by: Steve Hsieh <steveh@eecs.umich.edu> with the help of feedback from lots of internet users.
As additional I7k configuration information becomes available, I will post it here. If you have information to contribute that is relevant to the I7k, please send me an email and I will add it to this page.
Note: Information on this page should be relevant to all distributions of linux. However, since I personally use Debian, my instructions may need to be modified if you are using a different flavor such as RedHat or Slackware. If I am missing any information regarding a different Linux distribution, provide me the details and I will add it.
Recently, I've received the same questions over and over again, so I guess it is time I started a section for FAQs.
The I7K arrives with one big FAT32 partition for Windows98. The easiest way to install linux and have it coexist with Windows98 is to use Partition Magic to resize the windows partition without destroying its contents [Partition Magic 4.0 can even resize linux partitions!]. I have also been told that the freely available FIPS program also does the job. In any case, after you repartition, create at least 1 linux swap partition (type 82) and 1 linux native partition (type 83). After you are done with the install, append the following lines to the end of your /etc/lilo.conf file:
other=/dev/hda1 table=/dev/hda label=Win
Then run /sbin/lilo. It will show something like
Added Linux * Added Win
The * indicates that Linux will be booted automatically if you do not tell it otherwise. To make Windows the default, you can add another line to the end of the file:
default=Win
The next time you boot, press the left-shift key when your computer beeps and you see LILO appear on screen. At that point, you can choose which OS to boot by typing either 'linux' or 'win'.
* Debian:
Installation of Debian Linux 2.0r3 on the I7K was quite
straightforward -- I booted off the resc1440 boot
disk and installed the rest from a CD-ROM using the DVD drive
without any problems.
* RedHat:
"I have RedHat 5.1 installed from the DVD drive (actually,
it even boots from it), no problems."
Fernando Pereira <morgan@cardume.com>, email
If you have more than 64MB memory, you may need to pass the mem=xxxM option to linux if you are using the 2.0.x stable kernels. See here for more details.
The most current version of the PCMCIA card utilities at the time of this writing is 3.09. You should at least be using 3.0.6. To find out what version of pcmcia-cs you have, issue the command "cardctl -V". You can obtain the latest PCMCIA driver source from http://hyper.stanford.edu/HyperNews/get/pcmcia/home.html. Debian and RedHat users see below. It may also help (especially if you have an internal modem) to add exclude irq 5 inside /etc/pcmcia/config.opts. Lastly, compile pcmcia-cs with CardBus support enabled unless you have a good reason not to.
* Debian users:
* RedHat users:
"Don't get the internal modem [for Linux]!!! Lilla saved me in her FAQ by telling us that the internal modem is a winmodem, which is useless in Linux. Either of the other [PCMCIA modems sold by Dell] should be fine."
Mark Hilgart, newsgroupMyself, I bought the 3Com 56k Global Modem as part of the package. The modem comes with X2 support only; you have to download the V.90 upgrade yourself from Dell's support web pages.
(April 4 1999) Attention Dell I7k users: The X information below only works if you use BIOS A06 or lower (available here on Dell's FTP server). I will add more information about this when I have time. :-)
Currently, the stock free Xserver developed by the XFree86 Project appears to only partially support the ATI Rage LT Pro found in the I7k. However, there are a number of workarounds that will allow one to use X at 1024x768. Please read this entire section.
Before we continue, first please understand that I am NOT be held responsible for any damage that you do to your own system in case something goes wrong! It is possible to damage your display by using a bad mode, so keep that in mind when you use other people's values, even if it works for them. The same goes true for any hardware modifications that you make.
Having said that, here are a number of ways to get X working on your system:
Method 1: Patched X Server for 15" LCD
If you do not own a 15" I7K, don't even bother trying this
method because it won't work on 13" or 14" screens. The
patches used here were provided by Marcus Miller
<marcusm@llnl.gov>.
