ORICO 2588US3 Portable USB 2.5 3.0 SATA external HDD enclosure

Probably does not support UASP. Found no mention of that on the product description. The system reports it as:

idVendor 0x357d Sharkoon idProduct 0x7788 QuickPort XT

Linux starts using the uas driver, but the drive goes offline after a short period of idle without informing the system. Not sure whether this is a linux driver issue or about the device supporting UASP. Very annoying.

ORICO 2588US3 Portable USB 2.5 3.0 SATA external HDD enclosure

[ 9448.672288] usb 2-2: new SuperSpeed USB device number 2 using xhci_hcd [ 9448.684149] usb 2-2: New USB device found, idVendor=357d, idProduct=7788 [ 9448.684154] usb 2-2: New USB device strings: Mfr=10, Product=11, SerialNumber=3 [ 9448.684156] usb 2-2: Product: USB to ATA/ATAPI Bridge [ 9448.684158] usb 2-2: Manufacturer: JMicron [ 9448.684159] usb 2-2: SerialNumber: 000012345678 [ 9448.699991] usbcore: registered new interface driver usb-storage [ 9448.703525] scsi host4: uas [ 9448.704366] usbcore: registered new interface driver uas [ 9448.705036] scsi 4:0:0:0: Direct-Access TOSHIBA MQ01XXXNNN 0100 PQ: 0 ANSI: 6 [ 9448.707804] sd 4:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg1 type 0 [ 9448.708435] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] 976773168 512-byte logical blocks: (500 GB/466 GiB) [ 9448.708437] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] 4096-byte physical blocks [ 9448.711541] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Write Protect is off [ 9448.711544] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode Sense: 67 00 10 08 [ 9448.712759] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Write cache: enabled, read cache: enabled, supports DPO and FUA [ 9448.788026] sdb: sdb1 [ 9448.794082] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI disk [ 9449.625260] EXT4-fs (sdb1): recovery complete [ 9449.625390] EXT4-fs (sdb1): mounted filesystem with ordered data mode. Opts: (null)

A way forward is to register a quirk with Linux to tell it to use the usb-storage driver instead.

/etc/modprobe.d/uas.conf

options usb-storage quirks=357d:7788:u

followed by rebuilding the initramfs

sudo dracut -f

rebooted and plugged in the USB3 drive. So far it's working fine.

From dmesg:

[43697.312058] usb 2-2: new SuperSpeed USB device number 2 using xhci_hcd [43697.327316] usb 2-2: New USB device found, idVendor=357d, idProduct=7788 [43697.327324] usb 2-2: New USB device strings: Mfr=10, Product=11, SerialNumber=3 [43697.327328] usb 2-2: Product: USB to ATA/ATAPI Bridge [43697.327331] usb 2-2: Manufacturer: JMicron [43697.327334] usb 2-2: SerialNumber: 000012345678 [43697.373991] usb 2-2: UAS is blacklisted for this device, using usb-storage instead [43697.374005] usb-storage 2-2:1.0: USB Mass Storage device detected [43697.374341] usb-storage 2-2:1.0: Quirks match for vid 357d pid 7788: 800000 [43697.374405] scsi host6: usb-storage 2-2:1.0 [43697.374598] usbcore: registered new interface driver usb-storage [43697.379279] usbcore: registered new interface driver uas [43698.374486] scsi 6:0:0:0: Direct-Access TOSHIBA MQ01XXXNNN 0100 PQ: 0 ANSI: 6 [43698.375209] sd 6:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg2 type 0 [43698.375435] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] 976773168 512-byte logical blocks: (500 GB/465 GiB) [43698.375927] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Write Protect is off [43698.375934] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode Sense: 67 00 10 08 [43698.376575] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Write cache: enabled, read cache: enabled, supports DPO and FUA [43698.468754] sdb: sdb1 [43698.470369] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI disk [43722.817407] EXT4-fs (dm-1): mounted filesystem with ordered data mode. Opts: (null)

