how to install APM on toshiba portege a100 laptop (running debain/kde)

gry-HuhuY5 · 08-09-2005, 05:11 AM

Hi,
I just installed Debian on my Toshibe Portege A100 laptop, and used KDE as window manager. Everything went fine except these things:

1. When I run out of battery, the system doesn't say antyhing. I can't turn on battery monitor on KDE control center, it says your computer doesn't have Linux APM. It does give me link to a HOWTO page, and it says something about recompiling Kernel which I totally don't understand.

2. The system doesn't turn off by itself, I have to push the power button after I ask it to shut down. It does turn off by itself while I'm running Win XP

Can someone help with this problem, thanks alot

gry-huhuy

nadroj · 08-09-2005, 09:55 PM

yes, advanced power management, apm is what you need.
the kernel is the heart of your linux machine, its the central 'brain'.. the kernel is to an OS what the cpu is to a computer, lets say.
you will need to recompile your kernel with support for APM, so the kernel knows how to use it. there are many tutorials, on google or even here at lq.org about recompiling a kernel.
it seems scary at first, but when you read up on it it isnt too bad. however, it will take some time and, like i said, reading/researching!
this would be the solution for both #1 and #2.
i have never had to do this myself so i cant help you much more.

Half_Elf · 08-10-2005, 11:09 AM

You laptop is a recent model, you better try ACPI. APM is old and no longer updated, most laptop support both, but ACPI has a lot more feature usually.

gry-HuhuY5 · 08-11-2005, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Half_Elf
You laptop is a recent model, you better try ACPI. APM is old and no longer updated, most laptop support both, but ACPI has a lot more feature usually.

Thanks for the reply, do I need to recompile the kernel for it as well? I've tried to change my distro from Debian to Fedora Core 4, found it more useful with lots of application, is there any application that can control battery/power management on it? I can't find it. Thanks

Half_Elf · 08-11-2005, 09:06 AM

there is probably something installed by default but I can't tell... in worst case, google and install something new?

to make sure only "acpi" is used, add "apm=no" and "acpi=force" to your boot loader option. It should do it.

gry-HuhuY5 · 08-11-2005, 05:43 PM

Great, I solved the problem now, I was desperately looking for battery management on GNOME env (was able to find it with KDE, but love GNOME anyway), and found out that it only come up when you plugged in your battery, and you have to put it on the panel manually. It doesn't even have a shortcut in application menu... Phew