Manas T

Microsoft has released Windows Vista SP1 RC to the public today. You can download it through Windows Update or as a complete package from Microsoft Download Center. SP1 contains changes focused on addressing specific reliability and performance issues, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several new technologies. SP1 also addresses some management, deployment, and support challenges. Microsoft has also published documents on how SP1 will affect Vista performance and what are the changes it brings to its operation.

If you have a prior version of SP1 Beta installed, you will have to uninstall it prior to installing RC. Windows Vista SP1 RC will no longer operate after June 30, 2008 and should be uninstalled prior to that date.

Download Windows Vista SP1 RC

Complete list of changes in Windows Vista SP1 RC

Did you try SP1 RC ?

I recently brought a Dell Vostro 1400 laptop and set out to install Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon on it. The installation went out smoothly and Ubuntu booted up. But there were some issues like sound was not working, wired internet was slow etc. After a bit of searching on the internet, I have solved many of these issues. So I thought I would write a single post to sort out all issues on a Dell Vostro 1400 with Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon installed on it. This will help the owners of Dell Vostro laptops sort out the issues they have with Gutsy Gibbon easily.

Issue #1 – Sound comes out alright through headphones but inbuilt laptop speakers do not work

This is the first thing you will notice when you login into Ubuntu. To solve this problem :

1. Go to Terminal.
2. Type sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base
3. Then paste this at the end of the file : options snd-hda-intel model=5stack
4. Save the file and reboot.
5. Play something, now sound will come from the laptop speakers.

Issue #2 – Fans not working in Vostro after you boot into Vostro

Although I hear the fans working, they never work at full speed. Why heat up your laptop because you don’t want to hear noisy fans ? This procedure will let you install Gkrellm along with the I8K plugin which lets you control your laptop’s fan speed.

1. Goto Terminal and then type the following commands.
2. sudo apt-get install i8kutils gkrellm gkrellm-i8k
3. sudo modprobe i8k force=1
4. sudo gedit /etc/modules
5. Add the following line to the end of the file: i8k force=1. Save and exit.
6. Go to System > Preferences > Sessions > Startup Programs
7. Click ADD and put the command: gkrellm
8. Log out and log in. Gkrellm should start up. Go to plugins and enable the I8K plugin.

Issue #3 – Wired and Wireless Internet are slow

After some searching on the internet I have found that this is due to IPv6. Due to IPv6 the DNS names are not resolved properly. So all you need to do is disable IPv6 for Gutsy Gibbon.

1. To disable it, open Terminal.
2. Type command : gksudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/aliases.
3. Find the line alias net-pf-10 ipv6 and change it to #alias net-pf-10 ipv6
4. Add the following lines to the file alias net-pf-10 off and alias net-pf-10 off ipv6
5. Save the file and reboot.
6. Your internet should work properly now.

These are the three major issues that have been solved till now. Still my laptop’s wireless card (Broadcom) is not working. I am yet to make it work. When I find the solution, I will post it here.