Lee, sorry I didn't re-iterate my previous posts, this was all on Gentoo.
basically the steps were
1) boot from a live cd, disabling hw-auto detectiong (skipping during interactive boot) - this prevents the autoload of the 8139too driver which locks the machine)
2) having booted without it, install the system to the hdd
3) reboot and again skip auto-detect
3) at this point you can temporarily disable/blacklist the 8139too driver)
4) download to another machine all the stuff required for the ipw3945 (see my previous post for instructions on doing this with a seperate machine that has internet)
5) enable the wifi, to allow you to emerge other things including kernel sources etc
6) follow genkernel instuctions for recompiling kernel and make sure you enable CONFIG_8139TOO_OLD_RX_RESET *AND* the one about 2 up from that (which I still can't remember or easily lookup) but it has to do with *not* sharing pci memory.
7) boot recompiled kernel and re-enable 8139too. hopefully everything should be good
note, the ipw3945 compile removes some libraries from the kernel source to use it's own. this will stop the kernel compiling until you've repaced the originals (I didn't look into it beyond this) but once you hve the ipw3945 compiled for the version of the kernel you're building you don't need to compile it again.

hope that helps to clarify the steps a little. as ever there are better sources of info for the individual steps. but those 2 kernel options are the keys to getting ethernet going.

Hi There,

I'm in the worst possible situation. I have a new Philips x56 (which I love) and, of course, I can't get ANY Linux to install or run from a Live CD. The reason I'm trying to install Linux in the first place is because I'm a beginner at Linux and I'm trying to learn more about it to move away from Windows XP (which needs no explanation here!). So I'm afraid my questions might sound very naive to you guys, but here goes anyway:

1. Is it not possible to solve the x56 problem in Linux, recompile and put the new version online for people in my position to download and use? (I don't know enough about Linux yet to be able to recompile anything :-(

2. I can get PC-BSD to work on my x56 but I don't know about it enough (yet) to tell whether it's a good enough substitute for Linux for what I need. I am a synthetic chemist by trade and need to use technical software like ChemDraw 9.0, SpecNMR, ACD Labs and so on. I also want to use streaming downloads in RealPlayer (or RealAlternative). I was hoping that I could either use Linux with WINE, or use BSD to run my Linux programs and then WINE if I need to. What does anyone think about this?

3. Finally, if I start learning BSD, how much of that will I be able to use in Linux at a later date (e.g. once the x56 problem is resolved or once I get a new laptop, etc)?

To summarise: Is it in theory possible for someone to post a recompiled Linux that works on the Philips x56, if not do you think BSD is a good replacement for Linux for me given my needs, and will I be able to transfer my BSD skills later to Linux without having to re-learn tons?

Sorry about the long post but, as you can tell, I'm a real novice at all this, and any help is very appreciated.

I also can't get any distro working with my Philips x56 and am a beginner. Will this be sorted out for future distros?

I have made another post in this forum before to help anybody who is trying to install Linux/Unix on Philips x56.

I have FreeBSD running on my x56 and all the software that you require to install is available in the ports collection.
I myself have never installed PC-BSD and don't know what that distro uses
as software manager even because it is based on FreeBSD.

As about the other question that will you be able to use linux after you learn BSD? They both are UNIX variants and have the same commands and programs running. Your question is like saying If I learn to drive a Ferrari
will I be able to drive a Porche? Obviosly you can. If you learn BSD, linux is a piece of cake because BSD is oriented more towards the professional user.
I don't want to sound like I prefer BSD to Linux because I have been using Gentoo linux for 4 years and loved it but couldn't install it on my x56 and switched to FreeBSD but I don't think I'm going back to linux again, every program just works on bsd and in linux I had to struggle sometimes.
Before I used FreeBSD as a sever only now that I got the x56 I use it as a desktop too and I don't notice any difference from the linux desktop.

Have fun, if you need some help I can give you the scripts and the config files that I have created to have philips x56 fully working.

I have made some progress: I have PC-BSD running on my Philips x56. As far as I know, it's the same kernel as FreeBSD. So far so good. I even have the internet up and running. However, there are a few problems: I don't have my sound working (I have AC97) and I don't know much about how to set that up. Also, I can't seem to change the screen resolution to 1280x800, which is the native resolution for the laptop I have. I have tried changing the /etc/X11/XF86Config file and putting 1280x800 in the screen part of the file, but that still doesn't give me the option to change to that resolution in KDE. I don't know why. Any ideas?

Hello,

just wanted to share my experiences (not) getting Ubuntu linux to work on a Philips Freevents X55 laptop.

Install hangs while detecting realtek 8139 network card, just like for the rest of you. I can skip the network detecting while installing Ubuntu, but that just makes the installer hang while writing partitions to disk. If I skip that as well (partition by other means), it hangs in the middle of copying packages from the cd to the disk, garbling the screen in the process. At first I thought it was some screen-saver kicking in, but this happens, at 57% of file copying progress, even if I keep hitting keys on the laptop while it is installing.

I have tried the following kernel parameters, with no difference in behaviour:

noapic nolapic acpi=off

I have tried the following versions of Ubuntu: 6.04 i386 and amd64, 6.10 and 5.04 Live CD.

5.04 doesn't seem to have the network card detection problem, but it hangs later in the boot process (haven't determined exactly when).

I've given up on getting Ubuntu to work on this laptop. I'm returning it to the store. Another thing that's bothering me is that the Freevents X55 does not exist on the Philips webpage, and the chance of ever being able to order a replacement battery when the original on wears out, seem slim. Pity though, it's a very nice machine, small and a very good screen. For someone planning to use AC power and Windows XP, it's an excellent machine, I'd say!

Still I don't know what is the software management PC-BSD uses because I have FreeBSD(which I think is the best) on x56 but if you go in the folder /usr and you find a folder called ports there you go, then do what follows:

Open up the terminal and
su root
password: your_password

whereis 915resolution
this is the answer from the shell:
915resolution: /usr/ports/sysutils/915resolution
then
cd /usr/ports/sysutils/915resolution
make install clean


take the following script and copy and paste it in a text file which you will name resolution and place this file in the folder /usr/local/etc/rc.d/

Make the script file executable
cd /usr/local/etc/rc.d/
chmod ug+x /usr/local/etc/rc.d/resolution




#!/bin/sh
# $FreeBSD: Resolution
#
# PROVIDE: resolution 1280x800
# REQUIRE: DAEMON
#
# Add the following line to /etc/rc.conf[.local] to enable resolution:
#
# resolution_enable="YES"
#

resolution_enable=${resolution_enable-"NO"}

. /etc/rc.subr

name=resolution
rcvar=`set_rcvar`
command='/usr/local/bin/915resolution 3c 1280 800'

load_rc_config $name
run_rc_command "$1"



Add the following line to the file /etc/rc.conf
resolution_enable="YES"

Now reboot your computer and you will have the crystal clear resolution 1280x800 on your x56.

When you will manage to do this successfully I will show you how to configure the sound and the wifi.


This is my /etc/X11/xorg.conf just in case the one you have does not work:

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout0"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Files"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "freetype"
# Load "xtt"
Load "extmod"
Load "glx"
Load "dri"
Load "dbe"
Load "record"
Load "xtrap"
Load "type1"
Load "speedo"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "Auto"
Option "Emulate3Buttons"
Option "Device" "/dev/sysmouse"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
### Comment all HorizSync and VertSync values to use DDC:
HorizSync 31.5 - 48.5
VertRefresh 50.0 - 70.0
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Card0"
Driver "i810"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Card0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
Modes "1280x800"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Ok. I gave up on PC-BSD and went to FreeBSD, which is not installed on my Philips x56. I've managed to get KDE running. However, there are a few problems:

1. I can't operate the cursor, except by using a USB mouse. The touchpad doesn't work.

2. I can't get the internet by just plugging in the ethernet cable (this was automatic in PCBSD)

3. There is still no sound (same as in PCBSD). I'm looking forward to help on this.

4. The resolution is currently at 1024x768. I tried following your advice about this to get to 1280x800 and here is what happened:

I typed:

cd /usr/ports/sysutils/915resolution
make clean install

here's what I got back:

===> Vulnerability check disabled, database not found
=> 915resolution-0.5.2.tar.gz doesn't seem to exist in usr/ports/distfiles/.
=> Attempting to fetch from http://www.geocities.com/stomljen/.
fetch: http://www.geocities.com/stomljen/91...-0.5.2.tar.gz: No address record
=> Attempting to fetch from ftp://ftp.FreeBSD.org/pub/FreeBSD/po...tfiles/ehaupt/.
fetch: ftp://ftp.FreeBSD.org/pub/FreeBSD.or...-0.5.2.tar.gz: No address record

... and so on and so on...

finally, after trying to fetch it from lots of places, it says:

==> Couldn't fetch it - please try to retrieve this
==> port manually into /usr/ports/distfiles/ and try again.
*** Error code 1

Stop in /usr/ports/sysutils/915resolution
#

So it looks like I'll need to setup the internet first.

Could you please give me help on how to sort all this out?

Thanks.

I went to get the 915resolution file from geocities, downloaded it, stuck it on my trusty usb stick, plugged it into the Philips x56 with the FreeBSD on it and... it didn't see the USB stick. Now, how is this possible, given that the thing is using a USB mouse already?

I thought it was a good idea. But it didn't work. So to the list of problems listed in my previous post, I should add:

I can't get it to recognize a USB stick!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!

You should have installed FreeBSD 6.2 which is the latest version put the xorg.conf I sent you in /etc/X11/ replace
your old one that should fix the problem of your touchpad.

If you are using the ethernet port for your net connection add this line to
the file /etc/rc.conf

ifconfig_rl0="DHCP"

reboot and you should have internet connection and now you can install software
automatically because FreeBSD requires internet to install software.
Install 915resolution, reboot again and should have 1280X800 resolution but make sure you do the steps regarding the resolution exactly as I have described them it should work, it does for me.

