Most compatible Thinkpad for Linux (learning)

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zyphria · #1 Post by **zyphria** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:43 am

I'm quite happy with my T42 right now, but as I use it for work, I've found dual-booting not to be an ideal solution. So I figure at this point, the only way I'm really going to learn Linux is to have a dedicated computer. So I'd love recommendations on the most compatible Thinkpad available, ideally one that has the best cross distro compatability, as I haven't settled on any particular one I like. I can afford the latest and greatest, but I'd rather a proven platform first. I have some interest in the X31/X32, but heck I'd jump at a T23 if it was a superior Linux platform.

christopher_wolf · #2 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:00 am

All of the T Series machines I know of work fine with Linux, same goes for the R Series and X series all the way back to the beginning. They should all work fine with Linux as should the 600 Series.

See Thinkwiki.org

HTH

chubes · #3 Post by **chubes** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:31 pm

I've got an old 600e lying around. While it's almost eight years old, it still functions very well with Slackware 10.2. It was a little bit slow with FC4 (gnome is bloated), but using the XFCE desktop environment was a lot less painful.

The only issue you'll have is with the soundcard. It's a cs42xx chipset and is an absolute pain in the butt to get working. But if you prefer a small challenge, and don't mind parting with less than 150 dollars, you can pick one up on eBay real cheap and experiment to your heart's desire. They are usually less money than T23's and have the best laptop keyboard I have ever used.

Feel free to ask me any linux questions if you end up getting a 600e, as I've played with that machine quite a lot.

#4 Post by **jdhurst** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:49 pm

I put VMware (years ago) on my computers. I have built and run RedHat 6.1, 7.0, 7.3, 8.0, 9.0, SuSE 9.0 Pro, Gentoo 2004 (failed) and now Ubuntu 5.10. You can run the Linux system simultanteously with XP as the host. You can learn about networking, kernel upgrades (and the joy of installing linux source for low level drivers to recompile themselves), plus different tools. I am in Ubuntu now.
... JD Hurst

#5 Post by **carbon_unit** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:52 pm

Yeah, the 600 series soundcard is a hassle to get working. Any of the T series will be much easier to get working. The wireless cards require tweaking in most disrtos and don't expect much as far as standby, suspend and hibernate go.
It differs from distro to distro.

Website · #6 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:59 pm

The 600 series only needed a slight tweak to get it running in Red Hat 9.0.

Here is link to explain the fix, even though it is for 8.0:
http://www.redhat.com/archives/sound-li ... 00057.html

lfeagan · #7 Post by **lfeagan** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:35 pm

Give this a try: http://www.topologilinux.com/
I have some friends who need to use Linux but aren't the most linux savvy people on the planet. The install is incredibly easy and it allows you to run linux while simultaneously running Windows. It is particularly nice to do this with a dual monitor setup. I think you will find it a good way to run both at once.

Lance

Aroc · #8 Post by **Aroc** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 7:33 am

zyphria wrote:. So I figure at this point, the only way I'm really going to learn Linux is to have a dedicated computer. So I'd love recommendations on the most compatible Thinkpad available.

Actually I think someone might learn more if that person had a computer that was somewhat incompatible, at least out-of-the-box-wise. I feel one learns 10x more when one has to fix/hack things themself rather than just have everything automagically happen for them. It's the whole "baptism by fire" thing.

Legionnaire · #9 Post by **Legionnaire** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:09 pm

Well, do Linux distros detect that it's an IBM laptop and not just a PC and therefore support standby, different power schemes, etc?

christopher_wolf · #10 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:33 pm

Legionnaire wrote:Well, do Linux distros detect that it's an IBM laptop and not just a PC and therefore support standby, different power schemes, etc?

Yes, and the latest kernels should have the IBM ACPI code in them as well; just about all IBM Thinkpads are well supported by Linux. See,

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkWiki

That should give you news about the latest updates, etc.

Even on 5.10 Ubuntu, it knew a significant amount about the Thinkpad and the corresponding hardware.

Millay · #11 Post by **Millay** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 3:27 pm

I have just installed ubuntu latest badger release on my T42 its all worked seamlessly...

The only problem i have is with the trackpoint not scrolling... but there is a patch i know need to learn what to do with the patch.. but that is half the fun...

of course i dual boot with XP for the time being... some things i need to access SBS 2003...

Anyone now of a good way of working with offline files in Linux?

christopher_wolf · #12 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 3:40 pm

Millay wrote:I have just installed ubuntu latest badger release on my T42 its all worked seamlessly...

The only problem i have is with the trackpoint not scrolling... but there is a patch i know need to learn what to do with the patch.. but that is half the fun...

of course i dual boot with XP for the time being... some things i need to access SBS 2003...

