Dell Vostro 1200 [Linux Laptop Wiki]

Introduction

This is a compatibility guide to running Linux with the Dell Vostro 1200 laptop.

This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which modules you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required modules have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.

Specifications

Name	Dell Vostro 1200 (Compal JFT00/Intelbrás I62 plus many others)
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo
Screen	12.1“ WXGA Widescreen
RAM	1GB to 4GB
HDD	Up to 160GB
Optical Drive	DVD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD+-RW
Graphics	Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Network	Ethernet, Intel 3945ABG 802.11abg or Intel 4965AGN 802.11abgn, Bluetooth

Linux Compatibility

Device	Compatibility	Comments
Processor	works out of the box
Screen	works out of the box
HDD	works out of the box	(250GB Intelbrás model)
Optical Drive	works out of the box
Graphics	works out of the box
Sound	works out of the box	low volume overall
Ethernet	works out of the box	gigabit connection not tested
Wireless	works out of the box	iwl3945 version tested
Bluetooth	Not Tested	mine doesn't have it
56K Modem	Not Tested
USB	works out of the box
Card Reader	works out of the box	even mounts MS correctly
ExpressCard Slot	Not Tested
Fingerprint Reader	works partially with workaround	http://knowledge76.com/index.php/Fingerprint_Reader_Installation
Camera	works out of the box

Summary

Discussion

Marcel, 2009/11/02 09:47

Experiencing the same overheating problem with Ubuntu 9.10 and the latest Compal BIOS (A106, released march/09).

The difference to me is that even without sleeping I have that issue…

Even if my computer is not branded by anyone, can I use a BIOS from Dell? Does that BIOS work any better?

Thanks!

Jorge Costa, 2009/08/27 21:54

My friends, I totally had freaked out about this fan problem. I updated BIOS to 1.05 and will try 1.06A. The same problem ocurrs on Mac OSx86 (aka Hackintosh).

On Ubuntu 9.04, it sleeps ok! When power button is pressed, display, wifi and sound wakes up normally, but battery status becomes unknown and fan doesn´t change speed according to CPU load, remaining always almost unaudible. And that causes a suddenly shutdown due to overheating.

Anyone has solved that?

Thanks,
Jorge Costa (Brazil)

tantri, 2009/08/03 06:28

I had installed Ubuntu 9.04 on my Vostro 1200. It runs quite well unless the Bluetooth cannot be activated.

faqing, 2009/05/29 15:58

The fan still cannot wake up from suspend. Maybe it is the problem of hard disk (Toshiba). http://swinky-linuxblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/ubuntu-904-on-toshiba-satellite-l305.html

faqing, 2009/05/29 15:10

Dell Vostro 1200 can run Ubuntu 8.10, but it has a little problem when it runs on Ubuntu 9.04. The fan can not wake up from suspending. The result will be its temperature is very high, and it will shut down.

Now, I am trying to update bios, hope this problem will be solved.
http://supportapj.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=th&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R214259&SystemID=VOS_N_1200&servicetag=&os=WLH&osl=en&deviceid=18029&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=4&catid=1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=1&fileid=303311

Rohan, 2009/04/29 11:25

Dear sir,

How I can install windows Vista on my Dell Vostro 1200 linux laptop

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Unusable
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Dell Vostro 1200

Introduction

Editing This Page

Specifications

Linux Compatibility

Notes

Summary

Discussion