Debian X Strike Force: Machine: HP Dv7-4170us Entertainment Laptop with Switchable Radeon Graphics
Issue 1: When using xserver-xorg-video-radeon with Debian Squeeze or Wheezy, the GPU(s) get quite hot. The wrist-rest area to the left of the touchpad gets uncomfortably hot. Issue 2: When using xserver-xorg-video-radeon with Debian Squeeze or Wheezy, I have found no way to switch GPUs or control the GPU events. GPU Info From lspci: 01:05.0 VGA compatible controller: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI RS880M [Mobility Radeon HD 4200 Series] 02:00.0 VGA compatible controller: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI Manhattan [Mobility Radeon HD 5400 Series] 02:00.1 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI Cedar HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 5400/6300 Series] When running this machine with Windows 7, the Catalyst Control Center allows switching from Radeon HD 5400 while on AC power to Radeon HD 4200 for battery operation (to reduce power consumption). In either mode, the GPU(s) run cool and the cooling fan runs slow and quiet. With Debian Squeeze and Wheezy, the GPUs get very hot and the cooling fan must often run fast to keep the insides from over heating. >From my research, I learned that support for Mobility Radeon HD 4200 Series was dropped in recent versions of ATI's fglrx Catalyst Control Center and the suggestion was to stay with using xserver-xorg-video-radeon. I was led to conclude that earlier versions of fglrx that may be compatible with my HP laptop are not compatible with the kernel and certain libraries found in Wheezy. Question 1: Is there a way to use xserver-xorg-video-radeon on this machine and cool down the GPUs? Question 2: Do I have to use fglrx to get the GPUs to switch when the power source changes and to operate properly and cooly? Question 3: Is this laptop simply not Debian/GNU Linux compatible (i.e. can it only be Windows computer)? Question 4: What are your recommendations for this machine? Question 5: Can you recommend a different laptop brand or configuration that would be Debian/GNU Linux compatible? Without assistance, I will have to abandon using Debian or any Linux distro on this machine. Thank you, -- William Diehl -- http://www.fastmail.fm - A fast, anti-spam email service. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [email protected] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [email protected] Archive: http://lists.debian.org/1364148124.22282.140661208525981.4faee...@webmail.messagingengine.com
