Dell Inspiron 1520
Created by: Bill Giannikos,Last modification on Thu 30 of Aug, 2007 [06:53 UTC]
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.
Author
Bill Giannikos (bill2 at giannikos.com.au)Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell Inspiron 1520 laptop.Editing This Page
View our Editing GuidelinesSpecifications
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 1.8GHz | |
| Screen | 15.4" WXGA | |
| RAM | 1GB | |
| HDD | 160GB | |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW | |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400M GS | |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless, Bluetooth | |
| Other | 4 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire, Webcam | |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Partial | See below |
| Graphics | Yes | See notes below |
| Sound | Partial | See notes below |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use the ipw3945 driver |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| SD Card Reader | Not Tested | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested | |
| Webcam | Not Tested | |
Notes
If you haven't purchased this laptop yet try and get one with the Intel 3945ABG wireless controller. Other versions with the 4965AGN and Dell 1390/1490 are harder to get working. The laptop tested here has the 3945ABG which works fine. See the related resources section below for installation details for these cards (the Dell 1390 and 1490 would probably require the ndiswrapper driver).Depending on the kernel configuration of your Linux distribution, the DVD drive may not be able to be detected. Because of this you may need a external USB optical drive or some similar method to install Linux. This is a problem with Fedora 7.
The Nvidia GeForce Go 8400M GS which comes with the Latitude D630 does not work with the nv driver so you will need to use the proprietary nvidia drivers. You can find installation details for the nvidia driver here.
Related Resources
Preparing your laptop for LinuxConfiguring a nVidia graphics chip
Configuring the audio
Configuring the ipw3945 driver for the Intel 3945ABG wireless controller
Configuring the iwl4965 driver for the Intel 4965AGN wireless controller
Configuring the ndiswrapper driver for wireless controllers without native Linux drivers
Increasing battery life
Summary
The Dell Inspiron 1520 needs a little work to configure for Linux but after a bit of work you should have a fully function system.Have you installed Linux on this laptop? If so how about leaving a comment about your success in the comments section below.
Comments
Fedora 8
removed pulseaudio and sound worked
used nvidia driver from livna, compiz-fusion works well
bluebooth works with mouse
webcam works with kdetv
suspend to disk works on lid close and keys, was problem with wifi on resume but seems ok since last update.
haven't tried firewire or card reader
nice fast unit
Laptop For School
The school server is a windows server, so sometime the wireless doesnt connect nd favours the windows guys...also i cant get my built in mic 2 work..oh ya, and if i try to do a dual screen then the laptop screen goes all funny nd the resolution gets stuffed up....if any1 cud help me 2 get these working, it wud be greatly appreciated
thnx, andy p
More infos
Suspend to disc/ram doesn't work out of the box. But at least suspend to ram works when forcing it. Suspend to disc may need some more work.
The SD card reader works fine.
HDD clicking is likely a problem!
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_with_hard_drive_clicking#Seagate_Momentus_7200.1