# ASUS UX301LA

This page contains information specific to the ASUS Zenbook UX301LA. Some of it may also be applicable to similar models, depending on the specific configuration. You might also want to look at ASUS Zenbook Prime UX31A.

## Installation

The UX301LA and similar models come with Windows 8 pre-installed, using UEFI and a GUID Partition Table scheme.

### Booting from USB

Boot the machine with the USB medium plugged in. You can try pressing `Escape` to get a boot menu and select your USB device. If it's not showing, then try booting while pressing `F2`. You will be booted into a BIOS menu. Go to `Boot > Create a boot device` and select your USB medium. You'll have to choose a specific `.efi` file - for an Arch bootable USB it's `/EFI/boot/bootx64.efi`. Then under the Boot tab, change the boot device you just made to be higher priority than Windows Boot Manager. Make sure to save your changes on exit, and the system should reboot into the device.

### Partitioning

Whatever partition scheme you desire, make sure to use `parted` if you want to keep any of the other existing partitions since `fdisk` does not support the GPT scheme already on the machine. If you want to use a GParted live CD/USB, you will need to run `kpartx -a /dev/mapper/xxx_ASUS_OS` as root where the `xxx_ASUS_OS` is the node in `/dev/mapper` other than `control` before you start the GParted application.

Note: In Arch, if you have RAID 0 your hard drive device will look something like `/dev/md126` and the partitions will look like `/dev/md126p1`.
Note: The latest mdadm version (3.3.4-1) is not able to assemble the Raid at startup. You have to downgrade mdadm in your chroot to version 3.3.2-2 to assemble the raid at boot. You should also add "mdadm" to the IgnorePkg line in pacman.conf. A workaround for the latest version of mdadm can be found here: BBS#202597.

### Installing Arch

See Installation guide.

If your machine comes with RAID 0 then add `mdadm_udev` to your HOOKS in `mkinitcpio.conf` and rerun `mkinitcpio -p linux`.

When you install GRUB, follow the instructions for UEFI Systems. Your ESP (EFI System Partition) should be the first partition in your scheme.

## Function Keys

All function keys except the backlight seem to work out of the box (as of Arch default kernel 3.12.7). To fix the backlight keys, add `acpi_osi=` as a kernel parameter. Example line from `/etc/default/grub`:

    GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet acpi_osi="

## KDE and Keyboard Backlight

You may need to run the following command on login to fix keyboard backlight control.

    qdbus org.kde.kded /kded unloadModule powerdevil
    qdbus org.kde.kded /kded loadModule powerdevil

## Intel Graphics

If you're using GNOME and have issues with screen tearing, check out GNOME#Tear-free video with Intel HD Graphics[broken link: invalid section].

## Display

Check HiDPI.

## Touchpad

xinput lists it as "ETPS/2 Elantech Touchpad" but it works with a xf86-input-synaptics driver. See Touchpad Synaptics for detail.

## Wi-Fi

See Wireless network configuration#iwlwifi

## Battery Issues

Many have been experiencing an issue with the battery not properly charging under Linux. There is a thread about this on the Ubuntu Forums. Holding down the power button to do a clean reboot seems to be a workaround, but the issue hasn't been resolved yet, and those who have sent their laptops in for repair have reported that it didn't resolve the issue.

## Hardware

lsusb: (from UX301LA-DH71T)

    * 1bcf:2987 Sunplus Innovation Technology Inc. (Webcam)
    * 058f:6366 Alcor Micro Corp. Multi Flash Reader
    * 8087:07dc Intel Corp. (Bluetooth)
    * 03eb:8a0c Atmel Corp. (maxTouch Digitizer)

lspci: (from UX301LA-DH71T)

    * 00:00.0 Host bridge [0600]: Intel Corporation Haswell-ULT DRAM Controller [8086:0a04] (rev 09)
    * 00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation Device [8086:0a2e] (rev 09)
    * 00:03.0 Audio device [0403]: Intel Corporation Device [8086:0a0c] (rev 09)
    * 00:04.0 Signal processing controller [1180]: Intel Corporation Device [8086:0a03] (rev 09)
    * 00:14.0 USB controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation Lynx Point-LP USB xHCI HC [8086:9c31] (rev 04)
    * 00:16.0 Communication controller [0780]: Intel Corporation Lynx Point-LP HECI #0 [8086:9c3a] (rev 04)
    * 00:1b.0 Audio device [0403]: Intel Corporation Lynx Point-LP HD Audio Controller [8086:9c20] (rev 04)
    * 00:1c.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation Lynx Point-LP PCI Express Root Port 1 [8086:9c10] (rev e4)
    * 00:1c.3 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation Lynx Point-LP PCI Express Root Port 4 [8086:9c16] (rev e4)
    * 00:1f.0 ISA bridge [0601]: Intel Corporation Lynx Point-LP LPC Controller [8086:9c43] (rev 04)
    * 00:1f.2 SATA controller [0106]: Intel Corporation Lynx Point-LP SATA Controller 1 [AHCI mode] [8086:9c03] (rev 04)
    * 00:1f.3 SMBus [0c05]: Intel Corporation Lynx Point-LP SMBus Controller [8086:9c22] (rev 04)
    * 00:1f.6 Signal processing controller [1180]: Intel Corporation Lynx Point-LP Thermal [8086:9c24] (rev 04)
    * 02:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Intel Corporation Wireless 7260 [8086:08b1] (rev 6b)

## Heat

As you have probably noticed, the UX301 family of laptops will reach 80° Celsius doing the most remedial of tasks, and upwards of 90° while watching videos. You may want to consider installing and configuring thermaldAUR from the AUR.

## Helpful Links

- ASUS Zenbook Prime UX31A
- RAID
- TLP (Pre-configured power saving)
- Ubuntu UX302 Page
- Ubuntu Forums UX302 thread
- InsanelyMac(OSX86) thread with hardware info, etc.
- Installing Arch on ASUS UX301LA

Category:

- ASUS

Hidden category:

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