Arch Linux

2k

Member

From: UK

Registered: 2006-02-17

Posts: 76

a few questions regarding laptops

Hi there,

Just a few questions... I have just bought and thanks to people on this forum successfully installed arch Linux onto it. I'm using KDE at the moment, but will probably go over to fluxbox at some point in the future.

My questions are, is there any software / settings to improve the battery in the laptop? As it currently only lasts for about 1 hour 15 minutes.

What is the best way to roam wireless networks? At the moment the settings are in rc.conf, but this isn't the most ideal solution.

Why does the blue on the arch linux website look so different to my desktop and so unpleasant? Is there anyway of changing this (not vitally important)

Cheers
Mike

bangkok_manouel

Member

From: indicates a starting point

Registered: 2005-02-07

Posts: 1,556

Re: a few questions regarding laptops

Hi there,

Just a few questions... I have just bought and thanks to people on this forum successfully installed arch Linux onto it. I'm using KDE at the moment, but will probably go over to fluxbox at some point in the future.

My questions are, is there any software / settings to improve the battery in the laptop? As it currently only lasts for about 1 hour 15 minutes.

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Speedstep
http://www.archlinux.org/packages/10847/

What is the best way to roam wireless networks? At the moment the settings are in rc.conf, but this isn't the most ideal solution.

http://www.archlinux.org/packages/search/?q=wicd
http://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=5220
http://www.archlinux.org/packages/search/?q=netcfg

Aaron

Member

From: PA, USA

Registered: 2007-12-19

Posts: 108

Website

Re: a few questions regarding laptops

In addition to bangkok's post, there are some more tips here:
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Lap … ving_power

pressh

Developer/TU

From: Netherlands

Registered: 2005-08-14

Posts: 1,719

Re: a few questions regarding laptops

Why does the blue on the arch linux website look so different to my desktop and so unpleasant? Is there anyway of changing this (not vitally important)

Most likely you will have to adjust your gamma settings.
I have the following defined in the monitor section of xorg.conf

    gamma 0.7 0.67 0.6

but  values can differ from screen to screen.

You can also adjust the gamma settings with xgamma so you don't have to restart X when trying.

11010010110

Member

Registered: 2008-01-14

Posts: 284

Re: a few questions regarding laptops

Minimize screen backlight intensity. Use theme and fonts that look okay on a dark screen

Consider shutting down the hard drive when not in use for long time - use hdparm to do it

Use speedstep

Shut down wifi when not in use

Use lightweight screensaver. Not opengl

Do not use composite wm

Use display power management capabilities

Also use the laptop in a way that does not kill the battery

If you are at home or office and your battery is charged - remove it from the computer

The battery prefers more small discharges and not less deep ones

Charge the battery as soon as possible

Avoid leaving it in a hot place (like putting the entire computer powered up in a bag for a long time)

2k

Member

From: UK

Registered: 2006-02-17

Posts: 76

Re: a few questions regarding laptops

Brilliant! thanks for all the advice....

Mike

Last edited by 2k (2008-05-21 16:45:29)

lilsirecho

Veteran

Registered: 2003-10-24

Posts: 5,000

Re: a few questions regarding laptops

2k;

Utilize a "Live" system on USB flash, such as FaunOS, so that the HDD can be put to sleep.  Requires boot from USB in the laptop.

Alternatively, use a CF card in IDE interface to replace the HDD in r/o and use a USB adapter to access the HDD using external power.

---

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2k

Member

From: UK

Registered: 2006-02-17

Posts: 76

Re: a few questions regarding laptops

Why does the blue on the arch linux website look so different to my desktop and so unpleasant? Is there anyway of changing this (not vitally important)

Most likely you will have to adjust your gamma settings.
I have the following defined in the monitor section of xorg.conf

    gamma 0.7 0.67 0.6

but  values can differ from screen to screen.

You can also adjust the gamma settings with xgamma so you don't have to restart X when trying.

That has worked perfectly thanks

Bapman

Member

From: Ottawa, Canada

Registered: 2007-09-02

Posts: 140

Re: a few questions regarding laptops

Hi there,

Just a few questions... I have just bought and thanks to people on this forum successfully installed arch Linux onto it. I'm using KDE at the moment, but will probably go over to fluxbox at some point in the future.

My questions are, is there any software / settings to improve the battery in the laptop? As it currently only lasts for about 1 hour 15 minutes.

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Speedstep
http://www.archlinux.org/packages/10847/

What is the best way to roam wireless networks? At the moment the settings are in rc.conf, but this isn't the most ideal solution.

http://www.archlinux.org/packages/search/?q=wicd
http://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=5220
http://www.archlinux.org/packages/search/?q=netcfg

Geee wicd seems really great for people who fear command-line netcfg2 or who want to configure networks really fast (my case ! e.g : airport)... Anyone tried it ? Is it stable ? I don't want to mess with my netcfg config since I did some tricks to make it work at my workplace...

2k

Member

From: UK

Registered: 2006-02-17

Posts: 76

Re: a few questions regarding laptops

Minimize screen backlight intensity

how do i go about this? I have done pretty much everything else suggested in the thread, but i feel this will have the biggest impact on my poor battery life.

Thanks
Mike