OpenBSD 4.4/4.5 i386 installation on Dell Inspiron 6400 notebook.

[xixobrax]

I want to install OpenBSD 4.4 or 4.5/i386 onto a Dell Inspiron 6400 (a.k.a.
as a Dell Inspiron E1505) with the following hardware configuration:

Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 @ 2.0 GHz (dual core)
667-MHz FSB
2.0 GB RAM @ 667 MHz
Nvidia GeForce Go 7300 w/ 128MB dedicated (128MB shared) @ 1680 x 1050 native resolution w/ 32bpp color depth
160GB Samsung HDD (ATA)
Broadcom 440x 10/100 integrated Ethernet controller
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 a/b/g 802.11 antenna
Optiarc DVD+/-RW AD-5540A (ATA) optical drive
SigmaTel High Definition Audio (codec)

My concern is that I will not be able to use the included X.org X11 drivers
to run the screen at 1680x1050 as I am able to do now with Win Vista Ult.

Also, I want to be sure that OpenBSD supports my audio hardware.

Lastly, are there any issues specific to the Intel 3945 wireless antenna with
OpenBSD?

I know that Nvidia makes binary drivers for linux and FreeBSD for the Nvidia GeForce Go 7300, but, I don't think these are compatible with OpenBSD.

I have also read that Xenocara is a possible solution for this issue.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

xixobrax.

[BSDfan666]

OpenBSD might work on that laptop, testing it would be the best course of action.

As for the Nvidia graphics, unfortunately.. The only driver available for OpenBSD is xf86-video-nv(4), this is the 2D driver included with Xorg. (..the shipped driver may not support your chipset if it's very recent, a failsafe would be xf86-video-vesa(4), but that would not preform well.)

The proprietary driver released by Nvidia for FreeBSD will not work, compat_freebsd(8) is for userland binaries, not drivers.

Xenocara is the name OpenBSD developers gave to their Xorg port, perhaps you were confusing the nouveau project, this is a project with the goal of reverse engineering Nvidia graphics cards.. they already know a fair bit about the early chipsets, but no solid 2D/3D driver has come into fruition. (..and it hasn't been ported to OpenBSD yet.).

The general rule in the OpenBSD community: Avoid NVIDEA like the plague..

[jggimi]

You could certainly try a LiveCD or LiveDVD of OpenBSD and see how it performs ... my .sig has a link to 4.4-release versions for i386 or amd64, both of which will work with the Core2Duo. (4.5-release versions are in development, and are expected to be ready on or about the May 1 -release date.)

I currently build these ISOs on a Dell Latitude D620, which is a Core2Duo with different graphics (Intel 1440x900).

[xixobrax]

I was able to use Xorg -configure t o get OpenBSD to recognize my nvidia gpu. It is running at its native res. of 1680x1050 widescreen w/ 24bpp.

Now, if I just disable the annoying console beep.

Also, I am unable to get OBSD 4.4/i386 to recognize my OptiArc 5540 DVD-RW drive.

Attached is the output from my dmesg and disklabel cd0.

Any assistance with the console beep (pc speaker mute?) issue is also
appreciated.

[jggimi]

I noted your posts to misc@ about your cd0 issue.

It looks at first glance like the drive is recognized, but that you have blank media inserted. I didn't reply on misc@, because I'm not sure if that's the case; I'm not where I can test blank media to see if I can duplicate your symptom.

As for the bell, oh my word, there were two threads, with 24 posts, on misc@ in the last few days:

Thread #1: http://marc.info/?t=124031178000002&r=1&w=2
Thread #2: http://marc.info/?t=124040094900002&r=1&w=2

[ocicat]

Originally Posted by xixobrax

Also, I am unable to get OBSD 4.4/i386 to recognize my OptiArc 5540 DVD-RW drive.

From the dmesg(1) output attached:

cd0 at scsibus0 targ 0 lun 0: <Optiarc, DVD+-RW AD-5540A, 102C> ATAPI 5/cdrom removable
cd0(pciide0:1:0): using PIO mode 4, Ultra-DMA mode 2

It appears that it is recognized.

[xixobrax]

jggimi:

The drive is recognized, but, I am unable to mount the cd/dvd drive with a disc
inserted (only tried to use audio CDs).

When I type:

# mount -t cd9660 -r /dev/cd0a /mnt/cdrom

the system returns: Device not configured.

-minsai0000

[BSDfan666]

Audio disks do not have ISO9660 file-systems, there is nothing wrong with your DVD-ROM drive.

Use cdio(1) to play a track:
$ sudo cdio play

Try a data CD next time.. or a DVD movie.. you should have told people that you were attempting to mount an audio disk, you would have saved them a lot of confusion.

[jggimi]

It's not any grief, and only a *tiny* bit of confusion. Mounting is for data. Files. Folders. Bits and Bytes.

A Data CD/DVD Primer (in case there is continued confusion)

While it's possible to put almost any data filesystem on a CD or DVD, the three most common data filesystems on optical media are CD9660 (by far the most common "data" disc format), something newer called UDF, and a "bridged" filesystem which is partially CD9660 and partially UDF. The bridged filesystem is used in the DVD video format.

Most data discs use CD9660 file systems, with "extensions" to support the needs of the intended OSes -- Rock Ridge for Unix and Unix-like systems, Joliet for Windows, and HFS (Hybrid) for Macs.

On OpenBSD, there is the built-in mkhybrid(8) program for building CD/DVD data file systems. I prefer the mkisofs program included with sysutils/cdrtools.

[xixobrax]

Originally Posted by jggimi

I noted your posts to misc@ about your cd0 issue.

As for the bell, oh my word, there were two threads, with 24 posts, on misc@ in the last few days:

Thread #1: http://marc.info/?t=124031178000002&r=1&w=2
Thread #2: http://marc.info/?t=124040094900002&r=1&w=2

Thanks for this.

How do I make xset variable changes (e.g., [#xset -b b off]) permanent?

xixobrax

[IdOp]

Originally Posted by xixobrax

How do I make xset variable changes (e.g., [#xset -b b off]) permanent?

I put such commands into file ~/.xinitrc (or, actually, into a separate customization script called by that file).

[xixobrax]

I have successfully used cdparanoia to rip an audio CD.
(DVD-RW drive working)

I have installed the OpenBSD FAQ recommended firmware for my Intel 3945a/b/g mini PCIe wireless antenna and configured it to access my network using WEP [only supported encryption on Roadrunner in my area : (]

X11 up and running at native 1680x1050 using: <#xorg -configure>

Audio working, havent checked the driver the kernel is using.

KDE and Windowmaker installed and running smoothly.

Very pleased with the network install, this was a test run, now I will definitely purchase 4.5 on CD.

[BSDfan666]

I love success stories.

Glad it worked out for you xixobrax.