Dell Latitude D420
Created by: Bill Giannikos,Last modification on Wed 15 of Aug, 2007 [06:00 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.
Authors
Bill Giannikos (bill2 at giannikos.com.au)Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell Latitude D420 laptop. Like its predecessor, the Dell Latitude D410, the D420 is a small laptop with good internals. Linux isn't too hard to setup on the laptop.Editing This Page
View our Editing GuidelinesSpecifications
| Name | Dell Latitude D420 | |
| Processor | Intel Core Duo U2500 1.2Ghz | |
| Screen | 12.1" WXGA | |
| RAM | 512MB | |
| HDD | 60GB | |
| Optical Drive | External DVD-ROM/CD-RW | |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 | |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet + Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless | |
| Other | 3 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire | |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-hda-intel driver |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use the ipw3945 driver |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| SD Card Slot | Yes | |
| PCMCIA | Not Tested | |
Notes
The native 1280x800 display resolution on the Dell Latitude D420 is an issue with Linux when the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 is used. You can find more information about this issue and a guide on fixing it here.Latitude D420 may also come with the Dell 1390 or 1490 wireless network controller. Neither of these cards has been tested at this time.
Related Resources
Preparing your laptop for LinuxConfiguring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950
Configuring the ipw3945 driver for the Intel 3945ABG wireless controller
Configuring the ndiswrapper driver for wireless controllers without native Linux drivers
Increasing battery life
Summary
As long as you have the version of the Dell Latitude D420 with the Intel 3945 wireless controller then this laptop works very well with Linux.Have you installed Linux on this laptop? If so how about leaving a comment about your success in the comments section below.
Comments