ThinkWiki - User contributions [en]

ATI Mobility Radeon X300

2007-09-03T04:43:42Z

Karmaflux: /* Features */ cleanup

__NOTOC__
{| width="100%"
|style="vertical-align:top" |
<div style="margin: 0; margin-right:10px; border: 1px solid #dfdfdf; padding: 0em 1em 1em 1em; background-color:#F8F8FF; align:right;">

This is an ATI video adapter

== Features ==
* Chipset: ATI M22
* PCI ID: 1002:5460
* PCI Express x16
* 32 or 64MB GDDR1 on-chip video memory
* "HyperMemory": can use system memory for graphics processing - 128MB or 256MB, depending on driver version. The original Windows driver used 128MB;later versions use up to 256MB. This may depend on the amount of RAM installed in the Thinkpad.
* "PowerPlay 4.0" technology for dynamic engine clock, memory clock and core voltage, refresh rate reduction and thermal status reporting.
</div>
|style="vertical-align:top" |
|}

== X.org drivers ==

The X.org [[radeon]] driver works well and support 2D acceleration and some other functionality such as basic power amangement. In conjunction with the [[r300]] DRI driver, [[radeon]] also provides 3D acceleration (the latter is not yet stable). ATI provides [[fglrx]], a closed-source Linux-only alternative which adds some functionality such as TV output and advanced power amangement (but has its own stability issues).

=== ThinkPad LCD ===
Display on the internal LCD works as long as you set the monitor settings correct.

=== External VGA port ===
There are known problems. Both the [[radeon]] and [[fglrx]] drivers turn off the switching between internal and external port.

==== <tt>vesa</tt> driver ====
Using the [[vesa]] driver built into X.org, mode switching modes. However, this loses acceleration and some capabilities.

==== <tt>radeon</tt> driver ====
On-the-fly swiching doesn't work. To activate both ports in clone mode with a reasonable CRT refresh rate, use the following in {{path|/etc/X11/xorg.conf}}:

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
VendorName "Videocard vendor"
BoardName "ATI Radeon Mobility X300"

Driver "radeon"
Option "DynamicClocks" "on"

Option "MergedFB" "on"
Option "MonitorLayout" "LVDS, CRT"
Option "CRT2Hsync" "50-75"
Option "CRT2VRefresh" "50-82"
EndSection

Note that without the <tt>MonitorLayout</tt> option, if the external monitor is connected when X starts then the LCD will be deactivated and you will need to restart X.

(Tested wth Fedora Core 4 on ThinkPad {{T43}}).

See also the related discussion about [[Additional options for the radeon driver]].

==== [[fglrx]] driver ====
On-the-fly works with <tt>aticonfig</tt> in the newest Drivers, see [[Fglrx#Display_Switching_.28Dynamic_Display_Management.29|Display Switching]]. Additionally, to use both ports there is the possibility to either have the monitor connected during X startup, or force activation of both ports by adding
Option "ForceMonitors" "lvds,crt1"
to the <tt>Device</tt> section in your {{path|/etc/X11/xorg.conf}}. Powering the CRT port consumes 400-500mW, regardless of whether a CRT is attached.

=== S-Video port (TV-out) ===

Works with the <b>proprietary</b> [[fglrx]] driver (as of version 8.19.10). To activate, add
Option "ForceMonitors" "lvds,tv"
to the <tt>Device</tt> section in your {{path|/etc/X11/xorg.conf}} and restart X.

It also might work with <b>opensource</b> [[R300]] and the [http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=127642 follow] patch

=== DVI port ===
??

== 3D acceleration ==
OpenGL 3D acceleration is provided by the proprietary [[fglrx]] driver (when DRI is enabled). Note that performance is affected by the power saving mode.

The open source <tt>r300</tt> [[DRM]] module also aims to provide 3D acceleration. This currently requires the CVS/GIT versions of [[X.org]], [[DRM]] and [[Mesa]], and has been observed to occasionally crash (e.g., when running Google Earth or <tt>ppracer</tt>on a {{T43}}). You can [[How to compile an experimental X server|install it experimentally]] for testing.

== Linux kernel Framebuffer driver ==

radeonfb might cause problems with hardware acceleration under X on some systems, vesafb and vesafb-tng on the other hand has been reported to work just fine.

== Clock rates, voltage and power==
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"
|+ Clock rates, voltages and power {{footnote|1}}
! Mode !! core freq !! memory freq !! voltage !! idle !! 3DMarks (Windows, 1600x1200, LCD only)
|-
| Performance || 300 || 230 MHz || 1.15V || 2.98 W || 8.28 W
|-
| Balanced || 183 || 210 MHz || 1.00V || 1.71 W || 3.88 W
|-
| Battery || 120 || 105 MHz || 1.00V || 1.61 W || 2.74 W
|}

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"
|+ ATI drivers for Windows {{footnote|2}} and [[fglrx]]
! Mode !! core freq !! memory freq
|-
| Performance || 297.00 || 229.50
|-
| Balanced || 209.25 || 182.25
|-
| Battery || 104.63 || 121.50
|}

Experimentally, the difference between the Performance and Battery settings under Linux with the <tt>radeon</tt> driver and <tt>DynamicClocks</tt> enabled is roughly 0.3W and 3-4 degrees in GPU temperature on a ThinkPad {{T43}}. Further frequency reduction leads to display flickering or corruption.

