OPERATING SYSTEMS

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Installing Linux on laptops

In theory, there is no reason why Linux should not be installed on laptop systems.

In practice, there are certain issues that users need to be aware of:

  1. Support for PCMCIA devices
  2. Support for the graphics chip (to run X)
  3. Support for motherboard-based peripherals (for example, modems)

I have successfully installed RedHat 6.0 on a Toshiba Satellite 4080XCDT. This was pretty painless, but the following are the more interesting points.

  • I set gpm to start automatically during the install process. The keyboard didn't work when I booted the system up. Disabling gpm seemed to cure this problem.
  • The pcmcia software recognised and configured the Ethernet card (a 3com 3c589)
  • The graphics chip is supported by XFree86 3.3.5's SVGA drivers. Please note: that up to date version are available on the Redhat website. You don't need all the XFree86 files but you should get at least the following:
    XFree86-100dpi-fonts-3.3.5-1.6.0.i386.rpm
    XFree86-3.3.5-1.6.0.i386.rpm
    XFree86-75dpi-fonts-3.3.5-1.6.0.i386.rpm
    XFree86-SVGA-3.3.5-1.6.0.i386.rpm
    XFree86-VGA16-3.3.5-1.6.0.i386.rpm
    XFree86-XF86Setup-3.3.5-1.6.0.i386.rpm
    XFree86-libs-3.3.5-1.6.0.i386.rpm
    XFree86-xfs-3.3.5-1.6.0.i386.rpm

    Then, download the Satellite 4080 XF86Config file and save it as /etc/XF86Config. Login as root, change the line in /etc/inittab that reads;
    id:3:initdefault:

    and change it to read;
    id:5:initdefault:

    then type the command;
    kill -HUP 1

    and X should start up.

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Further Information

See the following for more information about Linux on laptops:

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