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Asus W7J
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Asus W7J laptop. A nice and small laptop, the W7J's Linux compatibility is pretty good with only a little work required.
This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which modules you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required modules have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.
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Specifications
| Name | Asus W7J |
| Processor | Intel Core Duo T2400 1.83Ghz |
| Screen | 13.3” WXGA |
| RAM | 512MB |
| HDD | 100GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce Go 7400 |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless, Bluetooth |
| Other | 3 x USB2.0, 1 x FireWire, Webcam |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Partial | |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use the ipw3945 module |
| Bluetooth | Yes | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Yes | |
| Camera | No | No drivers currently available |
Notes
For the Nvidia GeForce Go 7400 you can use both the open source nv module and Nvidia's proprietary one. For installation instructions, you can view our Configuring a nVidia graphics chip guide. For 3D support, you will need the proprietary module.
This sound system on the W7J uses the snd-hda-intel module, however the driver does not detect the system correctly. For sound to work you need to enter “options snd_hda_intel model=3stack” in /etc/modprobe.conf. Hopefully this will not be necessary in the future.
For the wired network port to work you need to use kernel 2.6.17 or greater.
Summary
It is recommended to use a Linux distribution which includes kernel verion 2.6.17 or greater, such as Fedora Core 6, for this laptop. There are a few fiddly bits to getting this laptop running under Linux but does seem to work fairly well after it has been configured.
Discussion
The w7j works great under fedora 11, but there are still teething probs.
Still no web cam.
You still need to edit /etc/modprobe.d/local.conf to get the sound to work.
Nvidia drivers can be a nightmare, ensure you “yum install-PAE-devel” or it will put the i586 kernel rather than i686 which causes the nvidia drivers to brick at compiling!
Yum seems to get mixxed up between the I586 and PAE-i686 archs for all packages but i'm not sure if thats a hardware/kernel/yum issue!
Sound
# Edit alsa config file
vi /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base
# and add this line
options snd-hda-intel model=asus
Bluetooth and Firewire
both the bluetooth and firewire work perfectly.
The webcam is being worked on, there's a pay-for-it driver available but I believe there's also some free ones on the way.
Re: Bluetooth and Firewire
Thanks for the info. Can I ask which pay-for-it drivers you are referring too?
No pay-for-it drivers necessary. Drivers in the kernel work fine.
Also, with the latest kernel no weird sound card issues, it works perfectly as well.
The only thing in fact that doesn't work without free drivers is the camera. The camera has pay-for-it drivers at www.linux-projects.com
I refuse to pay however, for something I would barely if ever use in the first place.
I only hope someone comes up with a real free driver in the future.