See [[How to make use of Graphics Chips Power Management features]] for details on how to control this using [[Rovclock]], [[How to make use of Graphics Chips Power Management features|<tt>DynamicClocks</tt> option to the <tt>radeon</tt> driver]] and or the [[fglrx]] driver.

Presently the lowest idle-mode power consumption is achieved using the proprietary [[fglrx]] driver and
# aticonfig --set-powerstate=1 --effective=now

== ThinkPads this chip may be found in ==
* {{R52}}
* {{T43}}
* {{Z60m}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.ati.com/products/radeonx300/specs.html ATI X300 specifications] from ATI
* [http://www.ati.com/products/embedded/mobilityradeonx300/M22-CSP64_Product_Snapshot.pdf "snapshot" data sheet] (refers to the 32MB on-chip, 128MB "HyperMemory" version).

{{footnotes|
#according to the [http://www.ati.com/products/embedded/mobilityradeonx300/M22-CSP64_Product_Snapshot.pdf "Snapshot" data sheet] (which refers to the 32MB on-chip, 128MB "HyperMemory" version)
#inspected using [http://www.pbus-167.com/chc.htm Notebook Hardware Control]
}}

[[Category:Components]]

Talk:Installing Fedora Core 6 on a ThinkPad T60p

2007-08-15T04:32:58Z

Karmaflux:

Was it really necessary to hit "save" every ten seconds? [[User:Karmaflux|Karmaflux]]

Talk:Installing Fedora Core 6 on a ThinkPad T60p

2007-08-15T04:32:49Z

Karmaflux: â†Created page with 'Was it really necessary to hit "save" every ten seconds?'

Was it really necessary to hit "save" every ten seconds?

Template:Industry News

2007-08-14T02:11:05Z

Karmaflux: new fglrx version

8. 8. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.40.4 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.40.4.html released]. Now compatible with VESA framebuffers!

19. 7. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.39.4 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.39.4.html released].

26. 6. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.38.6 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.38.6.html released].

31. 5. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.37.6 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.37.6.html released].

18. 4. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.36.5 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.36.5.html released]. Now supports 2.6.20 series kernels.

Buyers Guide

2007-08-09T12:40:34Z

Karmaflux: /* Long-time Weaknesses of certain models */

{| width="100%"
|style="vertical-align:top;padding-right:20px;width:10px;white-space:nowrap;" | __TOC__
|style="vertical-align:top" |
This page is dedicated to hints about buying used or new ThinkPad models. You can find notes about typical weaknesses of used ThinkPads here and other things you should care about when choosing a ThinkPad and where to buy it.
|}
==Build it yourself and save money==
Lenovo offers more flexibility than any other major manufacturer of laptop computers, at least that I know of. Their "configure-to-order" (CTO) offerings let you build the computer you want, without paying for anything you don't want. The basic CTO includes the mainboard and CPU, but no RAM, disk, mini-PCI cards, software, or other add-ons. You can even get a laptop in a CTO configuration.

I built my {{X32}} notebook with 1GB RAM, 60GB 5400RPM hard drive, USB DVD-ROM CD-RW drive, and 802.11a/b/g mini-PCI for a grand total of US$1,206, including tax and shipping.

Start with the complete list of [https://www-03.ibm.com/lenovo/shop/personalpages/public/public/products/dsp_product_list.cfm products]. Look for items that end with "CTO" or "Custom." Choose the chassis you want. Then add whatever [http://www-132.ibm.com/content/home/store_IBMPublicUSA/en_US/Upgrades.html upgrades] you need that only Lenovo offers (such as WiFi). Fill in the rest of the components from other, less expensive vendors.

Update: you cant do this nowadays. They will not sell you a CTO barebone. At least you cant do it online. You might have to 'con' a sales agent.

Response to update: I did not need to con anyone. I just ordered the CTO chassis and the parts I needed from their website. I placed the order on August 18, 2005 and received all the shipments by August 26, 2005.

Comment from visitor: [https://www-03.ibm.com/lenovo/shop/personalpages/public/public/products/dsp_feature_product.cfm?display=main&cat_id=24 Try this page]. You can at least get a Z60 with the titanium cover in a more stripped down model than is otherwise available.

==Various deals==

Special prices: You can get a laptop from Lenovo for special price if you are a student, alumni, researcher
or something like that. You need to go to education -> computers for home -> students (or such), and
now click on "My Account" to create a new account. Perhaps there is another way, but you must end up with a student
account. Then you get around 5% off the web price.

