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Toshiba Tecra A9
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Toshiba Tecra A9 laptop.
This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which modules you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required modules have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.
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Specifications
| Name | Toshiba Tecra A9 |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2.0GHz |
| Screen | 15.4” WXGA |
| RAM | 1GB |
| HDD | 120GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet, Intel 4965 802.11abgn Wireless, Bluetooth |
| Other | 3 x USB2.0, Fingerprint Reader |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | See notes below |
| Sound | Yes | See notes below |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | See notes below |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Card Reader | Not Tested | |
| PCMCIA | Not Tested | |
| Fingerprint Reader | Not Tested | |
| Serial Port | Not tested but detected |
Notes
Many Linux distributions do not fully support the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 yet. In this case you will need to update the version of Xorg you are running. Ubuntu 7.10, OpenSuSE 10.3 and Mandriva 2008 support this chip fully.
The Intel 4965AGN controller in the Tecra A9 uses the iwlwifi driver. If you are using a kernel older than 2.6.22 then this driver becomes very difficult to install so I would recommend upgrading to 2.6.22. Currently Ubuntu 7.10, Mandriva Linux 2008 and OpenSuSE 10.3 support this controller fully. You can view the guide below for a more up to date list of distributions which support this controller as well as instructions for distributions which don't support it fully.
I have not tested this fully but I believe the standard 2.6.22 kernel does not yet support the sound controller in the Tecra A9. If sound does not work for you it means that you will need to upgrade to at least version 1.0.15rc3 of the ALSA drivers. Audio with Ubuntu 7.10 works fine, I believe this is because Ubuntu includes an updated set of drivers.
Summary
A Linux distribution with at least kernel version 2.6.22 is recommended for the Toshiba Tecra A9. I would recommend Ubuntu 7.10 as all the features tested work without hassle.
Discussion
how do i increase my screen resolution? i am using SLUES on my tecra a9.
Is there any problems that work OpenSuse 11.1 on my Toshiba Tecra A 9 12T?
bluetooth on Toshiba Tecra A8
This is how I've done the bluetooth on my Toshiba.
http://en.opensuse.org/Bluetooth_on_Toshiba_Tecra_A8_opensuse_11
Maybe it will help someone
Bluetooth
You will have problems with Bluetooth. The Toshiba BIOS requires ACPI level access to switch Bluetooth on and off. Current kernel module toshiba_acpi does not support Bluetooth but an experimental driver does seem to: http://memebeam.org/toys/ExperimentalToshibaAcpiDriver
You might get some mileage from these resources:
http://www.schwieters.org/toshset/
http://www.buzzard.me.uk/toshiba/index.html