This is a guide to running Linux with the HP-Compaq Presario CQ61-100 laptop. If you have this computer and you are running Linux on it please consider editing this page or adding a comment below with your compatibility details. By contributing you will help other people running this laptop or trying to make a decision on whether to buy it or not.
For full specifications see the HP-Compaq Presario CQ61-100 specifications page.
| Name | HP-Compaq Presario CQ61-100 |
| Processor | Intel® Celeron® Processor Intel® Pentium® processor Intel® Core 2 Duo® processor |
| Screen | 15.6” 1366×768 Widescreen |
| RAM | Up to 8GB |
| HDD | 160GB to 500GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW with Lightscribe |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD ATI Radeon HD 4650 |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet 802.11b/g WLAN |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | OK | |
| Screen | OK | |
| HDD | OK | |
| Optical Drive | OK | |
| Graphics | OK | |
| Sound | OK | On Debian, Ubuntu 9.10 and Fedora 12 you might have problems with non-working speakers. See notes below for more details. |
| Ethernet | OK | |
| Wireless | OK | |
| USB | OK | |
| Card Reader | OK | |
| Webcam | OK | |
| HDMI port | OK | Doesn't work out of the box. See notes below for more details. |
1) Non-working speakers:
1.1) If you use Debian or Ubuntu 9.10:
Add the following four lines to the end of /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf:
options snd slots=snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=hp-m4
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel enable_msi=1
1.2) If you use Fedora:
Create a new file /etc/modprobe.d/sound.conf and add the following four lines:
options snd slots=snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=hp-m4
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel enable_msi=1
1.3) Other distros:
It seems that speakers work under other distros out-of-the-box. Tested on Ubuntu 10.04 and OpenSUSE 11.2.
2) HDMI port and compiz effects:
If you wish to use your HDMI port or compiz desktop effects, you have to install the ATI Display Driver, which can be found here. The open-source driver cannot handle this. You might have problems with the X-server after installing the ATI driver. You can fix it by typing “aticonfig –initial -f” into a terminal (you need to be root).
Compaq Presario CQ61 is a wonderful machine for its price. Running Linux on it is a peace of cake. Most features rum smoothly out of the box.
First edited by Jens Stein (Denmark)
Second edit by Boris Bongalov (Bulgaria)
Third edit by Daryl Thompson (Australia)
Fourth edit by Boris Bongalov (again)
If you would like to edit this page please first view our Editing Guidelines.
Discussion
In addition to my entry yesterday. I'm using Ubuntu release 9.10 (karmic) with kernel 2.6.31-20.
I bought a Compaq Presario CQ61-405SA (Intel Celeron T3100) and everything works fine without any problems. Audio didn't work without these additions to the alsa-base.conf file. As the original reviewer says “wonderful machine for its price. Running Linux on it is a piece of cake.”
Here are the 4 lines I added to the .conf file:
options snd slots=snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=hp-hdx
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel enable_msi=1
could somebody please walk me through the adding the 4 lines of to the end of teh alsa conf in new to linux and i really have no idea how do do that
squirrel4207,
In order to get your speakers working you should do this:
1) Open a terminal window;
2) Write: sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
3) Add the four lines to the end of the file;
4) Save the file and restart your laptop.
That's all. Have fun ;)
I have tried installing Fedora 12 64bit on my CQ61-310SV, by using a CD and a USB stick but both crash after the boot selection screen.
Are the people who are using this laptop with Fedora using 32bit or 64bit? Which was their installation method?
Thanks.
MadCatMk2,
I have tried to install Fedora 12 but I didn't succeed. It freezes at some point. By the way, the same thing happens with the Ubuntu live CD. There is some problem obviously but, unfortunately I have no idea how to fix it. I managed to install Ubuntu by using the alternative (text-based) installer. I had no problems installing OpenSUSE too.
Greetings,
Boris
Hi I have Compaq CQ61 and using from the last 7 months I have problem in webcam it doesnt open and work when open th ewebcam it shows the message (Cannot connect to this video device(USB Camera) please select another video capturing device via settings or close any application that may be using this video device and restart You Cam)
please how can I correct this problem plz help me thanks
Dr Salman
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
ATI Radeon HD 4650 this grafics softoer wher i am got pl .no game i play.pl sent me softoer
I installed Debian Squeeze (testing) on a compaq presario cq61 and it works great, but the HDMI port isn't working. Is there any fix for that?
Same problem here, HDMI port doesen't work..
It was opened a bug at bugs.debian.org
http://bugs.debian.org/561700&usg=AFQjCNG_RTKuqPG6xul3btfyMYgt4A02-Q
Thank you lele. I've found a way to fix this problem. Everything is OK when the closed-source driver is installed.
Installed Fedora 11 and, now, Fedora 12 on Compaq CQ61 222SL.
No sound on both systems.
Some problems with wireless card on Fedora 12 only (under heavy load it disconnects frequently).
Hi!I've brought a cq61-210ER laptop and install Ubuntu 9.04 so?Something works from “box”
but sound not.I install some new ALSA driver and it works great!!
Bought a CQ61-NW991PA yesterday, and installed Ubuntu 9.10. So far it's been fine. Almost “out-of-the-box” success. The only thing that needed tweaking (so far) was adding 4 lines to the alsa config to get the speaker working. Seems a very nice system, and quite cheap
($A649, with 4Gb of RAM).
I had problems with the screen, I only got a black screen. I solved it adding “nomodeset” when booting the live CD and when installed on the file /boot/grub/grub.conf
I tried with many linux distros on this laptop, but i coulnot install the graphic card driver to enable compiz settings.
(Mandriva/Ubuntu/Fedora)
Just installed Kubuntu 9.04 on a brand new Compaq CQ61-109TU. Wireless required installing linux-backports-modules-jaunty. I use Wicd, which required the interface (wlan0) to be clearly specified in the preferences. Sound required installing the latest version of Alsa (1.0.21 as of 15/09/09), solution given by Roy above. Not exactly an out-of-the-box experience … but it all works now.
I have a Compaq Presario CQ61-135TU purchased specifically to run Ubuntu Linux or similar I can load Ubuntu but no joy getting the sound card or wireless internet working or (Web cam or Data card these are not so important)can anyone help me please get the right drivers to get the sound card or wireless internet working? is there a company that will provide me a fix I can pay for?
Yes tried OpenSuse 11,2 milestone 5 (this is a DEV release!), simply perfect (but without audio), the same whit ubuntu 9.04 still searching for audio -.-
Here are the solution for the audio
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=7717667&highlight=compaq+cq61#post7717667
it works fine for the sound, but i have the same problem with the micro, it works the jack, but not the build-in micro.
any help?
hi ill be getting this laptop in a few days, if you want ill be happy to run some tests with mandriva linux installed.
hi!we have pbm!i've bought a hp cq61 and we put ubuntu.no sound of course!so we try
to putt mandriva and it's does'nt want to intal it!
i think i will let ubuntu juntu9.04 and if you have any thinks to instal the sound!don't esite!
thank and french kiss:-o
i have purchased laptop hp compaq presario cq61
i wanna register it
if you want to edit this page, press the 'edit this page' link in the uppermost left corner.
you can also post your thoughts on the subject here in the discussion section, i shall gladly respond with my own thoughts.