Redhat 8.0 on Compaq Presario 900

[mike_nz]

Hi,

I just got a Compaq Presario 900AU and I'm trying to install Redhat 8.0 on it. Somehow after the installation routine starts - all my hardware seems to "disappear". Setup neither finds my PCMCIA network card, nor the internat network card (Realtek 8139 I think) most annoying of all - it does not find my cd-rom drive anymore (DVD/CD-RW combo from Toshiba I think)
The IDE controller comes up as an ALI PCI.
Has anyone had similar problems and found a fix?

Thanks in advance
Mike

[Bokkenka]

Hmmm... I have a Compaq Presario 725US, and RH 8.0 installed beautifully.

Let's see. My hardware is...
* AMD Athlon 1600+
* 256MB RAM
* 20GB Hard-Drive
* Toshiba DVD/CD-RW SD-R2002
* VIA KT133 Motherboard
* S3 ProSavage TwisterK
* Realtek 8139 10/100 Ethernet
* TI PCI1410 PCMCIA Cardbus
* Conexant HSF 56k Modem
* VT82C686 AC97 Audio

I don't use the modem, but I read on the web that it will work with the correct drivers, from << here (http://www.mbsi.ca/cnxtlindrv/) >>. Other than that, everything works great.

You might check out the Presario listings at << Linux-on-Laptops (www.linux-on-laptops.com) >> for other user info.

[mike_nz]

Thanks.
That site did help quite a bit. From there I got to some other sites and I'm a big step further at the moment. is not yet running smoothly, but it looks like sooner or later I'm getting there :)
Thanks again..
Mike

[SimGo]

Hey, Don't feel bad. I have a Compaq 900z Notebook. Same issue. But with help and work with the community from Linux experts, work for the laptop has begun. For now, this will get you started....

1. When Installing RedHat. Do not hit <enter> or "linux <enter>". That won't work. You wanna use "linux pci=off <enter>". The installer will work out all fine and dandy. Just for ease, install grub as bootloader unless you feel to use Lilo. NO GRAPHICAL BOOTUP FOR NOW.

2. When you reboot, chances are, you will get a Kernel Fatel Error. When Grub is up (Bootloader), hit 'e' to edit the startup file. THen, on the second line, hit 'e' again. Add the following string to the end of the line:
"nomce nousb"
That'll get you booted.

3. Then, you need to go into root, download the latest Stable Kernel, 2.4.20 from Kernel.org and Custom Compile It. If you want, I will give you my working Configuration File. Our system isn't completely supported under this yet, but it will work.

Once you compile it, you should have no errors, and the CDROM Drive, IDE Controller will work. Also, after you succesfully install 2.4.20 and load it up, you can also load into Graphical Interface without a problem and works really nice. Minor limitations, but they aren't bad.


Just incase you are curious, there is work being done on the Beta Kernel Tree, v2.5 that will support more of our computer components! And am trying to help someone out to get everything working for when the 2.5 kernel will be ready.


If you want any more help, be free to ask where you stumbled and I'll be glad to help if I can. Just remember, I kinda been caling myself a newbie, but I think its time to upgrade my status a little. heh. Enjoy!