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.

Page Contents Introduction Editing This Page Specifications Linux Compatibility Notes General Graphics Ethernet Wireless Hibernation and Suspend Tested on Summary

If you are looking to purchase this laptop you can visit HP's notebook page.

Introduction

This is a guide to running Linux with the HP 6720S laptop.

Editing This Page

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Specifications

Name	HP 6720S
Processor	Intel Celeron M CPU 530@1.73GHz, 540@1.86GHz, 550@2.0GHz or Core 2 Duo T5270@1.4GHz, T5470@1.6GHz,T5670@1.8GHz, T8100@2.1GHz, T8300@2.4Ghz
Screen	15.4" WXGA Widescreen (1280x800)
RAM	1 - 4GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (Limited to 533MHz by the Celeron Processor)
HDD	80 - 250GB 5400 rpm SATA with SMART
Optical Drive	DVD+-RW SuperMulti with DualLayer or DVD/CD-RW Combo
Graphics	Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (Up to 386 MB from RAM)
Ethernet	82562GT 10/100 Network Connection (e1000)
Modem	V.92 56K Data/Fax Modem
Wireless	Intel or Broadcom 802.11abg, Optional Bluetooth 2.0
Input devices	Synaptics Touchpad with Scroll Zone, 101/102-key compatible keyboard with 12 function keys and an integrated numeric keypad
Other	1 x MemoryCard Slot (mini SD/SD/MMC), 3 x USB2.0, 1 x VGA, 1 x RJ45, 1 x RJ11, 1 x Express Card/56, 1 x Stereo headphone/line out, 1 x Stereo microphone in, 1 x 1 AC power, 1 x Kensington Lock

Linux Compatibility

Device	Compatibility	Comments
Processor	Yes	Out of the box
Screen	Yes	Out of the box
Input Devices	Yes	Out of the box (Also all of the function keys)
HDD	Yes	Out of the box
Optical Drive	Yes	Out of the box
Graphics	Yes	See Notes
Sound	Yes	Out of the box
Ethernet	Yes	With current BIOS works out of the box, else see Notes
Wireless	Yes	See Notes
Bluetooth	Not Tested
Modem	Not Tested
USB	Yes	Out of the box
MemoryCard Slot	Yes	SD - Out of the box, MMC - Not Tested
ExpressCard Slot	Not Tested

Notes

General

For proper support for the 6720S you should use kernel 2.6.22 or greater. Ubuntu 7.10 is a good choice for this laptop.

Graphics

To install older Ubuntu, or from Alternative CD you must chose 1024x768@16bit option, or manually add vga=791 to the kernel line, then the instalation will go smooth, and sweet :). Of course install the xserver-xorg-video-intel driver, when you finish the installation.

In Hardy compiz works out of the box.

Ethernet

You must upgrade to the newest BIOS, because the F.07< bioses, were known to have trouble with ethernet drivers in Linux (and also in Windows XP). After that you don't have to add `noacpi` options on boot, as it is said in some forums.

Wireless

• The Intel 3945ABG wireless controller uses the iwlwifi or the older ipw3945 driver. Most recent Linux distributions should support this controller properly.
• The Broadcom BCM94311MCG wlan mini-PCI (rev 02) does not have a properly working native linux driver, so you must use ndiswrapper in distros like Feisty, and Gutsy. In Hardy Beta if you want make it work, you must patch the linux kernel with a proper patch (see forums), or the other, TEMPORARY, way is to remove the b43 nad b43legacy module with `modprobe -r b43` (i don't know why, but blacklisting just don't work), so you must do this every time you start ubuntu hardy and want to use Wireless, without the patch of course), and then use ndiswrapper.

Hibernation and Suspend

It is better to disable them from the beginning, as they won't work well on almost all linux distros, and can be really troublesome.

Tested on

Ubuntu Feisty 7.04, Gutsy 7.10, Hardy Beta 8.04

Summary

As long as you use a recent stable Linux distribution (such as Ubuntu 7.10) you shouldn't have major problems with this laptop, because Wireless, and Graphics have an excellent community support.


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