LINUX on the Toshiba T4600
Gerhard Boenisch, 4/19/98, updated 10/6/99This web page describes one possible LINUX and X WINDOW configuration of the Toshiba T4600 laptop.
According to Bryan Gartner, the same settings also work on a Toshiba T4800CT.
According to Robin Sheppard, the same settings also work on a Toshiba T4850CT.
If you have comments or questions, please send e-mail to
gerhardb@ldeo.columbia.edu.Hardware
Basic
|
Computer |
Toshiba T4600 |
|
Processor |
33MHz Intel486SL with coprocessor |
|
Memory |
4MB |
|
Hard Disk |
200MB internal |
|
Floppy |
3.5" 1.44MB |
|
Display |
9.5" LCD VGA compatible, 640 x 480 internal |
|
Pointing Device |
2 bottom BallPoint, connected to Quickport |
Add-ons
|
Memory Card |
8MB (Kingston KTT-4500/8) |
|
Modem |
Megahertz 14,400 PCMCIA 2.0 Data/Fax Modem, Model# CC3144 |
Summary
The configuration is therefore 33MHz 486, 12MB Ram, 200MB HD, 14,400 mdm.
The modem is located in PCMCIA slot number 2.
Software
I have used the Slackware96 version of Linux as provided in the book LINUX CONFIGURATION & INSTALLATION, SECOND EDITION by Patrick Volkerding, Kevin Reichard, and Eric F. Johnson.
|
LINUX version |
Slackware96 |
|
Source |
LINUX CONFIGURATION & INSTALLATION, SECOND EDITION Patrick Volkerding, Kevin Reichard, and Eric F. Johnson. MIS: Press, Inc., 115 W 18th Str, New York, NY 10011, USA |
|
Boot disk |
bare.i |
|
Root disk |
COLOR.GZ |
Hard Disk Setup
|
20MB DOS |
/dev/hda1 |
|
8MB LINUX swap |
/dev/hda2 |
|
172MB LINUX native |
/dev/hda3 |
Installed Disk Sets
Comment
I should have installed the disk set AP as well, because it provides the online manual pages and editors. I skipped this disk set in the original installation, because I was not sure, if I have enough disk space. I intend to install this disk set in the future, because the disk is now only filled to about 45%.
Installation Media
Since the Toshiba does not have a CD Rom drive, I had to use floppy disks to install LINUX.
Comment
I used a total of 50 floppies. It was actually not as bad as it sounds, it took me about 90 minutes to create the disks and another 90 minutes for the installation. But neither is a full time job, I did some other work at the same time.
Modem Configuration
When asked by the setup program, I told LINUX , the modem is serial port com4. The modem worked right away. Nothing else was necessary.
Installed Kernel
I went the save way and used the Kernel from the boot disk.
XFree86 Configuration
Please be aware that the wrong parameters in the XFree86 configuration can damage your computer. The settings described here worked for me, but they might not work for you. Follow the setup instructions in the book and do not hold me responsible. If you try the settings described in the following you do this on your own risk.
I only mention the sections that I needed to modify in the sample file. This should be enough information to get going. However, my configuration file can be obtained on demand by e-mail to gerhardb@ldeo.columbia.edu.
Pointing Device Configuration
|
Protocol |
"PS/2" |
|
Device |
"/dev/psaux" |
|
Emulate3Buttons |
On |
Monitor Configuration
|
HorizSync |
31.47, 36.46, 69.98, 35.39, 35.40 |
|
VertRefresh |
67.43, 67.40 |
|
Modeline "640x480" 28.31 |
640 664 760 800 480 491 493 525 |
|
Modeline "640x480" 31.47 |
640 664 760 800 480 491 493 525 |
|
Modeline "640x480" 28.32 |
640 664 760 800 480 491 493 525 |
|
Modeline "640x480" 28.28 |
640 664 760 800 480 491 493 525 |
|
Modeline "640x480" 36.46 |
640 664 760 800 480 491 493 525 |
Graphics Device Configuration
|
Chipset |
"generic" |
|
VideoRam |
512 |
|
Clocks |
28.31 28.32 28.3 28.28 |
Screen Configuration
|
Modes |
"640x480" "800x600" "320x240" |
|
Viewport |
0 0 |
Summary
With these settings, X works and the resolution is set to 640x480.
Comments
Computer
The Toshiba T4600 is not the latest and fastest laptop. However, even under X LINUX is fast enough for what I need. I use this computer mainly for tests, remote checks of UNIX based measurement systems, and basic tasks like reading e-mail remotely.
Slackware96 and the Book
The book and the accompanying CD-ROMs were enough to get me going and that is all the book intends. However, I would have liked more information about tcp and ppp setups, and more detailed information about LINUX internals, like what happens when the computer starts, which files are read and which instructions get executed or more details how to set up user accounts.
Gerhard's Mainpage, Linkpage,
Computerpage
Linux on Laptops
TuxMobil