Save/Print All Messages in TopicThese messages are from the The Toshiba Computing Forum [http://go.CompuServe.com/toshiba], on CompuServe [http://www.CompuServe.com] CompuServe Forum Messaging is intended for private use only. © Copyright CompuServe Interactive Services, Inc., 2003 Topic: toshiba Msg #1447620 To: All 3 replies From: Emerson175 2:17 p.m. on 28-Jan-2003 I want to buy a portable 1905-s301, and I need to use this machine with Linux, I sought this on the Web Site but I don't find drivers. Help me, I need this information quickly. Thanks The Toshiba Computing Forum, UNIX/Linux Chat Location of this message: http://go.compuserve.com/toshiba?MSG=1447620 Topic: toshiba Msg #1447705 To: Emerson175 [received] 1 reply From: John Crea\Team Toshiba 2:47 p.m. on 28-Jan-2003 Emerson Toshiba does NOT suppport Linux on any Toshiba laptops. Thus, there are NO drivers/files/utils/etc from Toshiba for LINUX Bottom line, Toshiba laptops are not the BEST choice for a Linux machine John This is a reply to a message from Emerson175 The Toshiba Computing Forum, UNIX/Linux Chat Location of this message: http://go.compuserve.com/toshiba?MSG=1447705 Topic: toshiba Msg #1449444 To: John Crea\Team Toshiba [received] 1 reply From: Fpatr1 1:09 a.m. on 31-Jan-2003 My toshiba 1905-301 works great under linux out of the box. So, I would like to disagree with John saying that "Toshiba laptops are not the BEST choice for a Linux machine". Most laptops (branded) are made by one or two companies. This is why you will find Dell, HP, and Toshiba laptops that are identically hardware wise, but a little different in style. In fact, Toshiba laptops have the best support under linux because of number of linux users using toshiba laptops. This is a reply to a message from John Crea\Team Toshiba The Toshiba Computing Forum, UNIX/Linux Chat Location of this message: http://go.compuserve.com/toshiba?MSG=1449444 Topic: toshiba Msg #1449596 To: Fpatr1 [received] 1 reply From: Frank Albe 12:11 p.m. on 31-Jan-2003 I've been using Toshiba portables since 1990. >> In fact, Toshiba laptops have the best support under linux because of number of linux users using toshiba laptops. << For many years Toshiba has consistently built quality notebooks. There are a few recent models (called the "compal" toshibas) that are made by another manufacturer. They seem to have more Q/A problems than machines made by Toshiba. Long ago, before Microsoft ruled the Universe as we now know it, Toshiba went to the trouble to get their notebooks certified compatible for SCO Unix. If we're not careful in the next few years, Microsoft will have enough US legislators in their pockets that it might be illegal to make a personal computer that runs something other than a Microsft "trusted" operating system. ../frank This is a reply to a message from Fpatr1 The Toshiba Computing Forum, UNIX/Linux Chat Location of this message: http://go.compuserve.com/toshiba?MSG=1449596 Topic: toshiba Msg #1449617 To: Frank Albe [received] No replies From: Fpatr1 1:18 p.m. on 31-Jan-2003 As long as a particular manufacturer does not use proprietory type hardware, its support under linux will be fine. Every single component of my 1905-301 is recognized by linux and is working out of the box. I like that. The fact that the 1905 series use desktop CPU does not bother me as the saving came my way. I got my 1905-301 for $1000 after rebate. I don't expect my laptop to last more than 3 years because by then I will buy a new, cheaper, and better one. I am happy as long as I don't overpay for the current one. All I need is for the laptop to work well during its short life. :) This is a reply to a message from Frank Albe The Toshiba Computing Forum, UNIX/Linux Chat Location of this message: http://go.compuserve.com/toshiba?MSG=1449617 Topic: toshiba Msg #1447916 To: Emerson175 2 replies From: jaydulmes 6:37 p.m. on 28-Jan-2003 I got Red Hat Linux running and installed on my Satellite 1005-s157. The only thing that I couldn't configure was the modem, but a few usenet groups said i'd be able to. Also, the display driver from Red Hat worked perfect for my integrated Intel video. This is a reply to a message from Emerson175 The Toshiba Computing Forum, UNIX/Linux Chat Location of this message: http://go.compuserve.com/toshiba?MSG=1447916 Topic: toshiba Msg #1448193 To: jaydulmes [received] No replies From: Frank Albe 9:59 a.m. on 29-Jan-2003 >> The only thing that I couldn't configure was the modem, but a few usenet groups said i'd be able to. << Don't be to sure about that. Read the following page: http://linux.toshiba-dme.co.jp/linux/eng/aboutmodem.htm This shows one insidious way Microsoft can influence commodity PC manufacturers to stay "Windows only". ../frank This is a reply to a message from jaydulmes The Toshiba Computing Forum, UNIX/Linux Chat Location of this message: http://go.compuserve.com/toshiba?MSG=1448193 Topic: toshiba Msg #1449074 To: jaydulmes [received] 1 reply From: snoopflyer 3:27 p.m. on 30-Jan-2003 Frank is wrong about the modem. I have a Satellite 2805 with a "WinModem" (i.e., specifically designed not to work with Linux) that works under both RedHat and Debian. Go to www.heby.de and click on "Computer Stuff." From there you can click on one of the RedHat links. Download the .rpm file is called ltmodem-kv_2.4.18_19.8.0-8.26a9-1.i686.rpm (this is particular to kernel release 19.8.0) If you have a different release installed, then download the file that corresponds to your kernel release. If you don't know what kernel release you have type the command "uname -r" (without quotes) at the shell prompt. To install the file, change