Tag Archives: HP 2140

Now on Ubuntu (HP Mini 2140)

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Oziel needs to use Linux for his masters thesis project and installed Ubuntu. Moving from Windows Vista, he was very pleasantly surprised. Everything was so much faster – install, boot, applications, shutdown. It was prettier. And unlike new installs of Windows, Ubuntu was ready to use with a complete suit of applications after only one reboot.

I had previously tried to install Ubuntu on my netbook (HP 2140), but gave up on the project when I couldn’t get the built-in microphone to work (I want to use Skype). But given Oziel’s positive experience and a new version of Ubuntu I decided to try again.

This time I am happy to report everything works (and happy with Ubuntu) … although the microphone needed some encouragement, and the network card required a proprietary driver installed.

First the network card hiccup. Upon starting Ubuntu I couldn’t connect to the internet wireless or with a cable (a dire situation). However, I just plugging my HTC Tattoo in via USB and the internet worked instantly. With the help of Google I found that Broadcom Corporation BCM4322 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller used in a number of Dell and HP notebooks and netbooks requires a propriety driver. To resolve this:

  1. Check you have the same driver by typing lspci -nn into a terminal window.
  2. Refresh the package list in Synaptic Package Manager.
  3. In Hardware Drivers activate the Broadcom STA proprietary wireless driver.
  4. Relax, you can now connect to a wireless network.

Now connected to the internet I tried to make a Skype call, but was evidently silent. I tried two things to fix this problem, but am not sure which one fixed the problem. Maybe it was both.

  • First try the simpler of the two solutions. Click on the speaker in the top bar and select Sound Preferences …. In the Input tab ensure the microphone is unmuted and that the input volume is at 100%.
  • If that doesn’t work, try the following. From within the Synaptic Package Manager install the linux-backports-modules-alsa-lucid-generic package. Restart and repeat the simple solution.

Happy Ubuntu-ing.

My Picks: Netbook and free software

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On the weekend I bought myself netbook – specifically an HP Mini 2140. I chose this one because of the keyboard. There were cheaper options with a similar spec, but as I will use this to write during my two and a half hours of train travel each day the keyboard was important and I thought the HP 2140 was the best in this regard.

So far I have been very happy. While it is strange going back to Windows XP after OS X, it is not as painful as I expected (except for all the useless bubbles that pop out of the system tray). My intension was to run Ubuntu Remix, but as yet have been unable to get the sound working, which is unacceptable given I want to use my netbook with Skype while travelling. So, given my unexpected happiness with Windows XP, I have decided to stick with it for the time being.

So far I have decked it out with free software, and this has prompted me to get rid of my paid for Mobile Me service.

  • Chrome is the best browser for a netbook as it provides the greatest amount of viewing space on the small netbook screen. This is one of the main reasons I am not jumping to the Ubuntu ship (and will probably end up jumping straight to Chome OS when it arrives).
  • Like my colleagues, I am becoming more and more dependent on Google applications. My current vices are Google Mail and Google Reader. For new mail notification I am using Google Talk.
  • Going back to Windows brings with it the need for anti-virus protection, for which I am using the free Grisoft AVG.
  • Given I am primarily using my netbook for work I will want to open Microsoft Office documents, without paying for Microsoft Office. Thus OpenOffice.
  • Skype has become my de facto phone service provider. I have it on my mobile, and want to be able to use it when I travel.
  • VLC plays every audio and video format known to man. At least every video I’ve ever wanted to listen to or watch.

But the gold star goes to Dropbox, for their ingeniously simple solution for keeping the files in sync between my desktop, work laptop and netbook. Previously I was using Apple’s Mobile Me iDisk, but have found this to be clucky for the price you have to pay, especially when I want to add a Window/Ubuntu machine to the mix. My three day experience of Dropbox showns that when I save a file on my desktop it is up-to-date on my netbook within seconds.

Using Dropbox made me reflect on my Mobile Me account and I have resolved not to renew my subscription. I opened my account when I bought my first Mac in 2006.

  • I used iWeb the webhosting feature for my blog until I became frustrated at not being able to update my blog while I was on holiday, so I moved to WordPress.
  • Next to fall was email. I have a verement dislike for Lotus Notes, so like many of my colleagues decided to use Google Mail instead. It made email so much easier, so I now use it for my personal email too.
  • As I have already said, I gave up my iDisk for Dropbox, because it just works.

Now I only have three Mobile Me services left – photo galleries, calendar and bookmark sharing. As you can see I am moving my photos directly onto this site. I have been thinking about using Google Calendar anyway. And while I am not a big fan will use delicious for bookmarks as paying the Mobile Me fees for this service is ridiculous.

I am still looking for a text editing and firewall software that I am completely happy with. Any suggestions?