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 Specifications Linux Compatibility Notes Linux version ACPI (solved) Suspend/Resume Video Nvidia 7900GS Video Intel 915 Video Audio (solved) Related Resources Summary

Introduction

I own a Toshiba Satellite P105-S9722 but the following information should apply to other P105 models, including some P100's as well. I've have had many problems with the ACPI system when I first installed Linux. It's not Suse's fault but, in fact, Toshiba for writing a very buggy DSDT file. The DSDT file is the instructions for how ACPI should work. I've got everything working perfectly in this laptop now (except fingerprint reader since I haven't spent the time... I don't really care about it). Below, you will find information about my venture and how to get this laptop working. You will need some skill in building a custom kernel for your distribution.

Specifications

Name	Toshiba Satellite P105
Model	Earlier Models	model 9722
Processor	Intel Core Duo Processor T5200 1.60GHz	2.18GHz
Screen	17" WXGA+ (1440x900)	17" WXGA+ (1440x900)
RAM	1 GB	2 GB
HDD	120 GB	200 GB
Optical Drive	DVD+-RW	DVD+-RW
Graphics	Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950	Nvidia GeForce Go 7900
Network	10/100 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless	Gigabit Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g, Bluetooth
Other	4 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire, Fingerprint Reader	4 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire, Fingerprint Reader, SD Card Reader

Linux Compatibility

Device	Compatibility	Comments
Processor	Yes
Screen	Yes
Optical Drive	Yes
Graphics	Yes
Sound	Yes*
Ethernet	Yes
Wireless	Yes	Use ipw3945 driver
56K Modem	Not Tested
USB	Yes
Firewire	Not Tested
SD Card Reader	Not Tested
ExpressCard Slot	Not Tested
Fingerprint Reader	Not Tested

Notes

Linux version

Any recent linux version should work with this laptop. I use Suse 10.1 with the 2.6.16 kernel. You'll need the 2.6.18 kernel if you want to get the SD card reader working. Expect to have troubles with the ACPI system initially. Sound and thermal problems exist with a buggy DSDT from Toshiba. The good news is... you can fix it! Keep reading to learn how.

ACPI (solved)

The ACPI will initially cause problems on this laptop since Toshiba wrote buggy DSDT code. (:sad:) Luckily, you can fix the ACPI system by repairing the DSDT file and applying it to your kernel. (:biggrin:) This is not an easy topic and has been discussed here:

• http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-p-3774561.html#3774561
• http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=75995

You may want to read this page to learn how to fix your buggy DSDT:

• http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Fix_Common_ACPI_Problems

I updated the toshiba bios to v2.40 before attempting to fix the DSDT. I recommend you do this as well. WARNING: Don't upgrade your BIOS past v2.4. I tried with bios v3.3 and my GPU cooling fan stopped working. Downgrading to v2.4 fixes this. My Nvidia GPU stays cool around 58C now. It was over 100C before this fix.

To help save you from the pain of fixing the DSDT file, I've attached my fixed DSDT file for you to use. Only use this file if you have updated your BIOS to v2.4. I will not be held responsible if you screw up your system because of not following directions. This file should work for any P105 with bios v2.4 installed. It will also work with many P100 series as well but you will have to confirm this on the toshiba site. There's a list of all supported models there. Look for the P105-S9722 and you'll see the list of other models that are supported. I provided the list below for your convenience. If your model's not listed, don't use this DSDT file or you can cause your machine to not boot anymore and possibly damage your machine.

WARNING: Check the following list to see if your model is compatible before using the files supplied below!

Applicable Models: Satellite P105-S921, P105-S931, P100-ST7111, P105-S6014, P105-S6002, P105-S6004, P105-S6012, P100-ST7211, P100-ST9212, P100-ST9412, P100-ST9612, P105-S9312, P105-S6054, P105-S6074, P105-S6024, P105-S6034, P100-ST9012, P105-S6064, P105-S6084, P105-S6022, P105-S6062, P105-S9722, P105-S6102, P105-S6104, P105-S6114, P105-S6124, P105-S6134, P100-ST1071, P100-ST9712, P100-ST9732, P100-ST9742

WARNING - WARNING - WARNING!!!