to the directory it is in and type "rpm -i " (again without quotes). The installation will create a new device called /dev/ttyLT0 which will be the modem. A couple of things. First, this module is not GPL'd. So, it will "contaminate" the kernel in that you will have linked non-opensource modules to the kernel. It won't affect anything, but if you are staunch "open-source only" type of person then it is a concern. Second, I am not sure if you need to download and install a new version of the driver everytime you update the kernel. But, I am pretty sure that it is the case, since there is a pre-compiled version for each kernel release out there. Hope this helps. -SnoopFlyer This is a reply to a message from jaydulmes The Toshiba Computing Forum, UNIX/Linux Chat Location of this message: http://go.compuserve.com/toshiba?MSG=1449074 Topic: toshiba Msg #1449597 To: snoopflyer [received] 1 reply From: Frank Albe 12:11 p.m. on 31-Jan-2003 SnoopFlyer - Please satisfy my curiosity. Does the Satellite 2805 have one of the "sound chip type" software modems or is it an earlier "DSP type"? Are there already modules out to support them? I believe the argument on Toshiba's page is specious, but the dire warning: "It is against the law to use the modem without the above explained authorization. Therefore, TOSHIBA is unable to release any document for the development purpose." does make you stop for a moment to consider the risks. I am not a lawyer. Personally I believe it is perfectly OK to discover the specifications of a piece of hardware or software by observation and experimentation. As far as I'm concerned, the only time you run afoul of the law is if you try to profit from that knowledge and the means you use violates valid hardware patents. Knowing there is support for these mutant quasi-modems might be enough to push me over the edge to buy one of the newer Toshibas, even though I have a perfectly good pcmcia modem/nic combo in my Tecra 8000. Its LT-MARS modem is well supported now, but I had Linux on that machine before there was support for any flavor of WinModem. ../frank This is a reply to a message from snoopflyer The Toshiba Computing Forum, UNIX/Linux Chat Location of this message: http://go.compuserve.com/toshiba?MSG=1449597 Topic: toshiba Msg #1449656 To: Frank Albe [received] No replies From: snoopflyer 1:47 p.m. on 31-Jan-2003 ../frank, I am not sure as to the particulars of the 2805's modem. However, I do know that it uses a Lucent chipset. The fact that it (and practically every other WinModem in existence) uses a very similar chipset by Lucent made it pretty easy for this guy. My understanding is that he took a driver module developed for a particular modem using the Lucent chipset (I don't know which in particular) and wrote a sort of wrapper around it that allowed the Linux kernel to communicate with the modem as though it were a standard serial device. I believe that the reason the module is only available in binary form is legal in nature. Because the company that orginally developed the driver (for Windows, of course) would not make the source code available, nor would they make a Linux version available, the wrapper approach was taken. I can only imagine that it was developed by treating the original driver as a sort of black box. This basically precludes any type of open source module for this. I think the statement from Toshiba is basically their way of saying the Linux users are on their own while at the same time covering themselves. I can't imagine that the chipset would be legally restricted in its normal operation, regardless of our chosen OS. Seeing as it was produced by one of the largest manufacturers of telephone equipment, I don't see where there is a problem. -SnoopFlyer This is a reply to a message from Frank Albe The Toshiba Computing Forum, UNIX/Linux Chat Location of this message: http://go.compuserve.com/toshiba?MSG=1449656 Topic: toshiba Msg #1448192 To: Emerson175 No replies From: Frank Albe 9:59 a.m. on 29-Jan-2003 You have one of the newer models, so it may take a while for the pioneers to pull the arrows out of their backs to write up their stories. You will have a difficult time getting Linux-Friendly information from Toshiba America Information Systems. People are still installing Linux successfully on recent "designed to be Legacy Free Microsoft Windows Systems" from Toshiba. I doubt you will ever see official driver modules for Linux from Toshiba. However it's not all bad news. You can get configuration info, hardware specs and links from a couple of official Toshiba sites. Check out the mailing list from the first site. It's a good source of information. Fairly low volume. I haven't checked this site for your specific model, but if any official Toshiba site has that kind of information, this will be the place: http://linux.toshiba-dme.co.jp/linux/index.htm Another Toshiba site that recognizes there are other operating systems besides Microsoft Windows is: http://newsletter.toshiba-tro.de/main.html but their information has been significantly downsized since the release of Microsoft Windows XP. I'm sure you're already familiar with the Linux on Laptops pages: http://www.linux-laptop.net You probably need to check the information about models that with similar video hardware, because getting a video driver and configuring the X Window System seem to be most people's stumbling block. I'm personally staying with my two Tecra 8000s as long as I can. ../frank This is a reply to a message from Emerson175 The Toshiba Computing Forum, UNIX/Linux Chat Location of this message: http://go.compuserve.com/toshiba?MSG=1448192