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Asus U30JC
Author(s)
Manifesto, rocku
Introduction
This is a compatibility guide to running Linux with the Asus U30JC laptop.
Most of the tests have been done on ubuntu 9.10.
The product was purchased in France and full reference is : U30JC-QX002V
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the Asus U30Jc. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the Asus U30Jc page on LapWik.
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Specifications
For full specifications see the Asus U30Jc specifications page.
| Name | Asus U30JC |
| Processor | i5-430M |
| Screen | 13.3” HD (1366×768) Widescreen |
| RAM | 4Gb |
| HDD | 500Gb |
| Optical Drive | CD/DVD RW |
| Graphics | double GPU : Nvidia Geforce G 310M and Chipset Intel GMA X4500MHD (arrandale) |
| Network | Attansic Technology Corp |
| Network Wifi | Atheros Communications AR9285 |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes (with recent kernel) | Comments |
| Screen | Tested OK see Graphics | |
| HDD | yes | Comments |
| Optical Drive | yes | Read/write OK, Ubuntu 10.04 |
| Graphics | Tested OK with recent kernel on intel chip, nvidia not tested | See notes below (Intel ok with Ubuntu 10.04 - DO NOT INSTALL NVIDIA PROPRIETARY DRIVERS!! your system hangs completely ) |
| Sound | Yes | Sounds nicely |
| Ethernet | yes | Ubuntu 10.04 |
| Wireless | Yes | Out of the box with Ubuntu 9.10 |
| Bluetooth | yes | Ubuntu 10.04 |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| Card Reader | yes | Ubuntu 10.04 |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested | |
| Camera | yes | Ubuntu 10.04 |
| Suspend/hibernate | yes | Ubuntu 10.04, see Suspend section below |
Notes
This computer comes with 2 graphic units.
To have proper graphics it is required to follow this link.
I use double screen, if the kernel is not recent enough the display on laptop may not be usable making graphical installation impossible.
As I used double screen I was able to do install on external screen.
Installation may be doable with safe graphic mode on single head but I have not tested.
Non X mode installation should go fine.
After upgrading kernel and following above link recommendation, everything is fine for what I have tested.
Double screen is working perfectly (inside X session) with xranrd resizing.
Suspend/hibernate
Under Ubuntu 10.04 suspend or hibernate doesn't work out of the box. The problem is with some internal USB device which I wasn't able to track. The solution proposed here works also for this laptop.
Summary
After upgrading kernel and some few settings everything is working like a charm with ubuntu 9.10.
kubuntu 9.10 were not able to do proper double screen because of what is likely to be KDE bug.
Debian lenny is lacking of recent software but I was able to install, an upgrade may fix problems.
As the HW is pretty new inside this laptop, it is needed to use very recent SW.
Discussion
The nvidia optimus setup on this laptop doesn't work on Linux at this point, and there's no clear sign when it might be supported. Think twice if you're expecting to get anything out of the nvidia GPU. The best that can happen right now is to turn off the nvidia GPU to lengthen battery life (google for “acpi_call”)
Outside of this and the suspend problem, the lappie seems to work alright on ubuntu 10.04.1. Integrated GFX, wifi, sound, function alright.
Actually I read that, using Ubuntu 10.10 and the 2.6.35 kernel, people were able to install nvidia drivers and get them working by blacklisting the intel card, I haven't tried it myself though.
Yea, good point. It seems like a pretty cumbersome workaround, requiring a reboot. At least it shows that nvidia may continue supporting Linux.
Hi, I've this notebook..how can I put the intel card in blacklist? Because with switcheroo module I see that nvidia is power off and works only intel…can you help me to work only nvidia?Thanks.
Your best bet is to follow the linux hybrid graphics mailing list,
http://linux-hybrid-graphics.blogspot.com/
Hi!
How have you managed switching off the Nvidia card?
I both tried vga_switcheroo method and acpi_call method.
I can switch off the Nvidia card, after stopping X, but when I restart X the machine hangs completely and I need to force power off with the power button.
Kernel 2.6.35.
Please send me some details about your working solution. To me, it would be enough to be able to switch the Nvidia card off to improve battery life.
Thank you.
Giacomo.
Giacomo sei riuscito a trovare una soluzione?
Che mi piacerebbe anche a me sfruttare la scheda nvidia
Is there any news about running the nvidia card or is it still only intel for now ? I don't mind blacklisting the intel card and running of the nvidia one 100% of the time if I must.
Added section about suspend/hibernate
Did anyone manage to get suspend/hibernate working? On Ubuntu 10.04 when suspending it shuts down all programs, screen turns black (but does not turn off) and remains like this requiring to restart. Hibernate has similar issues. Any ideas?
Added comments about ethernet, cd-rom writing capabilities and bluetooth.
added some comments to GPU, Card Reader and camera