More issues with the v01h bios: After loading it, I notice that sometimes my typing doesn't register. I type over 130wpm, and have very high accuracy. I've noticed it when intentionally slowing down and really making sure I did a full key press. Seems to happen more when the Processor load is a little higher ( during disk activity, or something running in the background ). Also doesn't seem to happen as much if I type very slow. ( Ok, down around 70wpm... it's slow for me.. OK! ).

Anywho... Anyone else had any luck getting Bios v02h ?

**edit**
Also, from day 1. I noticed the mouse stalling during higher processor load. Just seems to have transfered to the keyboard as well now with this older bios.

I'm not sure what the issue is here--Slackware 10 installed out of the box--Xwindows even fires up and ALSA likes the sound chips--Not sure why everyone is having issues getting it running. Are you guys just having a RedHat compatibility issue?

Just thought I'd drop my 2 cents in here. The version that shipped on my unit is TH11v1.0 (10/11/04), and my Linux Kernel is 2.4.29.

Good luck out there with "Different BIOS"

The digitizer issue is related, but separate from, getting X to work. I'm using SuSE 9.2 and X is working fine. As far as I can tell, there is not a LINUX driver for the pen which means writing on the screen is not possible. I use my laptop for teaching and find having the tablet function as a write board quite useful. If you have this functionality working, I would be quite interested to know what settings you have used.

As for the BIOS problems. The current kernel has some conflict with the USB controller under the latest BIOS from Averatec. Reverting to an older BIOS allows for a functioning USB controller.

If you have solutions to either of these problems, please post them rather than boasting about how well your distrobution works out of the box.

Thanks!!

Dave H

I really didn't mean to sound like I'm boasting. . . the post sounded like everyone was having this problem--because I did not, I was posting some basic info about my install--perhaps someone can glean why my install is different, to the benefit of everyone else.


I was trying to tell everyone that for some reason Slackware 10 did not suffer from the same Kernel Panic issue--though I've seen something similar to it with the USB 802.11b Controller on older Averatec laptops (we had to boot Linux with it off, then turn on after Linux was up).

Perhaps the Kernel panic is related to either this, or the version of the kernel.

If anyone has any questions as to why my install is different, I'd be happy to dig deeper. . . just say the word.


AND I'm very interested in the digitizer issue. I would have bought the HP if I'd known that I would not have been able to get it working on the Averatech. . . I feel your frustration.. . . wish I could think of a way help.

I switched to the Averatec from an Compaq (HP) TC1000 because the TC1000 was TOO SLOW. It took easily 10 minutes from boot to functioning after login. I don't know about the TC1100, but the TC1000 had become almost unbearable, for me at least.

I have seen some postings about the SuperPen driver working for the UC Logic pen, but that was in 2001. Don't know what has happened since then...

Since you are using Kernel 2.4.29, you will likely experience different issues than those of us using the 2.6 series kernel. A lot of things changed between the two. One huge thing, is that the 2.6 series switched from APM to ACPI as the default Power Manager. To this effect, I'd be surprised if your install shows you the battery charge level, or responds to the Power button press. The Kernel Panic in 2.6 is due to the Averatec not liking the 'Machine Check Exception' portion of the kernel. Just add 'nomce' to the kernel line in /etc/grub.conf, ( or from the grub boot menu to get in the first time ) and your good to go.

There are 2 things that don't work under the newer bios in linux ( 2.6 kernel ). USB is indeed one of them. The other is PCMCIA. Without either of these, you can't add anything to the laptop... ( for me, that's Bluetooth! I love the stuff, and can't do without it. ) But, with the older bios, it works fine in Linux. Just some other 'quirks' pop up.. ( the Typing thing, and also, this bios doesn't allow tweaking the VideoRAM size up to 64 Meg ).

The Wireless adapter works great in linux. Thanks to the fact that RaLink OpenSourced their drivers! ( THANK YOU, RALINK! ) Even the latest SVN of Kismet supports the card now.

So, with the older bios, I can use my Bluetooth GPS, my Bluetooth net connection ( via my SprintPCS LG PM-325 ), and Wardrive with Kismet ( and GPSDrive ). Waiting on shipping confirmation for my U.FL to RP-SMA Bulkhead cable so I can patch external wireless Antenna on, and I'll be SET!

Again, if anyone out there can get their hands on the elusive v02h.... I'm hoping that it fixes the typing and VideoRam issue.

I'm currently looking into the superpen driver thing... Will keep all posted on the progress.

I'm searching for someone who is still trying to run Linux on the C3500. I had submitted a bug report to the kernel last year, and the devels are requesting someone try the latest kernel on the C3500 and report back. I have however sold the C3500 and probably won't have access to it again until after the new year (2008).

I have setup a web site with as much info as I could get when I had the laptop ( LinuxKidd.com - Averatec C3500 ).

The kernel bug report can be viewed here:
Bug 6332 - ACPI Not assigning IO Addresses to USB / PCMCIA

If anyone out there can try new things on this tablet, please do so and report back here, or on the Bugzilla entry. If you post info here, I can update my website as well.

Thanks,
LK