This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop. The Inpiron 6400 has good support for Linux without any real issues.
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 | Dell Inspiron 6400 |
| Processor | Intel Core Duo T2300 1.66Ghz |
| Screen | 15.4” |
| RAM | 512MB |
| HDD | 60GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD-+RW |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet + Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless |
| Other | 4 x USB2.0 + 1 x Firewire |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | Use Alsa snd-hda-intel module |
| Ethernet | Yes | Use b44 modules |
| Wireless | Yes | Use the ipw3945 module |
| Wireless BCM | Yes | Use the bcm43xx module |
| 56K Modem | Yes | Use the Dell Linux drivers. |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Yes | |
| PCMCIA | Yes |
As default the native screen resolution of the Dell Inspiron 6400 is 1280×800, however due to the way the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 functions this resolution would not be usable right away. You can view our Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide for more information.
For best results you need a Linux distribution with at least the 2.6.15 kernel, such as Ubuntu Linux 6.06 or Fedora Core 5.
Discussion
Dear Sir/Mam,
Thank you.
Everything is fine.
Except that I couldn't find touchpad drivers for using shortcut actions, like maximizing/minimizing windows and also horizontal scroll doesn't work.
If anyone has this laptop running a more modern version of Ubuntu or any other starter distro can you please post? A friend is considering it.
Good day,
To answer your question,
yes!
I have been running all type of linux distro on my Dell Inspiron 6400 for the past decade or almost.
Tested about every linux distro but my favorites are, Ubuntu since 9.10 up to 11.10 but I prefer 10.04 with Macbuntu feel and work like a real Mac.
All worked great (very stable)
There is a dual head issue (fuzzy external screen) from 10.04 on, easy fix that need manual config.
For your video card you could also either choose the software rasterization or hardware via Mesa MMX. via the ppa
Note that software rasterization is more stable and hang less, but use lot more of your cpu's)
you will have to select a few package to have full media accessibility (like flash player for Youtube, etc).
Setup your firewall (Firestarter via Software Center)
There is the IPW3945 package for the Wireless card
And one of the famous question for Windows users that are considering migrating to a more stable platform…
yes you could use all of your Windows/dos applications on Linux (via VirtualBox) you could run a complete functional Windows Machine on your linux desktop…at the same time without noticeable slowing down (example: looking at a youtube clip in one windows on Linux via Firefox on screen #1 and at the same time with the same computer, another clip in the Internet Exploror window form the Windows Machine sitting on your linux desktop on Screen #2 …except windows itself is not any faster…with all the crap it loads by default….but the nice part is that if it freeze (blue screen) it dosent affect the computer itself and just close that window…
and note that all applications like Office (word, excel, powerpoint, etc), Photoshop, SoundStudio, Dvd burning software, are all free of charge…Same for the exploitation system….
I will never go back…this is so much more stable…
I have a Mac for 200$ (the value of the computer at this time)
the only thing is that if you buy a Inspiron 6400
you will most likely need a new battery (100$)…
and maybe an external hard drive (100$
but even then
400$ for a Mac “alike” with all the software I use, for free…that a no brainer for me…and there is more performance in this old machine than the new ones at Stapples for 400$ ….
I have been testing BACKTRACK 3 on my 6400Inspiron and in adition to detect my neightbours WAP password, it has been a great experience.
With BT3 wireless compatibility is automatic.
I'm moving on from microsoft to BT as my main OS.