MageiaCauldron: Installing Mageia 1 on laptop ProBook 6460b

InstallLaptop > Laptop HP ProBook 6460b bought on 21st June 2011

Installing Mageia 1 on laptop ProBook 6460b

I used a live Gnome on an USB key (1 GB dedicated to this kind of installation).

ToDo : install' mageia 2 alpha, bêta... aka cauldron in 64 bits (x86_64)

When partitionning too many primary partitions, which one to delete ? HP_RECOVERY ? HP_TOOLS ?
http://h30478.www3.hp.com/t5/Logiciels-et-syst%C3%A8mes-d/Recr%C3%A9er-HP-RECOVERY-et-HP-TOOLS/td-p/67027/page/2
http://www.nginformatique.fr/index.php/Windows7/Creer-une-partition-recovery.html

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-systems-and/Too-Many-Primary-Partitions-to-install-Linux-Help/td-p/197291
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware/Hp-Tools-Partion/td-p/228360

Well, my choice has been to remove the partition named HP_TOOLS in order to have the possibility to create a new primary partition for Linux /
I copied the content via cp -R /media/hp_tools/ /media/windows and just in case with dd if=/dev/sdc of=image_of_partition_sda4.iso
See below for initial partitions, I could create a new partition to install Linux, I'll have to check if I can create a secondary partition for /data/ (as ext4, as it is suficiently stable now in 2011).

Of course, when rebooting W7pro, you'll have a chkdsk in text (horrible) mode, just let it finish to realize that its partition has been shrinked (well, to 40 GB o_O yep that makes a bit too much for only notepad as a useful application...).

Initial diagnostics

http://smolts.org/reports/view_profile/HP%20ProBook%206460b%20A0001D02
nothing on http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/hp.html nor http://tuxmobil.org/hp.html :/
Everything that I use is recognized: video card (3D too, even though I usually ), wifi (even with WPA/PSK using AES), ethernet, suspend, battery, keyboard, touchpad, webcam (720p)
Things I did not check: firewire, sdcard reader, internal modem (yep 56k o_O), external sata, VGA output

List of rpm installed by default (after initial tweaking) 1303 rpm (including initial updates + change of kernel from desktop586 to kernel-desktop-latest)
Theoretical battery life: 5 hours, effective at first: maybe around 4h30?

ToDo and identify things to improve

whenever in Gnome, I change the default size of fonts from 10 to 8 (7 for title bar), perhaps the resolution is not correct? (to be checked)
I miss metisse package (a specific WM), I'll have to package gcstar, smolts-gui (and dependancies), hwreport
I recently stumbled upon a thread about backporting: there was a misunderstanding that it may go to updates or to backport, "backporting" being the action of importing first in cauldron then compile for previous versions (with appropriate adaptations if needed)
check whether virtualization of w7pro 64 bits provided is possible in VirtualBox (depending on CPU ? Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2410M CPU @ 2.30GHz)
check how to use all 4 GB even with a 32 bits kernel, I thought PAE permitted it... 2968 MB seen o_O
some functionalities do not seem taken into account

touchpad : disabling (tapping on top-left corner), sometimes one finger seen as two (scrolling instead of moving cursor)
verify screen resolution
sometimes graphical freeze (xorg driver problem?)
when battery is plugged it keeps discharging (at 95% for example), charging is disabled (to preserve battery and number of cycles) and two batteries seem to appear in gnome-power-manager
I'm not sure wifi kill-switch works (to be verified)
/var/log/messages is not written on the fly

Some errors

freeze of Xorg (seems due to wifi ?) the mouse does not move, nor ctrl-alt-F1 work to get a console :/

pressing the wifi key (kill-switch?) gives

kernel: atkbd serio0: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xf8 on isa0060/serio0).
kernel: atkbd serio0: Use 'setkeycodes e078 <keycode>' to make it known.

when pressing the wifi key, afterwards boot keeps on locking or freezing Xorg :/ (no error in /var/log/messages). Disabling wifi in the bios seems to temporarily solve the problem :/

4 GB not recognized

free -m
			 total       used       free     shared    buffers     cached
Mem:          2968       1158       1809          0         63        629
-/+ buffers/cache:        466       2501
Swap:         4306          0       4306

uname -a

Linux laphpy.eagle-usb.org 2.6.38.7-desktop-1.mga #1 SMP Sun May 22 12:29:42 UTC 2011 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux

after upgrading kernel, missing option obviously (check PAE)

free -m
			 total       used       free     shared    buffers     cached
Mem:          2968        525       2442          0         40        260
-/+ buffers/cache:        225       2742
Swap:         4306          0       4306
[root@laphpy ~]# uname -a
Linux laphpy.eagle-usb.org 2.6.38.8-desktop-4.mga #1 SMP Fri Jul 8 02:08:49 UTC 2011 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux

