Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) on Compaq Evo N610c
Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) was officially released on Oct-31. Since I had tested Ubuntu 8.04 LTS on Compaq Evo N610c I was eager to give Ubuntu 8.10 a spin on the same laptop. I did a fresh install and the installation is very smooth. A seven step wizard guides you through the install process and you are up and running very quick on Evo N610c.
Ubuntu 8.10 core includes GNOME 2.24 desktop which introduces 2 major enhancements – Nautilus file manager now has tabbed support and the File Roller archive manager adds support for ALZ, RZIP, CAB, TAR and 7Z archive types.
File Browser has tabbed support on Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex
Intrepid Ibex includes X.Org 7.4 which is the latest stable and this version addresses the resolution issue with ATI Mobility Radeon 7500. You can now adjust the resolution without making manual changes to xorg.conf file. Extra Visual Effects are also supported.
 Ubuntu 8.10 has support for ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 |
 Extra Visual Effects are also supported |
Ubuntu 8.10 adds Guest session functionality. You can now create a temporary password-less user account. This temporary account cannot permanently store data and also cannot access any regular user’s data.
Guest Session creates a password-less user
With Ubuntu 8.10 you can create a USB Startup Disk. You have been able to do this with earlier versions too but it is now much easier.
Ubuntu 8.10 lets you make a USB Startup Disk
Specific to Ubuntu 8.10 on Evo N610c you no longer see the ugly ACPI error messages during boot up. ACPI works much better – the sleep and hibernate functions work correctly. The fan is not on constantly and only kicks in when required.
Ubuntu 8.10 includes the latest 2.6.27-7-generic kernel and the rev 1300 of orinoco drivers for Compaq Wireless LAN MultiPort W200 doe not build correctly. I had to play around quite a bit to get W200 to work and a special patch is required. To help other users I have updated WifiDocs/Device/CompaqW200 – Community Ubuntu Documentation. A patched version of the driver is available here for your convenience.
One disappointment I had with Ubuntu 8.10 is that it includes OpenOffice 2.4.1 instead of the latest 3.0 version. However upgrading to OpenOffice 3.0 on Ubuntu 8.10 is easy.
Overall Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex runs much better on Compaq Evo N610c as compared to Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron. If you enjoy Ubuntu and own a Evo N610c give Intrepid Ibex a try.
Good luck!!!
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My EVO n610c has problems with Intrepid Ibex. Mine has the 1024×768 LCD rather than the 1400×1050 you have. In kernel 2.6.29 I have severe video issues that cause the screen to mess up and the system to lock. The earlier 2.6.27 kernel appears more stable, but the entire Ubuntu 8.10 experience has been not pleasant. My Windows XP installation seems rock solid on this laptop, so it appears Intrepid Ibex is truly for the “intrepid”. I’m normally a Mac user, and the lack of any stable alternative to Windows is bothersome. I tried Ubuntu Hardy Heron and about burned up this laptop with ACPI fan issues, and hoped that Intrepid Ibex would be the solution, but apparently not?
Hello, I’m also loving Intrepid on the n610c, was amazed at how much they have squeeze from its ageing graphics chip with the new version of Compiz. For an *extreme* performance boost I can heartily recommend an SSD drive with the Evo; if you have the cash to spare! (Though they’re coming down all the time). Heres my own experience: http://chrishatton.homeip.net (WARNING contains explicit scenes of naked Compaq
).