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.

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Page Contents Introduction Editing This Page Specifications Linux Compatibility Notes

Introduction

This my notes on getting openSuSE 10.3 (x85_64) Linux running on a Toshiba Satellite A215-S7427 laptop from Fry's. This is an AMD based laptop with AMD components. Others in the series (s742?) should have identical wireless and graphics, just different size memory or hard disk (or installed software).

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Specifications

Name	Toshiba Satellite A215-S7427
Processor	AMD Athlon64 X2 TK-55 1.8GHz
RAM	2GB
HDD	ATA 80GB
Optical Drive	ATA DVD+-RW SuperMultidrive (Matshita DVD-RAM UJ-850S)
Graphics	ATI Radeon X1200(RS690M), external & svidio
Screen	15.4" WXGA
Network	10/100 Ethernet Realtek RTL8101E
Wireless	b/g Realtek RTL8187B See notes
Mouse	SynPS/2 Snyaptics Touchpad
Sound	HDA ATI SB
Modem	Si3054
External Bus	4 x USB2.0, 1 x i.Link(1394), Express Bus slot
Other	5 in 1 memory card reader (SD/SDIO/MMC/MS/MSPro), xD-Picture card

Linux Compatibility

Device	OpenSuSE 10.3	Fedora 8	Comments
Processor	Yes
Screen	Yes
HDD	Yes
Optical Drive	Yes		I've only used it to read CD's and DVD's at this point.
Graphics	Yes		Frame buffer currently. Not tried the External graphics.
Sound	No		Still not working even with published Toshiba tricks. Need to look for newer driver.
Ethernet	Yes
Wireless	Investigating		See notes below
56K Modem	Not Tested
USB	Limited		I've been experiencing issues on SuSE with some hardware not being recognized, like some thumb drives, mice, webcams.
Firewire	Not Tested
xD,SD Card Reader	Not Tested		Initial tests indicating an issue on SuSE
PCMCIA			Not an Available hardware feature
ExpressCard Slot	Not Tested
BlueTooth			Adapter is seen, but the manufacture claims there is no antenna. I also have no BT devices to test with.

Notes

Realtek TRL8187B(8197) - Need the rlt8187B driver set from RealTek. May have to ask for them as it may not be on their download site. May have to update the r8187_core.c file to add in definitions for 'r8197'. More on this later.

ATI Radion Graphics - The display comes up by default in Frame buffer mode 1024x800. I installed the ATI drivers, but have not experienced any difference.

I tried Fedora 7 before going to opensuse10.3, but I experienced issues with the APCI, and CPU managment. and the default X configuration May try Fedora 8 after it comes out. Fedora 8 Live x86-64 seems to run out of the box with the video, but not the wireless or sound.


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.