[nzlug] SansOS Laptops Update?

[Simon Bridge]

On Wed, 2008-03-26 at 18:38 +1300, don.esslemont at paradise.net.nz wrote:

> And on 25 Mar 2008 at 23:25, Simon Bridge wrote:
> 
> > Ahah - in my system, the mic boost radio button in the volume control
> > dialog, under the "switches" tab.
> 
> I'm not sure what you mean by the "volume control dialog". 
> 
I'm sorry, I thought we'd established that in a previous message.

> When I place the pointer over the loudspeaker in the panel at the top 
> of the screen, a label appears with "Master 100%". If I rt-click on 
> the loudspeaker I get a drop-down menu that includes "Open volume 
> control" and "Preferences". Is this what you mean by the volume 
> control dialog?

select "open volume control" - the resulting window is the "volume
control dialog" - it's title should be something like "Volume Control:
HDA Intel (ALSA Mixer)"

There's a menu bar, and two tabs. The active tab is called "Playback"
and it has sliders in it. The other tab is called "switches". In there I
have, "Headphone Jack Sense", "Mic Boost (+20dB)" and "Mix".

> There are no tabs at all and I can't find a check box 
> or button.
> 
> If I click on "Open volume control" I get a window headed "Volume 
> control: HDA Intel (Alsa mixer). There are three tabs: Playback, 
> Recording, and Options, no "switches".
> 
OK - what's in those tabs?

> Choosing "Preferences" shows a box labelled "Volume control 
> preferences". The device to control is set to "HDA Intel (ALSA 
> mixer").
> 
> Now clicking on "Preferences" just makes the drop down menu go away. 
> I have to click on the panel - Remove from panel - Add to panel - 
> click on volume control to add the volume control back to the panel. 
> 
That sounds bad - like you want DSE to replace it, especially if it is
highly reproduceable.

> > I'd appreciate a report on how this went.
> 
> Not well :-(
> 
> As I reported, at one point both microphones did record, although at 
> very low volume, and with a very loud background hiss. Now, neither 
> works. 

Suddenly not working at all is unlikely related to the driver config
we've been doing. Could be it just broke and the low vol was maybe a
symptom of that. Tell DSE that the mic went, low vol, then stopped
altogether. Please replace under the warranty. They'd be happy to.


On Wed, 2008-03-26 at 20:18 +1300, don.esslemont at paradise.net.nz wrote:
> On 26 Mar 2008 at 13:06, Simon Bridge wrote:
> 
> > I'm writing that review and sent a request to PC World (do they want
> > one). 
> 
> Excellent!
> 
> > I can do 90% of it without physical access to the machine,
> > (which means I can send sample copy) but there are things I need to
> > know that I cannot get online.
> 
> Why not ask Acer to lend you a machine for review?
> 
That's an important next step - unfortunately their "contact" and "support" pages are just blank for me.
I'll have to telephone.
 
> > What came in the box?
> 
> There were 2 A4 sheets (4 sides). Would you like me to scan them and 
> send them to you?
> 
Hopefully there was also a PSU + mains cable too.
Does this thing have a built-in modem?

> > Did you get a winXP CD as well?
> 
> No. It was sold as a Ubuntu-only machine.
> 
Oh sure, but it's been known to happen.

> 
> > What were the OEM setup steps?
> 
> Not sure that I understand that. Ask me again after you get the 
> scanned pages.
> 
It will have the OEM install of Ubuntu, rather than the regular user install.
When you first switch the machine on, it asks you some questions...

> > Did it help to have a network connection at the time?
> 
> I think so. Page 4 was about how to install Automatix and DVD 
> Playback codecs.
> 
Automatix?? Gah! I hope you didn't do that.
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/debian-26/automatix-a-disaster-in-the-making-574639
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=562550

applications > add/remove pretty much voids the need for it anyway.

Guess I'm going to want to see these sheets of paper - you can attach them to an email off-list. Ta.

> 
> > Screenshots.
> 
> Didn't take any, but if you tell me what you want I'll give it a go.

I'll try and get a hold of a trial machine first.