Then install a program called kports.

Run kports as root then upgrade the ports tree through the 3 easy steps one at a time as kports requires.
Then install a program called portmanager
If you want the latest software just run as root the following command:

portmanager -u

to install a program check the explanations I sent in the previous post
first you type:
whereis 915resolution
answer from shell is:915resolution: /usr/ports/sysutils/915resolution
cd /usr/ports/sysutils/915resolution
make install clean



not
make clean install


As for your usb storage device there is no problem at all it is just a matter
of configuring the devices that are in your computer.
How many partitions do you have on your laptop?
and what are they?

then open a shell console and type: ls /dev
copy and paste the result of that command on your next post.

Ok. Hi again.

Firstly, it is FreeBSD 6.2 that I've installed.

I added the following line to /etc/rc.conf:
ifconfig_rl0="DHCP"

I rebooted, with the ethernet plugged in and got this error message, after it thought a bit about "DHCP":

PXE-E53: No boot filename received
Exiting PXE

So I still don't have the internet.


So the other thing was the USB issue. I typed in ls /dev and here's what I got:

acd0
acd0+t01
acpi
ad4
ad4s1
ad4s1a
ad4s1b
ad4s1c
ad4s1d
ad4s1e
ad4s1f
apm
ata
atkbd0
bpsm0
console
consolectl
ctty
cuad0
cuad0.init
cuad0.lock
devctl
devstat
fd
fido
fw0
fw0.0
fwemem0.0
geom.ctl
io
kbd0
kbd1
kbdmux0
klog
kmem
log
mdctl
mem
net
net1
net2
net3
network
nfs4
nfslock
null
pci
psm0
ptyp0
ptyp1
random
stderr
stdin
stdout
sysmouse
ttyd0
ttyd0.init
ttyd0.lock
ttyp0
ttyp1
ttyv0
ttyv1
ttyv2
ttyv3
ttyv4
ttyv5
ttyv6
ttyv7
ttyv8
ttyv9
ttyva
ttyvb
ttyvc
ttyvd
ttyve
ttyvf
urandom
usb
usb0
usb1
usb2
usb3
usb4
xpt0
zero


Frankly, I'm finding FreeBSD very frustrating at the moment. Why isn't it automated like PC-BSD or linux? We don't all have time in our lives to become UNIX experts, even if we don't sympathise with Windows so much. High time someone made an easy to use operating system alternative to Windows. I'm willing to keep with it but for the last couple of weeks all I get is error messages!

That has nothing to do with the operating system.

Enter your bios when booting the computer and make sure you are booting from hard drive which shoud be fujitsu and not from your ethernet device.

Why is Unix not so easy to configure you should have some knowledge.
The more easy to use the more buggy it gets the OS so your choice.

Stable and a bit tricky to configure or easy to configure and buggy like windows and most linuxes.

Hi again,

Thanks for all your support so far. I finally feel like I'm making progress. Here's where I'm up to at the moment:

1. I reinstalled FreeBSD 6.2

2. I have the internet working (not wireless though).

3. I installed 915resolution. I copied the file "resolution" you sent me and followed the instructions you gave me. I rebooted and...
I have a new resolution of 1280x800! Yay!

4. I tried to install kports. Here's what happened:

# whereis kports
kports: /usr/ports/sysutils/kports
# cd /usr/ports/sysutils/kports
# make install clean
===> kports-0.6.0 is marked as broken: Does not compile.
*** Error code 1

Stop in /usr/ports/sysutils/kports
#

So I'm not sure what to do now.

5. Since reinstalling FreeBSD this time around, I looked in /etc/X11/ and the file xorg.conf doesn't seem to be there at all! How strange. I don't understand why it's missing. Obviously this means I can't edit it. Is it enough to copy your xorg.conf file into that directory? Will that work? If not, what do I need to do?

Things still to sort out:
1. Don't have sound
2. Can use touchpad but not USB mouse
3. Doesn't recognise USB sticks
4. Can't install kports.
5. No xorg.conf file

Where to now, chief?

I think I made some progress with the xorg.conf file:

#whereis xorg.conf
xorg.conf:
# where is xorg.conf.new
xorg.conf.new:
# cp xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf

and now when I type

# kate /etc/X11/xorg.conf

the file opens up and has all sorts of things in it. So I guess that's it?

Right, I've made even more progress! I've replaced my xorg.conf with yours and everything is fine.

However, instead of the touchpad, I can use only the USB mouse now. Is there a way of getting both to be functional?
I still can't get it to recognise USB sticks though.


Also, I've got the sound working by following your advice. When kde loaded I heard it! The thing now is that I've not idea how to control the volume/balance etc. In Windows you'd press the Fn+F8/F9 key combinations for volume control but this isn't the case here. How does it work in FreeBSD/kde?

In Sound & Multimedia under Control Centre you can test the sound and midi. Sound test sounds good. The Midi test gives me absolutely nothing.

Can you help me with the remaining issues?