Method 2: VESA Framebuffer
This method should work for all owners of ATI Rage LT Pro
adapters and all screen sizes. As an added bonus, you also get
Adaptec SlimSCSI 1480A
support when you use this method (please also see the 1480A section). Owners of 12.1" screens, however,
will have to make some
minor adjustments to the XF86Config and
lilo.conf files. The basic idea
is that we use the VESA frame buffer
driver of the 2.2.3-ac1 kernel to properly
initialize the card, and then use the stock 3.3.3.1 X server.
This means that you will not be able to use the stock 2.0.x
kernel provided by your distribution. Since you are using a
different kernel, it is possible that you will end up with an
unbootable system if you mess up. It's a good idea to have a rescue
disk/CD handy before you proceed...
Method 3: More Alternative Methods
If you don't want to use the 2.2.3-ac1 kernel or the above
solutions don't work for you, you may want to check out my original workarounds for
running XF86. These are older solutions that aren't as
elegant, but they may still work for you.
If you don't want to mess with XF86 or are afraid to take any chances, the other alternative is to purchase a commercial laptop X server from Xi Graphics. The package retails for $199 (students can get a 25% discount off retail price = $150). Non-students would be better off purchasing it from a reseller such as Linux Mall for $160. If anyone knows of a better price, please let me know...
There is some confusion as to whether or not the ATI LT Rage Pro is officially supported by Xi Graphics. On one of their web pages, it says that it is, while on another page, it says that they are still looking for someone to send in a I7k machine so that they can support it. In any case, users have reported that it does indeed work.
According to Dave Teter <teter@virginia.edu>, "I'm running it on my I7k. Runs great. The demo should install and run fine. The non-demo which you get on the CDROM needs the updates that you can download off their website in order to run the ATI chip. Email me if you have problems."
The I7k uses an ESS Maestro-2 wavetable sound system. Unfortunately, this too is also presently unsupported by the free OSS driver in native mode for 2.0.x kernels. To use the ESS in soundblaster compatibility mode, you must first initialize it in DOS/Windows using maestro.com and then use LOADLIN to boot into linux. maestro.com also depends on mstrinf.ini. If you have a windows parition, that file should already exist and you should not download the one on this page. Phil Shapiro, <phil@digisolutions.com> has reported on the inspiron mailing list that he has gotten it to work this way using SBPro sound.
The good news is that it looks like the ESS Maestro 2 will be supported in an upcoming release of the linux 2.2.x kernel.
There is a commercial driver being developed by 4Front Technologies which will support the ESS Maestro-2 and is supposed to be released in March 99. The cost is $25 and can be ordered from their web site.
You can now use the Adaptec SlimSCSI 1480A Cardbus controller under linux by using 2.2.3-ac1 along with pcmcia-cs 3.0.9. If you'd rather not compile the source code, the other way you can utilize this card is to install my compiled 2.2.3-ac1 kernel w/pcmcia-3.0.9 modules (follow the VESA Framebuffer solution in the Free X server section). One tip. You need to add the following line to your pcmcia config.opts file:
module "apa1480_cb" opts "reset=1 ultra=1"
There are all kinds of laptop cases and travel bags out there. What is best for you depends on your own needs and tastes. Check out the carrying case links on the Linux Information Page. I personally use a Kensington Saddle Bag, which I really like. The 15" I7k fits quite nicely inside, and the saddlebag can be slung over one shoulder, used as a backpack, or carried in one hand the traditional way. More importantly, it doesn't look like a laptop case and thus will not attact undesired attention in areas prone to theft. My only complaint is that because it is not a conventional laptop case, there really isn't any good place to store loose computer components like PCMCIA cards, or even the laptop AC power supply. Of course it all fits, just not in nice organized compartments.
If you have any success/failure reports with other unices besides Linux, let me know.
Modeline "1024x768" 74.00 1024 1048 1184 1328 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsyncAndrew Lambeth, email
Last modified: Wed Nov 4 22:57:59 1998