Install Epson driver for XP-335 on Fedora 23

Starting point is usually the Epson Drivers and Software download page

Took me here http://support.epson.net/linux/en/imagescanv3.php?version=1.1.6

Download and extract: imagescan-bundle-fedora-23-1.1.6.x64.rpm.tar.gz

[mochapenguin@tp300la imagescan-bundle-fedora-23-1.1.6.x64.rpm]$ su -c './install.sh' Password: Last metadata expiration check: 0:13:39 ago on Sat May 28 17:03:43 2016. Dependencies resolved. ================================================================================ Package Arch Version Repository Size ================================================================================ Installing: GraphicsMagick-c++ x86_64 1.3.23-1.fc23 updates 110 k boost-filesystem x86_64 1.58.0-11.fc23 updates 75 k imagescan x86_64 3.16.0-1epson4fedora23 @commandline 1.5 M imagescan-plugin-networkscan x86_64 1.1.0-1epson4fedora23 @commandline 33 k imagescan-plugin-ocr-engine x86_64 1.0.0-1epson4fedora23 @commandline 8.6 M Transaction Summary ================================================================================ Install 5 Packages Total size: 10 M Total download size: 184 k Installed size: 21 M Downloading Packages: (1/2): GraphicsMagick-c++-1.3.23-1.fc23.x86_64. 147 kB/s | 110 kB 00:00 (2/2): boost-filesystem-1.58.0-11.fc23.x86_64.r 96 kB/s | 75 kB 00:00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 42 kB/s | 184 kB 00:04 Running transaction check Transaction check succeeded. Running transaction test Transaction test succeeded. Running transaction Installing : boost-filesystem-1.58.0-11.fc23.x86_64 1/5 Installing : GraphicsMagick-c++-1.3.23-1.fc23.x86_64 2/5 Installing : imagescan-3.16.0-1epson4fedora23.x86_64 3/5 Installing : imagescan-plugin-ocr-engine-1.0.0-1epson4fedora23.x86_64 4/5 Installing : imagescan-plugin-networkscan-1.1.0-1epson4fedora23.x86_64 5/5 Verifying : imagescan-plugin-ocr-engine-1.0.0-1epson4fedora23.x86_64 1/5 Verifying : imagescan-plugin-networkscan-1.1.0-1epson4fedora23.x86_64 2/5 Verifying : imagescan-3.16.0-1epson4fedora23.x86_64 3/5 Verifying : GraphicsMagick-c++-1.3.23-1.fc23.x86_64 4/5 Verifying : boost-filesystem-1.58.0-11.fc23.x86_64 5/5 Installed: GraphicsMagick-c++.x86_64 1.3.23-1.fc23 boost-filesystem.x86_64 1.58.0-11.fc23 imagescan.x86_64 3.16.0-1epson4fedora23 imagescan-plugin-networkscan.x86_64 1.1.0-1epson4fedora23 imagescan-plugin-ocr-engine.x86_64 1.0.0-1epson4fedora23 Complete!

grub rescue after fixing partition order

Windows 10 (from Windows 7) upgrade on my HP dv6tqe left it with partition table entries not in the disk order. Windows 10 itself took out ~800 MB from the end of the C drive to create a new Windows RE partition.

When I used fdisk (dv6tqe has MBR) to lisk partitions [fdisk -lu] the output showed included the following:

Partition table entries are not in disk order. 

Although it wasn't causing any problems, I decided to tidy it up.

Fix partition table entry order using fdisk (on MBR discs)

sudo fdisk /dev/sda Changes will remain in memory only, until you decide to write them. Be careful before using the write command. Command (m for help): x (extra functionality) f (for fix partition order) r (return to main menu) w (write table to disk and exit)

After this on rebooting grub threw me to the rescue prompt.

Code

error: file '/grub2/i386-pc/normal.mod' not found. Entering rescue mode .... grub rescue >

Because the partition table order had changed, grub could no longer locate the /boot partition

commands typed at grub rescue

# List partitions grub rescue> ls (hd0,msdos1)(hd0,msdos2)... # After a bit of trial and error the following command listed out the contents of the grub folder, thus identifying the correct partition to use grub rescue> ls (hd0,msdos5)/grub # to view the existing values grub rescue> set

Next, set the partition for grub to use.

Code

set prefix=(hd0,msdos5)/grub set root=(hd0,msdos5) insmod normal normal

This should bring up the familiar grub menu. Boot into Linux and fix the grub installation as below.

Code

grub2-install /dev/sda grub2-install /dev/sda

References

https://www.howtoforge.com/tutorial/repair-linux-boot-with-grub-rescue/ 

SSD optimisations on ASUS TP300LA running Fedora 23

Please leave a comment if you spot anything that is wrong (share if you know more than what I have discovered; or better still, warn me if I am doing something stupid etc. etc.)

