This is a guide to running Linux with the Acer Extensa 5420 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 | Acer Extensa 5420 |
| Processor | AMD Turion 64 X2 |
| Screen | 15.4” WXGA Widescreen |
| RAM | 1GB to 4GB |
| HDD | 160GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | ATI Mobility Radeon X1250 |
| Network | Ethernet, Acer InviLink 802.11bg |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Works | |
| Screen | Works | |
| HDD | Works | |
| Optical Drive | Works | |
| Graphics | Works | |
| Sound | Works | |
| Ethernet | Works | |
| Wireless | Not Tested | You need a recent Linux distribution (such as Fedora 10) for this to work |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Works | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| Card Reader | Supported | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested | |
| PCMCIA | Not Tested | |
| Camera | Supported | Tested with Fedora 12,14 |
For the wireless, Fedora 14 defaulted to b43 driver, which would drop out and require system restart. Recently installed kmod-wl from rpmfusion. Not much testing on this driver yet, but, so far, looks good. Need to blacklist the b43 and ssb modules to use kmod-wl.
Card reader tested with up to 16GB SDHC.
You can enter a summary of how well the Acer Extensa 5420 works with Linux here.
Discussion
Wow this guide is almost useless! im running fedora 16 and got no Crystal Eye support, no bluetooth, no built in mic. Fedora is the only Linux i have found that has the Wifi drivers built into it so if you only have Wifi as an option then use that for now. i mean how stupid is it that other Linux distributions DON'T include the WiFi drivers?! Also been getting this problem when my Download speeds reach 600K the wifi just cuts off and you have to go into network setting to switch it off then on again, this is VERY much a problem if you are online gaming cuz it will boot you from the servers, or you gota leave the game just to resume online stuff. another thing about Linux is the when people create online help files they assume you are an Expert with computer programming and NEVER start at beginning and use terms normal computer user can understand. hell im still tring to figure out what to do with the damn Makefiles im getting for installing stuff! no one wants to start at the begining. my advice? get a pro to install linux on your system, if not by the time you finish learning how to get it working right your laptop will be outdated and usless, but you will the that pro.
I installed LINUXpcOS on it(dual booting with Vista), it runs well so far missing wireless card driver and ethernet (not known how to configure yet)I'm a new Linux user but i like the GUI it will take some time to get used to it though .That's all i got for now but I will stick to these posts for more info.
Running Arch Linux
Installed Arch Linux on this one (following beginners guide) - with kdemod3 - everything works except the sound volume is somewhat low. Installed ATI graphics driver and configured with their tool to get good graphics.