Installing Debian Sarge (AMD64) on ACER ASPIRE 5002NWLMi

Details on Installing Debian Sarge (AMD64) on ACER ASPIRE 5002NWLMi. Links to download the config files I used, bios (dsdt) fixes, programs I used.

General Hardware Specifications of Acer Aspire 5002NWLMi

Hardware Components	Status under Linux	Notes
AMD Turion™ 64 ML-30 1.6GHz	Works	No special procedure required during installation.
15.4 WXGA wide TFT Display	Works	Select Generic LCD Display in Installer
SiS M760GX	Works/ No DRI (3D acceleration) support for this card.	No special procedure required during installation
256MB, SDRAM	Works	No special procedure required during installation
60 GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive	Works	No special procedure required during installation
Integrated Network Card (SiS 900)	Works	No special procedure required during installation
Internal 56k Modem	Works	See Below, needs driver from www.smlink.com (free)
DVD±RW Dual Layer Drive	Works	No special procedure required during installation
Lithium-Ion Battery (3 hrs life)	Works	No special procedure required during installation
SiS SI7012 sound card	Works	No special procedure required if using Kernel 2.6.x. ALSA Sound drivers required for Kernel 2.4.x Sound seems better with OSS sound drivers (www.opensound.com)
Synaptics Touchpad	Works	Choose xfree86-driver-synaptics during or after installation. you might need to edit /etc/XF86config
Synaptics Touchpad	Works	Use NdisWrapper

This laptop is operating under Kernel version 2.6.15

All of the settings below except the suse

List of downloads for this system is available for download from here : http://www.erleperera.com

Basic Installation of Debian Sarge 3.1 (amd64) port:

Why to use : Stable, Fast, Reliable, Secure. Easy updates on the net. 14000+ packages in default distribution.
'Nuf Said!
Obtaining www.debian.org
Installing

Pop the Disc in and boot. Follow Instructions. Sometime referred to as a “chicken install” b/c in many cases all you need is ot keep pressing enter. Read the Docs first!
Post-Install modifications/tweaks

Setting up additional features for Debian Sarge Amd64

Getting Suspend-to-Disk to operate correctly
This needs a fixed dsdt. Check acpi.sourceforge.net for details. A fixed version is also available for download from my site. See below.

Then “echo -n disk > /sys/power/state”. This can be inserted into the laptop lid config in “/etc/acpi/actions/lm_lid.sh”

Needs modifications to “/etc/X11/XF86Config”

Details here: /usr/share/doc/xfree86-driver-synaptics/

sometimes if the touchpad seems unresponsive make sure of:
1. you have made the correct modifications (you can replace your file with my XF86Config)

2. Fn + F7 function key on the laptop toggles touchpad

3. if all fails, sometimes removing the battery for a min (keep the power adapter disconnected also) and then insert and retry

Battery Status
the default dsdt (bios) does not read properly in my version. Use the fixed version (downloadable see below). Please note this also requires a patch into the kernel. This is a better approach as we do not risk flashing the bios. We simply point the kernel to a different "bios" of sorts
download the driver for internal modem from smlink (see below).
1. Then “modprobe snd-intel8x0m” (ALSA)
2. untar the package.
3. ./slmodemd –country=<insert Country from countrylist.txt> --alsa hw:1
4. Modem Device is now: “/dev/ttySL0”, follow on from there.

Configuration Files

/etc/X11/XF86Config (for touchpad)

Tip: Remember to set the screen resolution to 1280x800 for this LCD.

Links: