Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

mukul_s · 2009-08-15 11:16:22

Hi,

This is my first post. Let me introduce myself. I am an avid Linux user and loves to help the FOSS community by using the bleeding-edge or up to date systems thereby acting as an open source tester. I've used Ubuntu n Debian earlier. I prefer KDE4 over Gnome and currently I am using openSUSE 11.1(laptop) and Kubuntu(desktop).
Both are good for a new user but if someone likes to customize their OS by installing only the packages they want and removing all the extra packages, to save space n memory, they all fail. That's when I heard about Archlinux and read few articles about it.

I've decided to give Archlinux a go at my laptop. It's an Intel core2Duo 2.2GHz, 2GB RAM, Intel GM45/945 chipset and Atheors wireless. However, I've few qualms:

1. I am a security paranoid. openSUSE has Armor for security. What about Archlinux?
2. Does Archlinux supports x86_64 distribution good enough? Though I dont mind switching back to x86 arch.
3. Any major issues with Sony VAIO laptop (hotkeys etc), sound(HDA Intel 82801I ICH9) or wireless(AR928X) network connection?
4. What about virtualization support?
5. Will it cause any issues with Vista home premium (pre-installed).
6. Few articles said, don't update packages from AUR to keep system stable. Is it true?
7. Has anyone been successful in running Skype on x86_64 Arch?

Replies from existing/active users will be highly useful.

Regards
Mukul

Last edited by mukul_s (2009-08-15 17:46:08)

loafer · 2009-08-15 11:45:00

Hi,

1) You can make it as secure as you want it to be - the Wiki has a security guide (and will answer just about all your questions about everything else too...).
2) Yes, it's recommended.
3) Everything on my Vaio currently works with i686 and I see no reason why it won't with x86_64. I plan to switch soon.
4) I use Virtualbox and it works perfectly.
5) I don't dual boot so can't comment.
6) The key thing is to be careful. All unsupported packges are installed at your risk. So read and think. I have had no issues at all with AUR packages, but I always check them out first.

sant527 · 2009-08-15 11:50:15

mukul_s wrote:

Hi,
This is my first post. Let me introduce myself. I am an avid Linux user and loves to help the FOSS community by using the bleeding-edge or up to date systems thereby acting as an open source tester. I've used Ubuntu n Debian earlier. I prefer KDE4 over Gnome and currently I am using openSUSE 11.1(laptop) and Kubuntu(desktop).
Both are good for a new user but if someone likes to customize their OS by installing only the packages they want and removing all the extra packages, to save space n memory, they all fail. That's when I heard about Archlinux and read few articles about it.
I've decided to give Archlinux a go at my laptop. It's an Intel core2Duo 2.2GHz, 2GB RAM, Intel GM45/945 chipset and Atheors wireless. However, I've few qualms:
1. I am a security paranoid. openSUSE has Armor for security. What about Archlinux?
2. Does Archlinux supports x86_64 distribution good enough? Though I dont mind switching back to x86 arch.
3. Any major issues with Sony VAIO laptop (hotkeys etc) or wireless network connection?
4. What about virtualization support?
5. Will it cause any issues with Vista home premium (pre-installed).
6. Few articles said, don't update packages from AUR to keep system stable. Is it true?
Replies from existing/active users will be highly useful.
Regards
Mukul

I have installed Arch linux X86_64 on my sony laptop. It has no option for USB boot. Also virtualization need some VTx enabled which I think sony doent agree.

Virtualization works well. for me it allows only 32 bit operating systems. as guest. I ran in my vista 64 bit Arch linux i686 32 bit as guest. In archlinux I ran xp as guest

If you want to view linux files in 64 bit vista you cant do it directly because of driver signing

Gen2ly · 2009-08-15 13:39:23

1. Security: ?
2. x86_64: +1
3. hot keys: depends, many distros take a good time to customize this, from my generic keyboard, x server maps them all correctly but many programs aren't binded to them.
4. virtualization: virtualbox runs just fine
5. Windows: Vista runs just fine
6. AUR: good to know what you're doing before you install

mukul_s · 2009-08-15 14:04:21

loafer wrote:

Hi,
1) You can make it as secure as you want it to be - the Wiki has a security guide (and will answer just about all your questions about everything else too...).

1. Thanks for the pointer. I'll definitely check that.

mukul_s · 2009-08-15 14:06:24

sant527 wrote:

I have installed Arch linux X86_64 on my sony laptop. It has no option for USB boot. Also virtualization need some VTx enabled which I think sony doent agree.