You can also buy a Lenovo thinkpad pre-configured with Linux from [http://www.linuxcertified.com/linux-laptop-lctp60.html here]

The [https://www.directlenovo.com/public/ Lenovo USA sales web site] offers some attractive deals in its [http://www.directlenovo.com/public/public/search/dsp_product_features.cfm?category=9953&featured_display=Template surplus outlet].

IBM sells [http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=-840&langId=-1&categoryId=2576396 refurbished ThinkPads].

== Special deals for certain customer groups ==
IBM makes huge discounts to students and teachers:
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="text-align:left;"
! country !! shops & target groups
|-
| Austria ||
* [http://www.studentline.at/ Studentline.at] (students, university staff, pupils and teachers)
* [http://www.notebook4u.at/ notebook4u.at] (students, university staff, pupils and teachers)
* [http://www.abax.at/academic/ ABAX] (students, university staff, pupils and teachers)
* [http://www.bostelmann.com/ Computer Bostelmann] (students, university staff, pupils and teachers)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| France ||
*[http://www.ibm.com/easyaccess/education IBM education homepage]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Germany ||
*[http://www.notebooksbilliger.de notebooksbilliger.de] (pupils, students)
*[http://www.lapstars.de lapstars.de] (students, university staff, pupils and teachers)
*[http://www.ok1.de ok1] (students, university staff, pupils and teachers)
*[http://www.campusrabatt.de/index.php ADD Datensysteme: CampusRabatt] (students, university staff, pupils and teachers)
*[http://www.pro-com.org pro-com Datensysteme]:
**[http://www.pro-com.org/b2b pro-com b2b] (businesses)
**[http://www.nofost.de/ NOFOST] (students & university staff)
**[http://www.no4ed.de/ NOFOED] (pupils & teachers)
**[http://www.nofoch.de/ NOFOCH] (clinics and medical institutions and their staff)
**[http://www.pro-com.org/lf pro-com luf] (universities, schools & other educational and research institutes)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Switzerland ||
*[http://www.rabais-etudiant.ch/ Rabais-Etudiant] (students, teachers, schools)
*[http://www.studentenrabatt.ch/ Studentenrabatt] (students, teachers, schools)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| United States ||
* [http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/education/ Education] (K-12 and Higher Education)
* [http://www.dealmine.com/search_by_product.php?s=thinkpad Comparison shop] at DealMine.com to find Thinkpad and membership discounts [http://www.dealmine.com/deals_from/Union_Plus/23 AFL-CIO/AFT] matched up at various stores
* IBM Employee Purchase Program (EPP) for IBM employees and their family and friends: [http://www.ibm.com/shop/us/epp/ IBM store] / [http://shoplenovo.i2.com/SEUILibrary/controller/Lenovo:EnterStdAffinity?affinity=eppibm Lenovo store]
* Corporate Perks program for corporate employees (e.g., accessible through the Microsoft Alumni Network)
|}

== Buying FRUs ==

You can buy single components, called, FRU (Field Replacement Unit), directly from Lenovo.

* US orders: https://www-132.ibm.com/content/home/store_IBMPublicUSA/en_US/parts/parts_r.html
* Other countries: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-50278&sitestyle=lenovo

To find the right FRU, you can look up your model's part lists here:
* [http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=TPAD-FRU Service parts list index - ThinkPad General]

== Official list of linux certified computers ==

* A [http://www.lenovo.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-48NT8D.html list] of completed Linux certifications on [http://www.lenovo.com lenovo web site]

==Where to by Linux preinstalled thinkpad==
* [http://laclinux.com/en/Laptop Los Alamos Computers] Custom Linux Thinkpads - T Series, Z Series, X Series 23 Apr 2007

== Buying on eBay ==
* Many sellers do not know exactly what they have. Get the full 7-digit machine type if at all possible. Compare it to the specifications in the *book.pdf series: twbook.pdf, tabook.pdf, tawbook.pdf, etc, to determine actual screen size, original CPU speed, original hard disk, etc.
* You can try getting the serial number as well to check the warranty status at IBMs support pages.
* Check completed auctions carefully to determine going prices for comparable machines.
* Be aware if any port covers are missing. If they are, see if any current auctions are running to check availability.
* If the unit doesn't come with a hard drive, know whether it has the caddy and cover. Make sure that the three passwords are NOT set or that you know the right passwords before you install your hard drive! If you don't: A password can be set into your hard disk automatically, making it a brick - useful for door stopping only!
* Anything with a PIII or later most likely came with a Windows Certificate of Authenticity. Find out whether the listed machine does. Even if you don't want it, it may help resale value when you '''sell''' the machine.
* Read the feedback of the seller on items he has sold, especially electronics, computers and laptops. If meangranny is suddenly selling T43's after three years of lace, stay away.
* If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. There's a reason no one else is bidding on it.

