Debian GNU/Linux on Toshiba T4700CT Notebook


February 2001
...updated October 28, 2002
 
Tested with Debian release: 2.2r2
Current Debian release: 2.2r4
 
NOTE:
The Los Angeles Free-Net no longer requires use of their proxy server; it was phased-out when service was expanded to all of California.
 
Author: cymbaLa@Lafn.org


The following is intended for someone who is interested in “potato” and wants to know what to expect from an installation. This is for people who are new to GNU/Linux (although it assumes knowledge, for example system commands need to be executed with root privileges). It emphasize reasons for choosing the Debian distribution (Debian GNU/Linux -- A Social Contract) as it goes through basic configuration to get things up and running.

Instructions for using various programs through the proxy server at Los Angeles Free-Net are included. The price is right ($40/year) and lack of advertising with a simple, solid PPP connection is right, too. LAFN doesn’t offer streaming video or audio (yet).

Installation begins from floppy disk, followed by installing Debian version 2.2 (“potato”) packages from an external, parallel-port CD-ROM (in this case, a MicroSolutions backpack bantam) using a 3-CD set of pre-compiled binaries ordered from Cheap Bytes. Optional software is added after main installation routine finishes.

Brief instructions are given on how to point apt-get to Debian’s web site, so more software can be downloaded without using parallel-port CD-ROM.

This document’s permanent URL is: <URL: http://www.lafn.org/~cymbala/Debian/t4700ct.html >

This document may appear to have a lot of steps. So many steps may appear unecessary, especially in a culture that is accustomed to Microsoft and Macintosh “hands-off and sit-back” approach. One reason for length of this document is no steps have been left out. More importantly, a Debian installation lets the end-user decide what to install, how, and when to install it.

As with any project that is tackled by human labor, things are becoming easier. Two years ago, not knowing that a CD-ROM drive goes by the name /dev/hdc prevented me from installing Debian for what seemed like a long time. Nowadays that step is gone (the system “knows” where to look for it).

Which Choice is Right For You?

    On 17 Feb 2001, Bud Rogers wrote:
    > On Saturday 17 February 2001 10:13, Jan van Veldhuizen wrote:
    > 
    > > Why am I pegging away with Linux? If I start the Windows
    > > Setup right now, my system will work completely in less
    > > than 1 hour....
    > 
    > > I'm feeling 20 years in the past, when configuring all
    > > peripheral hardware was a specialist's job...
    > > Or have I become dull by Microsoft's Plug'n Play.....
    > 
    > Hi Jan,
    > 
    > I think you will get some flames for this, but these are
    > valid questions.  Always you have choices and almost always
    > the choices involve a tradeoff.
    > 
    > You can pay Microsoft to do all that hard work for you.
    > Microsoft tries very hard to make it easy for you to choose
    > the Microsoft answer.  You pay Microsoft money, Microsoft
    > makes it easy for you.  As long as you choose the Microsoft
    > way.
    > 
    > You can accept the gift of labor and love of thousands of
    > unpaid volunteers that have made Linux possible.  They offer
    > you not the easy answer, but freedom.  They give you many
    > choices.  They do not promise it will be easy.
    > 
    > Microsoft says, "Here is a black box that is easy to use.  Do
    > not look inside."  The Linux community says, "Here is a box
    > full of craftsman's tools.  Learn to use the tools and you
    > can do anything you want."
    > 
    > Only you can decide which is the right choice for you.

See also: Linux on Laptops (model T4700CT links back to this document).

See also: The Debian Linux User’s Guide online book. Or, if you prefer to install first and read later, install the book onto your computer using tdlug package.

See also: README at root of install CDs (first CD has more information than README on other two CDs).

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

How Much Does It Cost?

CMOS (Configuration Setup)

      T4700CT SETUP. BIOS version = 5.00
MEMORY    Total                =   24576KB
Base                 =     640KB
Extended             =   23744KB
Shadow BIOS ROM      =     192KB
DISPLAY    Display Adaptor      = VGA Compatible
LCD Display Mode     = Color
LCD Display Colors   = 180K Colors
Power On Display     = Internal/External
PCMCIA/COM/FDD/PRT    PC Card Slot 1       = PCMCIA
PC Card Slot 2       = PCMCIA
Serial Port          = COM1(IRQ4/3F8H)
External FDD/PRT     = Printer
Printer Port Type    = Output
HARD DISK    HDD Mode = Enhanced IDE(Normal)
.
BATTERY    Battery Save Mode    = Low Power
Battery Display      = Time
POWER ON PASSWORD    Not Registered
.
OTHERS    Power-up Mode        = Boot
CPU Cache = Enabled
Speaker Volume       = Off
Alarm Power On       = Disabled
Hotkey = Enabled
Boot Priority        = FDD->HDD
Sound I/O Address    = 0530H
Ext. Keyboard "Fn" key equivalent = Disabled

Miscellaneous Prior to Install

Debian Installation