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Clutter's Lenovo T420 Thread- Some Questions Arise...


Cluttermagnet

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Cluttermagnet

Hi, All-

 

As background, I just got Betty a second T420. The other one is working but

has developed a problem with updating. I want to keep all our boxes as

secure as possible. This older one has had Update Manager complaining

it can't connect and get the job done for about 2 plus weeks now. I'm going

to put it on the back burner until I get that figured out. It connects to the

internet just fine, only problem is the updating...

 

Most of my questions are going to address getting the newer T420 set up

right. Just so you all know, we shelled out 99 bucks for this used laptop on

Fleabay. For an older box I think they are pretty good. Not trying to impress

anyone, just get the job done for a little web surfing and emailing etc.

We like the nice price point with this older gear. This stuff goes obsolete so

darned fast. I just hate to shell out big bucks for any of it. Cheap gets it

done just as well as anything else in our light duty environment...

 

Firstly, I know a really dandy Terminal command for getting the particulars

of HDD or SSD health and it works great on all of my machines- but-

for some reason it refuses to execute on this new T420. The code is:

 

sudo udisks --dump | grep -A 24 Updates

 

It's an odd sort of command to begin with- on some machines I have had to

repeat this Terminal command 2 or 3 times and suddenly it decides I'm really

serious and gives me the info. Other times a single request will suffice.

Hey guys- isn't that a little odd in and of itself? I mean, I thought computers

were real, real precise and all. That is just plain goofy... Anyway, it just won't

do that operation on the new laptop. Only difference I can think of is this new

T420 happens to be a quad processor- my first, BTW. It's an i5 and I think it's

a 2520. I'm pretty sure our other T420 is a dual processor version*. BTW the

OS's standard lie is "command not found" but if you persist, after 2-3 tries

it serves it up. Usually. But not on this 'new' box. It just won't budge. Any ideas?

 

(* Nope, it's also a quad CPU and in fact is the 2540 at 2.6GHz. The new box

has a 2.5GHz CPU)

 

 

 sudo password for clutter:
sudo: udisks: command not found

 

 

I did see one big difference on this machine. With the command

 

sudo fdisk -l

 

I saw some things I've never seen before either. There were 15 little instances

of reserved RAM spaces prior to the meat of the matter, the sda drive listing.

Weird. These quad processors are surely a different animal than anything I'm

used to... never seen that before, either!

 

More later... I'm going to have a few questions as I continue bouncing off of

walls with this thingie...

 

Clutter

 

P.S. Would one of you Moderators please clean up my misspelling of

"Lenovo" in the title of this thread? Looks like I can't. Thanks!

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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It would help to see your hardware setup. Try the command inxi -Fxz (if you don't have inxi installed $sudo apt install inxi. You can post here using the code tags.

 

ray@debian-ray-T430:~$ inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: debian-ray-T430 Kernel: 4.11.0-2-amd64 x86_64
	   bits: 64 gcc: 6.4.0
	   Desktop: Gnome 3.22.3 (Gtk 3.22.18-1)
	   Distro: Debian GNU/Linux buster/sid
Machine:   Device: laptop System: LENOVO product: 2347H76 v: ThinkPad T430
	   Mobo: LENOVO model: 2347H76
	   UEFI [Legacy]: LENOVO v: G1ET94WW (2.54 ) date: 04/22/2013
Battery    BAT0: charge: 59.5 Wh 99.3% condition: 59.9/93.6 Wh (64%)
	   model: LGC 45N1011 status: Discharging
CPU:	   Dual core Intel Core i5-3320M (-HT-MCP-)
	   arch: Ivy Bridge rev.9 cache: 3072 KB
	   flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 10375
	   clock speeds: max: 3300 MHz 1: 1297 MHz 2: 1214 MHz 3: 1203 MHz
	   4: 1217 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel 3rd Gen Core processor Graphics Controller
	   bus-ID: 00:02.0
	   Display Server: x11 (X.Org 1.19.3 ) driver: i915
	   Resolution: 1366x768@59.98hz
	   OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ivybridge Mobile
	   version: 4.2 Mesa 17.1.5 Direct Render: Yes
Audio:	 Card Intel 7 Series/C216 Family High Def. Audio Controller
	   driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
	   Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.11.0-2-amd64
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection
	   driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: 5080 bus-ID: 00:19.0
	   IF: enp0s25 state: down mac: <filter>
	   Card-2: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 [Taylor Peak]
	   driver: iwlwifi bus-ID: 03:00.0
	   IF: wlp3s0 state: up mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 128.0GB (18.4% used)
	   ID-1: /dev/sda model: SAMSUNG_MZ7PC128 size: 128.0GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 110G used: 15G (15%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
	   ID-2: swap-1 size: 8.27GB used: 0.00GB (0%)
	   fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 31.0C mobo: N/A
	   Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 0
Info:	  Processes: 231 Uptime: 1 min Memory: 770.6/7689.0MB
	   Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 7.1.0
	   Client: Shell (bash 4.4.121) inxi: 2.3.34
ray@debian-ray-T430:~$