Make sure your laptop model is listed above before using the following files. You've been warned!!!

• sp100v24 BIOS Update (ISO bootable CD image. no need for windows. Make sure you have your laptop plugged into AC before booting this CD. Once you start the update, it MUST complete thoroughly or your laptop will not boot.)
• dsdt.dsl (Disassembled and FIXED DSDT file... has 1 error and 1 warning but works fine without fixing them. I was having trouble trying to remove this 1 error. See if you can do it.)
• dsdt.hex (Compiled DSDT file... use this in your kernel)
• http://uncensored.citadel.org/pub/linux/dsdt-p105-s6147.tar.gz Tarball of disassembled, fixed, and reassembled DSDT for a Toshiba Satellite P105-S6147 with BIOS v3.50, submitted by Art Cancro

Suspend/Resume

This laptop's suspend2ram functionality works when you fix your ACPI. The only problem I'm still researching is that after you resume from a suspend, the sound stops working. I can live with this for now but I'm currently trying to find a fix for it. Check back here later to see if I have any updates.

You will need to make 2 changes in order for suspend/resume to work on the P105. On my Suse 10.1 installation, I modified the file /etc/powersave/sleep and changed the following values:

SUSPEND2RAM_FORCE="yes"

SUSPEND2RAM_ACPI_SLEEP="3"

Make sure you type "yes" in lowercase or it won't work. I made this mistake and was wondering why the value was being ignored.

Video

Nvidia 7900GS Video

This video card works well in linux. You need to install the latest Nvidia drivers from the nvidia site. At the time of this writing, I'm using driver version 1.0-9746. The 1400x900 native resolution and OpenGL 3D rendering works well. I've tested some GLX linux games and they work amazingly fast. This is a good video card for gaming. Don't play games or do anything graphically intensive until you fix your ACPI. The GPU will fry if you don't have the cooling fan working. You can also use two monitors with this laptop by configuring the Nvidia TwinView support in the xorg.conf. The laptop has both DVI and CRT connectors in the back. The DVI is shared with the internal LCD screen and you can only use one or the other. The CRT (15 pin analog) connector can drive a second screen, independent of the internal (or external digital FP if you choose). I use the CRT port to drive a projector for presentations at meetings while keeping my main LCD private for only my eyes.

Intel 915 Video

You will need to use the 915resolution tool to get the display on the Satellite P105 working properly with Linux. The default resolution is 1440x900 so you need to configure the 915resolution tool for this resolution. You can find information on how to fo this in our Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide.

Audio (solved)

The audio system will not work initially in this laptop due to an ACPI problem. The good news it that it's fixable with one of two methods. You can either disable your ACPI at boot time using ACPI=OFF in your grub/lilo config (not desireable since you loose battery info and suspend capabilities), or you can fix your DSDT file which will get the sound and ACPI working great together. The DSDT that comes with the laptop bios is buggy and needs to be recompiled to get things working (see details above). After fixing the DSDT, you'll have ACPI support and sound working together in harmony.

Related Resources

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

Summary

The biggest issue with this laptop is the audio system not working with ACPI enabled out-of-the-box. The P105-S9722 also has a major problem of not cooling the Nvidia video card. The card will reach temperatures over 115 degrees and could fry the laptop of not taken care of. Other than that there were no problems in getting this laptop working when used with an up to date Linux distribution. It is recommended to use a Linux distribution with kernel version 2.6.17 or greater, such as Fedora Core 6, Ubuntu 6.10, or Suse 10.2 if you want your SD card reader to work. Otherwise you'll need at least 2.6.16 kernel.

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.