FYI, you can enable VTx on VAIO by flashing/tweaking the InsydeH2O BIOS.

mukul_s · 2009-08-15 17:45:41

guys,
I forgot t ask one thing:

7. Has anyone been successful in running Skype on x86_64 Arch?

djszapi · 2009-08-15 20:22:26

Yeah, I tried earlier according this :

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Sky … stallation

tankmcp · 2009-08-15 20:36:18

+1 for Skype on x86_64 from AUR bin32-skype.
Running right now.

Further, I've never had a problem with stability in AUR outside of the individual program from the AUR.

Virtualbox will run on x86_64 and I've used it with Vista & Win7.

Hotkeys may not map by default, but can be setup for just about anything.

You will likely love ARCH from you comments, if you are willing to put in a little time to learn.

mukul_s · 2009-08-15 20:51:39

@djszapi:
Thanks for the link. I'll definitely use it.

@tankmcp:
I like to learn more n more of linux. So I def think I'll learn n like Arch too
Also, I'll get back to you if my hotkeys wont work.

hrobeers · 2009-08-15 20:55:17

mukul_s wrote:

5. Will it cause any issues with Vista home premium (pre-installed).

No problem, but you'll need to edit your /boot/grub/menu.lst manually.
It's good to copy the menu.lst, that suse created, somewhere. You'll be faster finding the right entry's. (not that it's difficult)
Welcome to arch.

edit: Making hotkeys to work is not that difficult!

Last edited by hrobeers (2009-08-15 20:56:31)

folletto · 2009-08-15 21:12:33

hi, I've 64 Arch on Vaio (VGN-FZ38M),

I didn't find any bigger problem with 64 Arch on my Vaio
Wireless works ok.
Multimedia keys work ok (Gnome).
Fn keys (brightness) don't work for me, but I didn't try hard to solve the problem.
Skype works ok. there's bin32-skype on AUR.
If you have Ricoh webcam here's the way to make it work
and problems with internal mic
and a link to very usefull page about Arch on Vaio

skottish · 2009-08-16 00:35:24

Welcome to the forums mukul_s. I'm curious, is there any reason that you want to run 64 bit instead of 32 bit?

loafer · 2009-08-16 01:09:27

Hello skottish, I'm interested why you ask. I thought it was recommended that users with processors that support it install 64 bit.

Is there any reason we shouldn't switch. I don't play games, use wine or use google earth much. What would I miss out on? I am planning t switch to 64 bit. Should I put it off?

skottish · 2009-08-16 04:24:09

loafer wrote:

Hello skottish, I'm interested why you ask. I thought it was recommended that users with processors that support it install 64 bit.
Is there any reason we shouldn't switch. I don't play games, use wine or use google earth much. What would I miss out on? I am planning t switch to 64 bit. Should I put it off?

64bit is really helpful if one does a lot of video encoding, needs a large amount of RAM, runs a database -- stuff like that. For most people though it simply means larger binaries, more memory per task used, and more work to get stuff running. You mentioned that you don't do the usual 32 bit stuff much. That's good if you don't feel like dealing with installing and maintaining some sort of multi-lib setup. That's not a big deal, but it is more work.

My main computer had been a pure 64 bit machine for a long time until today. I broke off from that because I wanted a higher quality AAC encoder than FOSS provides. So I installed NeroAACEnc which requires a couple of lib32 libraries. I personally don't find 64 bit to be a problem because I never play games or use anything like Google's stand-alone software.

mukul_s · 2009-08-16 07:47:55

skottish wrote:

Welcome to the forums mukul_s. I'm curious, is there any reason that you want to run 64 bit instead of 32 bit?

Hi Skottish,

There's no special reason for 64-bit.
1. I thought it's always better to get most out of the resources. So my Core2Duo supports 64-bit so I thought of installing it.
2. i686 is optimized for older hardwares like Pentium-II, so it may not bring the best out of Core2Duo.
3. However, sometimes I do play games for a change. So, should I resort to 32-bit?
4. I don't do any video editing n stuff. Just to be up with times & encourage 64-bit, I was planning to use x86_64.

Would like to know your views.

Last edited by mukul_s (2009-08-16 07:48:14)

Arch Linux

#1 2009-08-15 11:16:22

Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#2 2009-08-15 11:45:00

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#3 2009-08-15 11:50:15

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#4 2009-08-15 13:39:23

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#5 2009-08-15 14:04:21

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#6 2009-08-15 14:06:24

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#7 2009-08-15 17:45:41

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#8 2009-08-15 20:22:26

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#9 2009-08-15 20:36:18

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#10 2009-08-15 20:51:39

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#11 2009-08-15 20:55:17

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#12 2009-08-15 21:12:33

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#13 2009-08-16 00:35:24

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#14 2009-08-16 01:09:27

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#15 2009-08-16 04:24:09

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

#16 2009-08-16 07:47:55

Re: Help: x86_64 Archlinux on VAIO laptop

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