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”


  • Getting the touchpad to operate with
    tapping.

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: