Linux - Laptop and NetbookHaving a problem installing or configuring Linux on your laptop? Need help running Linux on your netbook? This forum is for you. This forum is for any topics relating to Linux and either traditional laptops or netbooks (such as the Asus EEE PC, Everex CloudBook or MSI Wind).
Notices
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
Please excuse my ignorance, but I would like to begin using and taking advantage of Linux. I was given a used Sony PCG-FX370 laptop with a bad power cable. I think I've fixed the power cable. The computer hardware is respectable; 1G PIII proc, 256M RAM, 18G hard drive, DVD/CDRW drive, modem, NIC etc. I am fairly profficient with windows and DOS, but that and 3.25 will get you a cup of Joe in Linux world I see.
I installed Debian 3.0r4 a couple times before I realized that the video driver section is what is causing me grief. The computer appears to be running, but I can't get into a GUI and frankly, since I don't sit around pounding out bits on computers I can't figure this one out. I can get to s screen that tells me what appears to be wrong. After a lot of relevant, but not necessarily meaningful code I see (EE) Unable to open /dev/agpart (No such device). Further down I see (II) I810(0) Not using default mode "1024x768" (unknown reason) amidst other unused 'profiles' (if you will). This is the native resolution of my screen. At the bottom I see Fatal server error:
AddScreen/ScreenInit failed for driver 0.
Sorry to make this so long. I can give details, I can fish around in files and I can make changes, but I have no idea where to start to fix this and make the machine work in a meaningful way to me.
The Sony Way is the way of the Dark Side. They don't even know what their laptop spec's are. I wish I could help but Sony is teH suck of ass. Best you can do is try different new OS's and see what works. mandrake 10.2, suse 9.3, fedora core 4, etc.
I like to test out a Knoppix CD first, before trying to install anything on my laptops. Usually it works, and you can just take the config files generated by its hardware detection for your system of choice. Or just use knoppix-install if you want a debian system anyway.
Sonys are not the darkside, they make some of the nicest laptops I have seen, I have one and I am thinking about getting anouther one since I dont see any other companies making anything better
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.