ThinkWiki - User contributions [en]

Ibm-acpi

2008-09-10T13:53:36Z

TLSpartan: /* Application support */

{| width="100%"
|style="vertical-align:top;padding-right:20px;width:10px;white-space:nowrap;" | __TOC__
|style="vertical-align:top" |
=== ibm-acpi - IBM ThinkPad ACPI Extras Driver ===
This is a Linux ACPI driver for the IBM ThinkPad laptops written by Borislav Deianov, and currently maintained by [[User:hmh|Henrique de Moraes Holschuh]]. It aims to support various features of these laptops which are accessible through the ACPI framework but not otherwise supported by the generic Linux ACPI drivers. As a kernel module, ibm-acpi works as a bridge to deliver information about certain hardware events like key presses or control the state of certain hardware features by software.
{{NOTE|The ibm-acpi driver was renamed to [[thinkpad-acpi]] on Linux kernel 2.6.22}}
|}

=== Features ===
*triggers ACPI Events for
** [[How_to_get_special_keys_to_work | Fn key combinations]] ({{key|Fn}}{{key|F1}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F2}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F3}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F4}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F5}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F6}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F7}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F8}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F9}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F10}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F11}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F12}})
** [[UltraBay]] device eject (see also [[How to hotswap UltraBay devices]])
** Display lid, Power button, Undock button
*enables control via /proc files of
** Bluetooth
** Video output switching, video expansion control
** Docking and undocking (limited)
** Fan (on most models, only enable/disable; speed control is added by a further [[Patch for controlling fan speed|patch]])
** Volume
** [[LCD Brightness]]
** [[ThinkLight]]
** [[Table_of_ibm-acpi_LEDs| LEDs]]
** [[Error Codes and Beep Codes|Beep]] codes
** Several CMOS states
* can show values of
** [[Thermal Sensors|Sixteen temperature sensors]]
** Embedded Controler registers
** Fan status and speed

Some of these features are available only when the module is loaded with the <tt>experimental=1</tt> option. To enable it, add the following to {{path|/etc/modprobe.conf}} (or your distribution's equivalent):
options ibm_acpi experimental=1

for kernels 2.6.22 and above fan control is enabled with the following in /etc/modprobe.conf:
options thinkpad_acpi fan_control=1

=== Project Homepage / Availability ===
* Homepage: http://ibm-acpi.sourceforge.net/
* Public releases: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=117042
* ibm-acpi is included with the Linux kernel since 2.6.10.
* Mailing list: [[Mailinglists#ibm-acpi_Developers_Mailinglist|ibm-acpi-devel]]
* [[Git]] repository: git://repo.or.cz/linux-2.6/linux-acpi-2.6/ibm-acpi-2.6.git ([http://repo.or.cz/w/linux-2.6/linux-acpi-2.6/ibm-acpi-2.6.git browse])

=== Status ===
In development, usable, actively maintained. Patches should go to the ibm-acpi-devel [[mailinglists|mailing list]].

On older versions of the driver, even if you have disabled the BIOS setting for automatically dimming at battery power, after using the brightness switch of ibm-acpi, the auto-dimming behavior is enabled. This has been fixed in the latest thinkpad-acpi devel/backport versions and also kernel 2.6.26.

=== Application support===
* [http://www.gkrellm.net GKrellM] supports fan and thermal information
* [http://conky.sourceforge.net/ Conky] Displays the same information as GKrellM but displays it differently
* [http://www.joachim-breitner.de/blog/archives/38-Created-gaim-thinklight.html gaim-thinklight] is a gaim plugin which makes the [[ThinkLight]] blink when a message arrives.
* [http://packages.debian.org/unstable/net/pidgin-blinklight pidgin-thinklight] same as above but for pidgin
* [http://www.chris-lamb.co.uk/code/gaim-lightthink/ gaim-lightthink] is an alternative to gaim-thinklight.
* [http://hunz.org/ rocklight] is a xmms visualization plugin that makes the ThinkLight flash to the beat of your music. The package also includes a standalone stroboscope mode program.
* [http://sensors-applet.sourceforge.net/ GNOME Sensors Applet] is a small gnome panel applet which shows the fan speed and thermal information. In Debian it's the [http://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=sensors-applet&searchon=names&suite=all&section=all sensors-applet] package.
* [[ACPI fan control script|ACPI fan control scripts]] can be used to control the system fan according to system temperatures (overriding the firmware)