==Long-time Weaknesses of certain models==
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"
! Model !! Issues
|-
| {{390X}} || *models with 15" display are said to have weak display cables that tend to break.
|-
| {{600X}} || Battery problems.
|-
||{{A20p}}, {{390}}, {{390E}}, {{390X}} || *Base cover corners are prone to crack, root cause stiff display hinges
|-
||{{A31}} || Several reports of [[Problem with garbled screen]] independent on Operating System
|-
| {{A30}}, {{A30p}}, {{A31}}, {{A31p}} || *seem to have a mechanical design that can cause the motherboard to break. At least there are a significant number of reports of broken motherboards on these models.
|-
| {{T30}} || *had a problem with memory sockets detaching from the system board. IBM replaced these free of charge even after warranties expired.
|-
| {{T20}} || Many models have a problem of gradually dying. Attempting to turn on will only cause a blinking light, and many attempts must be made in order to start the machine. Eventually, the machine is no longer bootable.
||}

Buyers Guide

2007-08-09T12:38:55Z

Karmaflux: /* Long-time Weaknesses of certain models */ remove gibberish

How to make use of Power Management features

2007-06-03T00:43:58Z

Karmaflux: /* APM vs. ACPI */ clarified

==General Information about Power Management features==
This page should give you all the information you need to make use of your ThinkPads [[Power Management]] features under [[:Category:Distributions|Linux]] and hence effectively enhance your battery life.

Note that different distributions and kernels have different results. ThinkPad-365 and 365X used to perform
blank, sleep and hibernation well using HW with W95,OS/2,and Linux installed (1998). Later ThinkPads such as 240X,600E,T20 with recent Debian 2.4 kernels and ACPI=off will sleep, (also MDK-2.6 kernels).
However, blank and hibernation to disk do not work. Better results are expected with 2.6.11+.

===APM vs. ACPI===
All IBM ThinkPads support APM, and a lot support ACPI as well. Newer Lenovo ThinkPads support only ACPI. Quality of ACPI implementation varies from model to model. Both technologies cannot be used simultaneously; you'll have to make a choice. Which to use depends on the model as well as on the state of ACPI support in the kernel.

On older models you are surely better off with APM, if they feature ACPI at all.

It seems that at least in recent models from the A, G, R, T and X series ACPI generally works fine and is a lot more flexible than APM, but with a lot of them also a [[Problem with high power drain in ACPI sleep]] has been experienced.

Please check our [[APM vs. ACPI | APM vs. ACPI success table]] to find out about APM and ACPI support in specific models.

On the other hand simply switching from APM to ACPI extended my X31 battery runtime from about 3.5h to 4h. This had
nothing to do with Dynamic Frequency Scaling which was active in both configurations.

{{Todo|more precise and extended info should be provided here}}

==How to enable certain features==
The following links will take you to separate pages dealing with the various topics.
*[[How to make APM work]] <tt>(Screen Blanking, Suspend to RAM, Suspend to Disk)</tt>
*[[How to make ACPI work]] <tt>(Screen Blanking, Suspend to RAM, Suspend to Disk)</tt>
*[[How to make use of Dynamic Frequency Scaling]] <tt>(Speedstep, Throttling, etc.)</tt>
*[[How to make use of Harddisk Power Management features]] <tt>(Laptop-mode, Spindown, etc.)</tt>
*[[How to make use of Graphics Chips Power Management features]] <tt>(save even more battery power)</tt>
*[[How to use UltraBay batteries]] <tt>(advanced control for a secondary battery)</tt>

==See also==
*[[How to reduce power consumption]]

How to make use of Power Management features

2007-06-03T00:43:18Z

Karmaflux: cleaned up

==General Information about Power Management features==
This page should give you all the information you need to make use of your ThinkPads [[Power Management]] features under [[:Category:Distributions|Linux]] and hence effectively enhance your battery life.

Note that different distributions and kernels have different results. ThinkPad-365 and 365X used to perform
blank, sleep and hibernation well using HW with W95,OS/2,and Linux installed (1998). Later ThinkPads such as 240X,600E,T20 with recent Debian 2.4 kernels and ACPI=off will sleep, (also MDK-2.6 kernels).
However, blank and hibernation to disk do not work. Better results are expected with 2.6.11+.

===APM vs. ACPI===
All IBM ThinkPads support APM, and a lot support ACPI as well. Newer Lenovo ThinkPads support only ACPI. Quality of implementation varies from model to model. Both technologies cannot be used simultaneously; you'll have to make a choice. Which to use depends on the model as well as on the state of ACPI support in the kernel.

On older models you are surely better off with APM, if they feature ACPI at all.

It seems that at least in recent models from the A, G, R, T and X series ACPI generally works fine and is a lot more flexible than APM, but with a lot of them also a [[Problem with high power drain in ACPI sleep]] has been experienced.

Please check our [[APM vs. ACPI | APM vs. ACPI success table]] to find out about APM and ACPI support in specific models.

