Acer Aspire 1410
This page will eventually hold information to install Arch Linux on the Acer Aspire 1410. Here is the (albeit empty) forum post for discussion: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=626296
This laptop is almost perfect for Linux. It has Intel chipset on motherboard (includes OpenGL 2.0-compatible video) and well-known Atheros network devices (on some models). Even special keyboard and suspend work fine.
Contents
Summary
Specifications
Hardware | Details | Driver/Status |
---|---|---|
Graphics | Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD | Install xf86-video-intel |
Wireless | [8804] Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N Wireless or Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter |
Install iwlwifi-5000-ucode Out-of-box (kernel module ath9k) |
Ethernet | Attansic Technology Gigabit Ethernet
or Atheros Communications Device 1063 |
Works out-of-box |
Audio | Built-in speakers Headphone Jack |
Works Works |
Card Reader | 5-in-1 card reader:
MultiMediaCard™ |
Untested |
Webcam | Chicony Electronics Co. Ltd | Works out-of-box |
Touchpad | Install xf86-input-evdev, xf86-input-synaptics | |
HDMI Out | Works OOTB |
Installing Arch
Pre-Install
If you are receiving errors booting or during the install, try setting the SATA mode to "IDE" in the BIOS. This is not necessary for all users.
During the Installation
Be sure to install the necessary wireless driver (see above), "wireless_tools", and optionally "netcfg" if you would like wireless to work post-install.
Note for beginners: connect to wifi-router directly by ethernet cable, or completely switch-off authentication. After that install Arch from network mirrors, reload and install network-manager with your preferred Desktop Environment.
Post-Install
Kernel Issues
Kernel 2.6.36 and 2.6.37 often freeze the system. Make sure to upgrade to newest kernel. This also fixes issues with the touchpad.
Setup the Touchpad
Make sure to install xf86-input-synaptics. Don't forget to enable the touchpad with <Fn>-F7. The following threads might also be interesting: [1] [2]
Kernel 2.6.36 has an annoying bug makeing the touchpad finicky. A temporary workaround [3] is:
xinput --set-prop "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" "Synaptics Two-Finger Pressure" 280
Please note that since kernel 2.6.38 the touchpad works well and no such fix is necessary.
Fan Issues
If the noise is running too often or making too much noise, try installing the latest version of acerhdfAUR.
Panel aspect ratio
Default mode for this laptop is 1366x768 (widescreen). Different resolutions may look ugly because of whole-screen-stretching. To overcome this do the command from regular user:
xrandr --output LVDS1 --set "scaling mode" "Full aspect"