Ubuntu and a T30

[jronald]

Need some help
I have a stone stock T30
New install of Unbuntu Jaunty
3 issues:
Screen keeps dimming, I can use the hot keys to brighten it, but it is annoying
I have disabled the "idle dim" feature

CPU runs high usage all the time
Looking at the system monitor, I dont see any 1 program peaking
But looking at the summery screen, it routinley exceeds 95%

Screen scroll is jerky

Suggestions
2 gig CPU and 512mb memory

Ron

[lifrancis]

T30 is a great machine, but it does not have much graphics processing power. I think if you turn off visual effects the situation may improve.

[Harryc]

Ron, there should be an option in BIOS for the display brightness (normal/High). Set it on high and the LCD will not dim.

[emeraldgirl08]

Ron. I have a T30 and am running Ibex. I'm not sure if there would be a dramatic difference between performance on our machines w/ linux.

I get the weird brightness glitch also. It is noticeable when I start up my OS and it can't seem to make up it's mind. It starts out at the level I set it to before I had shut it down and then it turns it up to maximum brightness on entry to Ubuntu desktop. I went to system>>power management>> and you'll see a slider for display. If you slide it a little the screen will either go very dim or very bright. Go a little further and then it does the same thing.

Very annoying.

CPU usage. Mine hovers around 15-20% not 99% What kind of processor does your T30 have? The only time my CPU usage will spike is when I start a program then it will subside into a lower number.

Graphics. I tweaked mine a little through xorg.conf scripts. It was laggy scrolling on Firefox when I scrolled. Even with smooth scrolling enabled so I looked around and found a thread that pointed me in the right direction. If you're interested in this script manipulation ask. I'm not an expert on this comp business yet so don't hold me liable if something happens to your comp. So far after the xorg manip my comp is running fine. My internal temps are upper 40 C's.

[jronald]

Harry C
I tried the bios idea, while I have not used it extensively since the change, coming on line I had to "brighten" it as soon as I got the signon screen

Emerald
Your right, the thing has a mind of its own
Not sure about tinkering in root yet
It very annoying, but Id like a different work around

Thanks
Ron

[jronald]

OK fixed both screen issues
No jerky no dimmy no more

Lets work on the CPU issue
Start here
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php? ... +cpu+usage
Then here
http://fosswire.com/post/2009/4/enable- ... on-ubuntu/
But it not where it is supposed to be
Appears to be a known issue!
How do I fix it?

Thanks
Ron

[emeraldgirl08]

Well that CPU usage is just dismaying! I'm glad I'm still on 8.10! I really am not sure what normal idle is- regardless someone should come up with something soon and send out something in the update manager to remedy this!

As for you other two problems I'm glad you got them taken care of

How did you do it?

[jronald]

Dont know
Combo I think
Fixed the bios
Then went into system, fixed it (disabled)
Then went into power settings and disabled those


Ron

[jronald]

Long story getting here
Reloaded Jackalope
None of the old issues, runs great out of the box
Upgraded to a 5400 rpm HDD
Geez that sucker flys!
It is far faster than XP to boot, starts Firefox faster
Im impressed

Ron

[emeraldgirl08]

I just did a fresh install and am running Jaunty also. The strange screen brightening and dimming I forgot about. That used to happen on logging into Ibex. As soon as the desktop showed the screen would turn up to the highest level of brightness. I'd go to the slider for brightness and it would never set right. I'd move it up a little and it would go max bright. I'd move it up a little more it would go minimum brightness.

I'm just wondering if you have the on-screen displays for volume, brightness etc on your T30. If so how'd you do it?