Bruha's Journal: Linux Laptop Runaround

I've got this nifty laptop thingamjig :) only cost me 1250 greenbacks and it works quite nice. But it's running XP :(

I'm probably one of those rare people that are torn between OS's for 2 reasons. Compatibility and Gaming. I tend to have the latest and greatest to a extent and this laptop is no exception.

Unfortunately after installin SuSE on this HP ze430us you run into several problems.

ACPI = Partial support 2.4.22 Kernel probably a few more modules to load to get it working decently but I'd like to see Linux speedstem my Mobile Atahlon chip.

3d Accelleration. With a recent patch by SuSE I was able to use my graphics card (Main reason I shelled out 70 dollars for a pro version) which is a ATI Radeon IGP 320M U1 type card. I hand it to SuSE theyre no slacker when it comes to making things work with newer hardware. But still with the new drivers its 2d only. Cant play Tux Racer yet.

Also ran into issues installing Xig.com's X Server that would enable 3d accel on this machine. However some bug I'm just too tired to troubleshoot before leaving on a business trip prevents me from playing with it some more. Another sad thing is the prices they demand for their products. For businesses that's great but I'm not about to shell out 129 dollars to have 3d accel on my machine quite yet. ACPI comes first!

And finally the final king of injustice.

My WlAN adapter is made by Broadcom!

Anyone familiar with Broadcom knows they advertise support for Linux but guess what. Linux does not detect it nor is there any drivers. I've heard rumor it can work under the 2.6 kernel but ahem I dont know the slightest in how to compile a kernel nor instal a completely new one!

So with those problems the laptop is usable under Linux and I'm generally satisified but until I can resolve those problems the system is tethered to a power cord and a network cable.

A more detailed writeup of my experience can be found on my Linux site Linux Warcry which is part of the Warcry Gaming News Network. Fell free to come and visit and share your knowledge or news about Home Linux use and Linux Gaming!