Recent Changes - Search:
Main /

Notebooken

HOWTO Installing Linux on a GEO Microsystems F200 notebook


Italian Version



Hi, I'm Max and I have installed without problems Linux on a GEO F200 notebook. If you don't understand my guide please email me (maxint@tiscali.it).

Introduction

First of all I used Linux Suse 8.1 DVD. WindowsXP is preinstalled on F200 notebook on FAT32 partition, so no partition tools are necessary. All hardware was recognized by Suse, with exception of modem (a internal Simlink®) modem, for legally reasons, must be installed manually downloading driver.

Step 1: Working with bios

Bios "boot device" default settings are floppy-harddisk-cdrom:WRONG!
You must enter the bios (press CTRL+ALT+s before turn on notebook) and changing the order putting CDROM as first device. Then put the DVD in DVD reader and restart notebook.

Step 2: Installing Linux

Suse will use half harddisk, and leave oher half to windowsXp without loosing windows data, and will install grub bootloader (it works perfectly!). Suse automatic installation will recognize correctly:

  • Keyboard
  • Touchpad
  • Audio card
  • Pc speakers
  • Video card
  • Ethernet port
  • Lpd port
  • Usb ports
  • Ps/2 port (mouse/keybooard port)

You must correct monitor setting or you will see bad font and images, right monitor setting is:
LCD 1024x768 @70Hz
Internal modem will not be rcognized at all.
The infrared port is fake.

Step 3: Installing modem driver

Installing modem driver isn't too difficult, but even not too easy. With YAST install "Automake", "Make", and linux kernel source rpm(s). Second download from internet Simlink site (I downloaded "slmdm-2.7.14").

  1. Unzip driver and correct the Makefile file with a text editor (emacs for example), you should change the row with "KERNEL_INCLUDES" variable in this way:
    KERNEL_INCLUDES:=/lib/modules/2.4.19-4GB/build/include
  2. Then become root ("su root" in terminal) and correct an error, there is a wrong link ("build") in /lib/modules/2.4.19-4GB linked with an incorrect directory (it doesn'texist!):
    # su root
    # cd /lib/modules/2.4.19-4GB/
    # ln -s /usr/src/linux-2.4.19/ build
  3. Now you must copy (always as root) two file from /boot in /usr/src/linux-2.4.19/include/linux:
    # su root
    # cp /boot/vmlinuz.version.h /usr/src/linux-2.4.19/include/linux/version.h
    # cp /boot/vmlinuz.autoconf.h /usr/src/linux-2.4.19/include/linux/autoconf.h
    # cd /usr/src/linux-2.4.19/include/linux
    # touch modversions.h
    Last two commands create a (totally stupid) file nedded by driver.
  4. Now you can install driver following instruction in driver's README:
    # cd slmdm-2.7.14
    # make
    # make install-amr
    # ./slver -c
    Last command shows all compatibilies countries, remember how is witten yours. Then edit /etc/modules.conf adding following line (change ITALY with your country as wrote by "slver -c"):
    options slmdm country=ITALY
  5. Now the final act (as root):
    # su root
    # modprobe slamrmo

Finshed!!! Now using yast, modem configuration, choose "other" and "/dev/modem/" and your modem will work (it take a little time to connect, look at logs and await...).
maxint@tiscali.it