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Toshiba Tecra S2
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Toshiba Tecra S2 laptop, model PTS20A-0YS002. You can get this notebook working with Linux, but it is not perfect.
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 S2 |
| Processor | Intel Pentium M 770 - 2.13GHz |
| Screen | 15” |
| RAM | 512MB |
| HDD | 100GB |
| Optical Drive | Double Layer DVD+-RW Drive |
| Graphics | nVIDIA GeForce Go 6600 |
| Network | Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11g Wireless and Bluetooth |
| Other | 3 x USB and Firewire |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | Use speedstep-centrino module |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | Burning not tested, but should work |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | |
| Ethernet | Yes | Use sky2 module |
| Wireless | Yes | Use ipw2200 module |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not tested, but should work | |
| Card Reader | Not tested, probably wont work | |
| PCMCIA | No |
Notes
There appears to be a problem with the PCMCIA controller, it will lock the laptop completely if it is enabled even during the installation. You need to add the “nopcmcia” parameter (without the quotes) to the kernel boot options. Of course this will disable the pcmcia slot.
For best results, I would recommend a Linux distribution with kernel 2.6.16 or greater such as Fedora Core 5. This is the easiest way in getting the ethernet and wireless components working.
The graphics chip will work with either the open source nv module or with the proprietary nvidia module. For 3D support, you will need the proprietary module. For the open source module, you will need a recent version of Xorg for the module to support this graphics chip, such as the one included with Fedora Core 5.
Summary
Not the best laptop to use under Linux, but if you don't need PCMCIA support it is fine.
Discussion