This is a guide to running Linux with the Acer TravelMate 4200-4202WLMI laptop. This is a lower end laptop which works very well with Linux.
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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| Name | Acer TravelMate 4200-4202WLMI |
| Processor | Intel Core Duo T2300E 1.66GHz |
| Screen | 15.4” WXGA |
| RAM | 512MB |
| HDD | 120GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless |
| Other | 4 x USB2.0 |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-hda-intel module |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use ipw3945 module |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| PCMCIA | Not Tested |
Since the native screen resolution of this notebook is 1280×800, Xorg may have issues in displaying the correct resolution. To get it working properly you will need to use the 915resolution utility. More information is available on our Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide.
No issues with getting the Acer TravelMate 4200 working when used with an up to date Linux distribution. You should use a Linux distribution with at least kernel version 2.6.16, such as Fedora Core 5 or Ubuntu 6.06.
Discussion
I've been using my Travelmate 4200 with Xubuntu since around June 2007. The releases around that time had quirks with getting the wireless and screen resolution right. But lately (Ubuntu 10.04 and later) everything just works without any fiddling around.
The machine itself has been a reliable work horse for over four years. I expect I'll continue using it for another four years, maybe.
Just loaded Ubunto 9.04 and everything works first time with no issues
Return from Suspend
I have this laptop and it always fails to return from suspend. Actually, I think it does return, but the screen stays blank. How did you get suspend to work? (I have had Ubuntu 7.04, FC5, FC6, FC7 and currently FC8 installed)