This is a guide to running Linux with the Toshiba Tecra A8 laptop.
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.
If you would like to edit this page please first view our Editing Guidelines.
| Name | Toshiba Tecra A8 |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T2400 1.83GHz |
| Screen | 15.4” WXGA |
| RAM | 1GB |
| HDD | 80GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless |
| Other | 3 x USB2.0 |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use ipw3945 module |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Card Reader | Not Tested | |
| PCMCIA | Not Tested |
As default the native screen resolution of the A8 is 1280×800, however due to the way the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 functions this resolution would not be usable right away. You may view our Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 and 950 guide for more information.
To get sound working you will need to add the following line to your /etc/modprobe.conf (or your distro's equivalent) file:
options snd-hda-intel enable=1 index=0 model=basic
In Ubuntu-distros, add the line above to the end of /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.
You may also need to update to the latest version of ALSA as well.
Some configuration work is required to get the Toshiba Tecra A8 working with Linux but it does work well after configuration.
Discussion
With Tecra S-10-165
and CentOS, I can no found /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base
modem
Modem is tested and works as root user. For the A8 use slmodemd; just save it to /usr/sbin and be sure it's executable. To dial use
slmodemd -c YOURCOUNTRY –alsa hw:0,6
i.e.
(open terminal and type….)
su <type root password>
slmodemd -c AUSTRALIA –alsa hw:0,6
(output is….)
SmartLink Soft Modem: version 2.9.9e-pre1 Sep 30 2007 00:07:03
symbolic link `/dev/ttySL0' → `/dev/pts/2' created.
modem `hw:0,6' created. TTY is `/dev/pts/2'
Use `/dev/ttySL0' as modem device, Ctrl+C for termination.
Then load kppp, select configure then the device tab, then in the drop-down box for 'modem device' select ttySL0
configure the other options as needed, add phone number (etc) then dial. It works, but the terminal window must stay open.
Screen saver issue
Sometimes when the screen saver appears the laptop hangs up. Keyboard doesn't respond and it is necessary to reboot the laptop.
My laptop is a Toshiva Tecra A8 and it's working with Ubuntu 7.10 and kernel 2.6.22-14
Audio works well
In /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base, add a line at the bottom with root permission:
options snd-hda-intel enable=1 index=0 model=basic
then you will have a nice alsamixer panel with everything working
Thanks for the update, I have updated the wiki.
The sound fix above doesn't appear to work on my A8 in Ubuntu 7.10 gutsy gibbon.
Has anyone got the sound on their A8 working in 7.10?
I have an A8-EZ8413
The sound didn't work until I added the options line specified above by 'ste'
All is well now.
Thanks for the tip.
on my Tecra A8 sound was initially not heard. Set the master channel to 'headphone' to use external speakers plugged into the headphone socket on the front. To use the internal speakers set the master channel to 'front'. You can see all of those in KMix….. ensure PCM volume is high and adjust 'front' or 'headphone' volume accordingly.
Unfortunately acpi isn't working properly with CPU temperature. Battery suspend, throttling etc all work, but the temp is static at 16 degrees C in /proc/acpi/thermal_zone/THRM/temperature and I haven't found a solution yet.
btw, this is with Kubuntu 7.1 and with the line “options snd-hda-intel enable=1 index=0 model=basic” added to the bottom of /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base