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Asus N51Vn
Introduction
This is a compatibility guide to running Linux with the Asus N51Vn laptop.
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the Asus N51Vn. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the Asus N51Vn page on LapWik.
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Specifications
For full specifications see the Asus N51Vn specifications page.
| Name | Asus N51Vn |
| Processor | Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9600/P8800/P7550/T6600/T5900 : 2.8 GHz - 2.2 GHz, |
| Screen | 15.6” 1366 x 768 Widescreen |
| RAM | Up to 4GB |
| HDD | 250GB to 500GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW Blueray |
| Graphics | NVIDIA® GeForce® GT240M |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5100 ABGN |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Works | |
| Screen | Works | |
| HDD | Works | |
| Optical Drive | Works | |
| Graphics | Works | Use the proprietary NVIDIA drivers |
| Sound | Works | |
| Ethernet | Works | |
| Wireless | Works | |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Works | |
| Card Reader | Not Tested | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested | |
| Fingerprint Reader | Not Tested | |
| Webcam | Works |
Notes
Ubuntu 10.10 was used with the N51Vn.
Version 2.6.x+ of the linux kernel (ex ubuntu 11.4+) cause the machine to underperform. Details on the bug tracker can be found: https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=42725
Summary
You can enter a summary of how well the Asus N51Vn works with Linux here.
Discussion
Hi all, it looks as if the Linux Kernel Dev's are quitting on debugging this bug.
Kinda sucks but my Asus N52v is getting old anyway I wish I could bring new life to it with LINUX but that really looks like it's not going to happen.
https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=42725
On that thought I also think I'm done buying ASUS products as well, reason being there products jest don't pass the test of time, I own a few Asus products laptops, enthusiast motherboards, LCD's…
Asus and Samsung are on my blacklist now.
Ubuntu 11.10 too slow using any GUI. Mouse responds fine, but GUI applications pause and take time. System Monitor shows CPU @ or near 100% much of the time, despite being at idle.
Tried Linux Mint 12 (Lisa) along Ubuntu, only Ubuntu booted. Loaded Lisa itself and same issue regarding CPU usage. Maxed out and system crawled.
Firefox was unusable for watching any multimedia applications. Audio and Video choppy. Ad Block Plus did not help. Tried Chromium, and got timeout errors on many web pages.
Command line worked fine. Loaded applications fine.
Loading either OS took hours (at least 4). Both were fresh installs with no OS on the system.
Somewhere in the linux kernel 2.6.X a bug was introduced that caused n51vn machines to slow down to a crawl. You can see the bug report here https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=42725
Both Ubuntu and Backtrack 4 run flawlessly. Both nVIDIA drivers from either ubuntu's repository or the newer one from nvidia's website install and run fine. I have the Intel 5100AGN wireless card and it worked perfect out the box with regular connecting and cracking WEP and WPA passwords.
JC,
I had a bunch of issues with my dvd burner.. same one as yours when i first started playing with linux, What i did was flash the burner with about 3 different sets of firmware then eventually went back to the RR09 firmware and got a qtip and cleaned the lens.. and what do you know it works great once again.
I use 9.04 64 bit and 8.04 64 bit
#1 - cannot detect Ethernet. Soultion: use wireless and update kernel
#2 - 8.04 install very slow.
My known issues with ubuntu jaunty 64 bit (asus n51vn-sx019C):
#1 - wi-fi hangs shutdown/restart. Solution: disconnect wi-fi before shutdown.
#2 - nvidia gt 240m only supported by beta driver 190.32. On Logout, shutdown/reboot one gets a fuzzy display.
#3 - HL dvdram gsa t50n cd/dvd drive reads but can't burn (firmware RR09). Workaround: change bios from ide enhanced mode to compatible mode, however, if you have dual boot with vista or windows 7 windows will reclaim.