On the other hand simply switching from APM to ACPI extended my X31 battery runtime from about 3.5h to 4h. This had
nothing to do with Dynamic Frequency Scaling which was active in both configurations.

{{Todo|more precise and extended info should be provided here}}

==How to enable certain features==
The following links will take you to separate pages dealing with the various topics.
*[[How to make APM work]] <tt>(Screen Blanking, Suspend to RAM, Suspend to Disk)</tt>
*[[How to make ACPI work]] <tt>(Screen Blanking, Suspend to RAM, Suspend to Disk)</tt>
*[[How to make use of Dynamic Frequency Scaling]] <tt>(Speedstep, Throttling, etc.)</tt>
*[[How to make use of Harddisk Power Management features]] <tt>(Laptop-mode, Spindown, etc.)</tt>
*[[How to make use of Graphics Chips Power Management features]] <tt>(save even more battery power)</tt>
*[[How to use UltraBay batteries]] <tt>(advanced control for a secondary battery)</tt>

==See also==
*[[How to reduce power consumption]]

HOWTOs - Performance

2007-05-18T22:32:25Z

Karmaflux: Here's a crazy idea: don't link to pages that aren't there! Make the page first, please

Here you can find information about how you can improve your ThinkPads performance.

*[[How to improve harddisk performance|Harddisk tuning]] <tt>(using hdparm and other hints)</tt>
*[[How to save memory|Saving memory]] <tt>(especially for older, low mem models)</tt>

Template:Industry OldNews

2007-04-20T13:20:32Z

Karmaflux: pushing onto the stack

11. 1. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.33.6 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.33.6.html#182529 released]

13.12.2006: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.32.5 released

15.11.2006: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.31.5 released

14.11.2006 New ThinkPad X60 Tablet [http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=632&review=ThinkPad+X60+Tablet+PC reviewed], including SXGA+ model

03.11.2006: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.30.3 released

20.09.2006: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.29.6 released

18.08.2006: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.28.8 released

04.08.2005: According to [http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS7778908329.html desktoplinux.com], Lenovo will sell Thinkpads with SuSE Enterprise Desktop 10 preloaded.

28.07.2006: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.27.10 released including support for XOrg 7.1

27.06.2006: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.26.18 released

05.06.2006: According to CNET [http://news.com.com/2100-1003_3-6080115.html?part=rss&tag=6080115&subj=news], Lenovo is now denying dropping official Linux support.

04.06.2006: Sad news! According to CRN [http://www.crn.com/sections/breakingnews/breakingnews.jhtml?articleId=188701277], Lenovo drops official Linux support for its PCs, including ThinkPads.

24.05.2006 New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.25.18 released

15.04.2006 Several news ([http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2843], [http://www.graphiland.fr/produc_t/produc1b.asp?Code=X60&Ed=]) appeared that the next Lenovo models will be the {{R60}}, {{Z61m}}, {{Z61t}} and a new Tablet PC {{X60t}}.

12.04.2006 New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.24.8 released

09.03.2006 New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.23.7 released

10.02.2006 New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.22.5 released

28.01.2006 Lenovo and others have [http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/thinkpad/tseries/workstation.html first mention] of [[:Category:T60p|T60p]] models.

19.01.2006 New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.21.7 released

14.01.2006 A bit old news: [http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2005/tc20051221_376268.htm?campaign_id=rss_tech Lenovo hires new CEO from Dell].

05.01.2006 Lenovo [http://www.pc.ibm.com/ww/thinkpad/x-t.html?re=home_primary_us announces] the next step in X and T series: [[:Category:X60|X60]], [[:Category:X60s|X60s]] and [[:Category:T60|T60]].

22.12.2005 [http://www.upek.com/support/dl_linux_bsp.asp Version 1.0 (final)] of the BSP for the UPEK fingerprint sensor released.

08.12.2005 New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.20.8 released

11.11.2005 New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.19.10 released, adds suspend and PowerPlay

26.10.2005 New fglrx driver version 8.18.8 released

13.10.2005: Lenovo announces new R51e to be shipping with SUN StarOffice 8.

15.09.2005: Lenovo announces new WideScreen Z Series. Read [http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1858628,00.asp here] and [http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1040_22-5862939.html here].

14.09.2005: [http://www.qrivy.net/~michael/blua/upek-bsp.html Beta release] of BSP for UPEK fingerprint sensors released.

17.08.2005: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.16.20 released

09.06.2005: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.14.13 released

11.04.2005: IBM and Sanyo demonstrate [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/11/ibm_sanyo_notebook_fuel_cell/ Fuel Cell prototype]

16.02.2005: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.10.19 released

04.02.2005: IBM sells its entire PC division to Lenovo (China's largest PC maker), exclusing the eSeries x86 range. The Think* brand is included in the deal and Lenovo has full use of it for 5 years.

