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HP ProBook 6540b
Introduction
This is a compatibility guide to running Linux with the HP ProBook 6540b laptop.
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the HP ProBook 6540b. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the HP ProBook 6540b page on LapWik.
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Specifications
For full specifications see the HP ProBook 6540b specifications page.
| Name | HP ProBook 6540b |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-620M Processor (2.66 GHz, 4 MB L3 cache) - Up to 3.33 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology Intel Core i5-540M Processor (2.53 GHz, 3 MB L3 cache) - Up to 3.06 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology Intel Core i5-520M Processor (2.4 GHz, 3 MB L3 cache) - Up to 2.93 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology Intel Core i5-430M Processor (2.26 GHz, 3 MB L3 cache) |
| Screen | 15.6” (1366×768) Widescreen 15.6” (1600×900) Widescreen |
| RAM | Up to 8GB |
| HDD | 160GB to 500GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW DVD+-RW with Lightscribe Blueray |
| Graphics | Intel GMA 4500MHD ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4550 |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 (2×2) Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 Broadcom 4322AGN 802.11a/b/g/n Broadcom 4312G 802.11b/g |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Working (4 VCPU's with HT enabled) | |
| Screen | Working brightness control and resolution (1600×900) | Brightness control needs recent kernel (2.6.32 works) |
| HDD | Working, needs re-partitioning to install Linux | |
| Optical Drive | Basic CD/DVD reading and writing working. LightScribe not tested | |
| Graphics | Intel 3d acceleration works but needs latest drivers and 2.6.33 kernel | |
| Sound | Working, including shortcut keys | |
| Ethernet | Working, but power save mode must be disabled from bios. System crash otherwise. | |
| Wireless | Works fine | Using module iwl with firmware iwlwifi-1000-3.ucode |
| Bluetooth | Working | |
| Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Working | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| Card Reader | At least MMC cards are recognized | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested | |
| Fingerprint Reader | Not Tested | |
| Webcam | Working |
Notes
You can enter any specific notes with running Linux on the HP ProBook 6540b here.
Tested with a HD+ model having Intel graphics controller and 1600×900 screen resolution.
Initial installation required re-partitioning (all 4 primary partitions are used by HP for Windows 7).
Also newest kernel and graphic drivers were necessary to get the 3d acceleration, resolution and
24-bit depth fully working.
Partitioning notes: One of the four primary partitions has to be deleted (HP_RECOVERY seems to be the safest option) to make room for another partition. Bootloader has to be written to MBR, otherwise the computer will fail to boot from disk.
Summary
You can enter a summary of how well the HP ProBook 6540b works with Linux here.
Discussion
Unusable with my ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4550.
Installation doesn't come to the end. Overheats. :(
hy,
…sorry for my bad english… i m french…
Could you explain how can i re-partitioning the 4 primary partitions without windows (live cd ubuntu ou ubuntu on usb)
On live cd Gparted gives me :
thank you
And what about battery life under Linux with or without special configuration ?
From my experience I have around 2 hours and 30 minutes of battery life when fully charged. Mind you that this is with laptop-mode tools installed. It doesn't compare with win7 though as I can get almost 4 hours out of a full battery.
To Lars:
I did the repartitioning in Windows. Go to “administrative tools” and “Computer management” and under “disk managment” simply select the partition you want to shrink. Right click that partition and select “shrink”. My personal experience is that I need approx. 100 gigabytes for Windows and 100 gigabytes for Linux.
Thanks for the input. However my problem was that I didn't wanted to delete any partitions in order to make room for ubuntu. Sadly it was the only way as all 4 primary partitions were used so I decided to delete the recovery partition in the end - so far no worries. I just hope I never have to restore it
I have just installed Ubuntu 10.04 on my partners new HP Probook 6540b. No problems apart from having to install the wl driver for the Broadcom 4353 wireless card (PCI id 14e4:4353). I also added some drivers etc for playing DVD.
It is fine apart from an occasional loss of wireless connectivity. It happens while my HP netbook and Dell D620 keep working with no problems so something isn't quite right.
I haven't tested the fingerprint scanner or webcam.
Can you explain how you did the repartitioning and also how and which drivers/kernel to get?