=== Interesting links related to this project ===
* [http://ibm-acpi.sf.net ibm-acpi Sourceforge project summary]
* [https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/ibm-acpi-devel ibm-acpi-devel Mailinglist] [http://gmane.org/info.php?group=gmane.linux.acpi.ibm-acpi.devel (List archive on gmane.org)]
* [http://mailman.linux-thinkpad.org/mailman/listinfo/linux-thinkpad Linux-Thinkpad Mailinglist]
* [http://acpi.sourceforge.net acpi.sourceforge.net]
* [http://www.kernel.org www.kernel.org]

[[Category:Drivers]]
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[[Category:x60s]] [[Category:X61]]

Problem with USB 2.0

2008-08-13T11:29:12Z

TLSpartan: /* Solutions */

==Problem description==
On various (early?) T40 models, USB 2.0 may not function, or may function only at USB 1.1 speeds. Symptoms include inability to connect to USB 2.0 devices at USB 2.0 speeds, the "This device can perform faster" pop-up in Windows XP, device ID assignment error messages from the Linux kernel, and frequent reboots of the USB bus and connected devices.

==Possible Causes==
So far, two possible causes have been suggested. In both cases, replacing the system board is the only solution.

===Fried Southbridge USB controller===
The Southbridge chip (containing the USB controller) may have been damaged by static electricity:

{{QUOTE|Matthias Himber|[http://mailman.linux-thinkpad.org/pipermail/linux-thinkpad/2005-June/026884.html linux-thinkpad]|
Short answer: your southbridge is about to die, get your system board replaced. Hopefully its still under warranty.

Long answer: a number of Intel chipsets for Pentium IV and Pentium M processors have a design flaw that makes the southbridge (which contains the USB host controllers) especially sensitive to static electricity. As a result
there is a (small) risk that when plugging in or removing a USB device causes damage to the chip. Usually, the first symptom is broken USB 2.0, behaving in exactly the way you described (ie, works under Windows, but only after some waiting and as if it was connected to a USB 1.1 controller, not a USB 2.0 one, and not at all under Linux unless you unload the USB 2.0 driver). This tends to lead to a completely dead chipset a short time later, so better get it serviced NOW.
}}

===Mechanical Damage to Mainboard===
Mechanical damage (from bending, dropping or vibrating the laptop) can lead to components becoming desoldered from the mainboard and no longer having reliable electrical contact:
{{QUOTE|?|?|
My T41 shows the same symptoms. USB 2.0 works if I (gently) push the USB plug, or if I slightly flex my thinkpad. For example, it works when I put a pencil under the harddrive on an otherwise flat desk, so that the thinkpad only makes contact with the desk at 3 points (I type on an external keyboard). If I flex the other way, USB 2.0 never works. USB 1.1 always works reliably, irregardless of flexing / pushing the plug.
}}

Clearly, this is an electrical problem and not static electricity.

==Solutions==
This seems to be a hardware problem with the USB controller on Intel's chip or related electronics. Sending the laptop in for service may help.

If the Linux kernel refuses to register the USB device, "modprobe -r ehci_hcd" may help. This disables USB 2.0 functionality for the session.

Unloading ehci_hcd as per above confirmed to work on T41 running Ubuntu Edgy. Also worked on a T40 running Debian Lenny.

== See Also ==
[http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7586_102-0.html?forumID=68&threadID=151816 IBM X40 USB Problem] (fried USB on multiple {{X40}}s)

Problem with USB 2.0

2008-08-12T13:21:24Z

TLSpartan: /* Solutions */

==Problem description==
On various (early?) T40 models, USB 2.0 may not function, or may function only at USB 1.1 speeds. Symptoms include inability to connect to USB 2.0 devices at USB 2.0 speeds, the "This device can perform faster" pop-up in Windows XP, device ID assignment error messages from the Linux kernel, and frequent reboots of the USB bus and connected devices.

