#include <X11/XF86keysym.h>
 
static const char *mpdprev[] = {"ncmpcpp", "prev", NULL };
static const char *mpdtoggle[] = {"ncmpcpp", "toggle", NULL };
static const char *mpdnext[] = {"ncmpcpp", "next", NULL };
 
static Key keys[] = {
   ...
   { 0,     XF86XK_AudioPrev,          spawn, {.v = mpdprev } },
   { 0,     XF86XK_AudioPlay,          spawn, {.v = mpdtoggle } },
   { 0,     XF86XK_AudioNext,          spawn, {.v = mpdnext } },
}

Using this method, I can now use function keys to brighten/darken LCD screen, control MPD, turn volume up/down, and eject cd’s!

To remedy this, you can write a program to do this. I got a source code of existing package called cmp-daemon (http://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=21391) and tailored it to my machine (The fan RPM is a linear function of CPU temperature, but you might want to change it to step function, for example).

The set-up is pretty simple. There is the source code cmp-daemon.c, and a bash script to start|stop|restart the daemon: cmp-daemon.sh (see attachments). Just follow these steps:

1. Edit cmp-daemon.c to your liking
2. Compile:

   $ gcc -Wall cmp-daemon.c -o cmp-daemon

3. Copy the compiled program:

   # cp cmp-daemon /usr/sbin/

4. Copy the daemon script (make sure it is executable):

   # cp cmp-daemon.sh /etc/rc.d/cmp-daemon

5. Start daemon:

   # /etc/rc.d/cmp-daemon start

   or edit /etc/rc.conf:

   DAEMONS=(.. cmp-daemon ..)

Attachments:
cmp-daemon.c (Download):
cmp-daemon.sh (Download):

A small hiccup so far, but things are working out so far. I still need to set up a few more things, but basic things are set up now. I think I will write up a wiki page once I am happy with everything.

Also, I found out that my macbook’s generation is Macbook4,2 (Late 2008 model) through wikipedia.

Here’s the design:

If you want to have an input to the design or if you are interested, just follow the forum thread (link provided above).

• i3 WM
• conky
• vim inside terminal (rxvt-unicode)
• evince

Of course being the first time opening a laptop, I was trying to be as careful as possible, but not everything goes smoothly the first time. It turns out that the original thermo paste completely glued the CPU and the thermal sink together. I had no idea what to do, so I took it to the local shop and the guy just plied it open with a small screw driver.

So after I got home, I just scraped off the old paste, cleaned it using isopropyl alcohol, and reapplied the new thermo paste (Arctic Cooling MX-2), and put it all back together.

The laptop works great, the fan goes off when the temperature rises, it actually cools the CPU, then turns off when it’s cool enough. Mission accomplished in my books

Lessons I learned from this little project:

1. You can take a laptop apart if you have a good manual
2. Don’t mess with the CPU unless if you really need to (I didn’t really need to, but I pulled it off with the thermal sink
3. The computer doesn’t even go to BIOS if you boot without a properly installed CPU. The screen stays black, but the fan and LED goes on.
4. Despite what people say, CPUs aren’t that fragile. If you have some pins bent, just bend it back (to certain extent).
5. This laptop has about 50 screws you need to unscrew to get inside

I think that’s about it.

Dirty:


This is on my HP desktop. Here is the list of what’s running:

• FVWM 2.5.30
• Conky
• stalonetray
• XFCE Terminal
• Google Chrome (iconified)
• Gnumeric
• Archey

How to produce bootchart:

1. Install bootchart

pacman bootchart

2. Edit /boot/grub/menu.lst
Add the line “init=/sbin/bootchartd” to the kernel line. So the entry looks like:

# Arch Linux Modified
title  Arch Linux 2.6.34.2 Modified Bootchart
root   (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz26-ARCHMOD34 root=/dev/disk/by-uuid/fa339e13-3a86-4c65-b19a-615827aee799 ro init=/sbin/bootchartd
initrd /kernel26-ARCHMOD34.img

It is recommended to make a new entry so that you don’t have to keep editing the menu.lst file whenever you want to produce the bootchart.

3. Produce the bootchart

bootchart-render

This will produce .png file in the current directory.

Desktop:

HP Pavilion 505n

This is the computer that I got when I got into my university in 2003 (so seven years old now). It still runs great, and aside from graphics card and ram upgrades, nothing has been changed. I only have Arch Linux installed on it (single boot).

• Intel Celeron 2.20 GHz
• 512MB RAM
• 60GB Hard Drive
• Intel 82801DB-ICH4 Sound Card
• NVIDIA GeForce FX5500 Graphics Card
• Samsung 713N Monitor. 1280×1024 @ 60Hz
• Realtek RTL 8139 Ethernet

Laptop:

HP Pavilion ze5600

This is the laptop that my fiancee got in 2004, and last year (I think?) it got passed down to me because she bought her own netbook. The spec is very similar to my desktop (slightly faster CPU). I’ve upgraded the RAM. I have Arch Linux singleboot on this system too.

• Intel Celeron 2.60 GHz
• 768MB RAM
• 40GB Hard Drive
• Conexant ACLink Audio
• ATI Radeon IGP 345M Graphics Card
• Display: 1024×768 @ 60Hz
• NatSemi DP83815/816 Ethernet
• Broadcom BCM 4306 Wireless

Macbook (via VMWare):
This is my new laptop that I bought for doing my graduate studies, and now it is almost three years old. I kept the original OS (Snow Leopard) because I’m not ready to give that up yet. Instead, I run Arch Linux on VMWare so it’s easy to switch between the OS.

• Intel Core2 Duo T7500 2.20GHz
• 1GB RAM (VMWare)
• 30GB Hard Drive (VMWare)
• VMWare Graphic Card (VMWare)
• Display: 1280×800 @ 60Hz