Linux install in SZ1XP

Anyone tried installing Linux "Ubuntu" on Sony SZ series and if so:

1. Any installation issues or hardware support failures?
2. Performance degrades?
3. Does all hardwares and features (Bluetooth, fingerprint, TPM etc.,) working?
4. Windows behaving oddly?
5. Will it be able to uninstall and get only Windows again?

Cheers--

 

Bullraiser! it was better if u have posted it in Linux and NoteBook comatibility section. It will help others in future.

 

Bullraiser, this page may have some of the information you're looking for.

I'm guessing from your post that you're somewhat new to linux. Be warned, getting linux up and running on notebooks (especially the latest models) can be tricky, due to limited driver support.

The good news is, anything that does work under linux will work as well (if not better...) as it does under Windows. Dual booting linux won't affect your Windows install at all, and it can easily be removed if you no longer need it.

 

I got everything working under Linux except the finger print sensor without too much difficulty.

For sound, download and install the latest Alsa driver 1.0.11
For wifi: install it ipw3945 drivers and daemons (ipw3945.sourceforge.net)

With Fedora Core 5, I had to disable the PCMCIA udev service for the first boot.

For video, use the latest nvidia drivers, they support the 7400go, however th GM950 (stamina mode) only works in VESA (I don't know where to get the drivers)
JY

 

Found this post in the Fedora forums that may help...

http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-74891.html

 

I found that I only had to diable the udev when I was using the nvidea card - System hung. Using the Intel I didn't

 

I think the version Ariel had tried to install was 'Ubuntu'
Search Ariel in this forum and you will find useful info

 

Or you could use the link to his page I posted above...

 

hey everyone. I wrote the howto that you can find at http://www.arielo.net/vaiosz.html

I indeed installed Ubuntu on this laptop and I'm using this OS everyday (very rarely switch to windows to play games). We are still working on making the webcam work and the fingerprint sensor. The rest works pretty well now.
Someone said before that the intel chipset could only be used with the vesa driver. That's not true, the intel chipset works with the i915 driver (i810 in xorg.conf). GLX works as well with this chipset (i.e. 3d acceleration works).

Cheers,

 

That using a not so easy steps to change the DRI kernel driver.
I haven't got it working yet as I only read this thread today, will get back later when I got it working

JY

 

Well, I compiled and installed the CVS version of DRI, DRM kernel modules and libdrm.

Still, I can't load the i810 drivers, X fails to start...
What else did you do? did you update the i810 driver?

JY

 

Ok.
I build a new RPM for the i810 drivers that supports the GMA950. It's for FC5, if anyone is interested..

cheers
JY

 

Ok. I have all up and running now include the Fn Keys and ability to change the contrast using a script.

However, sleep/suspend still doesn't work. When I tried to turn the laptop back on, the screen stays black.
Any ideas?

JY

 

This is using the nVidia graphics, right? There appears to be a problem with display crashes after suspending... I believe I saw a solution for it over at the nvnews.net linux driver forum.

 

No, that's also with the GMA950 ... they both do the same, the screen stay black.

Actually, that's not entirely correct. When i turn on the laptop after going to sleep with the GMA950, I can turn off the laptop by pressing the power button.

JY

 

When I suspend FC5 on the SZ and resume, the eth0 device has disapeared! Rebooting solves this, but ...