Linux on a Dell Inspiron 3700/7000/7500

Table of Contents

Computers This Page Applies To

Frequently Asked Questions

Setting Up Linux To Coexist With Windows98/NT

Base Installation

PCMCIA Configuration

Modem

X Windows

Sound

Accessing the Linux filesystem from Windows98/NT

Other Links

Laptop Cases and Travel Bags

Other Flavors Of UNIX

My Configuration

Go to:
Linux Notebook HQ Discussion Forum

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Revision History

1/28/2000
- I am still updating the web pages as necessary, but am no longer documenting the changes here. These days, the change usually has to do with the X server section...
12/8/1999
- Updated method 1 X server to emphasize not to use vga=791 or 792.
11/19/1999
- Recognize that this site now also supports the Inspiron 3700 ATI Mobility-M1 chipset
- APM now works on the modified 3.3.5 Xserver
11/15/1999
- Modifed method 1 in the X server section to reflect the new 1400x1050 3.3.5 X server
- Wrote up method 4 (FBDev) in the X server section. It's a little dense, but most users should be able to follow...
- The "Linux on Laptops Discussion Center" has been renamed to "Linux Notebook HQ Discussion Forum"
11/9/1999
- Added OpenStep link in Other Flavors of Unix
10/29/1999
- Been working the new linux on laptops discussion center...
- Updated Computer this page applies to page to include the Gateway 9300
10/27/1999
- Created the Linux on Laptops Discussion Center where users can discuss linux-related issues and help each other out. Check it out! I'm hoping this will finally cut down on the amount of email I get... :-)
10/24/1999
- A printable version of this document is also now available.
- Added a link for NT dualbooting.
10/23/1999
- Finished breaking this document into separate pages. If there are any broken links, please send me an email.
10/15/1999
- This document has gotten too long; I'm going to start breaking it down into separate pages
10/10/1999
- Added a Linux-related Links section
9/27/1999
- Added SCO Unixware comment to Other Flavors section
- Added alias comment to /etc/conf.modules for Redhat in the Modems section.
- Added a Recommended reading list
9/24/1999
- Updated free X section -- method 1 now states that vga=791 works better for some people, while others find vga=normal is better. So I suggest you try both and see which works for you.
- Updated comments about the Xig X server.
- Mentioned that I believe this page applies to the Inspiron 7500 too.
- Added Mandrake to the list of linux distributions.
9/21/1999
- I've finally succumbed to putting one ad on my page. If you find the information on this page useful, and you're going to buy a book from Amazon.com, please buy it through the link on my site to show your appreciation. :-)
9/7/1999
- Added a link to the FreeBSD X binary
9/3/1999
- Updated the Free X Server section to reflect the new 3.3.5 X server.
9/2/1999
- Updated the Free Sound section.
8/3/1999
- Advise against downgrading a newer BIOS to version A06 in method 1 of the free X server.
7/30/1999
- Changed all occurances of vga=792 to vga=791 (i.e. 24bpp to 16bpp color) in the free X section and in the XF86Config file. I've decided that 16bpp is a better default color depth in terms of the tradeoff between color and speed.
7/27/1999
- Updated VMware section; added installation instructions and modules for my kernel from method 2 of the Free X server section.
7/22/1999
- Updated method 2 kernel to 2.2.10-ac10 and pcmcia-cs to 3.0.13.
- Added Mach64 patch -- the method 2 patched Mach64 server w/DGA 1.1 no longer requires the A06 BIOS; you can now use any BIOS version.
7/20/1999
- Added a Memory Upgrades section.
- Added a link to Justin's I7k Setup page.
- Added a section on VMware. Installation instructions for the I7k will come in the future.
- Mentioned the new 10/100+56k combo network+modem card in the modems section.
7/14/1999
- Updated "Setting Up Linux To Coexist With Windows98" section; added disclaimer.
- Added FreeBSD data point in "Other Flavors Of Unix" section.
- Added a Computers This Page Applies To section.
- Added an Accessing The Linux Filesystem From Windows98/NT section.
- Updated various paragraphs here and there to catch up with the times. :-)
5/24/1999
- It's been awhile, but I'm back. It'll take me some time to get back up to speed, but I'll start answering my email and updating this page shortly (I hope...)
3/14/1999
- Modified: VESA framebuffer solution now uses 2.2.3ac1.
3/3/1999
- Added: "Why doesn't my Redhat system power off on shutdown" question to FAQ.
2/27/1999
- Modified: VESA framebuffer solution now uses 2.2.2ac5 + pcmcia-cs 3.0.9.
2/20/1999
- Modified: link for synaptics web page.
2/1/1999
- Modified: Revised the VESA framebuffer solution to use 2.2.1 + pcmcia-cs 3.0.8.
1/10/1999
- Modified: Revised the VESA framebuffer solution to use 2.2.0-pre6 + pcmcia-cs 3.0.7. Adaptec SlimSCSI 1480A support was also added to the kernel.
- Added: Adaptec SlimSCSI 1480A section.
1/9/1999
- Added: Another XF86Config file for the patched X server which may work better for some
- Added: The kernel config file I used for the vesafb solution
12/17/1998
- Revised: Added 12.1" info to Method 2 of the XF86 section
- Revised: The 1024x768 modeline of my most recent XF86Config file for the XF86 section was incorrect.
12/9/1998
- Added: FAQ section
12/6/1998
- Revised: The entire XF86 section has been overhauled to reflect the latest info. 14" LCD users may now be able to run X without a dongle!
11/30/1998
- Revised: Added a note on memory > 64MB
- Revised: PCMCIA info for v3.0.6
11/24/1998
- Revised: I have received confirmation that FIPS can resize FAT32 partitions
- Revised: Enough people are having problems with the patched XF86 server that I'm putting the original X workarounds page back as an alternative
- New: Added patched libc6 XF86_Mach64 binary
- Updated: PCMCIA 3.06 released
- Added: FreeBSD success report
11/20/1998
- New: The free xserver section has been completely rewritten now that a patched XF86_Mach64 server is available!
- Added: You can also use FIPS to repartition a drive without losing data.
11/16/1998
- New: Added info on using the framebuffer driver and XF68_FBDev to get 1024x768 on the LCD display without additional hardware
11/13/1998
- New: Added a section on I7k-related Software/Hardware Links
11/10/1998
- New: OpenStep 4.2 success report
- New: SBPro sound emulation by initializing card from DOS/Win
11/3/1998
- Correction: Commercial X revision
- Correction: Commercial sound driver availability update
10/27/1998
- New: OpenBSD addition
10/23/1998
- Correction: RedHat boots off DVD
- New: Oct 20 PCMCIA may support the 3Com 3CCFE575B/3CXFE575B Fast EtherLink XL cards
- New: Future Debian pcmcia-cs packages will have cardbus enabled by default
- New: lots of additions and corrections to the XFree86 server configuration to get 1024x768 on both the LCD and an external monitor.
10/22/1998 Initial version

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©1998-1999 Stephen Hsieh, all rights reserved. All web pages in http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~steveh/inspiron/ are the property of Stephen Hsieh and protected under copyright. None of the material may be reproduced without permission. No Warranties:This information on this site is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind.