Best Linux bistro for CF-31? Touchpad not working...

I grabbed the latest version of mint, but there were some options and I suspect I may not have picked the best one. I grabbed the 64bit. There was a Mint based off Unbutu, and maybe one based of Suse? I probably grabbed the Unbutu version, don't remember.

I can't do much. I can't see the mouse pointer and am blindly navigating. It is almost like the touchpad isn't enabled. So either I need a bistro that works with the touchpad, or a way to fix this one I guess. One that works, will probably be quicker.

I don't have a HDD in this yet. I would like a distro I can setup with persistence off a thumb drive. So basically install it on the thimbdrive, and run it live off of that.

 

Maybe this will help?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf-31-linux.826906/page-3#post-10934343

 

Not really. I can't see the mouse pointer. Even when I manage to get to the mouse pointer options and I can make it as big as possible, there is no mouse pointer arrow. I can select press ctrl to show mouse, only the dark circles appear. No pointer. Its surprisingly difficult to navigate without a pointer.... I see no options anywhere for the pointers.

Linux mint isn't cutting it. Or at least not this version... I get it some stuff if likely to be broken, but without a way to know where you are even, its hard to get in and fix anything.

I was able to get terminal open, but without being able to navigate, getting online and to the thread to cut and paste wasn't happening. I was able to type most of that in except for the straight up and down line. I kept getting errors. Don't know code so I suspect it means tab or something. I can configure by clicking buttons, if I can see where I am!

 

Sorry, misunderstood ya.

Did you get the Mate, Cinnamon or XFCE flavours of Mint from this page? :
https://linuxmint.com/download.php

 

Cinnamon.

 

All good, sorry that sounds/looks like I was being short. I was at work on my phone. My caddy just arrived and I went to install windows, no product key on the bottom. So I might actually need to install linux full-time...

 

Alright, I downloaded a handful of Mint options. I stayed mostly with the 64bit flavor, but I think I have a 32 bit version 18 still installed on this other thumb drive I setup for the CF-19 MK1. I am gonna go find that and give it a try first I think.

Honestly, I am getting closer and closer to finding enough motivation to hackintosh the 31. I have a parts Mac I paid full price for that will be donating enough hardware to the job that I am content with squinting at the EULA... Especially since it was an Apple update that broke that machine to begin with!

Well I got a bunch of goodies almost done downloading. I will report back if I have success with any of the Linux attempts.

 

Mine is CF-31 mk4 and Kubuntu works well. You have to do the usual fiddling with sound and touchscreen calibration, but otherwise works well "out of the box". I have never had the cursor not show up on any Linux.

Others here have liked MX Linux. It has been at the top of Distro Watch for quite some time. It does work well, but I like Ubuntu flavors better.

EDIT: I forgot. GPS requires fiddling to set up as well. Does not just work "out of the box". You might just download ISOs, burn them to DVD or put on USB drive and boot from that to try before installing. Most Linux distros (if not all) support live booting and using from DVD or USB.

 

GPS rant sorry lol... I have wasted more time messing with the crappy Sierra Wireless GPS cards, or trying to fix the odd ways they break the normal wireless, than I want to even think about. I would rather use that spot for a PCI-E mini usb adapter card to put my Linux distro on. Oddly those always work and never give me grief... Other than trying to get the BIOS on this CF31 and my MK5 or MK6 CF19s to boot it. If I had an actual need for the WWAN modem, it would be a differaent story. If I hit my head hard enough that I thought a Toughbook needed GPS, I would pop in ublock card I have in the parts pile. Even with all the factory drivers bundles, I have yet to see a Panasonic/Sierra GPS actually work. And gave up caring a while back lol. My Garmin's though, those always work. Sorry trigger point haha.

If I needed an integrated GPS for a missile targeting system, it would make sense. Or maybe if I was trying to circumnavigate the world on a sailboat, might be nice to have the Toughbook as backup. But for overland use, a Garmin just makes more sense to me.

I actually have a nice big TechTough GPS antenna cover too that I paid actual money for.

 

Okay Mint 18.1 Cinnamon Serena 32bit shows the mouse pointer during the boot up, but once fully booted, I loose the pointer. Exact same issue, 'cept for a moment I have it...

I have never seen this either.... And I have played with many a live distro over the years. I never go too far in with Linux though as I can usually get Windows sorted out and a familiar OS to work on. I love having Linux on a hidden drive that can't be messed with or found from windows. No real security reasons, just geek points, and I forget about it unless I have a crisis. I like it off the main drive so that I can utilize it to fix issues or swap the main drive out.

Touchscreen calibration is another issue. I can't find it in Mint... The CF31 here has one and I even got a working stylus with the auction WHOOT!!!

Actually, this might be the problem, it isn't a touchscreen technically, I guess but a digitizer. Whatever the case, if the... Let's try something.

-=reboots and disables touchscreen in BIOS=-

BINGO! I have a mouse pointer now WTH?! Don't get me started on Panasonic touchscreens either hahahah GRRRRRRR... Okay so Mint 20.3 Cinnamon 64bit is working live off of the back USB port.

Alrighty lets try the 18.1 Serena 32 bit thumb drive. HOLY CRAP THAT POINTER IS HUGE!!!!! Um wait, WHAT?! Oh hey so this was the drive out of my MK1 and it must actually be installed on here, and not live. It has persistence. I changed the pointer size at some point (urggggghh lol) while trying to get this working. Super cool!

Hey, I figured out how to get rid of the sluggish Panasonic touchpad issues, install Linux! WOW this pad is quick and responsive! It feels NOTHING like a normal Panny pad. The lightest touch and super SUPER responsive.

Okay so if this drive works out of the back USB port, hopefully it will work in the WWAN location with my adapter card. I have options now at least. Time to go mess with Windows...

 

Weird. I've never had disappearing cursors because of BIOS settings. Then again I never used Mint.

As a side note: probably better to use 64 bit OS with your CF-31.

 

When the touchscreen/digitizer is active in bios, it is almost like it is getting a typing input and the cursor goes away? I am not sure exactly what the deal is... But there also seems to be some menus I would expect to find in Linux (or any OS), missing. Anyways turning it off in bios, let me see the cursor. Seems there is some sort of conflict going on in driver order priorities. And obviously something is wrong with the touchscreen/digitizer drivers under Linux.

But a touchscreen on a CF-31 isn't the most useful or necessary thing anyways. So a simple "turn it off" solution works fine, for now.

I will eventually use the 64bit version. I just happened to have the older 18 32bit from my MK1 that is actually installed on a de-cased SanDisk thumb drive to fit my WWAN adapter. I also got the CF-31 working on the 20.3 64bit running live off the other Cruiser Fit drive.

My tuning software is the only software I HAPPILY pay for. While it is forgiving on the registration keys, I am not going to burn my registration by installing it in multiple systems in a row while I'm setting them up/trying them out. Oddly, I can get away with installing it to the Linux drive and then using that on any of my systems without conflict. So for now, my 32 bit drive will run on any of my laptops, until I sort out what I am doing with my Orange Beastie CF-19 MK1.