Ubuntu 8.10 on Acer 4520 : 2 Easy Steps

To be honnest I’ve skipped 08.04 because of one simple reason : I’m to lazy to do all the upgrade routine! Usualy ubuntu installation  is easy (especially with intel chipsets) but in my case ( I own an Acer 4520 with Atheros WIFI and Nvidia GeForce 7000m) ubuntu installation can realy turn into frustation!

Today I have time to waste and I decided to try the new ubuntu 08.10, downloaded the iso from my campus repository, the download took 20 minutes and burned it to a CD, restarted my laptop and boot up the new OS. The ubuntu desktop shows up at a 800×600 resolution and the WIFI wasnot up. I was not really happy with the initial impression, but i installed it anyway.

less than 30 minutes later a fresh ubuntu 08.10 is running on my laptop, and my first task is to make the WIFI work, my atheros works with the Alpha release of Ubuntu 08.10 (i’ve tried it form the live cd) but the new driver package that is included with final relase is somehow not compatible with the atheros on my laptop. So to make it work i must install backports :

sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-intrepid-generic

Open the Hardware Drivers application ( System >> Administration >> Hardware Drivers ), disabled the “Support For Atheros 802.11 Wireless LAN Cards” and activated the “Nvidia accelerated Graphics Driver (version 177)” then click apply, the application downloads the nvidia driver and installs it, reboot the laptop.

I was Amazed! After the reboot everything was working fine! the screen resolution was auto readjusted to 1280×800 and the wifi is up and running! And all that i’ve done is just to simple steps : install the backports and activated/deactivited the drivers.

I Must admit Ubuntu is getting better all the time!