Linux

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Which distro + where is the file?

0 helpful
5 replies

by mlbraham

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

1. All LINUX distro makers tout their wares.

2. Fine, but none seem to provide a needed hardware health warning: 'this programme may not fully work on/may be dangerous for the health of your computer.

3. This is particularly the case with laptops in terms of three consistent problems:
(a) Displays
(b) Sound
(c) Winmodems.

4. Having spent too much money and time on failed Linux laptop installations, and being a busy end-user, not a programmer, I would like to know what distro to useon an IBM ThinkPad A31p which:

(a) will provide for a ATI Mobility FireGL 7800 1600x1200 flat panel display at 32 bits;

(b) will recognise the SoundMax Integrated Diogital Audio sound card and

(c) can deal with an Agere Systems AG'97 internal modem.

(5) In regard to the last, as I understand that the program: ltmodem-kv_2.4.18_0.13-8.22a3-1.i386.rpm should deal with getting the Agere AG'97 winmodem to function under Linux, does any one know where to find it, and how best to install it so it will work?

Thank you.

5 replies

by m.mayberry

Sounds to me like you should spend some time reading _before_ you jump into Linux on your laptop. The Linux on Laptops web site is your friend (http://www.linux-laptop.net/). They have 6 reviews / install guides for the A31p from people who know what they're doing. Some are Slackware, Debian, etc. At a glance, it appears that the Mobility FireGL works with some tweaking, the sound is good with ALSA and the winmodem is not yet supported.

by magellanix

Ok, I know how frustrated you are.

With VIDEO drivers, currently linux distributors can't release third party (closed source) programs with their releases, this is against GPL License. With graphic cards like ATI, NVIDIA, no 3d drivers are available on distro CDs, you will have to download them your self, from their own site:

ATI: http://mirror.ati.com/support/drivers/powered.html

NVIDIA: http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

But don't feel sad, the graphics card would work still at high resolutions but just won't have 3d support, when you are installing linux, make sure you choose 'vesa' as the video driver, until you get that extra drivers.

With the internal modem, they aren't real modems, and they are softwarebased, meaning they require a special software written specifically for it, because they are written for Windows system only, and linux users are disadvataged because of this (eg. a 33.6k internal modem could be used as a 56k modem with just a software upgrade!)

http://magiex.netfirms.com/ is a site i designed for compaq users, in the links section are some sites which will help you A LOT.

As a distro for you I recommend Mandrake, the latest release is 9.1, you can download it or get someone to burn you a copy if you are low on budget. Make sure you BACKUP before you do something critical. (BTW I will be using Mandrake 9.1 sooner or later)

Mandrake would deal with sound without problems. Also, AGERE bought Lucent Technologies *which your modem was*

If you have anymore problems just email me or post here.

Thanks
Cheers

by mlbraham

Somewhere between system changes, installations, re-installations and my moving about you did not get the points that were reserved for the most helpful answer. They are now being sent. I have installed Mandrake 9.1 but have not yet worked out which driver and from where for the IBM/Lucent Agere'97 winmodem.

Best wishes,

Mark Braham,
mlbraham@sancharnet.in

This discussion is closed to new replies.