17.01.2005: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.8.25 (finally with X.Org 6.8 support)

28.11.2004: IBM recently released new T42 notebooks featuring Pentium M 765 processors, a FireGL T2 chip, 1GB of RAM and an integrated fingerprint scanner

09.11.2004: New [[fglrx]] driver version 3.14.6 <br/>

26.09.2004: [http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=TPAD-RECALL IBM recalls 56 Watt Thinkpad AC Adaptors]

Template:Industry News

2007-04-20T13:20:25Z

Karmaflux: popping the stack

18. 4. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.36.5 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.36.5.html released]. Now supports 2.6.20 series kernels.

28. 3. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.35.5 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.35.5.html released]

1. 3. 2007: New Lenovo [http://www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram battery recall]: FRU 92P1131 (Sanyo 9-cell) may overheat when subject to strong impacts

21. 2. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver 8.34.8 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.34.8.html#182529 released]

Template:Industry News

2007-04-20T13:19:40Z

Karmaflux:

Template:Industry News

2007-04-20T13:19:18Z

Karmaflux: update for new fglrx version

18. 4. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.36.5 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.36.5.html released]. Now supports 2.6.20 series kernels.
28. 3. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.35.5 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.35.5.html released]

1. 3. 2007: New Lenovo [http://www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram battery recall]: FRU 92P1131 (Sanyo 9-cell) may overheat when subject to strong impacts

21. 2. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver 8.34.8 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.34.8.html#182529 released]

11. 1. 2007: New [[fglrx]] driver version 8.33.6 [https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.33.6.html#182529 released]

Fglrx

2006-12-17T16:52:05Z

Karmaflux: /* Status */ - suspend-to-ram works fine with most cards. See the release notes.

{| width="100%"
|style="vertical-align:top;padding-right:20px;width:10px;white-space:nowrap;" | __TOC__
|style="vertical-align:top" |
== ATI fglrx driver ==
This is a proprietary Linux binary-only driver for ATI graphic chips with support for 3D acceleration.

Also see [[R300|opensource driver]] with 3D support
|}

==Availability / Project Homepage==
Home page: http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/linux/linux-radeon.html

== Packages ==
The ATI drivers have explicit permission for repackaging and redistribution of the Linux drivers. Many distributions are supported within the installer, and many more repackaged by external developers. Please visit the [http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Category:Distributions Distribution Page at the Unofficial ATI driver Wiki]

*{{Debian}} packages: http://www.stanchina.net/~flavio/debian-official/fglrx-driver.html
** These packages have been added to Debian unstable as <tt>fglrx-driver</tt>, so you can now apt-get them and use module-assistant to install.
** If you are on stable sarge with backport's kernel 2.6.15, download ATI's installer, let it build Debian packages and proceed as usual. There's a [http://jroller.com/page/erAck?entry=lot_day_6_2_fglrx detailed description] available.
*{{SUSE}} packages: http://www.suse.de/~sndirsch/ati-installer-HOWTO.html
*{{Gentoo}} {{cmdroot|emerge ati-drivers}}
*{{Fedora}} 4 packages: http://rpm.livna.org
** For stock Fedora kernels: {{cmdroot|yum install kernel-module-fglrx-$(uname -r) ati-fglrx }}
** For custom-compiled kernels: see [[How to build custom packages for fglrx]]
*{{Fedora}} 5 packages: http://rpm.livna.org
** For stock Fedora kernels: {{cmdroot|yum install xorg-x11-drv-fglrx}}
** For custom-compiled kernels: see [[How to build custom packages for fglrx]]
*{{Arch Linux}}
:{{cmdroot|pacman -S ati-fglrx}} (kernel module for 2.6.15-ARCH)
:{{cmdroot|pacman -S ati-fglrx-archck}} (kernel module for 2.6.15-archck)
:{{cmdroot|pacman -S ati-fglrx-utils}} (xorg7 stuff and tools)
*{{Ubuntu}}
**[http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Ubuntu_Dapper_Installation_Guide Dapper Drake Howto]
**[http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Ubuntu_Breezy_Installation_Guide Breezy Badger Howto]
**[http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Ubuntu_Edgy_Installation_Guide Edgy Eft Howto]

== Building for Xorg 7.0==
To compile fglrx versions <= 8.24.8 for Xorg 7.0.0, fake Xorg 6.9.0 by
:{{cmdroot|1=export X_VERSION=x690; sh ati-driver-installer-8.24.8-x86.run}}
Next, move the various resulting libraries and modules from /usr/X11R6 to /usr/lib/xorg

In {{path|/usr/src/ATI}} additional sources are installed for fireglcontrol and fgl_glxgears

== Status ==
Current version: 8.32.5 (13th December 2006).
Major changes:
* 8.32.5: support for X1650, X.Org 7.2 RC2 support, bugfixes. Suspend-to-ram is broken with specific cards, *no* 2.6.19 support (see [[Problems_with_fglrx#fglrx_8.32.5|fglrx patches section]]).

