Ubuntu hard disk drive longevity

Last time I received info from my friend about problem with ubuntu acpi module on laptops. It seems, that while working on battery/powersave mode, hard disks of some manufacturers tried to park even two times per minute. It causes sometimes over two thousand parks a day. Problem is that manufacturers tells that disks works properly up to 400.000 parks. So if you have 200.000 you can start get worry, if over 500.000 you should be scared already. Better switch off your laptop now! ;)

How to check?
You should have installed smartmontools package. If you don't have try:

# apt-get install smartmontools

as root-user.

now you can type command:

# smartctl -a $DEVICE | grep Load_Cycle_Count

where $DEVICE is your disk device (ie.: /dev/sda)

Last number is our interesting. Now you know what to do.

If you want to introduce less strict power policy, here is workaround:

- create file named 99-something.sh (ie.: 99-diskpolicy.sh)
- insert there:

#!/bin/sh
hdparm -B 254 $DEVICE

(remember about $DEVICE)

- change mode of this file to 755 and owner to root (if not done already)
- copy file to directories: /etc/acpi/resume.d/ and /etc/acpi/start.d/

After next reboot proper policy will be applied.

More info is here

Wifi for Acer Aspire 3023 WLMi for Ubuntu 7.10

Problem: Wifi for Acer Aspire 3023 WLMi for Ubuntu 7.10 does not work

Resolution: (not trivial)

This is common issue (broadcom wireless) but with little addition. Acer Aspire 3023 WLMi has Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller is described here as 'usually not working'. I don't know in what other notebooks it is mounted but I found resolution for Acer Aspire 3023 WLMi. Problem is in those special buttons - precisely in WiFi button. Adding broadcom firmware does not cause wifi working.

Ok, here is resolution:

Part 1 - install Broadcom wireless bcm4318
Start with this page.
In shortcut:
- obtain windows driver for wireless from here
- unzip it
- install bcm43xx-fwcutter
- use this bcm43xx-fwcutter on downloaded driver

# bcm43xx-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware ./bcmwl5.sys
# bcm43xx-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware/`uname -r` ./bcmwl5.sys

With other broadcom controller now you should have wifi

Part 2 - enable wifi button
There is module written for this purpose - acerhk
In shortcut:
- download this or this and untar
- enter directory
- edit file acerhk.c and change first uncommented line

#include <linux/config.h>

to

#include <linux/autoconf.h>

- # make && make install
- edit file /etc/modules and add following lines:

acerhk poll=1 autowlan=1
bcm43xx

After rebooting notebook it should work. Now you have gleaming wireless button (and mail client button flashing :) - don't ask, I don't know why).