This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which drivers you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required drivers have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.

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Page Contents Author Introduction Editing This Page Specifications Linux Compatibility Notes Related Resources Summary

Author

Bill Giannikos (bill2 at giannikos.com.au)

Introduction

This is a guide to running Linux with the Asus F3SV laptop.

Editing This Page

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Specifications

Name	Asus F3SV
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2GHz
Screen	15.4" WSXGA+
RAM	2GB
HDD	200GB
Optical Drive	DVD+-RW
Graphics	NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M
Network	10/100/1000 Ethernet, Intel 4965AGN 802.11abgn Wireless, Bluetooth
Other	USB2.0, Firewire, Fingerprint Reader, Webcam

Linux Compatibility

Device	Compatibility	Comments
Processor	Yes
Screen	Yes
HDD	Yes
Optical Drive	Yes
Graphics	Yes	See notes below
Sound	Yes	See notes below
Ethernet	Yes
Wireless	Yes	See notes below
Bluetooth	Yes
56K Modem	Not Tested
USB	Yes
Firewire	Not Tested
Card Reader	Yes
PCMCIA	Not Tested
Fingerprint Reader	Yes	But doesn't work well
Webcam	Yes	Tested with kubuntu
SPD/IF	Not Tested
TV Tuner	Not Tested

Notes

Most Linux distributions don't support the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M in the Asus F3SV. In this case you will need to install the proprietary nvidia drivers. You can follow the guide below on how to do this.

Like the GeForce 8600M, the Intel 4965AGN wireless controller is not supported by the majority of Linux distributions. Depending on your distribution the installation of these drivers may be quite a difficult process. The Intel 4965AGN guide below will provide an up to date list of distributions which support this driver as standard and a guide on installing them on others.

Kernel versions older than 2.6.22 may not properly support the sound in the Asus F3SV. If that is the case for your setup then you will either need to upgrade to kernel 2.6.22 or to install the latest development ALSA drivers (at least version 1.0.15rc3).

Related Resources

Preparing your laptop for Linux
Configuring a nVidia graphics chip
Configuring the audio
Configuring the iwl4965 driver for the Intel 4965AGN wireless controller
Configuring the webcam
Increasing battery life
Visit this page for more information about using the fingerprint sensor -> http://reactivated.net/fprint/wiki/Main_Page

Summary

The Asus F3SV works well with Linux as long as you use a distribution which is up to date. Currently Ubuntu 7.10, OpenSUSE 10.3 and Mandriva Linux 2008 work great.


Have you installed Linux on this laptop? If so how about leaving a comment about your success in the comments section below.