Just in case: initial partitions

The choice has been to delete HP_TOOLS (after saving it with cp + dd if=/dev/sdc of=image_of_partition_sda4.iso)

Périphérique : sda3
Nom du volume : HP_RECOVERY
UUID : 72DE147ADE143935
Lettre de lecteur DOS supposée : E
Type : NTFS-3G (0x7)
Début : secteur 581675008
Taille : 15Gio (5%), 32974848 secteurs
Cylindre 36207 à 38260

Périphérique : sda4
Nom du volume : HP_TOOLS
UUID : 9AC2-C9DE
Lettre de lecteur DOS supposée : F
Type : W95 FAT32 (LBA) (0xc)
Début : secteur 614649856
Taille : 4.9Gio (1%), 10475520 secteurs
Cylindre 38260 à 38912

Périphérique : sda1
Nom du volume : SYSTEM
UUID : 144C17534C172F4C
Lettre de lecteur DOS supposée : C
Type : NTFS-3G (0x7)
Début : secteur 2048
Taille : 300Mio (0%), 614400 secteurs
Cylindre 0 à 38
Partition d'amorçage par défaut
(pour DOS/Windows, pas pour LILO)

some locks / freeze of Xorg with wifi

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LaptopTestingTeam/HP2133 Broadcom STA drivers
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Broadcom_wireless
http://forums.archlinux.fr/topic7717.html

commutation lan / wlan
http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-19249426-windows-ethernet-wifi

kernel PAE
https://forums.mageia.org/en/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=386

informations about hardware

brcm80211       : Broadcom Corporation|BCM4313 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller [NETWORK_OTHER] (vendor:14e4 device:4727 subv:103c subd:145c) (rev: 01)
sdhci_pci       : JMicron Technology Corp.|Standard SD Host Controller [SYSTEM_SDHCI] (vendor:197b device:2391 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 30)
sdhci_pci       : JMicron Technology Corp.|SD/MMC Host Controller [SYSTEM_OTHER] (vendor:197b device:2392 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 30)
firewire_ohci   : JMicron Technology Corp.|IEEE 1394 Host Controller [SERIAL_FIREWIRE] (vendor:197b device:2380 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 30)
ahci            : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point 6 port SATA AHCI Controller [STORAGE_SATA] (vendor:8086 device:1c03 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
iTCO_wdt        : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point LPC Controller [BRIDGE_ISA] (vendor:8086 device:1c49 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
ehci_hcd        : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #1 [SERIAL_USB] (vendor:8086 device:1c26 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point PCI Express Root Port 4 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c16) (rev: b4)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point PCI Express Root Port 3 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c14) (rev: b4)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point PCI Express Root Port 2 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c12) (rev: b4)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point PCI Express Root Port 1 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c10) (rev: b4)
snd_hda_intel   : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point High Definition Audio Controller (vendor:8086 device:1c20 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
ehci_hcd        : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #2 [SERIAL_USB] (vendor:8086 device:1c2d subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
e1000e          : Intel Corporation|82579V Gigabit Network Connection [NETWORK_ETHERNET] (vendor:8086 device:1503 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
unknown         : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point HECI Controller #1 [COMMUNICATION_OTHER] (vendor:8086 device:1c3a subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
Card:Intel 810 and later: Intel Corporation|Sandy Bridge Integrated Graphics Controller [DISPLAY_VGA] (vendor:8086 device:0116 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 09)
unknown         : Intel Corporation|Sandy Bridge DRAM Controller [BRIDGE_HOST] (vendor:8086 device:0104 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 09)
hub             : Linux 2.6.38.7-desktop-1.mga ehci_hcd|EHCI Host Controller [Hub|Unused|Full speed (or root) hub] (vendor:1d6b device:0002)
hub             : Intel Corp.|Integrated Rate Matching Hub [Hub|Unused|Full speed (or root) hub] (vendor:8087 device:0024)
uvcvideo        : Primax Electronics Ltd.|HP HD Webcam [Fixed] [Video|Video Control] (vendor:0461 device:4dc7)
hub             : Linux 2.6.38.7-desktop-1.mga ehci_hcd|EHCI Host Controller [Hub|Unused|Full speed (or root) hub] (vendor:1d6b device:0002)
hub             : Intel Corp.|Integrated Rate Matching Hub [Hub|Unused|Full speed (or root) hub] (vendor:8087 device:0024)
usbcore         : DigitalPersona, Inc|Unknown (vendor:138a device:003c)

after playing with blacklist brcm80211 and installing wl on 2011-07-14

wl              : Broadcom Corporation|BCM4313 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller [NETWORK_OTHER] (vendor:14e4 device:4727 subv:103c subd:145c) (rev: 01)
sdhci_pci       : JMicron Technology Corp.|Standard SD Host Controller [SYSTEM_SDHCI] (vendor:197b device:2391 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 30)
sdhci_pci       : JMicron Technology Corp.|SD/MMC Host Controller [SYSTEM_OTHER] (vendor:197b device:2392 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 30)
firewire_ohci   : JMicron Technology Corp.|IEEE 1394 Host Controller [SERIAL_FIREWIRE] (vendor:197b device:2380 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 30)
ahci            : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point 6 port SATA AHCI Controller [STORAGE_SATA] (vendor:8086 device:1c03 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
iTCO_wdt        : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point LPC Controller [BRIDGE_ISA] (vendor:8086 device:1c49 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
ehci_hcd        : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #1 [SERIAL_USB] (vendor:8086 device:1c26 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point PCI Express Root Port 4 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c16) (rev: b4)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point PCI Express Root Port 3 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c14) (rev: b4)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point PCI Express Root Port 2 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c12) (rev: b4)
shpchp          : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point PCI Express Root Port 1 [BRIDGE_PCI] (vendor:8086 device:1c10) (rev: b4)
snd_hda_intel   : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point High Definition Audio Controller (vendor:8086 device:1c20 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
ehci_hcd        : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #2 [SERIAL_USB] (vendor:8086 device:1c2d subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
e1000e          : Intel Corporation|82579V Gigabit Network Connection [NETWORK_ETHERNET] (vendor:8086 device:1503 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
unknown         : Intel Corporation|Cougar Point HECI Controller #1 [COMMUNICATION_OTHER] (vendor:8086 device:1c3a subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 04)
Card:Intel 810 and later: Intel Corporation|Sandy Bridge Integrated Graphics Controller [DISPLAY_VGA] (vendor:8086 device:0116 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 09)
unknown         : Intel Corporation|Sandy Bridge DRAM Controller [BRIDGE_HOST] (vendor:8086 device:0104 subv:103c subd:161d) (rev: 09)
hub             : Linux 2.6.38.7-desktop-1.mga ehci_hcd|EHCI Host Controller [Hub|Unused|Full speed (or root) hub] (vendor:1d6b device:0002)
hub             : Intel Corp.|Integrated Rate Matching Hub [Hub|Unused|Full speed (or root) hub] (vendor:8087 device:0024)
uvcvideo        : Primax Electronics Ltd.|HP HD Webcam [Fixed] [Video|Video Control] (vendor:0461 device:4dc7)
hub             : Linux 2.6.38.7-desktop-1.mga ehci_hcd|EHCI Host Controller [Hub|Unused|Full speed (or root) hub] (vendor:1d6b device:0002)
hub             : Intel Corp.|Integrated Rate Matching Hub [Hub|Unused|Full speed (or root) hub] (vendor:8087 device:0024)
usbcore         : DigitalPersona, Inc|Unknown (vendor:138a device:003c)

# modinfo brcm80211
filename:       /lib/modules/2.6.38.7-desktop-1.mga/kernel/drivers/staging/brcm80211/brcm80211.ko.gz
license:        Dual BSD/GPL
description:    Broadcom 802.11n wireless LAN driver.
author:         Broadcom Corporation
srcversion:     BD59BC3A0AD01D893C86AE8
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004727sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004353sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004357sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
depends:        mac80211,cfg80211
staging:        Y
vermagic:       2.6.38.7-desktop-1.mga SMP mod_unload modversions 686 
parm:           msglevel:int
parm:           phymsglevel:int

# modinfo wl
filename:       /lib/modules/2.6.38.7-desktop-1.mga/dkms/3rdparty/broadcom-wl/wl.ko.gz
srcversion:     5C16677F465F1FC0EF8297D
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00000576sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d0000435Asv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004359sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004358sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004727sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004357sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d0000A99Dsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004353sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d0000432Dsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d0000432Csv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d0000432Bsv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d0000432Asv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004329sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004328sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004315sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004313sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004312sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000014E4d00004311sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
depends:        lib80211
vermagic:       2.6.38.7-desktop-1.mga SMP mod_unload modversions 686 
parm:           oneonly:int
parm:           piomode:int
parm:           instance_base:int
parm:           nompc:int
parm:           name:string