Trouble with DISPLAY on IBM ThinkPAD 600

Forum: Laptops
Topic: Trouble with DISPLAY on IBM ThinkPAD 600
started by: AJones

Posted by AJones on Feb. 12 2005,21:19

Hi:

I found that DSL is ideal for me with a IBM ThinkPad 600 laptop to dual boot with WinXP. But When I load DSL the display is muddled, I had ideas of having a HD install, I have not had these problems with WinXP (Where I have WindowBlinds) Mepis, and to a certain extent Knoppix (though too bright) I can configure it to get dark. But, I just cannot see the menus. I believe that the problem is not with the Memory or Video Card since WindowBlinds is very resource hoger. Is there a fix to this problem, If I can install it on my laptop, and get the IBM modem working , I might as well erase WinXP. I have not had this problem testing DSL on Desktops. The problem might be with how LCD monitors are backlit. Setting a black desktop theme as default would help a lot.

Your thoughts are welcome.

AJ

Posted by green on Feb. 13 2005,02:52

I don't if you have installed it yet or not, sound like you have not. Would be good to know when you post questions.

The answer is already in these forums. Search for 600e AND video.

If not a HD install, do this at boot:

fb1024x768

you can use any other boot time options as well if you are using any.

If it is a HD install, then do this:

ctrl+alt+backspace

to get to the command prompt, then type:

xsetup.sh

pick you mouse options, and choose the one that is not vesa, which is the frambuffer mode.

That should do it. If not, then try the various other boot time options or xsetup.sh options.

Edit: when you get that done, search for 600e AND sound or 600e AND uart you'll be glad you did. Follow the directions exactly and it'll work.

Posted by AJones on Feb. 13 2005,23:36

Thanks,

It worked fb1024x768 worked & I chose FBSerV instead od XVesa, and I could get the screen right. I have several question about HD install & Boot, Say I do HD install, assuming that will recognize WinXP, I have already created EXT2 & Swap for DSL, I Will DSL add fb1024x768 option & FVServ option to Boot?

If not how should I change it?

Another question, I have a RPM Modem driver for this, will DSL recognize thinkPAd modem? IS Alien there to make it adeb file so Ican load it.?

How about accessing HD1 on Win Partition to access files there?

How about installing Win TTFs in DLS.

Great distro fast Boot up, hope I can use it productively, when I get Modem woking. How about all those apt-get features from Debain? Are they all there.

Thanks for your help

AJ

Posted by green on Feb. 14 2005,00:57

AJones, I can tell you what I did on my 600e, but that does not mean there is not a better way or a different way to do it.

I've done a few HD installs, and so far, the windoz partition was recognized every time. So, at the end of the HD installation when it asks me to "mkliloboot" I choose to do so. That way, when the PC is rebooted, I'll have a choice to boot windoz or DSL. Also, I've been able to access files (text, documents, pics, mp3's, etc.) on the windoz partition using DSL.

When I've done those HD installs, I've always had the video set up prior to doing it, cuz you can't see what you are doing unless you do. The video parameters are transferred to the HD install. However, if you need to change them after you do the HD install, you can always do the alt+cntrl+backspace thing and run xsetup.sh to do it again. It will remember the settings.

As for the modem, I don't know. I don't use the built in modem on my 600e, I use a PCMCIA 10BaseT ethernet card, which is recognized and works good. I also use a 802.11b wireless USB thingy, it also works good after utilizing the "Prism" button on the DSL Control Panel. I'm no help for modems.

I've not used Alien, but I am under the impression that it will convert 'stuff' to .deb files. I'll get around to trying it someday if I find I need to. So far, I've been able to use things from the DSL Repository to suit all of my needs, and a few things using apt-get, which does work quite nicely.

Now, I'll go off on a tangent. I've done several HD installs on the 600e (for varioius reasons) and on other machines. I understand the desire to install something to the hard drive. But, what I've found is that the other options are easier to maintain and tweak. By this I mean that if you are like me and like to tweak things and try things you've never done and don't know how to do, it's easy to recover from mistakes when running DSL live with a backup/restore or using a frugal install. It took me a while to grasp the concept of utilizing the Live way. I prefer running live on the 600e and having a backup/restore partition (which is small) and using the rest of the 6GB hard drive for 'stuff.' My 600e has 128MB of ram so I can even run it Live "toram" if I want to put in a CD for listening enjoyment while surfing or rip the CD to Ogg and save it on the HD. I really like running DSL "toram" as everything is lightning fast, faster than running from CD or HD. Ah, I digress..... Choose what you want. DSL rocks no matter what you do.

Have fun!

Posted by cbagger01 on Feb. 14 2005,01:38

Look here, re windows paritition:

< http://damnsmalllinux.org/cgi-bin....+right% >

Posted by mclien on Mar. 01 2005,10:10

To the internal modem stuff:

I have installed several Thinkpads (with diffrent Distros).
The problem with the internal modem is that its a socalled win modem, wich is a sort of half modem, rest half emulated by the CPU. There are tools to make them 'kind' of working, BUT not stable at all. E.g. my siter often has to reboot her tp 600 2-4 time for recognizing the modem. So I got here a PCMCIA modem and never had any phone calls from her about her modem.

So my suggestion: just don't waste time with the rubbish internal modem. this will save you time and nerves!