==Possible Causes==
So far, two possible causes have been suggested. In both cases, replacing the system board is the only solution.

===Fried Southbridge USB controller===
The Southbridge chip (containing the USB controller) may have been damaged by static electricity:

{{QUOTE|Matthias Himber|[http://mailman.linux-thinkpad.org/pipermail/linux-thinkpad/2005-June/026884.html linux-thinkpad]|
Short answer: your southbridge is about to die, get your system board replaced. Hopefully its still under warranty.

Long answer: a number of Intel chipsets for Pentium IV and Pentium M processors have a design flaw that makes the southbridge (which contains the USB host controllers) especially sensitive to static electricity. As a result
there is a (small) risk that when plugging in or removing a USB device causes damage to the chip. Usually, the first symptom is broken USB 2.0, behaving in exactly the way you described (ie, works under Windows, but only after some waiting and as if it was connected to a USB 1.1 controller, not a USB 2.0 one, and not at all under Linux unless you unload the USB 2.0 driver). This tends to lead to a completely dead chipset a short time later, so better get it serviced NOW.
}}

===Mechanical Damage to Mainboard===
Mechanical damage (from bending, dropping or vibrating the laptop) can lead to components becoming desoldered from the mainboard and no longer having reliable electrical contact:
{{QUOTE|?|?|
My T41 shows the same symptoms. USB 2.0 works if I (gently) push the USB plug, or if I slightly flex my thinkpad. For example, it works when I put a pencil under the harddrive on an otherwise flat desk, so that the thinkpad only makes contact with the desk at 3 points (I type on an external keyboard). If I flex the other way, USB 2.0 never works. USB 1.1 always works reliably, irregardless of flexing / pushing the plug.
}}

Clearly, this is an electrical problem and not static electricity.

==Solutions==
This seems to be a hardware problem with the USB controller on Intel's chip or related electronics. Sending the laptop in for service may help.

If the Linux kernel refuses to register the USB device, "modprobe -r ehci_hcd" may help. This disables USB 2.0 functionality for the session.

Unloading ehci_hcd as per above confirmed to work on T41 running Ubuntu Edgy. Unloading ehci_hcd also worked on a T40 running Debian Lenny.

== See Also ==
[http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7586_102-0.html?forumID=68&threadID=151816 IBM X40 USB Problem] (fried USB on multiple {{X40}}s)

Ibm-acpi

2008-07-26T12:31:08Z

TLSpartan: /* Application support */

{| width="100%"
|style="vertical-align:top;padding-right:20px;width:10px;white-space:nowrap;" | __TOC__
|style="vertical-align:top" |
=== ibm-acpi - IBM ThinkPad ACPI Extras Driver ===
This is a Linux ACPI driver for the IBM ThinkPad laptops written by Borislav Deianov, and currently maintained by [[User:hmh|Henrique de Moraes Holschuh]]. It aims to support various features of these laptops which are accessible through the ACPI framework but not otherwise supported by the generic Linux ACPI drivers. As a kernel module, ibm-acpi works as a bridge to deliver information about certain hardware events like key presses or control the state of certain hardware features by software.
{{NOTE|The ibm-acpi driver was renamed to [[thinkpad-acpi]] on Linux kernel 2.6.22}}
|}

=== Features ===
*triggers ACPI Events for
** [[How_to_get_special_keys_to_work | Fn key combinations]] ({{key|Fn}}{{key|F1}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F2}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F3}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F4}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F5}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F6}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F7}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F8}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F9}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F10}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F11}}, {{key|Fn}}{{key|F12}})
** [[UltraBay]] device eject (see also [[How to hotswap UltraBay devices]])
** Display lid, Power button, Undock button
*enables control via /proc files of
** Bluetooth
** Video output switching, video expansion control
** Docking and undocking (limited)
** Fan (on most models, only enable/disable; speed control is added by a further [[Patch for controlling fan speed|patch]])
** Volume
** [[LCD Brightness]]
** [[ThinkLight]]
** [[Table_of_ibm-acpi_LEDs| LEDs]]
** [[Error Codes and Beep Codes|Beep]] codes
** Several CMOS states
* can show values of
** [[Thermal Sensors|Sixteen temperature sensors]]
** Embedded Controler registers
** Fan status and speed

