Installation of Linux on Compaq Armada 7400/7800 Portables
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provides is for Microsoft based operating systems. Older 7400 and 7800 models with 300 MHz or slower processors use
a 33.6Kbps controller based modem which uses the standard Hayes commands and is supported by Linux. The internal
modem defaults to COM3 (0x3F8). Linux expects the COM ports to use the "standard" resources: COM1 (0x3F8,
IRQ4), COM2 (0x2F8, IRQ3), COM3 (0x3E8, IRQ4), COM4 (0x2E8, IRQ3). Notice that COM1/COM3 and
COM2/COM4 share IRQ's. If COM1 and COM3 are to be used simultaneously, Compaq recommends using Computer
Setup for Portables to move COM3 to its own IRQ. For example, if the user wished to use the internal modem and an
external serial mouse, then a good choice would be to use IRQ3. IRQ3 is free for use by the internal modem because
COM2 (0x2F8), the fast infrared port, is assigned IRQ9. The latest Compaq system ROM (BIOS) moves the internal
modem to IRQ3 by default, so we recommend you upgrade the BIOS prior to installing Linux. Also be aware that if a
system is setup to dual boot the Microsoft Window 9.X operating system, then that OS can reassign the COM port
resources, resulting in the possibility of Linux not being able to use the port(s).
Infrared Support
The Armada 7400 and 7800 products use the SMC FDC37C951FR Super I/O chip, which contains a 4Mbit infrared port.
The default resources assigned by the BIOS for this device are: “I/O=0x2F8-0x2FF, 0x100-0x107, IRQ9, DMA5”.
Infrared support for Linux has been discontinued for the 2.0.X kernel series and all work is proceeding on the 2.2.X
kernel. The current Linux 2.2.X kernel contains experimental IrDA support. Information on Linux-IrDA can be obtained
at
http://www.cs.uit.no/linux-irda/
.
Cardbus and PC-Card (PCMCIA) Support
The Armada 7400 and 7800 products use the TI-1250A PCI-to-Cardbus/PCMCIA bridge. RedHat Linux 5.2 ships with
PCMCIA-3.0.5. SuSE60 ships with PCMCIA-3.0.7. Both of these versions support the TI-1250A controller. For support
of the latest PCMCIA cards and any associated bug fixes, please see the Linux PCMCIA Information Page,
http://hyper.stanford.edu/HyperNews/get/pcmcia/home.html
Advanced Power Management (APM) Support
Both RedHat Linux 5.2 and SuSE 6.0 come with an APM Linux daemon but neither has APM support enabled in the
kernel. To enable kernel APM support, follow the kernel compilation instructions for each distribution. While choosing
kernel features, under character devices, enable APM support. Under APM support enable "Make CPU Idle calls when
idle" and "Power off on shutdown". The last feature will power off the machine when the "shutdown -h now" command
is given. Use the other APM features with caution. The most noticeable problem when using APM standby in text mode
is after resuming from standby the console and keyboard seem to have a problem with scroll-lock. Compaq has found
that when the keyboard input is attempted the screen will clear (same as clear command), no input will be accepted and
the scroll-lock light is on. If the user then toggles scroll-lock, using Fn-Scroll, the console returns to normal. The
behavior is observed with both RedHat Linux and SuSE.
Compaq has not provided any hibernation support for Linux. For those who want to experiment with this feature enable
it as follows: A Microsoft Windows 9.x installation on the same HD is required. Enable hibernation using the Compaq
Value Add PowerCon software for Microsoft Windows 9x. this feature is controlled in ControlPanel/Power/
Hibernation. Once the hibernation file is created in the Microsoft Windows 9x partition then the BIOS can use it while
under Linux.
Docking Station Support
Linux does not support hot docking. The Compaq ArmadaStation provides a secondary IDE interface with two MultiBay
devices attached, two ISA slots, two PCI slots and a Compaq NetFlex/3 PCI NIC. When booted in the docking station,
Linux will be able to access all of these devices. The Compaq NetFlex/3 PCI NIC is based on TI's ThunderLan chipset.
Linux includes a driver for this NIC in the TLAN module.
Notebook MultiBay Support
Linux does not support hot swapping of devices. Compaq has found that only a CD-ROM, floppy drive and battery can
be hot swapped in the notebook's MultiBay under the following conditions:
