This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop. The Inpiron 6400 has good support for Linux without any real issues.
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.
| Name | Dell Inspiron 6400 |
| Processor | Intel Core Duo T2300 1.66Ghz |
| Screen | 15.4” |
| RAM | 512MB |
| HDD | 60GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD-+RW |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet + Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless |
| Other | 4 x USB2.0 + 1 x Firewire |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | Use Alsa snd-hda-intel module |
| Ethernet | Yes | Use b44 modules |
| Wireless | Yes | Use the ipw3945 module |
| Wireless BCM | Yes | Use the bcm43xx module |
| 56K Modem | Yes | Use the Dell Linux drivers. |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Yes | |
| PCMCIA | Yes | |
As default the native screen resolution of the Dell Inspiron 6400 is 1280×800, however due to the way the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 functions this resolution would not be usable right away. You can view our Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide for more information.
For best results you need a Linux distribution with at least the 2.6.15 kernel, such as Ubuntu Linux 6.06 or Fedora Core 5.
Discussion
I have been testing BACKTRACK 3 on my 6400Inspiron and in adition to detect my neightbours WAP password, it has been a great experience.
With BT3 wireless compatibility is automatic.
I'm moving on from microsoft to BT as my main OS.