RH9 and the 8890

If you want java, you'll need to download the java runtime rpm somewhere from the internet (too lazy to search, try sun's site).

If you're just using console linux, some good text editors include Emacs, VI, and pico/nano. I know VI also has syntax highlighting, not sure if it supports java though. If you're running X, any of the included text editors; Kedit, or Gedit work very well.

Stick with the VESA video driver for now, and the default monitor. I don't believe ATI every even made a decent driver for linux for the M9, so don't hold your breath for the M10.

Most linux distros handle sound through alsa, the advanced linux sound architecture. I don't really know how to enable it in Red Hat, I'm much more well versed in Gentoo. The soundcard on the 8890 is a generic Intel i81x codec (at least that's the driver for it). If you find some way to enable alsa, that's the drive you have to modprobe.l

Ok I agree with everything except for the sticking with VESA drivers. The dri project (dri.sourceforge.net) has support for radeon cards up to and including the radeon 9200. If you use the driver for the 9200 you will get 3d support (provided you have AGP in the kernel loaded etc) You may not get all the HW features the crad can support but will definately get the majority.

The DRI code is incorporated into the Xfree86 tree periodically or can be compiled (or binaries downloaded) seperately.

well if ure running the x-server then all you need to do is double-click the rpm file and it will install itself

if ure on console mode, u can use the rpm-manager utility
this would be installed if u did a full installation, i'm not sure if it gets installed by default for a custom installation.

something like rpm [options] filename

i think its -I for install & -U for update, typing just rpm should list the options, it will also tell u if rpm-manager is installed on ur machine

Java

jamesshuang: You don't HAVE to answer, i mean if you do, make sure you are giving accurate answers especially for a newbie.


1) Do NOT download the Sun J2re as it is boarked on our browser ( mozilla familly ). Instead go there:
http://www.blackdown.org/java-linux.html
This is a modified / patched version of Sun's j2re. Get the 1.4.1 version.
There is FAQ, tutorial, and everything to get you started.

2) Do not keep the VESA driver, as this is where the "blotchyness" comes from. Your ATI M10 is the exact chip as an 9200 desktop, so the same driver applies. The only difference between Mobile and Desktop chips of ATI is the power management features, as it is said in the "Linux Install" sticky topic.
So there is 2 choices:

a) The DRI:
http://dri.sourceforge.net/

b) www.ati.com , fglrx version 3.2.5 that works for all newest ATI chips and offers the best performance and the most features : Quad Stereo, FSAA filtering, TV out, Dual monitors, Dual desktops, wine/GNU compaitibility etc...Refer to the "sager Install guide" sticky thread on how to install.

The Alsa sound module for our card is the snd_intel8x0, and the OSS module is intel8x0. You got to pick one or the other.

www.alsa-project.org has good HowTo's on installing Alsa.
Off course running RH, your best source of documentation to change or implement something else on your system will be the various RedHat mailing lists / website / forums.

The road to linux is steep, good luck.

-----------------------------------
5660 - 2.4 Ghz P4 512 ram 15' SXGA slow 4200 40 gig hdd
Debian Sid testing/unstable - 2.6.0-test5 acpi / preempt / icc built
glibc 2.3.2 - X 4.3.99 cvs icc built - DRI 20030907

Thanks laclasse for clearing that up, particularly the blotchiness (more correctly colour banding) issue. From what you have said you don't see any colour banding with RH and the flgrx ATI drivers?

If that is the case then my analysis about the drivers being the problem under windows still stands. I had started to doubt my own skills.

You are right about the linux curve being steep. Even with 20+ years of Unix behind me (Version 6 where are you???) I still find Linux intimidating. Too bleeding edge for my brain. I am used to stable Solaris or Digital Unix distros. Tried RH 7.2 on my Toshiba and gave up after having it wiped out by windoze reinstalls (damn those OEM restore disks). Now with my 8890 on the way RH 9 is attempt #2 at Linux (probably via vmware).

One other question for you, do you know if the WinXP OEM disks that we get from Sager format the whole drive on restore or are they a bit more friendly in leaving linux partitions alone?

