Dell Inspiron B120
Created by: Bill Giannikos,Last modification on Wed 15 of Aug, 2007 [05:13 UTC]by Bill Giannikos
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.
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell Inspiron B120 laptop. This is a cheap laptop from Dell with pretty much the minimum available specifications. Linux support is unfortunately hindered by the usage of the Broadcom wireless controller.Editing This Page
View our Editing GuidelinesSpecifications
| Processor | Intel Celeron-M 1.4GHz | |
| Screen | 14.1" WXGA | |
| RAM | 256MB | |
| HDD | 40GB | |
| Optical Drive | DVD-ROM/CD-RW | |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 | |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet, Broadcom 4318 802.11g Wireless | |
| Other | 3 x USB2.0 | |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-hda-intel driver |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Partial | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
Notes
The native screen resolution of 1280x800 for the Inspiron B120 can be problematic under Linux. More information on this issue can be found on our Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide.This Broadcom 4318 in the Inspiron B120 does not have any native Linux drivers so you will need to use the ndiswrapper driver. For installation instructions you can view our Configuring the ndiswrapper driver guide. The windows driver to use with ndiswrapper can be found at the Dell website.
Related Resources
Preparing your laptop for LinuxConfiguring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950
Configuring the ipw3945 driver for the Intel 3945ABG wireless controller
Increasing battery life
Summary
The Dell Inspiron B120 does require a little Linux expertise for the configuration work. This is not a good laptop to start of with for the first time Linux user.Have you installed Linux on this laptop? If so how about leaving a comment about your success in the comments section below.
Comments
b120n laptop
Have trouble with streaming radio also (WSM Nashville) OpenGEU ,PclinuxoS, Mint and all of the Ubuntu based systems do wireless and radio without a hitch. No I'm not nuts, I'm retired so I have the time to look at things... so if wireless & WSM work the rest is easy, I actually use PclinuxoS to partition when necessary, works great.
Regards