Hey guys:

We are testing Linux to run on Averatec C3500 series computers. This is what we found out so far:

There are different BIOS versions:

Bios Version TH11v02h, Date: 07/03/04: makes it fairly easy to install Linux, just change boot options for Fedora (2 or 3) from 'rhgb' to '3' - that should be it. For X11 get the latest SiS driver and fire it up. You should have USB, PCMCIA, X11 and, with the appropriate driver, the wireless card should work too.

Bios Version TH11v1.0, Date 10/11/04 is *very* different. You need to add the following to the boot options: " video=0x305 nomce 3" to get it startet. It will install, but you will not have USB and/or PCMCIA. X11 and the wireless network should work though (with drivers).

I contacted Averatec support and asked if it is possible to downgrade the BIOS, haven't received an answer. In addition, a friendly user has suggested to get the 'heavy' tools out of the tool-box. We are currently trying to adapt the ACPI bios to the 'old' BIOS (/proc/acpi/dsdt).

If somebody would mail (or post) an /proc/acpi/dst - file from an 'old' BIOS version, that would help a lot.

We are currently running 2.4.10, but also tried the original FC3 kernel, vanilla 2.4.9 and 2.4.11-rc2 (panics on boot) .

Michaela

I agree with your post - the nousb and video options had to be used for PCLinuxOS and Knoppix to boot properly. It'll be great to read some of your other issues.

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We have set up a website. You'll find dmesg, lpci and other information from a working 3500 (USB and PCMCIA operational) and from my Averatec. It's nice to compare the differences between the different systems.

http://www.steyla.com/averatec.html

Have fun debugging with us :)

Michaela

I have tried to install all version of Linux distros: Xandros, Ubuntu, Suse, Fedora, and Red Hat , in a Averatec C3500 without success yet.

I wander how exactly did your install Fedora on it?

I have a newer BIOS TH11v02k sep/13/2004

Were you getting messages? I'm curious if the install was just having problems with X and not the installation of the distro.

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No message at all, It doesn’t even go to the setup screens, it freeze when It is still in the text mode, few second after started the installation

Are you feeding it any parameters like the nousb or just letting the install go by default?

For example
:linux nousb xres=1024x768 fstab=rw,noauto

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Layne P. Heiny / Administrator for Tux Reports Network

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I installed Fedora Core 3 last night on my C3500. I have the newer version, and therefore, no USB or PCMCIA... Has anyone been able to get the old bios version to revert to?? I noticed in a few of the threads that someone linked to the 3200 d/l page which had a couple of bioses listed... Has someone tried these on the 3500?? Just wondering why they were linked in a 3500 Linux thread if they didn't work?? ( Aside from a mistype.. )

Thanks in advance..
Linuxkidd

I emailed Averatec about the old BIOS version and they sent me the files.
I have set up a wiki with information regarding my progress, and the files
are linked near the bottom.

http://darthik.com/dwiki/Averatec_20C3500

I can't seem to figure out how you can install this old BIOS version though..
any help would be great.

Thanks.

__
Donnie

Ok... Good news and bad news..

Bad news first: The version of the bios you have is 01h... not 02h... and it doesn't let you change the Video ram size...

Good News: USB and PCMCIA do work in LINUX!!

How to apply: Create a dos bootable floppy ( Set it up to not load anything!! Clean boot ) Rename the fla****.ex_ to fla****.exe, and copy it, and the BIOS.ROM to the floppy drive.

Boot up from the floppy drive
Once you get the A:\> prompt...
type this:

fla**** BIOS.ROM /a

Once this finishes... I had to remove the battery and power supply to get the laptop to shut off. First time trying to power it failed.. ( I did panic a little here.. ) Removed battery and power supply again..

This time, I just applied the battery, and pressed the power button..

Shazaam! Averetec Splash LOGO..
Press F2 and reconfigure the Bios to your liking..

My C3500 doesn't have a floppy....?
What should I do?

Thanks.

__
Donnie

3 options... Use a USB Thumb Drive ( Very useful if you don't already have one!! ), buy a USB Floppy Drive...

Or, create a Bootable CD.

I just tried to flash my BIOS using the above mentioned tools and received an error. Essentially, the tool said there was already a memory manager installed and would not proceed.

Ideas / suggestions?

Thanks!!

Dave H

You have to boot without anything loading... ( even memory managers i.e. emm386 cannot be loaded )..

Put in the floppy, open up a directory listing..

If you have config.sys and/or autoexec.bat ... Rename them to .bak ( i.e. config.bak autoexec.bak )

And boot up on them..

This way, nothing will be loaded.

Thanks! That worked. Now I can use my remote slide changer while teaching class.

Anyone know of someone who has been able to get the digitizer and pen working? I found an obscure reference to Superpen and have some old (vintage 2001) code that currently does not compile that I found somewhere on the web...

Thanks!!

Dave H