* 8.31.5: no new features, only bugfixes. Of note, for some users, this version breaks suspend-to-ram.
* 8.30.3: no new features, only bugfixes
* 8.29.6: Linux 2.6.18 support, dropped support for Radeon 8500/9000/9100/9200/9250 (both, mobile and normal versions)
* 8.28.8: Display Switching Support for ThinkPads, ATI Pairmode support, Retaining display device state between restarts, Support for Radeon Xpress 1200, 1250, and 1300
* 8.27.10: X.org 7.1 support, Fedora Core package support
* 8.26.18: support for dynamically attached DFPs and Thermal Event Power Management (both via daemon), minor bug fixes
* 8.25.18: Xorg 7.0 support, FireGLâ„¢V5xxx/V7xxx support, Dynamic Display Management, fixed a lot of critical bugs.
* 8.24.8: support for X1300, X1400, X1600, X1800 (generic and mobility) and 3D accelerated video playback on Avivo
* 8.23.7: support for X850 and X800, OpenGL 2.0 Enhancement, FSAA for some chips
* 8.22.5: added kernel 2.6.15 support -- patch no longer required
* 8.21.7: initial OpenGL 2.0 support
* 8.20.8: fixed resume issues, fixed compile problems with kernels 2.6.13 and 2.6.14
* 8.19.10: has added suspend / resume and dynamic GPU power management support. Using vbetool no longer required.

== Known problems and solutions ==
See [[Problems with fglrx]].
== User experience ==
=== Speed ===
How much is the speed gain versus the opensource drivers?

Compared to the old drivers, approximately 40% speed gain have been noticed with fglrx. However, there are issues with freezing/garbage after suspend, garbage when resizing desktop (via {{key|ctrl}}{{key|alt}}{{key|plus}}, {{key|ctrl}}{{key|alt}}{{key|minus}}), and garbage while using VMware. The current 8.14.13 has shown 400% improvement over using the open source radeon driver: 1200 FPS for glxgears{{footnote|1}}!
However the situation seems to be changing today. With recent x11-drm-20060608 driver (gentoo) and thinkpad t42 (ati 9600) the speed is confirmed as 1900fps without any single crash so far.

=== 3D acceleration ===

According to [http://xoomer.alice.it/flavio.stanchina/debian/fglrx-installer.html#configure Flavio's page] you need these options:

Section "Module"
...
Load "GLcore"
Load "glx"
Load "dri"
...
EndSection

# Of course you need to activate the driver
Section "Device"
...
Driver "fglrx"
EndSection

Don't forget to load the module <tt>fglrx</tt> (<tt>modprobe fglrx</tt>), under Debian you can place it in <tt>/etc/modules</tt>.

I (helios42) found that I have to disable composite extension unfortunately:

Section "Extensions"
# With Composite 3D acceleration in fglrx won't work ;(
#Option "Composite" "True"
EndSection

Otherwise fglrx reports this (first line is important, the further ones are misleading):

(II) fglrx(0): Composite extension enabled, disabling direct rendering
(WW) fglrx(0): ***********************************************
(WW) fglrx(0): * DRI initialization failed! *
(WW) fglrx(0): * (maybe driver kernel module missing or bad) *
(WW) fglrx(0): * 2D acceleraton available (MMIO) *
(WW) fglrx(0): * no 3D acceleration available *
(WW) fglrx(0): ********************************************* *

After disabling composite <tt>glxinfo | grep -i direct</tt> reports that I have direct rendering.

{{NOTE|1=Video overlay acceleration may be disabled when 3D acceleration is enabled. The following comment from the xorg.conf file bundled with the fglrx driver indicates that:
# === OpenGL Overlay ===
# Note: When OpenGL Overlay is enabled, Video Overlay
# will be disabled automatically
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "1"
However, you can use either regular Xv video overlay or make the video an opengl texture and let the OpenGL engine scale your video. This has nothing to do with the acceleration of 2D drawing primitives. Further, your mileage on performance may vary depending on what card you have. The open source drivers don't support newer cards, while the ATI drivers don't support older cards.}}

{{NOTE|Well I have 3D acceleration on my ThinkPad T42 with <tt>Option "VideoOverlay" "True"</tt> and <tt>Option "OpenGLOverlay" "false"</tt> as described on [http://xoomer.alice.it/flavio.stanchina/debian/fglrx-installer.html#configure Flavio's page] - Helios 42}}

=== Power saving ===
Power saving is much better than with the <tt>radeon</tt> driver, but doesn't work in dual-screen configuration (see [[How to make use of Graphics Chips Power Management features]]).

=== Suspending ===

Suspending works for me (Helios42) on ThinkPad T42 with Kernel 2.6.19 and Software Suspend 2 and hibernate after adding the following option to <tt>/etc/hibernate/suspend2.conf</tt>

# For fglrx
ProcSetting extra_pages_allowance 20000

=== Display Switching (Dynamic Display Management) ===

Version 8.25.18 introduces a new feature: Dynamic Display Management. It allows display switching on-the-fly.

