Linux on the IBM ThinkPad A21P Laptop

Installation

I have started the installation of SuSE Linux 7.1 Professional via DVD, which worked fine. Sorry I have forgotten to take a note on the exact model number *) and I don't have this machine anymore.

*) Note: This model number is important, because there seem to be different models on the market, which behave different with Linux (e.g. they feature different modems).

Graphics

Text Mode

With vga=793 console works in 1280x1024 mode.

X-Windows

XFree86 4.0.3 works fine up to 1600x1200. Here is my XF86Config.

PCMCIA

Works with recent PCMCIA-CS packages.

USB

Mouse worked with usb-uhci driver (Legacy mode not tested yet).

Network Card

The in-built network card works with the eepro100 driver.

Internal Modem

Doesn't work, see output of lspci below.

Dada Krpasundarananda <dadak_at_attglobal.net> reported a working modem with the Lucent driver. But this seems to be another model lspci reports Communication controller: Lucent Microelectronics WinModem 56k. As far as I can see this is the model without NIC but modem only.

Mouse

The 3-button mouse works with X and gpm.

Sound

Sound works with ALSA snd-card-cs461x.

tpctl

The ThinkPad configuration tool tpctl by Thomas Hood doesn't seem to work with SuSE 7.1, the according modules seem to be missing.

But tpctl should work with this model. You will need to compile loadable kernel modules to work with your kernel. You can always get the tarball and do it "by hand". But I had no time to check this yet.

APM

APM commands apm -s and apm -S work fine.

Battery

The battery lasts approximately 3 hours.

Hard Disk

To improve the settings of the hard disk or check an IBM hard disk you may try the IBM Hard Disk Utils. Parts work even with non IBM hard disks.

vim

A recommendation for the vimrc file.

" maps the F1 key to Esc to disable going into Help. 
" On some IBM ThinkPad laptops, the ESC key is above F1
" you may keep hitting F1 and going into help!
imap <f1> <ESC>

Output of `lspci'

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 440BX/ZX - 82443BX/ZX Host bridge (rev 03)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 440BX/ZX - 82443BX/ZX AGP bridge (rev 03)
00:02.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCI1450 (rev 03)
00:02.1 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCI1450 (rev 03)
00:03.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82557 [Ethernet Pro 100] (rev 09)
00:03.1 Serial controller: Xircom: Unknown device 000c
00:05.0 Multimedia audio controller: Cirrus Logic CS 4614/22/24 [CrystalClear SoundFusion Audio Accelerator][..]
00:07.0 Bridge: Intel Corporation 82371AB PIIX4 ISA (rev 02)
00:07.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82371AB PIIX4 IDE (rev 01)
00:07.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82371AB PIIX4 USB (rev 01)
00:07.3 Bridge: Intel Corporation 82371AB PIIX4 ACPI (rev 03)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc 3D Rage Mobility M3 AGP 2x (rev 02)

TuxMobil - Mobile Linux

Please feel free to mail me if you have recommendations or criticisms. I'm very receptive to additions, suggestions and changes from the readers of this document. Please note: If you don't object I will include your name and e-mail address in the credits section above.

Werner Heuser <wehe_at_tuxmobil.org>

Other Resources

• Unix Laptop Survey
• TuxMobil - hardware section
• Linux Mobile Guide - Installing, Maintaining and Tuning of Linux on Mobile Computers
• Debian Laptop Proposal

Credits

• Dada Krpasundarananda <dadak_at_attglobal.net>