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Asus W7S
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Asus W7S laptop.
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 W7S |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2GHz |
| Screen | 13.3” WXGA |
| RAM | 1.5GB |
| HDD | 160GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 8400M |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet, Intel 4965 802.11abgn Wireless, Bluetooth |
| Other | 3 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire, Webcam |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | See notes below |
| Sound | Yes | See notes below |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | See notes below |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| Card Reader | Not Tested | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested | |
| Camera | Partial | Works with the linux-uvc driver, but quality doesn't seem good |
Notes
The ethernet controller needs kernel 2.6.21 or greater to function.
The GeForce 8400M in the Asus W7S is not supported by the open source 'nv' module found in most Linux distributions. In this case you will need to install the proprietary nvidia module, see below for details on how to do this. Recent Linux distributions should be able to support the 8400M in 2D mode but the proprietary modules are needed for 3D support.
The Intel 4965AGN wireless controller in the W7S needs the iwlwifi driver to function. This driver may be difficult to install depending on the kernel and distribution combination you are using. At this time Ubuntu 7.10, Mandriva Linux 2008 and OpenSuSE 10.3 support this controller as standard but you can view the guide below for a more up to date list of distributions which support this controller plus instructions for distributions which don't support it fully.
Like the wireless, depending on the distribution you use, the audio system may not function. In this case you will have to install at least version 1.0.15rc3 of the ALSA drivers. Audio with Ubuntu 7.10 works fine.
Summary
A very recent Linux distribution, such as Ubuntu 7.10, is recommended for the Asus W7S. Older Linux distributions require quite a bit of configuration work but new distributions with at least kernel 2.6.22 work fine.
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