Lenovo 3000 C200
Created by: Bill Giannikos,Last modification on Mon 24 of Mar, 2008 [18:32 UTC]by Richard Holt
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.
If you are looking to purchase this laptop you can visit Lenovo's 3000 series notebooks page.
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Lenovo 3000 C200 laptop.Editing This Page
View our Editing GuidelinesSpecifications
| Name | Lenovo 3000 C200 | |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 1.6GHz or Celeron M 430 1.73GHz | |
| Screen | 15" XGA | |
| RAM | 512MB or 1024MB | |
| HDD | 80GB | |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW | |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 | |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless | |
| Other | 4 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire | |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Use the i810 driver | |
| Sound | Partial (initial report) Working OK 200803 | |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use the ipw3945 driver |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| Card Reader | Yes | Only tested with SD card |
| PCMCIA | Not Tested | |
Notes
Currently the audio system in the C200 does not work properly under Linux. There is a bug report at https://bugtrack.alsa-project.org/alsa-bug/view.php?id=2725. This is a common problem with new notebooks which hopefully this will be fixed shortly by the ALSA team.Related Resources
Preparing your laptop for LinuxConfiguring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950
Configuring the audio
Configuring the ipw3945 driver for the Intel 3945ABG wireless controller
Increasing battery life
Summary
The main issue with the Lenovo 3000 C200 is the audio system not functioning correctly. Other than that there were no problems in getting this laptop working when used with an up to date Linux distribution.Have you installed Linux on this laptop? If so how about leaving a comment about your success in the comments section below.
Comments
sidux runs great on C200
All running well. Sound works well.
Removed the 70 GB Vista partition, but kept the smaller recovery partition, just in case it needs service. Run WinXP in VirtualBox which is much faster, safer and easier to handle the viruses.
I increased memory to 1 Giga total. Responsiveness is
good, though I have no metric to show for it.
I don't use the modem but imagine it works OK when needed.
Nor have I tested the wireless functions for lack of a place to connect to.
Looking for an opportunity to try it out.