Best idea is

a) Never use partition magic to resize linux Partitions. If you must do it - and I dont recommend it - there are linux tools which will let you.
b) I would personally go through the RH setup again and just repartition through the fdisk during the install.

At install time you can size partitions - but yeah basically install over it and partition then

Oh and BTW - new ATI linux drivers

http://www.ati.com/support/drivers/l...eon-linux.html

Re: Java

Sorry about the misinformation, some of it I didn't even know.

I never knew the sun jre kills mozilla... All I know is that when Gentoo installed, it used the blackdown jre, and I have no clue where to get that.

I use the vesa driver through Knoppix, and it looks fine... That's why I suggest you just keep it, probably the simplest solution...

Sorry, I was doing most of this out of memory, so small details (like the i8x0 instead of i81x escape me). I'm current having issues trying to get grub to boot through raid, so I'm still reading forums for solutions... I want my linux back!

jamesshuang

Nobody hates you for trying, but you new guys still need a little hazing to make sure you double check your facts.

Nobody wants this to turn into the "kinda, sorta, sometimes" solution page the Gentoo forums seem to be becoming.

I've watched the this forum for awhile and most of what jamesshuang has said has been accurate, just make sure you speak facts and not conjecture. Too much conjecture in Linux on a laptop can have devistating effects, especially at $2000 a pop. No harm, no foul this time.

I for one enjoy your posts.

Thanks, dirtboy, for the complimentsl. I try to help, but you're right, I should really check my facts first before I post. I'm sorry for anyone who was misinformed by anything i've said, I'll check my sources next time I post.

BTW, You're entirely correct about the Gentoo forums too, I've been searching it for days now, and I have about 20 different answers to the boot through grub on RAID problem, all of it self-contradictory. I think I'll just take a risk and try it though...

This wasn't a flame...

Sorry jamesshuang, as i do read your posts too. I didn't mean to make it look like a flame or anything. It is just, you know whern starting linux, it gets very frustrating to have "kind of answers".
The Blackdown j2re does not kill mozilla, but try using Sun j2re java with applets like at :
www.finalconquest.com <-- Risk in Java
And you will see why we need Blackdown Java.

On another note : Remember this : Partition Magic IS EVIL. Commercial and does a good job at f*&king your set up. Using your distro partitionning tools is always better.


aussie : Heheheh, old unix transfuge ? bahh, ya have no problems. But if you are used to Unix, i will recommend using something a bit more bare bone than Red Hat. Don't get me wrong, but these new automatic 'installed' 'all configure' distros you will find that AS ALWAYS, more automatism means lesser control. Imagine solaris with no shell ?
So i would say, get docs from www.tldp.org and install Debian, Slackware or if ya have time, Gentoo.
The fglrx drivers of Ati shouldn't have any problem on RedHat, but bare in mind that the ati drivers will give you full performances, but be expensive in processor use ( laptop gets hot then ) while using the DRI gives you 1/2 2/3 of Ati drivers performances but keeps the laptop running at lower temperatures. Lol, i bet during the winter, i 'll be switching drivers...

Hope that helps.

------------------------------------------------------------------
5660 - 2.4 Ghz P4 512 ram 15' SXGA slow 4200 40 gig hdd
Debian Sid testing/unstable - 2.6.0-test5 acpi / preempt / icc built
glibc 2.3.2 - X 4.3.099 cvs icc built - DRI 20030913

laclasse, Your link to ATI - if followed only leads to desktop Linux drivers....on notebooks/mobile units they beg off, and direct you to your notebook manufacturer. I haven't even got my 8890 yet - but I'm finding some strange quirks already. Like no HT support in Win2K? - I was planning to dual boot Suse 8.2 and 2K. Will the ATI desktop limux drivers work in the 8890 notebook?

As stated before

1_of_9 : The ONLY differences between ATI desktop chipset and ATI Mobile Chipsets are the power saving features so YES the desktop DRIVERS do WORK !
hope that helps.

Yes, that helps...thank you!