บอก secret: แม้ผมอ้างว่าไม่มีเพื่อน ผมมี! น้อยแต่มีจริง อยู่และ accounted for เพื่อนหนึ่งให้ T61 มา extensive long-term OS testing ที่คุณ enjoy recently: latest-gen SSD benchmarking, quadruple boot setup ตอนนี้เพื่อนเดียวกัน loan อีกเครื่องหนึ่ง indefinite period of abuse หมายถึง more fun
Laptop ในมือ [sic] คือ **Lenovo T400** 64-bit T9400 Core 2 Duo processor, Intel graphics card, 80GB SSD previous-gen แต่ยังเป็น SSD Near-mint condition save scratches hidden grease powerful, brand-newish notebook สำหรับ massive distro testing หรือจะไม่?
More Specs (สเปคเพิ่มเติม)
รูปอยู่ข้างบน ดูไม่รู้ model เพราะดูเหมือนกันทั้งหมด virtually indistinguishable from T60p หรือ T61 T60p officially retired no more 32-bit processors household save eeePC ไม่จริง มี T42 เก่ากว่า แต่ไม่ได้ใช้ นานแล้ว gently pondering best use low-end distro install see what gives
Technical perspective: T400 graphics card significantly inferior Nvidia-powered LG และ HP machines แต่ overall similar other two boxes decent CPU less powerful than Pavilion (no hyperthreading, not iX generation) but somewhat more muscled than older laptop raw processing strength All three: exact same RAM sweet spot 4GB not much but decent overall
Like: VT และ VT-d extensions virtualization fun galore จะเห็นเพิ่ม later promise ตอนนี้ facing problem conundrum
Machine: 80GB before-last-gen SSD used before SMART utility reports bad sectors 2 total not important Flash cells but reliability long run vs mechanical disks
Generic low-to-mid range Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller coupled i915 driver Wireless-N Intel AGN 5100 card All in all interesting bunch
The Dilemma (ดิเลมมา)
Big question: **what distributions should I use here?** Triple-boot configuration: 2 static installations 1 ever-changing for distro testing Linux only like most arsenal
What to choose? Bat crazy links articles feel free skip if read all หรือ ignore pathetic attempt garner clicks Story unravels plot thickens:
LG RD510: Pangolin, Lucid (soon change), CentOS, Linux Mint Maya high-end gaming HP notebook: 2 OS on 7200rpm internal: Windows 7, Lucid (soon upgrade Ubuntu 12.04) 640GB external disk: 6-7 OSs many need upgrades/refresh T61: 4 boot options Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Mint permanent 1 slot tests/reviews fixated on number 4 deployment recurring theme Other boxes lying around irrelevant leave desktops/netbook out
See my problem? 2 years ago: Ubuntu และ SUSE only rock solid eternal แต่ everything changed include Kubuntu, Mint, CentOS branching out expanding Perhaps time branch out more Potential candidates:
Option 1: CentOS
Another one Excellent supported unto eternity RedHat pedigree unshakable best platform virtualization testing especially KVM but others
Option 2: Xubuntu
Yes surprised mulling Xfce distro go figure Crazy! But immensely pleased Xubuntu excellent compromise old/new school usage models modern looks if want
What Would You Recommend? (คุณแนะนำอะไร?)
Interesting part: มี distros แนะนำไหม? Think carefully before sending suggestions Don't just forward favorite ignore everything else Think wider popular global use generic scenarios modern computing
Example: doubt deploy Gentoo/Arch similar production setup no point Aim big players heavily supported ones Potential candidates: Mint, SUSE, maybe Fedora, maybe others can't think right now Should be fun: proprietary stuff end of day Something like that What do you think?
Never Mind, Early Testing (ไม่เป็นไร ทดสอบเร็วๆ)
Best part: before committing specific OS experimenting machine see initial usage live session results First: fired up Zorin (weekly distro on USB drive undergoing testing)
First few minutes: okay But then problems: Wireless network disconnect on/off ugly system messages: MAC going to deep sleep filthy errors Turns out: **bug in Intel AGN 5100 on Linux** connecting G-capable router not happen N-capable devices supposedly Maybe
Solution: disable N protocol in Wireless driver exact command slightly vary between distros edit driver options All commands root/sudo
echo "options iwlwifi 11n_disable=1" >> etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf
modprobe -rfv iwlwifi
modprobe -v iwlwifi
Less stringent:
vi /etc/modprobe.d/options.conf
Add line:
options iwlagn 11n_disable=1 11n_disable50=1
Reboot system most people reboot easier than stop network unload/load module manually should get network back on track
But not all Bigger problem: **mouse cursor** randomly erratically stall slow down huge inertia setting regardless mouse settings change CPU spike ~100% top hitters: kworker threads each core entire desktop sluggish unresponsive
Repeated testing: Linux Mint, Xubuntu, CentOS **exactly same results all cases fully repeatable** With big problems lurking unable get any distro run well let alone install Not in mood troubleshoot stupid problems Gave up
สรุป
Laptop going back to owner Sorry to say: crappy graphics และ Wireless **simply unusable** Could blame Linux but same Linux works fine everywhere else Machines with N-capable cards running fine other devices Don't mention graphics card You know what I think non-Nvidia cards/drivers Seen Nouveau
Friend best intentions so did I Truly hoped fun run new box expecting exciting tests tweaks tutorials Alas not meant to be Will see if force friend give up other machines Well if not interesting exercise thanks for all the fish Wait will do 1-2 crazy things with this laptop You'll see soon Finally need not send suggestions unless really want That would be all fellas.
Cheers.
