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HP Pavilion dv2120us
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the HP Pavilion dv2120us laptop. Linux support on the dv2120us is average because of the Broadcom controller included.
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 | HP Pavilion dv2120us |
| Processor | AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-52 1.6GHz |
| Screen | 14.1” WXGA |
| RAM | 1GB |
| HDD | 120GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet, Broadcom 1390 802.11g Wireless |
| Other | 4 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire |
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 | Yes | |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| Card Reader | Yes | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested |
Notes
Graphics
The NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 graphics chip in the Pavilion dv2120us is supported by both the open source 'nv' module and NVIDIA's proprietary 'nvidia' module. Further installation instructions can be viewed at our Configuring a nVidia graphics chip guide.
Wireless
The dv2120us includes the Broadcom 1390 wireless controller which unfortunately does not have any native drivers for Linux. To get wireless working you will need to use the ndiswrapper module. You can view our Configuring the ndiswrapper module guide for more details about ndiswrapper. The windows driver is available from here.
Summary
Because of the Broadcom controller, unfortunately the HP Pavilion dv2120us is not the best laptop to use with Linux.
Discussion
It says this is not the best laptop to use. What is the best laptop or laptop manufacturer if I want to use Linux? I have an Acer as well but when I put Puppy Linux on it I had problems with the wireless card.