This is a short primer on installing and configuring linux, on the C340 Lifebook from Fujitsu. Since I no longer use (or even own) this laptop, I am unlikely to update or change this page. But I hope that someone will find it useful.
This is a PII based system, a couple of years old. It came stock with a 3.2GB HD and 32MB of ram. (Max 96MB). The video chipset is a Neomagic 128ZX with 2MB of video ram, it's not much of a game demon, but the video performance is fine for most non-game tasks. Sound card is a Soundblaster Pro "compatible", which means it isn't really compatible except in 8 bit mode., and the machine comes with a built in 56Kbps "winmodem". Video resolution is 800x600 on the 12.1 inch LCD display, and 1024x768 to the external VGA port. There is a USB port, and the usual run of serial/parallel/ps2 ports. There is no port replicator or docking station. The pcmcia slot will take two type I/II or one type III card. There is no IrDA, and no built in networking.
The pointing device is a little odd to those used to the trackpad type, but it was one of the reasons I chose this laptop. Trackpads can be somewhat fragile. The Ergotrac joypad has been quite sturdy and I have had no complaints with the reliability in the 2+ years I have had the machine. It is however a little slow, and that makes some games less than fun. Fortunately there is a PS/2 port for external mouse (no scrollwheel support through the PS/2 however) and a USB mouse works great in the USB port.
These directions here are based on what it took to get debian running on this laptop. I have used Redhat (5.0-5/2) SuSE (6.1-7.2) on this laptop. I finally switched to debian for a variaty of reasons. Package management being one of them. I don't recommend debian for the newbie linux user, it is somewhat idiosyncratic, and the installation process is certainly more manual than SuSE or Redhat's latest offerings. On the other hand, it's package management is second to none, and support, like with most linux distros, is only an email away.
At some point, I will possibly add pointers to sites for configuration of packages like Apache and Samba, but for now, try a google search
last modified on Sun Sep 28 23:57:56 PDT 2003