Hewlett-Packard nx9420
Created by: Bill Giannikos,Last modification on Thu 16 of Aug, 2007 [07:43 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.
Author
Bill Giannikos (bill2 at giannikos.com.au)Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Hewlett-Packard nx9420 laptop, model EX763PA.Editing This Page
View our Editing GuidelinesSpecifications
| Name | Hewlett-Packard nx9420 | |
| Processor | Intel Core Duo T2500 2.0Ghz | |
| Screen | 17" | |
| RAM | 1024MB | |
| HDD | 100GB | |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW | |
| Graphics | 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon x1600 | |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless, Bluetooth | |
| Other | 4 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire | |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use ipw3945 or iwlwifi (better; since Kernel 2.6.21) driver |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| PCMCIA | Not Tested | |
Notes
On some older version of the kernel the audio will only work though the headphone jack, not the inbuilt speakers. You will need to run a kernel with version 2.6.16 or greater for audio to work properly.Currently the open source radeon driver included with X.org does not support the ATI Mobility Radeon x1600. However you can get this working using the proprietary ATI driver.
For best results you should use a Linux distribution with kernel 2.6.16 or greater, such as Fedora Core 5 or Ubuntu Linux 6.06, with the nx9420.
Related Resources
Preparing your laptop for LinuxConfiguring an ATI graphics chip
Configuring the ipw3945 driver for the Intel 3945ABG wireless controller
Increasing battery life
Summary
Apart from the audio problem and if you don't mind using the propietary ATI driver then the Hewlett-Packard nx9420 works well under Linux.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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