This is a guide to running Linux with the Alienware Aurora m9700 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 our guides section for distribution specific instructions.
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| Name | Alienware Aurora m9700 |
| Processor | AMD Turion64 ML-34 1.8GHz |
| Screen | 17” WSXGA |
| RAM | 1GB |
| HDD | 80GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GS |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet, RealTek 802.11g Wireless, Bluetooth |
| Other | 4 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-hda-intel module |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Partial | Use the rt2500 driver |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| Card Reader | Not Tested | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested |
For the graphics chip you can use either the open source 'nv' module or NVIDIA's proprietary 'nvidia' module. For installation instructions, you can view our Configuring a nVidia graphics chip guide. For 3D support, you will need the proprietary module. Some older versions of X may not have support for the NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GS, in this case you will need to use the proprietary module.
The ethernet adapter requires kernel version 2.6.18 or greater to function. An up to date Fedora Core 6 installation works fine.
Some versions of the laptop include the Airgo Networks AGN300 wireless controller. It is not currently known how this preforms under Linux.
The tricky part with this laptop will be finding the Linux distribution which works with either the wired or wireless controller. Without either working, it becomes difficult to access the internet to download the drivers necessary for the controllers to function. Fedora Core 6, with kernel 2.6.18 as standard, should work fine with the wired controller.
There were no problems in getting this laptop working when used with an up to date Linux distribution. It is recommended to use a Linux distribution with kernel version 2.6.18 or greater, such as Fedora Core 6.