Listed here are some relevant configuration files for running Debian GNU/Linux Testing (Sarge) on an IBM Thinkpad G40. These configurations work for me, but may not be sufficient for you. At the very least, they could be used as a starting point.
I based most of my configuration on David Härdeman's fantastic Thinkpad G40 page. His prior experience made setting things up much easier than it would have been. Overall, the G40 is a fantastic platform for GNU/Linux, with all of the major integrated devices being supported by open source drivers. Pretty good for a modern laptop.
| Section | File | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kernel (2.4.22) | config-2.4.22acpi |
Kernel Configuration for 2.4.22, patched with newer ACPI support. This patching was necessary to get ACPI working properly for me, as the G40 doesn't support APM. This configuration is set to include PCMCIA support directly rather than relying on the separate Debian pcmcia package. This config gets sound working with the i810_audio module, wireless with the orinoco_pci module, usb with the usb-uhci and usb-core modules, the DVD-ROM/CD-Writer with the ide-scsi module, the IBM-specific buttons on the keyboard with the nvram module, and internet access via my Sanyo 4900 with the acm module. |
| PCMCIA | /etc/default/pcmcia | This file sets PCIC to yenta_socket to support the configuration of the kernel I use. |
| gpm | gpm.conf | This sets up gpm to work with builtin mouse for repeating to use under X. This way, you can be running gpm and X at the same time. Pretty straightforward. |
| XFree86 | XF86Config | This sets up X to run at 1024x768. This setup uses the gpm repeater mouse, so if you don't run gpm, you should modify it. The G40 requires at least XFree86 version 4.3.0 for an up-to-date version of the i810 driver. It will not work with older versions. You can get experimental debian.org packages by putting "deb http://http.us.debian.org/debian ../project/experimental main contrib non-free" in your /etc/apt/sources.list file. |
| Network | BCM Driver | This is the package provided by Broadcom to support the integrated NIC in the G40. Their driver is GPL'ed. The tg3 driver in the kernel is supposed to support this NIC, but I had no luck with it. Compile this puppy and it works like a charm, for built-in, gigabit ethernet. |
| DVD-ROM/CD-Writer | Append hdc=ide-scsi to your boot options in lilo and use the ide-scsi module for SCSI emulation over your drive. Then grip, cdparanoia, cdrdao, xcdroast, and mplayer all work great. Get recent mplayer packages. | |
| Thinkpad Keyboard Buttons | Install the tpb package and follow David's instructions. |