HPdv6000 and Fedora 9

I am a big fan of linux, the current distribution i am installing on my HP laptop is Fedora 9, 32 bit version. This is a log of my setup, maybe it can help someone else out.

I am running a HP Pavilion dv6604nr Laptop Computer - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core TK-55 1.8GHz, 802.11b/g Wireless (Broadcom 4311 WLAN chipset), 4GB DDR2, 160GB HDD, Dual Layer DVD RW, 15.4″ WXGA

Step 1: The install

So for the install, i downloaded and burnt a Fedora 9 dvd image from the Argonne national lab mirror site http://mirror.anl.gov/pub/fedora/linux/

The install was the usual options, i am not going into detail on that, you can set it up any way you like, the defaults will work fine if you don’t know what you are doing. I cant say enough about strong passwords, use them.

Once its installed and you go through first boot, the first thing is to let the package updater update all the bug fixes and newest versions. This may take a while as F9 was buggy out of the gate, but the community really stepped up to fix things up. Just let it work out and install them.

Step 2: Services

First thing i do is disable and un-install crap i don’t need, Then once its cleaned up i config the interface and install the stuff i want.

Disable SELinux

I don’t need SELinux running on this laptop so i am disabling it.

System->Administration->SELinux Management set System Enforcing Default Mode to disabled. You will have to reboot in order for this to take effect.

Then i disable the services i don’t need.

Open up System->Administration-> Services I disabled the following

  • bluetooth (disable this service if there is no bluetooth device connected to your system)
  • mdmonitor (disable this service if you haven’t set up a RAID-system)
  • pcscd (disbale this service if there is no smart-card reader connected to your system)
  • restorecond (disable this service if you deactivated SELinux)
  • setroubleshoot (disable this service if you deactivated SELinux)

By this time, after all that and a sandwich, your system updates should be installed.

Now Set up livna as a repository.

Open a web browser and go to the livna site http://rpm.livna.org , click on the Fedora 9 Repository RPM select “Save File”. Navigate to your home/download directory and this file should be there livna-release-9.rpm. Double click and install it. That .rpm will configure your laptop to also use the livna software repository, where you can get some non mainstream software.

One thing i like is to open new explorer windows in “Browse mode”

System->Preferences->Personal->File Management Select the Behavior tab and check “Always open in browser windows”.

I like to configure the power settings and enable sleep and suspend mode for the monitor and stuff.

System->Preferences->System->Power Management

On the AC Power tab, When laptop lid is closed = Suspend. On the Battery Power tab, When laptop lid is closed = Hibernate

Dangermouse script: There is this dude from London.. he goes by the name “Dangermouse” on the fedora forum message board, he wrote a script to help with the install of a bunch of stuff. http://forums.fedoraforum.org/forum/showthread.php?t=171660&highlight=dangermouse+script

I use it to install the broadcom wireless drivers, set up the nvidia drivers and throw on google picassa and desktop. The broadcom chipset has always given me the fits and i have screwed it up multiple times, this seems to work out nicely.

Open a terminal

su -
wget http://dnmouse.webs.com/scripts/autonine
sh autonine

check the boxes you need… Nvidia FX, Broadcom 43xx, and others that you like.

Let it install

Reboot

Now with the HPdv6000 series laptops.. when you boot up you must have the “slider button” on the front right of the laptop (the one you use to enable/disable the networt signal) to the left. This is the “on” position. You should also see a blue light. The first time you connect to your network, i have WEP configured and it will prompt you to authenticate.. amke sure you check always on the dialog for accessing the keyring.

I have been having tons of problems with the wireless network interface.. sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. Once it quits it takes a reboot or two and a couple on off switches of the wireless card to get it working again.. Real poor.

i am looking into this further.. maybe doing a manual installation… figure out the steps.

Once you are back up and logged in, Install the yum extender

open a terminal.

yum install yumex

Use the Yum Extender to install the Compiz apps.

Applications->System Tools-> Yum Extender Let it start up and config and load.

click on “Available” and search for compiz

select

  • emerald-themes
  • compiz-fusion-extras
  • emerald
  • compiz-fusion
  • compiz-manager
  • compiz-fusion-extras-gnome
  • gnome-compiz-manager
  • libcompizconfig
  • compiz-fusion-gnome
  • ccsm

click on Process Queue

Reboot when its done and prepare to configure your desktop.

Once you are back in..open up

System->Preferences->Look and Feel->Desktop Effects Enable desktop effects, check the boxes.

Now hit Ctrl-Alt and a sideways arrow button. The cube spins..try ctrl-alt and click and drag your mouse.

System->Preferences->Look and Feel->CompizConfig Settings Manager Configure your desktop effects as you like.

Use yumex to install packages you like, Inkscape, filezilla, etc

Also open your firefox browser and go to http://addons.mozilla.org and install the latest addons for your browser, gmail2, scribefire, downthemall, downloadstatusbar etc.