IBM thinkpad 385ED X problems

Forum: Laptops
Topic: IBM thinkpad 385ED X problems
started by: kslawson

Posted by kslawson on Mar. 05 2006,04:57

Hello fellow DSL advocates,

Does anyone have any experience getting the X-Windows to work on DSL with the IBM 385ED or similar laptop? It uses the neomagic NM-2090 video card(which I have been reading is a real pain). Do I need XFree86? any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Kyle

Posted by petergunn on Mar. 05 2006,14:50

I just did a HD install of DSL2.2 on my thinkpad 560z (Neomagic N2160) yesterday. Its working pretty good. Here are some tips...

1) If console/desktop is bigger than visible screen:
sudo vi /etc/lilo.conf # change the vga= line to say vga=789
sudo lilo
sudo reboot # framebuffer mode should work good after reboot

2) To get hardware accelaration:
install xfree86.dsl
copy example .xserverrc to ~/.xserverrc
copy example neomagic config file to /etc/X11/XF86Config-4
sudo vi /etc/X11/XF86Config-4
fix mouse config (i.e. uncomment /dev/mouse + comment out default)
comment out the "Chipset" line
kill window manager & login again so that X restarts

3) If desktop icons are missing or color depth is low (default 8bits)
sudo vi /etc/X11/XF86Config-4
add...
Section "Module"
Load "extmod"
EndSection
vi ~/.xserverrc
change "XFree86" to be "XFree86 -depth 16"
kill window manager & login again so that X restarts

And you should be pretty good to go. Let me know if you want me to post my XF86Config-4 file :-)

Posted by kslawson on Mar. 08 2006,22:57

well X is working now, but im having problems with the mouse
it will move around the screen but will not click
DSL picks it up as a generic mouse at PS2, /dev/psaux
Ive tried all the xsetup.sh mouse options and cannot get it to click. BAH! :P everything other than the mouse looks great it boots to DSL X-wins very quickly Im happy except for the mouse , any ideas?
KYLE