Newbe RH9 on a I8500 Questions

evil357 · 10-09-2003, 09:05 PM

I have a Dell Insprion 8500 Laptop with a P4 2.4 256 RAM (soon to be upgraded) 64MB DDR 4X AGP NV28 3D Video 30GB HD 15.4 in WSXGA+ and a SMC EliteConnect 200mW 802.11.b Card.
My question is I need to know how to get the laptop working the way it is ment to, I have the media keys, and the sleep mode features on the laptop, so now I need to know how to get them working.

I have upgraded my kernel to the ACPI kernel
But my display still looks like crap (it's ether just in a little area in the middle of my monitor or is too big for the screen) and when i shut the lid it wont sleep, also my media keys dont work, along w/ the 802.11.b (found it on seattlewireless[dot]net they said it worked w/ Linux).
Can anyone give me a step by step on how to get everything in good working order. (I have been a Windows user for a while and am very good w/ it I have just switched to Linux, so I do know computers just not Linux...if that makes sense)
THANKS
Evil357

evil357 · 10-10-2003, 02:34 PM

ANYONE???????

XavierP · 10-10-2003, 03:08 PM

What's your distro?

As far as the display goes, I think you'll have to download the drivers from www.nvidia.com. They have a very good readme on that site - I definitely recommend reading it before doing anything.

The keyboard problem - oddly enough I was just reading about this in Linux Format (November 2003 issue). Go here for the Linux Easy Access Keyboard program. Otherwise you could try mapping them manually in your Control Center or equivalent.

As far as acpi goes, I too need to know about this. Try searching this board, the issue has come up a few times. When I can be bothered, I too will do the same.

XavierP · 10-10-2003, 03:09 PM

Ooops - just spotted the question title. Your distro is RH9. I've also just had a look at the Lineak page. Inspiron 8xxxs are supported.

evil357 · 10-10-2003, 03:38 PM

I know where I can find all the files i just need someone to walk me through installing them, I'll put a link to the website (it also has ACPI supprot, which is in the RPM format).

evil357 · 10-10-2003, 03:39 PM

I need to have 5 posts before I can post a URL so sorry about the clutter.

evil357 · 10-10-2003, 03:41 PM

Here is the URL:
http://ltswww.epfl.ch/~dsanta/resour...ll-i8500-linux

ttp://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/G.Wilford/Inspiron8500/

Like I said I have the material I just need someone to walk me through the install process.

Thanks in advance
Evil357

lupin_the_3rd · 10-10-2003, 10:25 PM

put the XF86config file in /etc/X11... that'll give you the right display with the stock nv drivers...

download the file
open a terminal
type su
enter password
cp XF86config /etc/X11
agree to the prompt to replace the file
log out of GNOME

Then, you'll want to edit some of your config files...

lupin_the_3rd · 10-10-2003, 10:27 PM

To bind your keys download acme from the link on dsanta's site... got to preferences other and click multimedia keys... bind the keys to your volume, mute, and other buttons and log out of GNOME choosing to save current session in the log out box.

Let me know how I can help. I have the same model laptop and used that site to get mine up and running... until a bumped my kernel up to 2.4.22 (which I'd suggest once you get a little less green

)

evil357 · 10-11-2003, 07:05 PM

Ok, so I updated to the ACPI kernel from the website(http://ltswww.epfl.ch/~dsanta/resour...ll-i8500-linux), now it will turn off after I go to shutdown in RH, I also downloaded the ACME, XF86config, linux 2.0.5 ehternet driver, gnome applet (for the batterie monitor), cpudyn [I dont know if this was incorperated in the modiified kernel or not], NVIDIA driver (the rpm sorce), the ifpluged driver so the ethernet works right, the pctel patch for the modem. AM I MISSING ANYTHING??? also I have a SMC SMC2532W-B EliteConnect 2.4GHz 802.11b High-Power Wireless PC
Card, and RH doesnt show it in the System Settings>Network. My other RH machine shows both ethernet cards, but the I8500 shows nothing (as in no modem,nic,802.11.b). So what should I do now.

Evil357

lupin_the_3rd · 10-11-2003, 09:11 PM

the broadcom ethernet should be picked up by kudzu when you reboot from the kernel.

Did you alter all of your config files (/etc/modules.conf, /etc/rc.modules, and so on)?
Did you use the XF86config file? cp it to /etc/X11

You'll need to install the Nvidia drivers though b/c the file points to "nvidia" rather than "nv" though you could just comment out nvivida and add a line for nv until you get the drivers installed.

anyways, could you ask a more specific question?

evil357 · 10-12-2003, 02:02 AM

I have looked at all the stuff I need to do to get the laptop to "work". None the less I think I will just put a copy of XP Pro on it and put linux on a partition when a someone realeses a kernel that has ALL the stuff this laptop needs, already incorperated. Thanks for the help but I think I will just get along with my linux desktop....that is unless anyone knows about a all in one kind of kernel for the I8500.

lupin_the_3rd · 10-12-2003, 02:11 AM

2.4.22 but you'll have to compile it yourself... why not dual boot with XP?

evil357 · 10-12-2003, 04:45 PM

That sounds good, I just dont want to have to have like 20 things I have to install in order. So...thie kernel will have all the display settings,sound card,nic,modem and all that stuff pre-reconized? So all I have to do is install this kernel and that's that?

lupin_the_3rd · 10-12-2003, 04:59 PM

yep, but you'll have to patch it for cpufreq and laptop_mode if you want those... otherwise everything will work... I'd recommend just grabbing the kernel sources and patching those two patches... you won't regret it... follow the rh9 copile instructions on this site and don't forget to edit grub to point to your root partition once your done with the kernel...