Random Ubuntu tips

Here’s a list of common tweaks I apply on Ubuntu to handle brightness, save power, disable ipv6 etc.

1. To save power add the following in a script and add at startup:

   $ sudo echo 1500 > /proc/sys/vm/dirty_writeback_centisecs
   $ sudo echo 5 > /proc/sys/vm/laptop_mode
   $ sudo hal-disable-polling --device /dev/scd0
   $ gconftool-2 --set --type boolean /desktop/gnome/peripherals/touchpad/touchpad_enabled true
   $ xmodmap -e "clear Lock"

2. To set brightness in Ubuntu at login:

   $ sudo setpci -s 00:02.0 F4.B=50

3. To enable brightness key in Acer laptops add in GRUB params*:

   acpi_osi=Linux

4. To enable Touchpad lock in Acer laptops add in GRUB params*:

   i8042.nomux

5. To disable ipv6 at boot:

   ipv6.disable=1

6. To re-enable Touchpad after sleep in laptop:

   $ gconftool-2 --set --type boolean \
   /desktop/gnome/peripherals/touchpad/touchpad_enabled true

* To modify GRUB boot params, open the file /etc/default/grub as sudoer and change the list of params in the line starting with

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT