Hewlett-Packard nx7400
Created by: Bill Giannikos,Last modification on Thu 16 of Aug, 2007 [07:45 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.
If you are looking to purchase this laptop you can visit HP's notebook page.
Authors
Bill Giannikos (bill2 at giannikos.com.au)Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Hewlett-Packard nx7400 laptop. The nx7400 is target to the mid range market but ACPI issues hinders this laptop for Linux.Editing This Page
View our Editing GuidelinesSpecifications
| Name | Hewlett-Packard nx7400 | |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 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 | 3 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire | |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
| Processor | Partial | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | Use i810 driver |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-hda-intel driver |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use ipw3945 driver |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Yes | |
| SD Card Reader | Not Tested | |
| PCMCIA | Yes | |
Notes
There appears to be some ACPI problems with this notebook relating to the battery status and fan. I haven't personally tested this, but some users are recommending upgrading the BIOS of this laptop to F.08 as well as using kernel version 2.6.19 or greater. If someone has more information please add it here if you can.With upgrading to F.08 the ACPI-Problems disapear. You have to do one workaround to have it perfect: Unload psmouse at reboot/halt/hibernate/suspend
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 Hewlett-Packard nx7400 has a few ACPI problem which makes it difficult to use under Linux. However it appears work is being done in this area and once these issues are fixed the laptop would work fine. However as it is now this laptop is not recommended.I tested this laptop with Gentoo and Debian Etch. Both worked like a charm, with the above mentioned fix I would recommend this laptop at any time for linux-use
Have you installed Linux on this laptop? If so how about leaving a comment about your success in the comments section below.
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