Ubuntu 7.04 on Satellite Pro
The Hardware
| Feature |
Description |
| Model | Toshiba Satellite PRO L40 |
| CPU | Intel Celeron-M 440 1.86GHz |
| Display | 15.4inch Toshiba TFT, resolution 1280x800 |
| Hard Disk | 120 Gb (5400 rpm) SATA |
| Optical Drive | DVD Recorder R/W |
| Memory | 1024MB |
| Graphics | Intel GMA 900 |
| Wireless | Wirelees LAN 802.11 a/b/g |
Installation
I installed using my employer's PXE server. Your mileage may vary using CD or DVD, but I doubt it.
The machine came with Windows Vista Home Basic which will probably get used once in a blue moon. Resizing the Vista partition using the Ubuntu installer went without a hitch. On booting Windows it ran chkdsk which found no errors and carried on.
Once installed the display and wired ethernet adaptor worked straight away.
Issues
Wireless LAN
The machine comes with an Atheros 5007EG based wireless adaptor built in. There is no GNU/Linux support for this adaptor, but it can be made to work using ndiswrapper.
Ubuntu Forums have a howto at http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=512828 which gives exact instructions. Following this tutorial I had wireless up and running easily.
Sound
Sound would work on start up, but would disappear if a butterfly flapped its wings on the other side of the world. It would take a reboot to bring it back. More HOWTOs to the rescue. Following the instructions at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HdaIntelSoundHowto fixed this situation.
Compiz
Compiz works - YAAY. Select "Desktop Effects" from the preferences menu and prepare to bask in wobbly windowed, spinny desktop glory.
Take note though. Some games refused to work (or at least display properly) with compiz enabled.
MythTV Frontend attempts to be full screen, but with Compiz running the top and bottom Gnome-panels show over the top of it.
Fortunately enabling and disabling compiz is as simple as clicking the "Enable Desktop Effects" button in the "Desktop Effects" dialog under "Preferences". Take note that to disable the effects you have to click the "Enable Desktop Effects" button. Go figure.
Modem
I have not tried the modem yet. I'll update this when I do.
Upgrading to Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon)
The upgrade was straightforward. The version of XMoto that comes with Gutsy is leagues ahead of the version with Feisty. After rebooting sound was dead again. Following the instructions at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HdaIntelSoundHowto fixed this situation.