Vaio X and Ubuntu 11.04 Natty

Here is how I make my Sony Vaio X work with Ubuntu 11.04.

The installation/upgrade is not seamless and still need some tweaks.

Working:

• LAN + WLAN
• Trackpad (no scroll area and no multi touch)
• Audio/built in speakers
• Graphics *
• USB/Bluetooth
• WWAN 3G modem (Qualcomm Gobi 2000) *

Not working:

• Built in web camera (haven't even tried)
• Stand by / hibernation

Here are my steps:

1. Install Ubuntu from USB (info).

Keep a few files from Windows 7 before completely removing it (see 3. below).

* 2. Install EMGD video driver for GMA 500 (info):

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gma500/emgd

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install xorg-emgd emgd-dkms

sudo emgd-xorg-conf

# Replace /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-emgd.conf with http://paste.ubuntu.com/612551/

# Make brightness buttons work:

sudo apt-get install emgdbl

# Add "blacklist poulsbo" to /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

# Add "emgdbl" to /etc/initramfs-tools/modules

# Add "acpi_osi=Linux acpi_backlight=video" to /etc/default/grub (GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT)

sudo update-initramfs -c -k all

sudo update-grub

sudo reboot

* 3. Install WWAN 3G modem support:

# Make sure you have the following files backed up from Windows 7:

# C:\Program Files\Qualcomm\Images\Sony\UMTS\AMSS.mbn

# C:\Program Files\Qualcomm\Images\Sony\UMTS\Apps.mbn

# C:\Program Files\Qualcomm\Images\Sony\6\UQCN.mbn

sudo mkdir /lib/firmware/gobi

sudo cp AMSS.mbn Apps.mbn UQCN.mbn /lib/firmware/gobi

sudo apt-get install gobi-loader

# and then Enable Mobile Broadband in the network tray application.