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Samsung NC20
Author(s)
NC20-User (uno42@gmx.net)
Introduction
The Samsung NC20 works with Linux with quirks.
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Specifications
| Name | Samsung NC20 |
| Processor | VIA Nano processor U2250@1300+MHz |
| Screen | 12'' 1280×800 |
| RAM | 1 GB |
| HDD | 160 GB |
| Optical Drive | none |
| Graphics | VIA Technologies, Inc. VX800/VX820 Chrome 9 HC3 Integrated Graphics |
| Network | Your network connections (Ethernet:Marvell Technology Group Ltd. 88E8040, Wireless:Atheros Communications Inc. AR5001, Bluetooth) |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | ./. |
| Optical Drive | ./. | none |
| Graphics | Partial | see Notes/X11 |
| Sound | Yes | |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| 56K Modem | ./. | none |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | ./. | none |
| Card Reader | No/Not Tested | no success for me so far |
| ExpressCard Slot | ./. | none |
| Camera | Yes | only short test, seemed to work |
Notes
X11
X11 starts out of the box (Debian testing 200908-31), but
- resolution is wrong → extend xorg.conf with line: virtual 1280 800 [see man xorg.conf]
- vesa-driver is used → extend xorg.conf with line: Driver openchrome – openchrome-driver must be at least version 0.2.903
- glidepad works
- problem with dpms-auto-off (my workaround: disabled dpms)
- observed problems with standby-mode
Summary
Success: my daily work with the laptop is ok, some quirks remain (mainly suspend).
Discussion
@rootatlocalhost
Hey have had a look at your step by step installing fedora, pretty keen to give it a try as my xp is in korean and ubuntu doesn't work out of the box. Your instructions seem pretty good, just worried about blue screens!…if I run as a liveCD and don't encounter any problems, then I shouldn't have any problems with the install?
Everything works out of the box with mandriva 2010 one
I tried installing various distros with this laptop. Some of them failed, due to not recognizing the screen resolution (1280×800). These were Ubuntu and Linux Mint.
I've heard that Mandriva installs very nicely. I managed to install Fedora Core 11 without any problems. Everything works out of the box, except for the laptop function keys (controlling screen brightness, etc).
If you want to control brightness, you should install Gnome's brightness applet.
I've written an article explaining how to dual-boot the Samsung NC20 with XP and Fedora Core 11. You can find it here:
http://tinyurl.com/m4p82m
If tinyurl.com doesn't work, the domain is: http://rootatlocalhost.bouldernet.org