Compal HEL80 & Linux

I had just ordered this new system for running a dual boot system for running
Windows XP and Linux FC5. Windows XP loaded loaded and ran very well,
including the driver disk that was supplied.

However I tried Linux Fedora Core 5, Fedora Core 4, a Knoppix CD and memtest86,
which all failed.

It kept returning this error and would lock at boot.
PCI: BIOS BUG #81[00000000] found

Unless there is some type of BIOS Flash upgrade, this system will most likely
be completely useless to me, since running a Linux desktop is the primary reason
I had purchased this notebook computer.

I'm still looking for the support number for this system. And will try to see if
this can be used at all. If not, I'm going to have to return this notebook.

 

Don't know what BIOS version you are running, or if an update will fix it, but the Compal downloads (BIOS and Drivers) are available at the Compal website;

http://www.compal.com/asp/driver_dnd/index.htm

 

And go to the Compal forum for help

 

I also own an HEL80 and have the same problem. While I haven't found a solution, I do know of a workaround: I used Knoppix v3.33 recently when windows refused to boot up in order to save my files to another disk and reformat. Knoppix gave me the same error message, but continued to load, and seems to work without a hitch. I'll try newer versions of Knoppix and Ubuntu and post back when I have more info.

 

There are some threads in the Compal forum that may have some answers for you. There are Compal owners who are successfully using Linux with their HEL80's and HGL30's.