> Another option is to buy a USB hub, powered directly from plug.
Yeah, that sort of works, but not just any hub will do. The one I've got (an Ovislink) is not properly initialized by the BIOS, so the keyboard does not work until the OS has booted. To boot linux I plug the keyboard into the hub and wait for Grub to automatically launch the first entry; to boot Windows, I plug the mouse directly into a port, and scroll down Grub's menu to the last entry.
The built-in hub in the Dell ultrasharp screens works fine, but I was too cheap to shell out the extra € (and now I regret it).
As for the PCI solution, I'm sure it would work fine but one of the PCI slots is already taken by my Wifi card, and losing the other makes me uncomfortable. Plus, I agree, I don't want to pay extra, and jump through yet more hoops.
I got a c521 today and installed fedora core 6 and have endless mouse seizures and one keyboard freeze :(
I also found that following the install fc6 booted X to a resolution the monitor would not accept, which at least with the rescue boot I managed to edit xorg.conf to fix.
I have a new C521 w/ X2 3800+, ATI X1300.
I am running Fedora Core 6 i386.
If I boot w/ no args I can run but I only get one cpu running.
I get messages in /var/log/{dmesg,messages} of the following type:
CPU1 irqstacks, ...
Not responding.
...
CPU #1 not responding - cannot use it.
...
MP-BIOS bug: 8254 timer not connected to IO-APIC
...trying to set up timer (IRQ0) through the 8259A ... failed.
...trying to set up timer as Virtual Wire IRQ ... failed.
...trying to set up timer as ExtInt IRQ... works.
Brought up 1 CPUs.
Now, if I boot with acpi=off, I get both processor cores,
but I get the hanging mouse problem.
I am currently booting with "nolapic". I don't get the MP-BIOS bug
message but I do get "spurious 8259A interrupt: IRQ7."
I think this whole mess has something to do with ACPI or APIC
interrupts not getting mapped properly. I am wondering if we
can boot to WinXP, find the interrupt mappings and somehow get
this mapping set up for linux. I am not experienced here. Is
there an easy way to get the interrupt mapping on WinXP.
I have a new C521 with AMD 64 3200+. I've tried many flavors of Linux with the same problem of mouse frezzing up as everyone else.
Before I tried Linux, I tried to re-install windows XP pro from the included re-installation disk. I didn't have the resource disk, so I couldn't install the special drivers for windows.
Windows installed an booted up OK, but the mouse froze constantly and I had to re-boot.
I decided to download the drivers from Dell's WEb site and the following driver solved my problem:
Chip Set: nVidia SMBus, Driver, Windows XP, Windows XP x64, Multi Language, Dimension C521, E521, OptiPlex 740, v.4.5.7, A02 Release Date:9/15/2006
Criticality:
Urgent Description:SMBus INF for MCP51 & MCP55
By downloading, you accept the terms of the Dell Software License Agreement.
Urgent Dell highly recommends applying this update as soon as possible. The update contains changes to improve the reliability and availability of your Dell system
I'm not an expert, but Windows was not able to operate and could not find drivers to solve the problem on regular installation sites. Only Dell's driver above for the Nvidia Chipset would allow the mouse to work normally with windows XP Pro.
I have problems under windows XP with USB
cannot boot with usb flash drive in screen hub.
After a period of time loose keyboard and mouse. In my case plugged into screen HUB.
Have problems recognising a USB connected hard drive as well.
I put a Belkin USB card in mine, and that has resolved things for me for now. All the same I am none too happy with the lack of help from Dell on this.
I compiled a pristine 2.16.18.2 kernel using the config file used by Ubuntu Edgy 2.6.17 kernel; the only option I changed in the config menu was selectin optimisation for Athlon. There were no nasty surprises during compilation, and everything worked fine the first time.
I unplugged the USB hub and plugged my wireless mouse/keyboard combo directly into a USB port and rebooted. My computer booted the new kernel just fine, and unlike Edgy's 2.6.17, it reached GDM with a fully functional mouse and keyboard, which was already an improvement on the previous situation (reaching GDM with BOTH already locked).
I have not given it very extended use, but have used it for about 45 minutes with no apparent problems, which I don't think I ever could with Dapper's kernel.
What I don't know is what functionality have I given up by not running Ubuntu's kernel. What patches have they added to 2.6.17 that are absent from 2.6.18.2?
