Logic Supply AG150 Computers
We were given the computers by Bloominglabs - they have a wiki page for the computers
Contents
Motherboard
Or Asrock DN2800MT This is extremely similar to the Intel dn2800mt, but it has a different LVDS connector, and probably other differences...
Or Mitac PD11T1 or PD10B1...
Intel GMA 500 graphics
Also known as the infamous Poulsbo, this is based on a PoverVR architechture and does not belong to the well supported family of integrated intel graphics adapters. The appropriate kernel module for this graphics is gma500_gfx, although it works fine, it does not offer any acceleration and it has some caveats.
Even when you disable from BIOS, it will think LVDS-1 is connected. It will further assume that the LVDS is 1920x1080 (or at least some widescreen resolution) and kms will switch to this resolution. If you are using one of the many monitors we have in the space, which cannot handle such resolution, this is why you might lose console during boot. There are two workarounds that will let you properly boot Linux with video on an AG150. Add one of the following two lines to the kernel parameters:
- video=1024x768
- video=LVDS-1:d
If you used the first line, then the LVDS adapter will still be active. This can cause problems once you load a desktop environment - buttons and menus may appear to be off the screen, because they are being fitted to the large resolution of the LVDS display. This is fixed by editing the monitor or display settings in your desktop environment. If you are using X (instead of Wayland or Mir), you can alternatively do this by adding xrandr --output LVDS-1 --off to your .xinitrc.
Intel Centrino radio
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 WiFi/Bluetooth card.
Available Intel supported LINUX kernel iwiwifi driver possibility NOT best configured with connman that requires uninstalling network-manager !
So far Lubuntu 15.04 with Blueman works the best with managing this radio. WiFi, Bluetooth v2, and Bluetooth v4.
Audio In/Out
The audio is an HD Intel card with a Realtek ALC888-VD chipset. To enable the mic input, in alsamixer, enable “Rear Mic” and “Capture” devices (space bar while under each item). I don’t recommend turning up the Rear Mic Boost, it doesn’t seem to do much anyway.
Power Supply
You must provide your own power supply to use these units. Power requirements are 8-19v at 60W. In reality, anything between 9-19v and at least 2A seems to work fine. These are $15 plus shipping; they work fine but are bit of an overkill. Multiple members have found suitable power supplies in goodwill.
The power supplies found with the engage displays should work, probably for both the computer and display. Please report your experiences if you try this...
Tips
- For kernel, try the BFS patchset by Con Kolivas, it works very well for such underpowered devices.
- Disable HT from bios. It is all lies. Especially if you are using BFS.
- If you are looking for a distro try arch, it is very lightweight by default and provides a very pedagogical experience. Also has a ck-patched atom-optimized kernel available in repo-ck
- If the AG150 you are using has the smaller SSD version, you can remove the mounting plate for the fullsize SSD for slightly better thermal dissipation.
- You can mount a secondary antenna to the Centrino 6235.
- The BIOS key is F2
Wiping
Every unit is to have its hard drive securely wiped before being used. Instructions to securely wipe the SSDs are on this serverfault answer. More information is on this arch linux wiki page.
