe things very detailed. (i am an austrian)
The HP Compaq nc8430
well, keep in mid, that there are many versions of the nc8430 notebook computer...
the following is my configuration:
Intel Core Duo T2500 (2,00 Ghz)
2GB RAM (1GB Kingston module)
100GB HDD (SATA)
Optional Fingerprint Reader
Installation:
Was done, without problems, it took approximately 30 minutes.
Ubuntu Linux is very easy to install, because of this, i have noting to say at this point, because is really easy... *g*
Devices:
| device | status | notes |
| CPU | recognized, works fine with the 686 SMP kernel | just install the linux-image 686 from the repository to enable multiprocessor support |
| HDD | recognized, works fine in native mode | you can turn native mode on or off, the hdd works always fine |
| ATi X1600 Graphics | recognized, works fine with fglrx driver | just install the xorg-driver from the repository to enable 3D support |
| 2GB RAM | recognized, works | no issues |
| Broadcom NetXTreme Gigabit Ethernet | recognized, works | no issues |
| Intel Centrino WiFi | recognized, works | works from the beginning, no issues |
| Internal 56k Modem | recognised, not tested | configureable in "network-admin" |
| FireWire | recognized, not tested | |
| HP Bluetooth 2.0 Module | recognized, works | works fine with kbluetooh...but it must be installed manually |
| DVD+/-RW Drive | recognized, works | tested with K3b and NeroLINUX, no issues |
| Battery | works | no issues |
| Intel HD Audio | recognized, works | works from the beginning fine - pushbuttons for volume and mute (with LED) works all fine |
| Integrated Microphone | works | tested with Skype, no issues |
| Integrated Speakers | works | no issues, see soundcard (Intel HD Audio) |
| Headphone Out/Mic In | works | no issues |
| SD CardReader | works | no issues |
| SmartCardReader | not tried, maybe not recognized (i think so) | no information about a driver or module |
| AuthenTec Fingerprint Reader | Partially, very Partially | there exist a SANE backend, for the fingerprint reader, but its very very experimental (http://gkall.hobby.nl/authentec.html) |
| PCMICA | recognized, works | no issues (tested with a PCMCIA wireless adapter...it works, then PCMCIA must also work) |
| Synaptics Touchpad | recognized, works | no issues (all 3 buttons works - and the hardware emulated scroll wheel) |
| Synaptics TouchStyk | recognized, works | no issues (all 3 buttons works) |
| German Keyboard | recognized, works | euro, at, mü, all keys works fine - no issues |
| USB 2.0 | no problem for Linux *g*, works | no issues |
| ACPI Power Management | works partially | battery, 5 thermal zones, ac adaptor, suspend to disk (could be faster, is very slow) works. "Suspend to RAM is not Supported" |
| LightSensor | software independent, works | sadly HP has no Linux utilities to control such as functions for their notebooks... |
| Trusted Platform Module | Partially | There is a driver for Linux, but i have not tried this driver. |
Currently (this might change very often) the laptop is operating under kernel:
2.6.15-27-686 #1 SMP
General Impressions
At this point, i have to say, that Linux is working on it, better than
Windows XP. On Windows XP the drivers do not work proberly and then
there are serverals bluescreens during the week...(but this could be, because of some configuration missmatch)
This is my first Laptop from HP, and yes, i am impressed. it is slim,
light and look great (business like). This notebook has many
advantages, because it's a business device. For examle it has not a
"mirroring" display (or "TrueBright", "ClearView", or all the other
names). The Laptop has a fingerprint reader, a TMP chip and the smartard reader. Sadly these three devices do not
work with Linux, but this doesn't matter much...
Performance
I had not tested much, because i have no time for this, but the
notebook is much faster than on Windows XP. Also the booting-process is
faster then in Windows XP.
"Xgl" with "beryl" (formerly "compiz") works just fine, in some cases,
the "Blur"-plugin makes the whole system slow (because it costs much CPU time).
When watch HD movies, the player
software "mplayer" says: *****YOU SYSTEM IS TOO SLOW TO PLAY THIS***** when "Xgl with Beryl" is activated.
Contact Information
fabifri at cable dot vol dot at