References

• Arch Linux Wiki - Solid State Drives

Enable TRIM Support

First and foremost, ensure your SSD supports TRIM. Some SSDs have issues with their TRIM implementations. Researching that is also crucial. For example issues with continuous TRIM are discussed at Continuous TRIM by mount flag.
Does your SSD support trim? [Sandisk SDSSDHII-960G-G25 960GB Ultra II]

[mochapenguin@tp300la ~]$ su -c 'hdparm -I /dev/sda' | grep TRIM
Password:
* Data Set Management TRIM supported (limit 16 blocks)
* Deterministic read ZEROs after TRIM

Enabled TRIM support following the Phoronix article on Tweaking Your Fedora Installation For Maximum Productivity & Features
Enable fstrim.timer service

sudo systemctl enable fstrim.timer sudo systemctl start fstrim.timer

Edit /etc/crypttab and add discard
/etc/crypttab

luks-x-b3b728ea5e7c UUID=x-b3b728ea5e7c  none    luks,discard fc23home            UUID=x-deaft04500f2  none    luks,discard

Update initramfs

sudo dracut -f

Reboot. And verify.

Test if TRIM is working

[mochapenguin@tp300la ~]$ sudo fstrim -v / [sudo] password for mochapenguin: /: 686.4 GiB (736991698944 bytes) trimmed

Profile-Sync-Daemon

PSD is designed to manage browser profile(s) in tmpfs and to periodically sync back to the physical disc, thereby reducing writes to SSDs. This is useful where there is ample spare RAM on the system.

Browsers store their profile and cache in various locations as described below:

Firefox

cache

/home/mochapenguin/.cache/mozilla/firefox/<profile-id>.default

profile

/home/mochapenguin/.mozilla/firefox/<profile-id>.default

I took the approach of moving the cache folder into the profile folder (so PSD can sync it to tempfs) and create a symlink (so the browser works on as before).

Created a folder named cache within the profile folder, moved the cache folder contents there and created a symlink to it.

create symlink from Code

ln -s /home/mochapenguin/.mozilla/firefox/<profile-id>.default/cache /home/mochapenguin/.cache/mozilla/firefox/<profile-id>.default

Google Chrome

cache

/home/mochapenguin/.cache/google-chrome

profile

/home/mochapenguin/.config/google-chrome

Created a folder named CacheFedoraUser within the profile folder, moved the cache folder contents there and created a symlink to it.
create symlink from Code

ln -s /home/mochapenguin/.config/google-chrome/CacheFedoraUser /home/mochapenguin/.cache/google-chrome

Midori

cache

/home/mochapenguin/.cache/midori

profile

/home/mochapenguin/.config/midori

Created a folder named cache within the profile folder, moved the contents of the cache folder there and created a symlink to it.

create symlink

ln -s /home/mochapenguin/.config/midori/cache /home/mochapenguin/.cache/midori

profile-sync-daemon parse

[mochapenguin@tp300la ~]$ psd p
Profile-sync-daemon v5.68 on Fedora 23 (Workstation Edition)
 Systemd service is currently active.  Systemd resync service is currently active.  Overlayfs v23 is currently active.
Psd will manage the following per /run/psd.conf settings:

 browser/psname:  firefox/firefox
 owner/group id:  mochapenguin/1000
 sync target:     /home/mochapenguin/.mozilla/firefox/am4vgccx.default
 tmpfs dir:       /tmp/mochapenguin-firefox-am4vgccx.default
 profile size:    104M
 overlayfs size:  0
 recovery dirs:   none

 browser/psname:  google-chrome/chrome
 owner/group id:  mochapenguin/1000
 sync target:     /home/mochapenguin/.config/google-chrome
 tmpfs dir:       /tmp/mochapenguin-google-chrome
 profile size:    83M
 overlayfs size:  62M
 recovery dirs:   none

 browser/psname:  midori/midori
 owner/group id:  mochapenguin/1000
 sync target:     /home/mochapenguin/.config/midori
 tmpfs dir:       /tmp/mochapenguin-midori
 profile size:    1.4M
 overlayfs size:  0
 recovery dirs:   none

Enable overlayfs

Decided to use the overlayfs for the profile sync. This may be optional but I understand it helps making the sync efficient.

load up the overlay module manually (first time)

sudo modprobe overlay

Load up the overlay module as above, enable overlay in psd.conf and restart the service. The output of the profile-sync-daemon parse command should now show "Overlayfs v23 is active".

Added the below file to get the overlayfs module to be loaded on boot from this finding on FedoraForum.

/etc/modules-load.d/overlayfs.conf

overlay

WIP - ASUS TP300LA - Windows 10 + Fedora 23 - dual boot

Work in Progress

Purchased an ASUS TP300LA notebook last Christmas. Documenting my journey here. Please leave a comment if you spot anything that is wrong (share if you know more than what I have discovered; or better still, warn me if I am doing something stupid etc. etc.)

