This is a guide to running Linux with the Dell Latitude D505 laptop. The Latitude D505 is pretty much the same laptop as the Dell Latitude D505, there are just some slight configuration changes involved.
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 Latitude D505 |
| Processor | Intel Celeron-M 1.2GHz |
| Screen | 14.1” SXGA+ |
| RAM | up to 2GB |
| HDD | up to 80GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD-ROM |
| Graphics | Intel Extreme Graphics 2 |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet, Intel 2200 802.11g Wireless |
| Other | 2 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-intel8x0 module |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use the ipw2200 module |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested |
The Dell Latitude D505's screen has a native resolution of 1400×1050 but due to the way the Intel Extreme Graphics 2 functions this resolution does not work properly without using the 915resolution tool. You can find instruction on using this tool on the Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide.
There were no issues in getting the Dell Latitude D505 to work properly with an up to date Linux distribution.
Discussion
some problems
Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy comes with an intel graphics driver that crashes the system on lid-close. This does not happen when an external monitor is attached. Driver bug is solved, but not yet added to Gutsy updates.
The latitude D505 has a bluetooth on-off switch that is triggered through Bios. Currently you can only switch bluetooth on or off using the driver inside MS Windows. The switch remains in the same state after reboot (into Ubuntu) and even after power cycle.
You can set the screen to blank after some idle time. On the D505 the screen turns gray instead of black because the backlight remains swithed on.