Installation of Linux on Compaq Armada 7400/7800 Portables
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switching only works in text mode. In X, the server has no idea that the video display has changed from an LCD panel
to an external monitor which has different characteristics. Fn-F4 under the X-server results in the external monitor being
driven at an incorrect frequency and the LCD panel display is also corrupted. Compaq recommends the user NOT use
Fn-F4 with the X-server due to possible damage to the external monitor.
Compaq does ship Microsoft Windows 9x video drivers that provide 32bit color on the S3 Virge/MX due to limitations
of the video hardware. 32bit color does not function properly under X and is not recommended. Unfortunately, RedHat
5.2 recommends 32bit color as the default. Even if the user backs up in the installation and chooses 24bit color Compaq
has observed that 32bit is still written into the XF86Config file. If the user wants to use RedHat’s Xconfigurator during
installation choose 16 or 8bit color.
Audio
The Linux kernel sound driver for ESS is a generic driver supporting SoundBlaster and compatible hardware. The latest
ESS support in this driver is the 1868 but this driver will function with the Armada’s ESS1879. The ESS1879 uses two
DMA channels, which the system BIOS defaults to 0 and 1. The Linux driver must be configured to use the second
DMA channel, i.e. DMA1.
One problem with the current Linux driver is that it leaves the output and microphone volumes at a high level. Feedback
through the microphone can occur resulting in a loud squealing. Pressing both volume buttons simultaneously can mute
the audio. RedHat Linux does load aumix, an audio mixer, later in the boot process, which decreases the volume levels
eliminating the feedback. The Linux hard drive check, fsck, occurs between loading of the audio driver and aumix which
allows the feedback to last longer. This feedback issue exists mostly on the Armada 7800 series because the microphone
and speakers are both on the display/lid where mechanical feedback can more easily occur. The OSS sound module in
SuSE Linux can also cause the problem but loading the sound module, adjusting the volumes, and saving the new
volumes into a configuration file for the OSS module easily fix it. All of this is documented in the OSS documentation
which is installed with the OSS package usually found in the /tmp/OSSxxx directory for SuSE linux. Further information
about OSS can be found at
http://www.opensound.com/
.
ArmadaStation
Linux does not support hot docking of the notebook. All devices with the exception of USB are supported.
Installing RedHat 5.2:
This sample installation assumes an Armada 7400 with 32MB RAM, 4GB hard drive and Microsoft Windows 9x using
the entire hard drive and creating a dual boot Linux and Microsoft Windows 9x environment.
The first task is to create free space on the hard drive for Linux. In this simple case the drive will be partitioned equally
between Linux and Microsoft Windows 9x. Also, since using a translated cylinder count less than 1024 can access the
whole drive, LILO will be used as the boot manager. The Open Source partition splitting utility, fips, will be used. This
utility is on the RedHat CD-ROM under \dosutils\fips20.
Partitioning the Hard Drive:
1.
BACKUP YOUR SYSTEM FIRST!!!!!
2.
Run Scandisk and then Defrag. Defrag will pack all the Microsoft Windows 9x files to the beginning of the
partition.
3.
Create a Microsoft Windows 9x bootable floppy.
4.
Copy Microsoft Windows 9x fdisk.exe, located in \windows\command to the floppy.
5.
From the RedHat CD-ROM copy \dosutils\fips20\fips.exe and \dosutils\fips20\errors.txt to the floppy.
6.
Boot the floppy in the target system.
7.
Execute fips.
8.
Fips will present a list of the four partition entries on this hard drive.
9.
The Microsoft Windows 9x partition should have a type of 0x0B or 0x0C for FAT32. The Compaq
Diagnostic/Setup partition will have a type of 0x12, do not touch this partition.
10.
Choose the Microsoft Windows 9x partition to split.
