This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which drivers you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required drivers have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.

Page Contents Introduction Editing This Page Specifications Linux Compatibility Notes Related Resources Summary

Introduction

This is a guide to running Linux with the Acer TravelMate 4200-4202WLMI laptop. This is a lower end laptop which works very well with Linux.

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Specifications

Processor	Intel Core Duo T2300E 1.66GHz
Screen	15.4" WXGA
RAM	512MB
HDD	120GB
Optical Drive	DVD+-RW
Graphics	Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Network	10/100 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless
Other	4 x USB2.0

Linux Compatibility

Device	Compatibility	Comments
Processor	Yes
Screen	Yes
Optical Drive	Yes
Graphics	Yes
Sound	Yes	Use the snd-hda-intel driver
Ethernet	Yes
Wireless	Yes	Use ipw3945 driver
56K Modem	Not Tested
USB	Yes
PCMCIA	Not Tested

Notes

Since the native screen resolution of this notebook is 1280x800, Xorg may have issues in displaying the correct resolution. To get it working properly you will need to use the 915resolution utility. More information is available on our Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide.

Related Resources

Preparing your laptop for Linux
Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950
Configuring the ipw3945 driver for the Intel 3945ABG wireless controller
Increasing battery life

Summary

No issues with getting the Acer TravelMate 4200 working when used with an up to date Linux distribution. You should use a Linux distribution with at least kernel version 2.6.16, such as Fedora Core 5 or Ubuntu 6.06.


Have you installed Linux on this laptop? If so how about leaving a comment about your success in the comments section below.