Toshiba Satellite A205
Created by: Bill Giannikos,Last modification on Thu 20 of Sep, 2007 [05:45 UTC]by Bill Giannikos
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.
Sponsors Lenovo are now offering a range of Thinkpads with Suse Linux pre-installed. Dell is also offering several of their systems with Ubuntu 8.04 pre-installed. Run Linux and Windows simultaneously with Parallels Workstation. Try for 14 days free the Rhapsody Music Service for Linux. | Page Contents |
Introduction
This is a guide to running Linux with the Toshiba Satellite A205 laptop. Toshiba is targeting the Satellite A205 to the mid level user.Editing This Page
View our Editing GuidelinesSpecifications
| Name | Toshiba Satellite A205 | |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 1.73GHz | |
| Screen | 15.4" WXGA | |
| RAM | 1GB | |
| HDD | 160GB | |
| 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, Fingerprint Reader | |
Linux Compatibility
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| HDD | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Partial | See below |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use the ipw3945 driver |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| SD Card Reader | Not Tested | |
| PCMCIA | Not Tested | |
| ExpressCard Slot | Not Tested | |
| Fingerprint Reader | Not Tested | |
Notes
To get sound working you will need to install ALSA version 1.0.15rc2 or greater. Since no current Linux distribution includes these you will need to compile and install them yourself. This should be solved in future kernel versions.The Satellite A205 uses a native screen resolution of 1280x800 but unfortunately you will need to use the 915resolution tool to get this resolution functioning under Linux. You may like to view our Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide for more information.
Related Resources
Preparing your laptop for LinuxConfiguring the audio
Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950
Configuring the ipw3945 driver for the Intel 3945ABG wireless controller
Increasing battery life
Summary
The big issue with the Toshiba Satellite A205 is the sound system not working at all. Unfortunately this makes the A205 a poor candidate for a Linux system.If you are looking to purchase this laptop you can visit Toshiba's Satellite page.
Have you installed Linux on this laptop? If so how about leaving a comment about your success in the comments section below.
Sponsors
Comments
Kubuntu 8.04 Hardy
Kernel Version: 2.6.24-16
In order to get the wireless up I had to install a patched version of the madwifi modules (the default tree doesn't support the card, Atheros AR2425) found at
http://snapshots.madwifi.org/special/madwifi-nr-r3366+ar5007.tar.gz (prepatched release source)
reference:
http://madwifi.org/ticket/1679
Be sure that the packages build-essential and kernel-headers are installed.
$ tar -xzvf madwifi-nr-r3366+ar5007.tar.gz
$ cd madwifi-nr-r3366+ar5007
$ make
$ sudo make install
edit the file /etc/modules and add:
ath_pci
reboot or modprobe, etc.
Second was the sound. ALSA was installed, version 1.0.16 and sound worked fine except for when the system came up from suspend/hibernate. To fix that...
edit /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base
add the line: options snd-hda-intel model=toshiba
Intel graphics worked great right out of the box.
A205-s5804
Here is a link to build a modified driver, that got me up and running
http://datanorth.net/~cuervo/rtl8187b/
Sound works on mine, no drivers needed
My real concern with the satellite is getting the 965 intel to work well
Sound solved
Toshiba Satellite A205-S4607.
Mandriva 2007.1 - kernel 2.6.21.5-1mdvsmp
The sound is working with the help of these sites:
1.http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc/doc-php/template.php?company=Intel&card=ICH+southbridge+HD-audio+and+modem.&chip=ICH6%2C+ICH6M%2C+ICH7%2C+ESB2&module=hda-intel
Instructions to follow for update procedure.
2.http://www.alsa-project.org/
Locstion to download the latest alsa drivers, libs, utils
3.https://bugtrack.alsa-project.org/alsa-bug/view.php?id=3104
Username:guest Password:guest.
Updates and patches for drivers