Linux Mandrake 8.0 on Notebook:
IBM ThinkPad A20p Model 2629-6SG

This document provides a description of the installation and configuration of Linux Mandrake 7.2 on an IBM ThinkPad A20p notebook computer. It can serve as a guide for setting up your own A20p system, a reference for setting up aspects of other machines with similar hardware.

1. Contents

2. Introduction

The ThinkPad as I ordered it came with the following specifications:

3. Installation

 If you have more hints, write me  !

The ThinkPad came with Windows98SE installed, and though I tend towards the extreme side of Linux zealotry I decided to leave the beast installed for the time being so I could watch DVD's and use the Hibernation. For all Partitioning issuses i dicided to use PartitionMagic 5.0x from DOS. So I shrank the Windows partition down:


The following was sent to me by Stephen Ward:

Unfortunately, the LM 8.0 CD comes with the 2.4.3 kernel, and this version has a bug that prevents the mouse on a Thinkpad from being detected.  So it was necessary to run a text-mode installation.   This kernel bug can be avoided by using either an older version (a 2.2.X image is supplied as an alternative on the Mandrake 8.0 CD), or using a newer version (I built 2.4.5 from source).

Otherwise, the instructions for LM 7.2 still hold; select a generic 1400x1050 LCD panel, but do NOT test the X configuration, and do NOT select a graphical login (yet).  Choose the XFree86-4.0.3 X server.

Once the install completes, login to the console as root.  Install the 2.4.5 (or later) kernel sources, and rebuild the kernel.  Use the config file in /boot/config as a starting point for the kernel configuration.  Once the kernel is rebuilt and installed, make sure it is added as a LILO option.

Finally, change the following in the Xwindows config (/etc/X11/XF86Config-4):

1. Change HorizSync to "30-100"
2. Change VertRefresh to "50-100"
3. Add "1400x1050" to the start of each of the Modes in the Screen section.

Otherwise, the default XF86Config-4 works fine.

Reboot the machine, and select the 2.4.5 kernel in LILO.  It will detect the mouse as "new" hardware during boot.

The 5.99b version of the ltmodem driver works fine.  Sound card and APM are correctly detected, as is the USB and PCMCIA hardware (although I have no USB devices hooked up to test this).
 
 

4. PCMCIA

Installation of PCMCIA Drivers done (autodetect) and running. (Except running with loadlin from WIN98! Then you will not be able to load the PCMCIA Module!)

5. Xwindows

Select a generic 1400x1050 LCD panel, but do NOT test the X configuration, and do NOT select a graphical login (yet).  Choose the XFree86-4.0.3 X server.

Once the install completes, login to the console as root.  Install the 2.4.5 (or later) kernel sources, and rebuild the kernel.  Use the config file in /boot/config as a starting point for the kernel configuration.  Once the kernel is rebuilt and installed, make sure it is added as a LILO option.

Finally, change the following in the Xwindows config (/etc/X11/XF86Config-4):

1. Change HorizSync to "30-100"
2. Change VertRefresh to "50-100"
3. Add "1400x1050" to the start of each of the Modes in the Screen section.

Otherwise, the default XF86Config-4 works fine.
 

6. Sound

The A20p comes with a Crystal SoundFusion PCI soundcard. First you must disable "PCI Bus Power Mgmt" in BIOS menu. Push [F1] at startup, and disable <Config> - <Power> - <PCI Bus Power Management> (last entry, scroll down!). Otherwise you are unable to play files using PCM.

More hints you find here from Alan Shutko.

7. Modem

The A20p includes a Xircom Modem MPCICard with PartNO: MPCI3A56GSP-100PA. This device works great with the Lucent WinModemDriver.
The 5.99b version of the ltmodem driver works fine.
 

8. USB

I have not yet had a chance to test the USB port, as I have no USB devices. If anyone has info on this, let me know and I'll update this site.

9. APM

Apm is giving a correct load of my battery. apm -s working very well. For wakeup use [Fn] and when see garbage on the screen just move the mouse a little bit, and the desktop is ready again!
Hibarnation with running X-Server will result in unusable X-Desktop after resume!
 

10. Intel Ethernet Pro/100+ MiniPCI

The kernel and the module for Intel Pro/100+ working ok (Module eepro100 autodetected!).
 

11. Appendix A: Files

 

12. Appendix B: References