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Hewlett-Packard nx7400
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Hewlett-Packard nx7400 laptop. The nx7400 is target to the mid range market but ACPI issues hinders this laptop for Linux.
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 | Hewlett-Packard nx7400 |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 1.66GHz |
| Screen | 15.4” |
| RAM | 512MB |
| HDD | 60GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless |
| Other | 3 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Partial | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | Use i810 module |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-hda-intel module |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use ipw3945 module |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Yes | |
| Card Reader | Not Tested | |
| PCMCIA | Yes |
Notes
There appears to be some ACPI problems with this notebook relating to the battery status and fan. I haven't personally tested this, but some users are recommending upgrading the BIOS of this laptop to F.08 as well as using kernel version 2.6.19 or greater. If someone has more information please add it here if you can.
With upgrading to F.08 the ACPI-Problems disapear. You have to do one workaround to have it perfect: Unload psmouse at reboot/halt/hibernate/suspend
nxfanctl to manage fan in nx7300/7400:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/nxfanctl/
Summary
The Hewlett-Packard nx7400 has a few ACPI problem which makes it difficult to use under Linux. However it appears work is being done in this area and once these issues are fixed the laptop would work fine. However as it is now this laptop is not recommended.
I tested this laptop with Gentoo and Debian Etch. Both worked like a charm, with the above mentioned fix I would recommend this laptop at any time for linux use.
Discussion