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Dell Inspiron B120
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell Inspiron B120 laptop. This is a cheap laptop from Dell with pretty much the minimum available specifications. Linux support is unfortunately hindered by the usage of the Broadcom wireless controller.
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 | Dell Inspiron B120 |
| Processor | Intel Celeron-M 1.4GHz |
| Screen | 14.1” WXGA |
| RAM | 256MB |
| HDD | 40GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD-ROM/CD-RW |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet, Broadcom 4318 802.11g Wireless |
| Other | 3 x USB2.0 |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-hda-intel module |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Partial | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes |
Notes
The native screen resolution of 1280×800 for the Inspiron B120 can be problematic under Linux. More information on this issue can be found on our Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide.
This Broadcom 4318 in the Inspiron B120 does not have any native Linux drivers so you will need to use the ndiswrapper module. For installation instructions you can view our Configuring the ndiswrapper module guide. The windows driver to use with ndiswrapper can be found at the Dell website.
Summary
The Dell Inspiron B120 does require a little Linux expertise for the configuration work. This is not a good laptop to start of with for the first time Linux user.
Discussion
I have this laptop and I can't seem to be able to install any Linux in it. I need help.
I tried Ubuntu,Lubuntu, ubuntu netbook ,and linux mint with no luck. The computer freezes or just stays on background screen with some cursor movement but I never got to the install process with any of them. I already erased the hard drive so there is no going back. Help!
i have extended RAM to 1 GB( 512 already install and 512 mb extended later), but my computer warms faster and doesnot play video clearly…fan also seem to be working fine ..how can i maintain my PC…anybody can help me please…?
As a linux virgin I installed ubuntu 10.04 on my dell inpiron B120. The wireless card was missing the driver but was easily corrected by using the wired network connection and going to System > Administration > Hardware Drivers and the work was done for me. The proper driver was identified and I just had to type my password to activate it.
broadcom nightmare
I have installed Ubuntu 8.10 on the Dell Inspiron B120 and everything works well so far except for the wireless card. Can't get that to work and not even by hooking it up via ethernet to my cable modem. I am a newbie to Linux and any kind of code so trying to make this work is trial by fire lol. The sound card works again (it died with WinXP) so that's a nice surprise but I really would like to get on the internet and make full use of Ubuntu. BTW, I have two Macs in my house and this is my learning tool. My son has made such good progress with Ubuntu on his dual boot laptop that I thought I'd give it a go as well. So far, I'm happy with the OS.
b120n laptop
I have installed 8 different linux os on my laptop and have wireless problems with debian (the one I love) Mempis, gOS and Fedora (all of the releases since Jan 2008)
Have trouble with streaming radio also (WSM Nashville) OpenGEU ,PclinuxoS, Mint and all of the Ubuntu based systems do wireless and radio without a hitch. No I'm not nuts, I'm retired so I have the time to look at things… so if wireless & WSM work the rest is easy, I actually use PclinuxoS to partition when necessary, works great.
Regards