This is a compatiiblity guide to running Linux with the Acer Aspire 7740G laptop.
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the Acer Aspire 7740G. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the Acer Aspire 7740G page on LapWik.
If you would like to edit this page please first view our Editing Guidelines.
For full specifications see the Acer Aspire 7740G specifications page.
| Name | Acer Aspire 7740G |
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i7-620M Processor (4MB Intel® Smart Cache, 2.66GHz) Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 430 @ 2.27GHz Intel® Core™ i3-330M Processor (3MB Intel® Smart Cache, 2.13GHz) |
| Screen | 17.3” 1600×900 Widescreen |
| RAM | Up to 8GB |
| HDD | up to 640GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | ATI Mobility Radeon™ 5650 graphics or ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5470 graphics 512MB |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet 802.11b/g/n wireless |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Tested | i5 with Ubuntu 9.10 - Karmic Koala |
| Screen | Not Tested | Ubuntu 9.10 - Karmic Koala does not support the ATI Card by default! You have to download the driver by ati.com take the radeon on name of an installations script “ati-driver-installer-10-2-x86.x86_64.run” |
| HDD | Tested | it works well |
| Optical Drive | Tested | it burns well whith Brasero |
| Graphics | Tested | must be edit, it's not easy! |
| Sound | Tested | PROBLEM! The mic doesn't work, the speakers doesn't mute, when I plug in the Headset. But I think it's a configuration issue. |
| Ethernet | Tested | OK works well! |
| Wireless | Tested | It works. But network manager often cut off the connection, I think its something is wrong with the configuration of the password of the wireless network |
| USB | Tested | No Problem |
| Card Reader | Tested and OK | with a Mini SD- Card Adapter and 4GB Memory |
| Fingerprint Reader | Not Tested | |
| Webcam | Tested and OK | Ubuntu |
| Touchpad | Tested | Problem! It works, but the scroll ärea only scrolls down. The Pointer is OK. It doesn't has a middel button. |
Running Linux on the Acer Aspire 7740G.
I am using Ubuntu 9.10 - Karmic Koala for nearly a year. And I often say “ich mach jetzt doch wieder windows drauf” ⇒ i have to run win7 again. but I dont do it. I hop there are other peoples like my, and the time will come, when the tuchpad/soundcard(mic) and graphic card will start up, out of the box.
Ubuntu 10… doesn't supports the graphic card by default. There was no diffrence when I tested it with the LIVE CD.
To get a graphics driver use http://support.amd.com/ the english on.
Discussion
I have the Acer Travelmate 7740G which is basically the same as the Acer Aspire but without the “glossy” display.
Tested with Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick):
Processor i5 M460, works without problem from 1,2 GHz to 2,53 GHz (depends on the model that you buy)
Graphics works with the default “radeon” driver, but ATI-driver is better in order to have compiz with 3D effects, to save power and to keep the fan quiet
Screen in the default settings the black looks like a grey on the screen, but that can be controlled by the ATI Catalyst Control Center (e.g. brightness and contrast)
HDD works, but I replaced it with an SSD OCZ Agility 2 (Acer has the internal interface SATA 1,5 GBit/s ⇒ therefore a cheap SSD is enough, don't buy SATA 6 GBit/s)
Optical Drive works with brasero
Sound works, but headphone jack needs special configuration:
sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
# add the following line at the end:
options snd-hda-intel model=ideapad
# the model depends on your sound chipset - I have Conexant CX20585, others might have a Realtek chip
head -n 1 /proc/asound/card0/codec*
Codec: Conexant CX20585
Ethernet works
Wireless works without problems, you need to install the restricted WLAN driver for Broadcom chips (“wl”-driver), Ad-Hoc mode is not possible with the current WLAN driver
USB works
Card Reader not tested
Fingerprint Reader not tested
Webcam tested, but quality is poor compared to a Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 - better use an additional USB webcam
Touchpad works without problems, the middle button is simulated by pressing the left and right button at the same time
ACPI Wakeup works, in case you want to record television or radio
The jack sense problem is fixed in Ububtu 10.10 (not in 10.04) or by manually upgrade the alsa driver. See https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/alsa-driver/+bug/555997
Ubuntu 10.04 and 10.10 come with proprietary ATI drivers that work, but there's a later version on the ATI site.
There are issues with the touchpad as reported. I haven't tested the built-in mic.