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WARNING: Work in
Progress!
I'm still working on exploring the possibilities of this
notebook.
Installing Fedora 11
First, while running Fedora 10, I used the LVM to create a 15GB
partition F11Root . I copied (with rsync) the compelete
contents of F10Root (the current root) to
F11Root . I changed F11Root/etc/fstab to
adjust the file system root and rebooted, getting Fedora 10 running on
the new F11Root .
I have the Fedora install files on a server on the LAN, so I booted
the notebook with the Fedora 11 install kernel using PXE.
I selected upgrade exisiting systen, and it went smoothly.
After reboot I updated all packages with the newest versions, and
installed the Tux on Ice enabled kernel. I changed
grub.conf to boot this kernel with vga=791
to enable the frame buffer. Reboot. Fedora 11 ready for production.
Processor |
OK |
Dynamic frequency switching can be seen on power applet |
Display |
OK |
1280 x 800 |
CD/DVD R/RW |
OK |
|
Graphics |
OK |
No accellerated graphics |
Touchpad |
FAIL |
See notes |
USB |
OK |
|
Battery |
OK |
Percentage, estimated time |
Ethernet |
OK |
|
Wireless |
OK |
|
Bluetooth |
OK |
See Notes |
Hibernate (SwSusp) |
OK |
|
Hibernate (TuxOnIce) |
OK |
|
Suspend (to RAM) |
FAIL |
Does not resume |
Sound |
OK |
Record and playback |
VGA-Out |
OK |
See Notes |
S-Out |
|
Not tested |
Webcam |
OK |
|
Fn keys |
FAIL |
See Notes |
56k modem |
|
Not tested |
Firewire |
OK |
|
SD Card Reader |
OK |
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PCMCIA |
|
Not tested |
Notes:
- The expected battery time is not available, only an estimate is
given. This is also the case under Windows so it is probably not
a Linux problem.
A fully charged battery lasts for about 90
minutes only on an lightly loaded system. This is very
disappointing. Moreover, after four months this is already
reduced to just over one hour.
- The Touchpad, WiFi and Bluetooth must be enabled from
Windows since the Fn keys cannot be used to control
them!
Bluetooth can be enabled with help of the OmniBook kernel module.
- During the Fedora 11 release cycle, Fedora upgraded to the
2.6.30 kernel. Unfortunately, the Touchpad stopped working with
this kernel. The kernel just doesn't seem to see it anymore.
I had to go back to the 2.6.29 kernel where cursor movement, H/V
scroll work. See below for the mouse clicks.
- As opposed to many other members of the Satellite A200 series
this model has a Phoenix BIOS, and hence does not have Linux
support for several specific Toshiba features like Fn keys. Some
keys, however, work:
Fn-Esc (Mute): Works.
Fn-F2 (Suspend): Works (Generates ACPI event).
Fn-F6 / Fn-F7 (Brightness): Works. However, something in my
system seems to switch the display to full brightness again
after a couple of seconds.
Multi-media button Stop: Ejects the CD/DVD.
- When an external monitor is connected and activated using
xrandr --auto , the LCD bleaches and does not come
back anymore. An X-server restart is necessary.
- Mouse clicks (taps) on the TouchPad can be reenabled an several
ways. Googling for “fedora touchpad tapping” will show some.
I have put synclient TapButton1=1 in my X startup.
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