Install on a new Laptop

Eric Anderson anderson at centtech.com
Thu Apr 28 05:00:02 PDT 2005


Phillip J Fry wrote:
> Hi,
>    I am planning to install FreeBSD 5.3 RELEASE on my new Optima 
> Centoris laptop (Australian company) There is not much documentation for 
> this model of laptop and the manufacturer offers no support. I have 
> mandriva linux running without a problem but would like something more 
> powerfull. I been browsing the supported hadware docs
> http://www.freebsd.org/releases/5.3R/hardware-i386.html
> the archives and google/bsd. I have found some information but it is 
> incomplete. I have three pieces of hardware I am having trouble finding 
> information about.

You could use 5.4R when it comes out very soon, or 5.4 RC3 (or 4?). 
It's a great RELEASE!


> Video Chipset : ATI Radeon Mobility 9000 (M9) Lf (AGP)
> Some information in the archive but am still lost.

Should work fine.  I had one of these in a Dell D600, and it worked 
without problems for me.


> Wireless device : Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI Adapter
> I have read that I need to download and install a third party driver 
> from http://damien.bergamini.free.fr/ipw/index.html
> But to install the driver I have to upgrade to CURRENT, something I am 
> not really keen on as I am not a developer/hacker. Are there any other 
> alternatives out there?

You can use the NDISulator (Project Evil) if you want - that uses the 
Windows binary drivers.  It should work just fine for you.


> IRDA : Laptop IRDA device.
> I am not really sure about the manufacturer of the irda device. The 
> laptop has an Intel 855Pm motherboard and the manufacturer told me that 
> the irda device was just a peripheral. I have read on the web that the 
> BIRDA port might be of some use. I need irda so I can connect my laptop 
> to the internet through my mobile phone while I am on  the road.

Most IRDA ports on laptops have an option in the BIOS to set it up as a 
standard serial device, and FreeBSD usually sees it as a regular 
/dev/cua* device.  It's been a few years since I've messed with it, but 
I don't think you'll have too much trouble.

Eric




-- 
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Eric Anderson        Sr. Systems Administrator        Centaur Technology
A lost ounce of gold may be found, a lost moment of time never.
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