Some of these features are available only when the module is loaded with the <tt>experimental=1</tt> option. To enable it, add the following to {{path|/etc/modprobe.conf}} (or your distribution's equivalent):
options ibm_acpi experimental=1

for kernels 2.6.22 and above fan control is enabled with the following in /etc/modprobe.conf:
options thinkpad_acpi fan_control=1

=== Project Homepage / Availability ===
* Homepage: http://ibm-acpi.sourceforge.net/
* Public releases: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=117042
* ibm-acpi is included with the Linux kernel since 2.6.10.
* Mailing list: [[Mailinglists#ibm-acpi_Developers_Mailinglist|ibm-acpi-devel]]
* [[Git]] repository: git://repo.or.cz/linux-2.6/linux-acpi-2.6/ibm-acpi-2.6.git ([http://repo.or.cz/w/linux-2.6/linux-acpi-2.6/ibm-acpi-2.6.git browse])

=== Status ===
In development, usable, actively maintained. Patches should go to the ibm-acpi-devel [[mailinglists|mailing list]].

Even if you have disabled the BIOS setting for automatically dimming at battery power, after using the brightness switch of ibm-acpi, the auto-dimming behavior is enabled. So, if you need a bright display even on battery power, you should not set any brightness via /proc/acpi/ibm/brightness.

=== Application support===
* [http://www.gkrellm.net GKrellM] supports fan and thermal information
* [http://www.joachim-breitner.de/blog/archives/38-Created-gaim-thinklight.html gaim-thinklight] is a gaim plugin which makes the [[ThinkLight]] blink when a message arrives.
* [http://packages.debian.org/unstable/net/pidgin-blinklight pidgin-thinklight] same as above but for pidgin
* [http://www.chris-lamb.co.uk/code/gaim-lightthink/ gaim-lightthink] is an alternative to gaim-thinklight.
* [http://hunz.org/ rocklight] is a xmms visualization plugin that makes the ThinkLight flash to the beat of your music. The package also includes a standalone stroboscope mode program.
* [http://www.zolnott.de/software/applications/ibm-acpi-applet-for-gnome-210-and-higher.html IBM ACPI applet] is a small gnome panel applet which shows the fan speed and thermal informations
* [[ACPI fan control script|ACPI fan control scripts]] can be used to control the system fan according to system temperatures (overriding the firmware)

=== Interesting links related to this project ===
* [http://ibm-acpi.sf.net ibm-acpi Sourceforge project summary]
* [https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/ibm-acpi-devel ibm-acpi-devel Mailinglist] [http://gmane.org/info.php?group=gmane.linux.acpi.ibm-acpi.devel (List archive on gmane.org)]
* [http://mailman.linux-thinkpad.org/mailman/listinfo/linux-thinkpad Linux-Thinkpad Mailinglist]
* [http://acpi.sourceforge.net acpi.sourceforge.net]
* [http://www.kernel.org www.kernel.org]

[[Category:Drivers]]
[[Category:770X]] [[Category:770Z]] [[Category:A20m]] [[Category:A20p]] [[Category:A20m]] [[Category:A20p]] [[Category:A21e]] [[Category:A21m]] [[Category:A21p]] [[Category:A22e]] [[Category:A22m]] [[Category:A22p]] [[Category:G40]] [[Category:G41]] [[Category:R30]] [[Category:R31]] [[Category:R32]] [[Category:R40]] [[Category:R40e]] [[Category:R50]] [[Category:R50p]] [[Category:R51]] [[Category:R52]] [[Category:T20]] [[Category:T21]] [[Category:T22]] [[Category:T23]] [[Category:T30]] [[Category:T40]] [[Category:T40p]] [[Category:T41]] [[Category:T41p]] [[Category:T42]] [[Category:T42p]] [[Category:T43]] [[Category:T43p]] [[Category:X20]] [[Category:X21]] [[Category:X22]] [[Category:X23]] [[Category:X24]] [[Category:X30]] [[Category:X31]] [[Category:X40]] [[Category:X41]] [[Category:X41 Tablet]] [[Category:TransNote]]
[[Category:x60s]] [[Category:X61]]