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ray@debian-ray-T430:~$ sudo fdisk -l
[sudo] password for ray:
Disk /dev/sda: 119.2 GiB, 128035676160 bytes, 250069680 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0xd958b7da
Device	 Boot	 Start	   End   Sectors   Size Id Type
/dev/sda1  *		 2048 233912319 233910272 111.6G 83 Linux
/dev/sda2	   233914366 250068991  16154626   7.7G  5 Extended
/dev/sda5	   233914368 250068991  16154624   7.7G 82 Linux swap / Solaris

ray@debian-ray-T430:~$

 

Typical SSD setup where the Extended partition gives some space for overprovisioning I believe.

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I had a peek in my T430's setup and it has been configured to start with Legacy BIOS first although it supports both Legacy and UEFI. That suits me just fine.

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Cluttermagnet

I had a peek in my T430's setup and it has been configured to start with Legacy BIOS first although it supports both Legacy and UEFI. That suits me just fine.

 

Thanks for all the comments, guys. So I'll take it in reverse order. I do remember when

I went through the BIOS on the new 420 it also had both Legacy and UEFI, and the

default was set up for Legacy first like yours, Ray.

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Cluttermagnet

clutter@clutter-ThinkPad-T420 ~ $ sudo hdparm -Tt /dev/sda
/dev/sda:
Timing cached reads:   9004 MB in  2.00 seconds = 4503.60 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 1574 MB in  3.00 seconds = 524.36 MB/sec

 

Just for grins. I have a Drevo 128GB in here (I think.) Box says 128G

but my system reported it as just south of 120G. There are two versions

of the Drevo drives floating around. The slower ones are sized 60G,

120G, 240G, 480G and the write times are significantly slower. Then there

is the Pro series. They run 128G, 256G, etc. On those the read speed is

like 560M and the write speed is 500M. The plain vanilla versions are

something like 500+M read and 400M write. I may have to pull this drive

back out just to see if it says 128GB- due to the system reporting

disparity...

 

Clutter

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Cluttermagnet

Here's the other one you asked about, Ray:

 

clutter@clutter-ThinkPad-T420 ~ $ inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: clutter-ThinkPad-T420 Kernel: 4.4.0-21-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.3.1)
          Desktop: MATE 1.14.1 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3)
          Distro: Linux Mint 18 Sarah
Machine:   System: LENOVO (portable) product: 4236EF9 v: ThinkPad T420
          Mobo: LENOVO model: 4236EF9
          Bios: LENOVO v: 83ET59WW (1.29 ) date: 06/01/2011
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5-2520M (-HT-MCP-) cache: 3072 KB
          flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 9967
          clock speeds: max: 3200 MHz 1: 830 MHz 2: 811 MHz 3: 892 MHz
          4: 891 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller
          bus-ID: 00:02.0
          Display Server: X.Org 1.18.3 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
          Resolution: 1366x768@60.10hz
          GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Sandybridge Mobile
          GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 11.2.0 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel 6 Series/C200 Series Family High Definition Audio Controller
          driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
          Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.4.0-21-generic
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection
          driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: 5080 bus-ID: 00:19.0
          IF: enp0s25 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
          Card-2: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 [Taylor Peak]
          driver: iwlwifi bus-ID: 03:00.0
          IF: wlp3s0 state: down mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 128.0GB (9.1% used)
          ID-1: /dev/sda model: DREVO_X1_SSD size: 128.0GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 24G used: 6.9G (32%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda5
          ID-2: /home size: 32G used: 199M (1%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda7
          ID-3: swap-1 size: 4.22GB used: 0.02GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda6
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 42.0C mobo: N/A
          Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 1968
Info:      Processes: 206 Uptime: 18:42 Memory: 1832.5/3838.2MB
          Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
          Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35
clutter@clutter-ThinkPad-T420 ~ $

 

Oh, and down near the bottom, there's my answer about the SSD: 128GB.

 

Clutter

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Cluttermagnet

Title fixed.

