Linux on the Inspiron 1720

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Information regarding installation and configuration of Linux on the Dell Inspiron 1720 notebook.

Plug 'n' Play

I didn't experience any particular problems during the installation.

Tweaks

Little things to make your setup more productive. This is for advanced users that know how to edit configuration files using command line tools.

Touchpad

If you would like to control the touchpad through gsynaptics or ksynaptics, the following configuration might help.

The example assumes that you have a USB mouse connected.

In /etc/X11/xorg.conf, Add the following line to the "ServerLayout" section:

InputDevice "TouchPad" "AlwaysCore"

In the "InputDevice" section, change the line

Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"

to:

Option "Device" "/dev/input/mouse1"

Add the following section:

Section "InputDevice"
         Driver "synaptics"
         Identifier "TouchPad"
         Option "Device" "/dev/input/mouse0"
         Option "Protocol" "alps"
         Option "LeftEdge" "130"
         Option "RightEdge" "840"
         Option "TopEdge" "130"
         Option "BottomEdge" "640"
         Option "FingerLow" "7"
         Option "FingerHigh" "8"
         Option "MaxTapTime" "180"
         Option "MaxTapMove" "110"
         Option "EmulateMidButtonTime" "75"
         Option "VertScrollDelta" "20"
         Option "HorizScrollDelta" "20"
         Option "MinSpeed" "0.60"
         Option "MaxSpeed" "1.10"
         Option "AccelFactor" "0.030"
         Option "EdgeMotionMinSpeed" "200"
         Option "EdgeMotionMaxSpeed" "200"
         Option "UpDownScrolling" "1"
         Option "CircularScrolling" "1"
         Option "CircScrollDelta" "0.1"
         Option "CircScrollTrigger" "2"
         Option "SHMConfig" "on"
         Option "Emulate3Buttons" "on"
EndSection

Note that enabling the SHMConfig option is a potential security risk in multi-user environments.

Restart your X server after you have updated your configuration.

Keep a backup of your existing xorg.conf file!

What doesn't work

The infrared control is not working yet - though some signals are received and translated into key strokes like RETURN, UP or DOWN.

The Blu-ray (BD) writer might not be supported yet. Though I don't have a media to test this.

Other languages

This page is also available in the following languages: German.

sdteffen.de / Linux / Inspiron 1720

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