MacBook Air

Contents:
  1. MacOs
  2. MacOS Command Line
  3. Ubuntu Install - Camera Issues
  4. Ubuntu Install - Thunderbolt
  5. Power Saving Settings
  6. Model Details
  7. glxinfo
  8. powertop
  9. Function Keys
  10. Startup Key Combinations
  11. References

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MacOs

To create install media on USB Drive (16Gb):


MacOS Releases:

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MacOS Command Line


https://phoenixnap.com/kb/mac-terminal-commands https://phoenixnap.com/kb/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/mac-terminal-commands-cheat-sheet-pdf.pdf

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Ubuntu Install - Camera Issues

Add the Apple facetimehd driver module for the built in camera

The Facetime HD (Broadcom 1570) camera is not being detected as the loadable drive is missing. PCIe webcam found in recent Macbooks and Patjak has provided a github procedure for downloading and extracting the Apple facetimehd driver.
Note that the author warns, "This driver is experimental. Use at your own risk." See wiki for more information: https://github.com/patjak/bcwc_pcie/wiki.

The procedure has to be first built on the loca machine and then installed as a kernal module. (facetimehd.ko).

I have read that /etc/local/src is the correct place to store and compile local source for ubuntu, however, I have always used "~/packages"

Download source archives:

facetimehd Makefile expanded:

Linux kernel modules can provide services (called "symbols") for other modules to use (using EXPORT_SYMBOL in the code). If a second module uses this symbol, that second module clearly depends on the first module. These dependencies can get quite complex.

depmod creates a list of module dependencies by reading each module under /lib/modules/version and determining what symbols it exports and what symbols it needs.

Additional Commands:

Explanation of depmod:

Linux kernel modules can provide services (called "symbols") for other modules to use (using one of the EXPORT_SYMBOL variants in the code). If a second module uses this symbol, that second module clearly depends on the first module. These dependencies can get quite complex.

depmod creates a list of module dependencies by reading each module under /lib/modules/version and determining what symbols it exports and what symbols it needs. By default, this list is written to modules.dep, and a binary hashed version named modules.dep.bin, in the same directory.

I modified the facetimehd Makefile in two stanzas so I could see what was processing:




DO THIS after KERNAL UPDATE:

When an apt update results in a new kernal module being install the camera fails again It is then necessary to repeat some of the install procedure: [Top][Home]


Ubuntu Install - Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt is a bus interface (like USB) developed by Intel and Apple that is capable of high transfer speeds and daisy-chaining. It is based on the PCI xpress and DisplayPort technologies.

UNSOLVED Problem with UBUNTU 20.04 powering down thunderbolt and preventing the wired network from starting via the dongle.

Thunderbolt connected ethernet adapters are internally treated as PCIe devices and current Linux (may change in future) doesn't support hot-plug for PCIe devices. As result of that Thunderbolt connected ethernet adapters only work when they are plugged in before booting. They will stop working when you unplug/re-insert them while Linux is running and they will also stop working after a suspend/hibernate of the laptop.

WORKAROUND - reboot




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Power Saving Settings

TLP is a free, open-source and feature-rich utility for battery use optimization on laptops running Ubuntu and other Linux distros.

Apply laptop power saving settings:
ip route get 1

TLPUI - 18.02.2020

The Python scripts in this project generate a GTK-UI to change TLP configuration files easily. It has the aim to protect users from setting bad configuration and to deliver a basic overview of all the valid configuration values.

https://github.com/d4nj1/TLPUI

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Model Details

Display model details:


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glxinfo

glxinfo is a command-line tool that can help you diagnose problems with your 3D acceleration setup.

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powertop



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Function Keys



or



Notes on fnmode:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AppleKeyboard#Change%20Function%20Key%20behavior

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Startup Key Combinations

Mac startup Applies to Intel-based Mac.Press and hold one or more keys detailed below after turning on the computer. Press the keys immediately after hearing the startup sound, unless otherwise specified.

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References

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Intel_iMac

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MacBookAir6-2/Saucy#iSight Support for Windows:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootCamp

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Glenn Lyons VK4PK
glenn@LyonsComputer.com.au
Ver:gnl2019mmdd - pre published v0.9