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Acer Aspire 5742G
Introduction
This is a compatibility guide to running Linux with the Acer Aspire 5742G laptop.
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the Acer Aspire 5742G. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the Acer Aspire 5742G page on LapWik.
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Specifications
For full specifications see the Acer Aspire 5742G specifications page.
| Name | Acer Aspire 5742G |
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i5-460M Mobile Processor (3MB Intel® Smart Cache, 2.53GHz) Intel® Core™ i3-370M Mobile Processor (3MB cache, 2.40 GHz) Intel® Pentium® Processor P6100 (3MB L3 cache, 2.0GHz) |
| Screen | 15.6” (1366×768) Widescreen |
| RAM | Up to 8GB |
| HDD | up to 500GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | NVIDIA® GeForce® 420M graphics NVIDIA® GeForce® 540M graphics |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet Acer® InviLink Nplify 802.11b/g/n wireless LAN |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes/No | GMA HD working fine/NV Optimus not supported |
| Sound | Yes | |
| Ethernet | Yes | BCM57780 |
| Wireless | Yes | AR9287 |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Card Reader | Yes | tested SD 1GB/MMC 1GB/SDHC 8GB |
| Webcam | Yes |
Problems and Solutions
- Problem (at 2011.10.29): screen brightness cannot be changed
- Solution: add 'acpi_backlight=vendor' in /etc/default/grub after 'GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=“quiet splash '
- run 'sudo update-grub' from the terminal
Notes
Ubuntu 10.10 64bit without additional drivers/modules
Summary
everything running fine so far except:
- display brightness can't be changed by default
- only the Intel GMA HD can be used due to the lack of NV Optimus support for Linux
Discussion
Live Start von “DREAM STUDIO” based on Ubuntu 11.10 funktioniert nicht auf dem Aspire !
Dudes, NEVER buy this laptop, or any Laptop with any kind of 'optimus' in it.
As of this one, it's designed to be Linux incompatiable.
You might not have known, but by default the Nvidia graphics chip is turned on doubling the power consumption.
No, acpi_call breaks shutdown/reboot/suspend/hibernate.
Screen brightness can be adjusted by keyboard or Ubuntu control center. You must insert “acpi_backlight=vendor” in /etc/default/grub like this: GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=“quiet splash acpi_backlight=vendor” then type “sudo update-grub2” and reboot.
Linux Mint Debian 64bit
Graphics | YES/YES | optimus technology for GT540m can be used with this package:
https://github.com/z0rc/debumblebee
Tried out other bumblebee configurations for ubuntu 10.04 LTS.. unfortunately they didn't work for me..
Ubuntu 11.04 64 Bit
Webcam | YES | but no mic in skype. Isn't there a mic built into the camera?
Additional Infos:
openSUSE 11.4 64bit
Graphics | IGP YES / NV NO | thx for OPTIMUS :(
Bluetooth | YES | if enabled with Windows :(
Wifi | YES | could be dis/enabled with networkmanager, but this work only once.
Fn+F3 | partly | disable Wifi and/or Bluetooth, didn't enable them
ethernet | YES |
CardReader | YES |
ubuntu 10.10 x86(32bit ) 3miell@gmail.com
Device | Compatibility | Comments
Processor | YES |
Screen | YES* | RES 1366×768 After install nvidia drivers from nvidia.com v 260.19.21, before 800×600
HDD | YES | WD3200BEVT-2
Optical Drive | YES | tested just read / write not tested
Graphics | YES* | RES 1366×768 After install nvidia drivers v 260.19.21, before 800×600
Sound | YES | Speaker tested
Ethernet | Not Tested | because i use wifi
Wireless | YES | AR 9287 works great out of box
Bluetooth | Not Tested* | no bluetooth adapter inside
Modem | Not Tested* | no modem inside
USB | Not Tested jet* |
Card Reader | Not Tested jet |
Webcam | YES | 1,3mp tested on chees, out of box