To list all connected and enabled monitors:
:{{cmdroot|1=aticonfig --query-monitor}}

To switch displays:
:{{cmdroot|1=aticonfig --enable-monitor=STRING,STRING}}, where STRING can be: none, lvds, crt1, crt2, tv, tdms1, tdms2

Only 2 displays can be enabled at the same time. Any displays that are not on the list will be disabled.

== Useful links ==
* [http://www.ati.com/products/catalyst/linux.html ATI Linux Driver FAQ]
* [http://www.rage3d.com/content/articles/atilinuxhowto/ ATI Radeon Linux How-To]
* [http://www.rage3d.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=61&daysprune=30&order=asc&sort=title Rage3D Linux Discussion Forum]
* [http://www.driverheaven.net/forumdisplay.php?f=103 Radeon Driver Forum at Driverheaven]
* [http://odin.prohosting.com/wedge01/gentoo-radeon-faq.html Gentoo ATI Radeon FAQ]
* [http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-374745-highlight-t42+ati+dri.html Gentoo T42 ATI. DRI + xorg driver]
* [http://ati.cchtml.com/ Unofficial community ATI bugzilla] - tracks bugs in the driver. Might be monitored by ATI ([http://www.rage3d.com/board/showpost.php?p=1333438751&postcount=386], [http://www.rage3d.com/board/showpost.php?p=1333439009&postcount=390]).

== ThinkPads that may be supported ==
Supported chips, as found in select IBM ThinkPads:
{{NOTE|fglrx version 8.29.6 discontinued support for Radeon 9200 and earlier.}}
* [[ATI Mobility FireGL 9000]]
** {{T40p}}
* [[ATI Mobility FireGL T2]]
** {{R50p}}
** {{T41p}}, {{T42p}}
* [[ATI Mobility FireGL V3200]]
** {{T43p}}
* [[ATI Mobility Radeon 9000]]
** {{R50}}, {{R51}}
** {{T40}}, {{T41}}, {{T42}}
* [[ATI Mobility Radeon 9600]]
** {{T42}}
* [[ATI Mobility Radeon X300]]
** {{R52}}
** {{T43}}
** {{Z60m}}
* [[ATI Mobility Radeon Xpress 200M]]
** {{R51e}}
* [[ATI Mobility Radeon X600]]
** {{Z60m}}
* [[ATI Mobility Radeon X1400]]
** {{T60}}, {{R60}}, {{Z61m}}
* [[ATI Mobility FireGL V5200]]
** {{T60p}}, {{Z61p}}

== ThinkPads that are NOT supported by fglrx==
Unsupported chips, as found in select IBM ThinkPads:
* [[ATI Mobility Radeon 7500]]
** {{R40}}
** {{T30}}
** {{T42}}

{{footnotes|
#Note that glxgears isn't a benchmark tool, it's so simple that its FPS values is without any meaning... you can only compare glxgears using the same drivers/machine, if you change any of then you can have higher/lower values and in real life programs/games happen to have the opposite effects. Think in terms of a car engines rpms: higher rpms in the same car usually means a faster car, change anything and it's meaningless, ie: gears, truck, wheel size, etc. make it useless.
}}
[[Category:Drivers]]

Template:ThinkWiki News

2006-11-20T16:48:32Z

Karmaflux: new kthinkbat release

18.11.2006: [[KThinkBat]] 0.2.3 release, improving remaining time calculations and adding support for Acer/Asus laptops

28.10.2006: [[KThinkBat]] 0.2.2 release, which now shows the remaining time

23.10.2006: ThinkWiki has been upgraded to [[Special:Version|MediaWiki 1.8.2]]

28.09.2006: Lenovo [http://www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram recalls] 526.000 batteries manufactured by Sony found in R51e, R52, R60, R60e, T43, T43p, T60, X60 and X60s

04.08.2006: Lenovo officially [http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1999060,00.asp supports Novell SUSE Linux] on its T60p range.

30.07.2006: An [http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-knockage.html?ca=dgr-lnxw01Knock-Knock article at IBM Devworks] introduces knock-based commands.

23.05.2006: New Xorg 7.1 released! Including support for [[AIGLX]] and more. [http://xorg.freedesktop.org/releases/X11R7.1/doc/RELNOTES.html Releasenotes]

14.05.2006: New kernel patches enable [[How_to_hotswap_UltraBay_devices#When_using_the_ata_piix_driver|UltraBay hotswapping on recent ThinkPads]]

05.05.2006: It's proven! [http://www.lifehacker.com/software/mac-os-x/dual-boot-windows-xp-mac-os-on-a-thinkpad-151121.php Mac OS X] runs on ThinkPads.

12.04.2006: ThinkWiki's user count has exceeded 1 KB.