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

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

Authors

Bill Giannikos (bill2 at giannikos.com.au)

Introduction

This is a guide to running Linux with the Toshiba Tecra S2 laptop, model PTS20A-0YS002. You can get this notebook working with Linux, but it is not perfect.

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Specifications

Processor	Intel Pentium M 770 - 2.13GHz
Screen	15"
RAM	512MB
HDD	100GB
Optical Drive	Double Layer DVD+-RW Drive
Graphics	nVIDIA GeForce Go 6600
Network	Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11g Wireless and Bluetooth
Other	3 x USB and Firewire

Linux Compatibility

Device	Compatibility	Comments
Processor	Yes	Use speedstep-centrino module
Screen	Yes
Optical Drive	Yes	Burning not tested, but should work
Graphics	Yes
Sound	Yes
Ethernet	Yes	Use sky2 module
Wireless	Yes	Use ipw2200 module
Bluetooth	Not Tested
56K Modem	Not Tested
USB	Yes
Firewire	Not tested, but should work
SD Card Reader	Not tested, probably wont work
PCMCIA	No

Notes

There appears to be a problem with the PCMCIA controller, it will lock the laptop completely if it is enabled even during the installation. You need to add the "nopcmcia" parameter (without the quotes) to the kernel boot options. Of course this will disable the pcmcia slot.

For best results, I would recommend a Linux distribution with kernel 2.6.16 or greater such as Fedora Core 5. This is the easiest way in getting the ethernet and wireless components working.

The graphics chip will work with either the open source nv module or with the proprietary nvidia module. For 3D support, you will need the proprietary module. For the open source module, you will need a recent version of Xorg for the module to support this graphics chip, such as the one included with Fedora Core 5.

Related Resources

Preparing your laptop for Linux
Configuring a nVidia graphics chip
Increasing battery life

Summary

Not the best laptop to use under Linux, but if you don't need PCMCIA support it is fine.

If you are looking to purchase this laptop you can visit Toshiba's Tecra page.

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