NTFS-3g works OK (an advantage of user-mode drivers). The on-board network connection works OK, but I have not yet tested the Ralink PCI wifi card. I have not tested audio yet, either. I do know that my iPod works OK from Rhythmbox, and I can read *and write* to it.
nVidia's proprietary driver does not work, unfortunately, as it is built for Ubuntu's 2.6.17; I'll have to rebuild it later for 2.6.18. However, the open-source nv driver works more or less ok and, though it does not seem to like the 1280x1024 resolution, windows move around fast with no tearing as suffered with the VESA drivers.
If anybody is interested, I've generated .deb packages that may be installed *and uninstalled* effortlessly in any Edgy installation. The entry in Grub is automatically added, and an alternative kernel (or XP) may be chosen at boot time.
Today I compiled kernel version 2.6.18.2 on FC5, but without external powered hub my mouse unfortunately freezed after half an hour or one hour of use...
I decided to download the drivers from Dell's WEb site and the following driver solved my problem:
Does it solve your problem on Linux too? I was advised to install this driver from the Dell support, but the mouse still freezes on Linux, so I guess the recommended update is a Windows-specific driver update, not a firmware update.
Does the latest Linux kernel fix the problem as some of you are reporting?
What's the point of having this discussion here? Anybody from DELL reads these threads? If the problem is not with their hardware, why don't they officially say so?
As things work under windows, it is I think a bit of a grey area, but do things only work under windows as Dell drivers do some tweakings with timings or whatever?
I know I have never had a less stable Linux system that I have now with the C521 :(
With respect to getting attention from Dell ...
The linux.dell.com website has email lists. One of them
is for linux on desktop systems. There is a Dell person
who seems to be reading these. I have just started subscribing.
FC6 came out with a new kernel last week marked 2.6.18-1.2849.
With this one I can't boot with the "nolapic" options I was
using before.
The driver I downloaded from Dell's web site is Windows specific, and only solves the mouse problem under Windows, not Linux.
I am going to install a Delll Serial/PS2 PCI adapter card and see if that will eliminate the problem under Linux. I'm not using the PCI slot in the C521 for anything else, and I have an old PS2 Keyboard and Mouse available, so that might be a good $15.00 fix, at least until Nvidia or Dell offers a driver for Linux. I'll let you know if it works.
It's interesting that if you search "Dell Linux Desktop" in Google, the first page it brings up is the Dell C521 page on Dell's website. Strange given that the C521 will not run Linux without hardware modifications!.
I did do some superficial research and did read people were using Fedora Core 6 on a C521 and there was no mention of issues, I also saw those same links. so I felt I was on a safe bet.
Lobotomik
1 Rookie
•
20 Posts
0
November 7th, 2006 15:00
Yeah, that sort of works, but not just any hub will do. The one I've got (an Ovislink) is not properly initialized by the BIOS, so the keyboard does not work until the OS has booted. To boot linux I plug the keyboard into the hub and wait for Grub to automatically launch the first entry; to boot Windows, I plug the mouse directly into a port, and scroll down Grub's menu to the last entry.
The built-in hub in the Dell ultrasharp screens works fine, but I was too cheap to shell out the extra € (and now I regret it).
As for the PCI solution, I'm sure it would work fine but one of the PCI slots is already taken by my Wifi card, and losing the other makes me uncomfortable. Plus, I agree, I don't want to pay extra, and jump through yet more hoops.
myfreeforum
14 Posts
0
November 7th, 2006 16:00
I got a c521 today and installed fedora core 6 and have endless mouse seizures and one keyboard freeze :(
I also found that following the install fc6 booted X to a resolution the monitor would not accept, which at least with the rescue boot I managed to edit xorg.conf to fix.
But this mouse issue is a killer :(
mwette
38 Posts
0
November 12th, 2006 20:00
I am running Fedora Core 6 i386.
If I boot w/ no args I can run but I only get one cpu running.
I get messages in /var/log/{dmesg,messages} of the following type:
CPU1 irqstacks, ...
Not responding.
...
CPU #1 not responding - cannot use it.
...
MP-BIOS bug: 8254 timer not connected to IO-APIC
...trying to set up timer (IRQ0) through the 8259A ... failed.
...trying to set up timer as Virtual Wire IRQ ... failed.
...trying to set up timer as ExtInt IRQ... works.
Brought up 1 CPUs.
Now, if I boot with acpi=off, I get both processor cores,
but I get the hanging mouse problem.
I am currently booting with "nolapic". I don't get the MP-BIOS bug
message but I do get "spurious 8259A interrupt: IRQ7."
I think this whole mess has something to do with ACPI or APIC
interrupts not getting mapped properly. I am wondering if we
can boot to WinXP, find the interrupt mappings and somehow get
this mapping set up for linux. I am not experienced here. Is
there an easy way to get the interrupt mapping on WinXP.
(I have a dual boot set up.)
donnyr3
5 Posts
0
November 13th, 2006 02:00
By downloading, you accept the terms of the Dell Software License Agreement.
File Name File Size Download Time (56K) File FormatR132919.EXE5 MB14.3 minHard-Drive
Criticality
Urgent Dell highly recommends applying this update as soon as possible. The update contains changes to improve the reliability and availability of your Dell system
I'm not an expert, but Windows was not able to operate and could not find drivers to solve the problem on regular installation sites. Only Dell's driver above for the Nvidia Chipset would allow the mouse to work normally with windows XP Pro.
Hope that is some help.....
Thanks,
Don
lawrence1234
1 Message
0
November 13th, 2006 06:00
cannot boot with usb flash drive in screen hub.
After a period of time loose keyboard and mouse. In my case plugged into screen HUB.
Have problems recognising a USB connected hard drive as well.
Sounds as if USB BUS totally flackey to me.
myfreeforum
14 Posts
0
November 13th, 2006 07:00
Lobotomik
1 Rookie
•
20 Posts
0
November 13th, 2006 12:00
I unplugged the USB hub and plugged my wireless mouse/keyboard combo directly into a USB port and rebooted. My computer booted the new kernel just fine, and unlike Edgy's 2.6.17, it reached GDM with a fully functional mouse and keyboard, which was already an improvement on the previous situation (reaching GDM with BOTH already locked).
I have not given it very extended use, but have used it for about 45 minutes with no apparent problems, which I don't think I ever could with Dapper's kernel.
What I don't know is what functionality have I given up by not running Ubuntu's kernel. What patches have they added to 2.6.17 that are absent from 2.6.18.2?
NTFS-3g works OK (an advantage of user-mode drivers). The on-board network connection works OK, but I have not yet tested the Ralink PCI wifi card. I have not tested audio yet, either. I do know that my iPod works OK from Rhythmbox, and I can read *and write* to it.
nVidia's proprietary driver does not work, unfortunately, as it is built for Ubuntu's 2.6.17; I'll have to rebuild it later for 2.6.18. However, the open-source nv driver works more or less ok and, though it does not seem to like the 1280x1024 resolution, windows move around fast with no tearing as suffered with the VESA drivers.
If anybody is interested, I've generated .deb packages that may be installed *and uninstalled* effortlessly in any Edgy installation. The entry in Grub is automatically added, and an alternative kernel (or XP) may be chosen at boot time.
thermostat
7 Posts
0
November 14th, 2006 18:00
jbquenot
4 Posts
0
November 15th, 2006 04:00
Does it solve your problem on Linux too? I was advised to install this driver from the Dell support, but the mouse still freezes on Linux, so I guess the recommended update is a Windows-specific driver update, not a firmware update.
Does the latest Linux kernel fix the problem as some of you are reporting?
Message Edited by jbquenot on 11-15-200612:49 AM
My_spece
5 Posts
0
November 15th, 2006 07:00
It's sooooo annoying and frustrates me big time.
What's the point of having this discussion here? Anybody from DELL reads these threads? If the problem is not with their hardware, why don't they officially say so?
myfreeforum
14 Posts
0
November 15th, 2006 07:00
I know I have never had a less stable Linux system that I have now with the C521 :(
mwette
38 Posts
0
November 15th, 2006 11:00
The linux.dell.com website has email lists. One of them
is for linux on desktop systems. There is a Dell person
who seems to be reading these. I have just started subscribing.
FC6 came out with a new kernel last week marked 2.6.18-1.2849.
With this one I can't boot with the "nolapic" options I was
using before.
donnyr3
5 Posts
0
November 15th, 2006 13:00
Donnyr7
5 Posts
0
November 15th, 2006 14:00
myfreeforum
14 Posts
0
November 15th, 2006 15:00
I did do some superficial research and did read people were using Fedora Core 6 on a C521 and there was no mention of issues, I also saw those same links. so I felt I was on a safe bet.