# # https://github.com/jgriffiths/Acer-VN7-792G/blob/master/Linux_Install.md#fedora-vn7-792g # # fedora-VN7-792G Setup/Run Fedora Linux on Acer Aspire v17 Nitro VN7-792G laptops. ## Note This procedure is documented for informational purposes only. If you choose to follow the directions below, you do so *AT YOUR OWN RISK* and in the full knowledge that doing so could *RENDER YOUR DEVICE UNUSABLE*. Further, these instructions *COMPLETELY ERASE WINDOWS AND THE RECOVERY PARTITION* from the device, since I have no interest in running any Windows version. This means that should something go wrong, you will have *NO WAY TO RESTORE* the old functionality. ## Preparation NOTE: If you plan to do a BIOS updgade, flash it from Windows before you install Linux (unless you plan to dual boot). At present there is no way to flash the BIOS from outside Windows. By default the BIOS prompt is not displayed when booting, and secure boot prevents anything except windows from being booted. The first thing to do is undo this. From Windows 10 choose Shutdown and hold SHIFT while pressing Restart. The laptop should reboot to the BIOS screen. If not, reboot and press F2. Once in the BIOS: - Change the trackpad from 'Advanced' to 'Simple' - Set a temporary supervisor password - Change the boot type to 'Legacy' - Move 'USB HDD' to the top of the boot order list - Set the supervisor password to blank to disable it - Press F10 to save and exit Your laptop should now be able to boot from USB. ## Installation Insert your bootable USB. I used The Fedora 23 KDE Spin (Fedora-Live-KDE-x86_64-23-10.iso) but you may wish to try another flavour. When the Fedora boot screen appears press TAB on the line to boot the live CD. Type the following to add them to the kernel boot options: ``` nouveau.runpm=0 nouveau.modeset=0 ``` Press ENTER and the live CD will boot to the desktop. There will be no wireless. Install to the hard drive(s) using the Desktop icon. When the install is finished and the machine reboots, press 'e' when the grub menu appears and navigate to the end of the line starting with 'linux16'. At the end of this line type: ``` nouveau.runpm=0 nouveau.modeset=0 ``` Then press CTRL-x to boot. you should now be running Linux. ## Post Installation ### GRUB Command Line As root, edit /etc/default/grub and add the line: ``` GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="nouveau.runpm=0 nouveau.modeset=0" ``` NOTE: If there is already a line starting with GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT then just add the options to the end of that line rather than adding another one. As root, regenerate the grub config with: ``` grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg ``` Now when you reboot, you should not need to manually edit the grub config. ### Wireless NOTE: The latest Fedora 23 kernels now contain firmware for the wireless card, so updating using `dnf update` from a wired connection and then rebooting should be all you need to do to get support. If your wireless card is not recognised after you have run `yum update` and rebooted, you need to install its firmware. This fix comes from http://community.acer.com/t5/Linux/Linux-on-VN7-792G/td-p/391339. As root, run the following commands to fetch and install the firmware: ``` mkdir -p /lib/firmware/ath10k/QCA6174/hw3.0/ rm /lib/firmware/ath10k/QCA6174/hw3.0/* 2> /dev/null dnf install -y wget wget -O /lib/firmware/ath10k/QCA6174/hw3.0/board.bin https://github.com/FireWalkerX/ath10k-firmware/blob/7e56cbb94182a2fdab110cf5bfeded8fd1d44d30/QCA6174/hw3.0/board-2.bin?raw=true wget -O /lib/firmware/ath10k/QCA6174/hw3.0/firmware-4.bin https://github.com/FireWalkerX/ath10k-firmware/blob/7e56cbb94182a2fdab110cf5bfeded8fd1d44d30/QCA6174/hw3.0/firmware-4.bin_WLAN.RM.2.0-00180-QCARMSWPZ-1?raw=true chmod +x /lib/firmware/ath10k/QCA6174/hw3.0/* ``` These commands are available in this repo as `install_wireless_fw.sh`. You will need to reboot following this to pick up the new firmware.