Linux on Inspiron 1720

I just got my Inspiron 1720 this past Monday and at this point, I am having no luck getting the drivers for the nVidia 8600M GT up and running. Until I get this worked out, I don't know what the rest of the machine is like. Does anyone out there have any suggestions as to what I have to do to get video working on a 1720 with an nVidia 8600M GT video card working? Thanks, RM

So are you running linux? You are not helping at all if you don't post detailed information about the distro, and the output of the 'dmesg' command. The nVidia drivers *do* support that card, its in the HCL. -Casey

Take it easy, kc, I just forgot to mention that I was doing this under Ubuntu 7.04. They are behind two versions of the nVidia drivers, which includes the version that supports the 8600M GT. Because of this, I figured out that you will have to compile the kernel headers. Just follow the instructions that nVidia has on their site. I did that and it worked like a charm. After that, I found that the system wasn't auto detecting the cd/dvd rom drive. It turns out that you have to run 'modprobe piix' as root and then add it to /etc/initramfs-tools/modules. From there, you have to run 'update-initramfs', also as root. Everything else so far has worked just fine and I have a gigantic 1920x1200 17" screen that rocks. RM

Thanks, thats great news! -Casey

Hello rmflagg,

is Sound working under Ubuntu 7.04? I can't install Ubuntu on my 1720 (x-server does not start) but i can install Mandriva one, Xandros, Sidux or Dreamlinux. In all case Audio does not work :-(

Tom

Tom, Sorry I didn't see your question earlier! The sound on my 1720 is working, but I have a problem with the headphone jack. When I plug headphones into the jack, the speakers don't shut off. I haven't been able to find a solution to this, but it's the only problem that I have encountered with the audio. RMF