 

I'd like to see a copy of that fdisk output, please. :)

 

Here you go, Eric-

 

clutter@clutter-ThinkPad-T420 ~ $ sudo fdisk -l
[sudo] password for clutter:
Disk /dev/ram0: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram1: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram2: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram3: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram4: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram5: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram6: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram7: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram8: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram9: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram10: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram11: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram12: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram13: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram14: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/ram15: 64 MiB, 67108864 bytes, 131072 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

Disk /dev/sda: 119.2 GiB, 128035676160 bytes, 250069680 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0x9f78c42a
Device	 Boot	 Start	   End   Sectors  Size Id Type
/dev/sda1  *		 4094 124536831 124532738 59.4G  5 Extended
/dev/sda2	   124536832 250068991 125532160 59.9G  b W95 FAT32
/dev/sda5		    4096  49570502  49566407 23.7G 83 Linux
/dev/sda6	    49571840  57819135   8247296    4G 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7	    57821184 124536831  66715648 31.8G 83 Linux
Partition table entries are not in disk order.

clutter@clutter-ThinkPad-T420 ~ $

 

Look at all those 'RAM devices'. I've not seen this sort of organization before.

this is a new one on me...

 

Clutter

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Cluttermagnet

clutter@clutter-ThinkPad-T420 ~ $ sudo gnome-disks
[sudo] password for clutter:

 

A little online research led me to this. Already installed on this machine.

it displays that list of readings that assess disk health. For example, it

will tell you how many hours on the drive, how many power cycles, etc.

So I did open and view that GUI utility and it gave me the same readout

(chart) I was looking for with that 'udisks' command...

 

Clutter

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Looks like you have a typical configuration for a Thinkpad running Linux. Your disk is set up with a GPT format and separate /home partition although it looks like you have a Legacy BIOS. That is fine as your BIOS supports both GPT and MBR formats on disks.

You are wired to the router but you do have the excellent IBM Taylor Peak wifi card that is also in my T430.

You'll have no video issues as your video is the simple Intel integrated graphics (no dual graphics.)

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Cluttermagnet

 

Thanks, Ray. Perfect! Good quick read, too...

 

clutter@clutter-ThinkPad-T420 ~ $ sudo fdisk -l /dev/sda
[sudo] password for clutter:
Disk /dev/sda: 119.2 GiB, 128035676160 bytes, 250069680 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0x9f78c42a
Device	 Boot	 Start	   End   Sectors  Size Id Type
/dev/sda1  *		 4094 124536831 124532738 59.4G  5 Extended
/dev/sda2	   124536832 250068991 125532160 59.9G  b W95 FAT32
/dev/sda5		    4096  49570502  49566407 23.7G 83 Linux
/dev/sda6	    49571840  57819135   8247296    4G 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7	    57821184 124536831  66715648 31.8G 83 Linux
Partition table entries are not in disk order.
clutter@clutter-ThinkPad-T420 ~ $

 

Clutter

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Cluttermagnet

Looks like you have a typical configuration for a Thinkpad running Linux. Your disk is set up with a

GPT format and separate /home partition although it looks like you have a Legacy BIOS. That is fine

as your BIOS supports both GPT and MBR formats on disks.

You are wired to the router but you do have the excellent IBM Taylor Peak wifi card that is also in my T430.

You'll have no video issues as your video is the simple Intel integrated graphics (no dual graphics.)

 

Definitely good to know. It turns out that Clutter just recently started to scratch the surface

when it comes to wifi. I have been a superstitiously slow adopter of wifi, seeing it as a security

risk despite all the WPA, encryption, etc. What finally got me off the dime was I ended up

getting wireless internet from a cellular provider recently- only over at Casa David. I use

a little wireless thingie and get good, fast internet at a surprisingly reasonable price. I'm on

the Consumer Cellular service, which uses the AT&T network. Meanwhile, over here at

Casa Betty, still a tangle of Ethernet cables and our pipe is Comcast cable.

 

I can tell from your comments that you have learned a good bit about video issues, wifi

issues, and such. Good to have the benefits of the voice of experience! Thanks!

 

Clutter

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I won't deny that from a speed and security perspective a wired connection is best.

However with the number of smartphones and tablets that show up around here, the wifi capability of laptops, and the fact my wife doesn't want me punching holes in the walls and floors to run Ethernet cables everywhere - it makes sense to have a wifi LAN in the house.

While I do make use of VPN technology if I am out in the wilds of Dunkin' Donuts or McCafe, I believe that robust encryption and a good password make my home wifi router a passable risk to take.

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