Linux 2.6.1 on a Thinkpad 600E

[elfs]

As always, I've been trying to upgrade my Linux box and keep it current with the most recent deployments. Now that the 2.6.1 kernel is out I've been working out how to install it on Lain, which is a thinkpad 600E.

My first try through was a complete bust. I didn't understand the new module model well enough, but after re-reading the instructions I managed to get it to work; I could reboot to 2.4 and run in 2.6 without much problem. The sound is different in 2.6; instead of a hacked cs4232 card, it actually recognized the cs4600 card and uses it. Unfortunately, this doesn't do me much good as I still can't get sound working.

But the real nightmare was that APM didn't work. That's a killer on a laptop, naturally, where having power management is essential, especially if you want the laptop to suspend correctly. I finally found the culprit. The relevant discussion regarding the Thinkpad 600 line can be found here. Note that if the patch isn't in the correct places in 2.6.2 you may have to hack this patch in by hand. It's completely cargo-cult; I don't understand quite what it does in the place that it's in, but I understand the effect: it pokes the port to turn off the floppy driver in the BIOS. A closer look at the code shows that this is where are block devices are instantiated in the kernel and hardware responsibility for them is surrendered.

--- linux/drivers/block/ll_rw_blk.c_ORIG        Mon Jan  5 20:51:28 2004
+++ linux/drivers/block/ll_rw_blk.c     Mon Jan  5 20:35:23 2004
@@ -2690,6 +2690,9 @@
        for (i = 0; i < ARRAY_SIZE(congestion_wqh); i++)
                init_waitqueue_head(&congestion_wqh[i]);
  
+#if defined(__i386__)  /* Do we even need this? */
+       outb_p(0xc, 0x3f2);
+#endif
        return 0;
 }

I had hoped that would be the end of it, but no. Of course not. I was given another rude shock when, after popping out the network card, ifconfig locked up trying to shut down the ethernet port. This was not the case on the 2.4.21 kernel.

I had hoped to have the 2.6.1 kernel up and running quickly. It promises a great many improvements. But not today. I've gone back to 2.4.21 and will probably be there for a few more weeks.

Comments

Re: drrrrrr....

[http://users.livejournal.com/dominic-m-/]

well ive never had to many problems with windows in general past 98 and so far with xp i have no major problems ever.installation was a breeze (if a little long) and the whole way XP is set up its like practically built for simplicity but has the option of complexity.i dont worry about adjusting to much of the really deep details of windows because i know it handles itself pretty darn well with its constant windows updates and simplistic reminders when i do a "boo-boo" and how to fix them with a few clicks of a button.the only problem i could think xp would have to often is that it runs slow occasionally when playing heavy graphics games for too long(in my case alot).but thats just me talking.maybe its code is written by drunken fools.but what i ahe to say is im more than pleased with XP and how it whoops previous version booty real good.