Most important - recovery drive

It came with Windows 8.1. I make sure I create a recovery drive so that I can recover the system if I mess things up. Made a USB Recovery Drive (TODO - USB size).

SSD

It had a 500GB HDD built in. I was keen on replacing that with an SSD. Got a 960GB SanDisk Ultra II SSD. Swapped the drives and used the recovery drive to restore the system.

At that point in time it had partitions sda1 (305MB RE), sda2 (100MB EFI), sda3 (128MB MS reserved), sda4 (C drive), and sda5 (ASUS recovery drive).

Windows 10

Then upgraded to Windows 10. This created a 450MB partition (Windows 10 boot, I believe) at the end of the C drive partition.

I wanted to move all boot partitions etc before the partition for the C drive, reduce the C drive partition and blitz the ASUS recovery drive - thereby creating room for a Fedora install.

Using GParted, I moved the 450MB partition before the C drive partition. Reduced the C drive to under 100GB. That left under half the C drive free for installing software if I decided to use Windows 10 (unlikely to be very much). ASUS recovery partition was deleted (since we have a Recovery USB Drive now anyway).

Fedora 23 Workstation install

Installed Fedora 23 x64 Workstation. 

The plan is to have an encrypted swap, /home and /tmp for security. 

During installation, selected Custom Partitioning. Defined the partition manually. ~ 500MB for /boot, LUKS encrypted 6GB (same size as the RAM) for swap, 100GB at the end of the drive for /home (LUKS encrypted) and the remaining in between for /

Below screenshot shots how things looked.

Encrypting /home

Boot up to the Fedora Login prompt. Press CTRL + ALT + F2 to bring up the console. Log in as root. Following commands are used to make a copy of /home

Code

[root] mkdir homebackup [root] cp -a /home/* homebackup/ # Make a new dm-crypt device cryptsetup --verify-passphrase -v luksFormat /dev/sda9 # cryptsetup luksOpen /dev/sda9 fc23home # verify cryptsetup luksDump /dev/sda9 # mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/fc23home # remove lost+found rm -rf /home/* # cp -a homebackup/* /home

Code

/etc/crypttab /etc/fstab

Now I have a dual boot Windows 10 + Fedora 23 Workstation on my ASUS TP300LA.

Good things noticed:

• Hibernation works great 

Fedora 23 - User interface customisations

Customisations applied on my Fedora 23 machine

Custom Shortcuts

If you are used to Windoze shortcuts and want to use the same, this is what you can do:

Go to Settings (drop down menu from the top right corner > spanner + screwdriver icon
) 

Click on the Keyboard icon. Then the Shortcuts tab.
 
Select Custom Shortcuts, Click on the + button and define the shortcuts

1. Terminal - Super + T

Define the shortcut and click the Add button
 

Click on the text Disabled to define a new accelerator key combination.
 

Name: 

Name	Command	Shortcut
Terminal	gnome-terminal	Win + T
Firefox	firefox	Win + F
Nautilus	nautilus	Win + E

Acer Aspire Switch 10 (SW5-012)

Purchased one of these handy devices recently. These are suited for light activity like media consumption (watching movies, listening to music etc), typing up articles, blogs etc. 

Bear in mind, they are not for gaming or programming.

Update BIOS

The device came with BIOS version 1.05.

The following updates were available at the Acer website. Picked the latest and greatest one. I would want to upgrade the system to Windows 10 when that is available. It needs to be verified that the device has driver support for Windows 10 before taking that plunge. I am not that keen on running Windows 8.1 drivers in compatibility made.

BIOS	Acer	Support Windows 10 BIOS capsule update.	1.18	3.9 MB	2015/10/23
BIOS	Acer	Update SMBIOS.	1.16	3.9 MB	2015/09/30
BIOS	Acer	Improved system performance	1.14	3.9 MB	2015/04/24
BIOS	Acer	Improve system performance	1.13	3.9 MB	2015/01/30
BIOS	Acer	BIOS	1.10	3.9 MB	2014/11/18
BIOS	Acer	Upgrade Intel MicroCode	1.06	3.9 MB	2014/10/15

Procedure:

Download the update file and run it from within the Windows environment. The patch will reboot the system, apply the update and reboot again.

Windows Update

Enable automatic Windows Update. Go and watch your favourite TV programme. My system showed 111 updates that needed to be applied.

TODO

• Try recovery - Created a recovery USB drive (with a copy of the recovery partition) on an 8GB memory stick. Need to understand how to boot off it to restore the system to its original state.
• Remove bloatware