How do you rate this laptop with Linux? * Excellent * Good * Fair * Poor * Unusable ====== Lenovo 3000 N500 ====== ===== Introduction ===== This is a compatibiltiy guide to running Linux with the Lenovo 3000 N500 laptop. This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which modules you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required modules have a look at [[Installation Guide|our guides]] section for distribution specific instructions. This page is just for discussing using Linux on the Lenovo 3000 N500. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the [[http://www.lapwik.com/lenovo_3000_n500|Lenovo 3000 N500 page on LapWik]]. ===== Editing This Page ===== If you would like to edit this page please first view our [[Editing Guidelines]]. ===== Specifications ===== For full specifications see the [[http://www.lapspecs.com/wiki/Lenovo+3000+N500|Lenovo 3000 N500 specifications page]]. | Name|Lenovo 3000 N500| | Processor|Intel Core 2 Duo| | Screen|15.4" WXGA Widescreen| | RAM|1GB to 4GB| | HDD|160GB to 320GB| | Optical Drive|DVD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD+-RW| | Graphics|Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M| | Network|Ethernet, Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN 802.11abgn| | Alternate WiFi / Ethernet | Some units have Broadcom Ethernet and Broadcom WiFi - which needs the wl kernel module| ===== Linux Compatibility ===== ^Device^Compatibility^Comments^ | Processor|64 bit ubuntu 8.10 tested OK| | | Screen|OK| | | HDD|OK IDE & AHCI| | | Optical Drive|OK| | | Graphics|OK| | | Sound|OK| | | Ethernet|OK| | | Wireless|OK|do not work with iwlwifi for kernel <2.6.27, work well on 2.6.27 with Ubuntu 8.10 without any patch | | 56K Modem|Not Tested| | | USB|OK| | | Card Reader|OK| | | ExpressCard Slot|Not Tested| | | Camera|OK| | ^Ubuntu 10.04 32 and 64 bit Operating System^Device^Compatibility^Comments^ | Processor|32 and 64 bit ubuntu 10.04 tested OK| | | Screen|OK| | | HDD|OK IDE & AHCI (SATA)| | | Optical Drive|OK| | | Graphics|OK| | | Sound|OK| | | Ethernet|OK| | | Wireless|OK|Hardware Drivers must enable "Broadcom STA Wifi" drivers and reboot to work. | | 56K Modem|Not Tested| | | USB|OK| | | Card Reader|OK| | | ExpressCard Slot|Not Tested| | | Camera|OK| | ===== Notes ===== You can enter any specific notes with running Linux on the Lenovo 3000 N500 here. I've tested the installation of kernel 2.6.24 with Ubuntu 8.04 but it didn't recognize intel wifi driver; i tested to manually install iwlwifi (as mentioned by official intel website) but it didn't work (card is identified but can't manage to connect to any available wifi spots) Ubuntu is one of the few - if ONLY - 64 bit version of Linux which will boot with this laptop because other distros do not supply the SATA drivers for 64 bit version of Linux. All things went well with new kernel and ubuntu 8.10. With Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx both 32 and 64 bit versions work excellently. The only thing not working is the 56k Modem which is a Win Modem. When enabled by going to Menu / System / Administration / Hardware Drivers - Broadcom STA Wireless Driver - works perfectly for the N500's wifi system. It's a really good experience with that laptop. Debian also works but it is more work to obtain and compile the Broadcom STA kernel modules. Beginners or those not willing to compile kernel modules should stick with Ubuntu except if they want a console system. ===== Ubuntu ===== ==== 8.04 ==== Dificulties with intel open wifi drivers (iwlwifi-5000); all things work except wifi. ==== 8.10 ==== All work fine. ==== 9.04 ==== Everything works. ==== 9.10 ==== Everything works. Occasional kernel panics in some cases (possibly from wireless driver?). Sometimes doesn't respond to clicks properly after suspend. ===== Debian ===== ==== Lenny-(5) ==== All things work fine except intel open wifi drivers; Lenny comes with the 2.6.26 kernel and things seem to go well by compiling kernel above (2.6.27+) Here a nice guide to solve the problem : http://wiki.debian.org/iwlagn For the N500's using Broadcom Wifi see: http://wiki.debian.org/wl Other stuffs : * Compiz If you want to use compiz, you'll need to download the unstable packages instead of stable ones (Lenny) and do the necessary : aptitude install compiz-gnome/unstable * sound You can install alsa and alsa-utils or re-install them, then reboot. I don't manage to remove system beep. * graphic **backup** then edit your /etc/X11/xorg.conf and add in device section: Driver "intel" ===== Fedora ===== ==== 12 (x64) ==== Install was painless, sound, webcam and SD card reader worked with no extra configuration. Have been able to connect to my phone via Bluetooth, but failed when copying files across (it's an older phone though, so may be an issue at that end). Had to enable RPMFusion repo and yum install kmod-wl to get the WiFi to work. Kernel used: 2.6.31.9-174.fc12.x86_64 ===== Summary ===== You can enter a summary of how well the Lenovo 3000 N500 works with Linux here.