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.
