Experience running LINUX on a Laptop


Installing LINUX on a Laptop is some times a puzzle to get the right configuration. For this reason you will find here some configuration I have done :

Compaq Armada 78792

Pentium 266MHZ, 64MB RAM, 4 GB Disk, Serial, Parallel, Sound, CD-ROM, Infard (not working) LCD display 1024x786 16bit color, PCMCIA 3com 3c562

I run Suse Linux 6.3 in this configuration (link SUSE)

X11 1024x786 16bit color, with internal mouse (PS2) and/or external "Logitech Wheel Mouse"   /etc/XF86Config

Kernel Configuration :  /usr/src/linux/.config

If you installe Suse Linux form the CD, it didn't boot form then internal disk.
To fix this boot again from CD and mount the "/" partition and set this parameter in my /etc/rc.config file.
PCMCIA="i82365"
PCMCIA_PCIC_OPTS="irq_list=6,9,10,12,15 poll_interval=100"
PCMCIA_CORE_OPTS="do_pnp=0"

To install LINUX on this machine you need a boot floppy and a floppy device, a  PCMCIA network board. Also a second UNIX machine is needed to share the CD-ROM.
While installing I found out the Suse 6.4 install script try to mount the CD-ROM from different directory's.
Here is a example of my /etc/exports file on the machine with CD-ROM :
/cdrom (ro) *(no_root_squash)
/cdrom/suse (ro) *(no_root_squash)
/cdrom/suse/images (ro) *(no_root_squash)

You need to add this lines to your /etc/exports file and restart the
NFS demon (/etc/rc.d/rc2.d/S17nfsserver restart).

Now boot from floppy and select the install medium NFS and install your LINUX
as wonted.
/etc/XF86Config
/usr/src/linux/.config

DELL Inspiron 7500

Pentium 500MHz, 256MB Ram, PCMCIA, Sound, DVD, Ploppy Infared, 20GB disk.

Suse 6.7 install with out any problems on this machine.

/etc/XF86Config
/usr/src/linux/.config