Anyone now of a good way of working with offline files in Linux?

You don't need a patch for that; all you need is a simple, 2-line modifications to Xorg.conf as follows...

Code: Select all

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf-backup
sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Then, under “InputDevice” with an identifier of “Configured Mouse” , add the following...

Code: Select all

Option    "EmulateWheel"        "true"
Option    "EmulateWheelButton"  "2"

Restart either X or your system and it should work just fine.

HTH

teetee · #13 Post by **teetee** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:34 pm

Millay wrote:I have just installed ubuntu latest badger release on my T42 its all worked seamlessly...

The only problem i have is with the trackpoint not scrolling... but there is a patch i know need to learn what to do with the patch.. but that is half the fun...

of course i dual boot with XP for the time being... some things i need to access SBS 2003...

Anyone now of a good way of working with offline files in Linux?

What do you mean by offline files?

revolutionary_one · #14 Post by **revolutionary_one** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 6:16 pm

Going to pull a nonny here, again

To the author:

Check out the ThinkWiki mentione in the FAQ. There's a whole host of thinkpads listed there and their compatibility / incompatibility issues.

About the offline files:

Small business server should support FTP and Samba (more widely used). Or you can try using an encrypted methods which I suggest you Google before undertaking.

Or ask your friendly Office admin (read BOFH) about what you need to do, to access your data from a POSIX based workstation.

Cheers.

#15 Post by **dorronto** » Mon May 01, 2006 6:43 am

FWIW......I have run Knoppix, [censored] Small and now Ubuntu 5.10 on various T-series. T30,T23 and T22. I've had really no problems. Wifi can be a little finicky but if you use 802b, should be ok.

Ron

pjain · #16 Post by **pjain** » Mon May 29, 2006 10:43 pm

christopher_wolf wrote:
Legionnaire wrote:Well, do Linux distros detect that it's an IBM laptop and not just a PC and therefore support standby, different power schemes, etc?
Yes, and the latest kernels should have the IBM ACPI code in them as well; just about all IBM Thinkpads are well supported by Linux. See,

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkWiki

That should give you news about the latest updates, etc.

Even on 5.10 Ubuntu, it knew a significant amount about the Thinkpad and the corresponding hardware.

Suse 10 ( http://www.opensuse.org ) also was able to pick up and configure most of the hardware on my T40. sleeping and hibernate worked GREAT on Suse 10. I haven't tried Suse 10.1 yet since my TP is a bit fried. Suse also has scpm which is a profiling application which allowed me to easily change my whole profile including iptables, networking, services based on where I was using my laptop, i.e. Home, Work, Starbucks all had different requirements. I wish Fedora or Ubuntu had something close to scpm

P-

dawhim · #17 Post by **dawhim** » Tue May 29, 2007 12:45 am

wow, sweet! you just fixed my problem

christopher_wolf wrote:
Millay wrote:I have just installed ubuntu latest badger release on my T42 its all worked seamlessly...

The only problem i have is with the trackpoint not scrolling... but there is a patch i know need to learn what to do with the patch.. but that is half the fun...

of course i dual boot with XP for the time being... some things i need to access SBS 2003...

Anyone now of a good way of working with offline files in Linux?
You don't need a patch for that; all you need is a simple, 2-line modifications to Xorg.conf as follows...
Code: Select all
sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf-backup
sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Then, under “InputDevice” with an identifier of “Configured Mouse” , add the following...
Code: Select all
Option    "EmulateWheel"        "true"
Option    "EmulateWheelButton"  "2"
Restart either X or your system and it should work just fine.

HTH

tom lightbody · #18 Post by **tom lightbody** » Tue May 29, 2007 4:41 am

debian runs for us on 240, 560, 570, several 600s, 760, t22, x20
the 600e is a little tricky; IBM preloaded caldera linux on the t22
2647-LCU: therefore I would recommend a t22

Kaervak · #19 Post by **Kaervak** » Wed May 30, 2007 2:02 am

I have two T23's and both of them are running OpenSuse 10.2 without problems. All the hardware is picked up, installed and ready to go. The only hardware that isn't is my Atheros MiniPCI card on one of my T23's. All I had to do for that was download the driver source from madwifi.org, install the kernel sources and compile. Pretty easy actually. Unfortunately there's no live CD for Suse, but I highly recommend you check it out. If you have any questions, shoot me a PM.

whizkid · #20 Post by **whizkid** » Wed May 30, 2007 8:34 am

The 600X, T20-22* and A20-22* all use the same sound chip, and the ALSA driver for that chip has a bug which prevents sound working after suspend and resume. (I hope to work on that bug very soon.)

It's either a minor annoyance or a drop dead issue, depending on your requirements.

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