So I saw the c3500 in CompUSA the other day and immediately decided that I want one. And yet, I hate Windows. So, I came home and did some research on the machine and discovered that apparently there aren't any Linux drivers for the digitizer.

At first, I was daunted. But then I remembered that I'm a professional computer programmer, so now I'm jonesing to get one of these so I can try my hand at writing a Linux device driver.

So, questions:
1. Am I right about there not being drivers for the digitizer?
2. Could someone with a c3500 running Linux tell me what interface the digitizer claims to connect through? I.e., does it speak USB, PS/2, PCI, or something wacky?
3. Anyone want to help fund my efforts? ;)

--AC

Yes, it would be nice to get the digitizer working. And once you managed to figure out exactly where that darn port is, the protocol should be nearly identical to Aiptek and Digital Edge serial tablets.

However, finding the port is another matter altogether. I hunted for quite a few hours. Setserial wasn't helpful. I'm not even sure it's a traditional I/O location. I even wrote a script to twiddle consecutive I/O ports based on what Windows XP was using, no luck. Same goes for display brightness control. I'm beginning to think it's all going through an ACPI controller.

I think the only rational way to do this is to hunt down someone at Averatec who has a clue and get the few crucial bits of information we need. I mean, it's not like Averatec has done anything really amazing that other laptop vendors need to copy. Averatec does have a rock-solid wall between support and anyone who matters. Almost to the point they are separate companies. If you are willing to invest days and weeks hammering at Averatec support, you might be able to squeeze by and get some meaningful data. Somehow make them give a **** that Linux can't use the tablet.

Be aware: Linux will give you a hard time on a C3500 for Linux if you have a newer BIOS version (like TH11v1.0 10/11/04) . It will not boot unless you add the nomce switch, it will *not* support USB and PCMCIA. Other than that it runs fine :) But a laptop without USB or PCMCIA is worthless.

Michaela

Still trying to get USB / PCMCIA working. If somebody would just be able to get us an older BIOS version ...
:bawling: