HOWTO: Get Ubuntu 10.04 working properly on the Toshiba A505 laptop
For those of you who are struggling getting Ubuntu working with the Toshiba A505 laptop (myself included), I've decided to write a step-by-step guide in the Tutorials & Tips section. The problems with this laptop and the various obscure fixes are described in this thread: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1470732.
Table of Contents
- Background Information
- Step 1: Actually getting Ubuntu installed!
- The Easy Way: Installing kernel 2.6.35-rc1
- The Hard Way: Recompiling the stock kernel with the copy_dsdt patch
1.0 - Background Information
Basically, the crummy BIOS built into the A505's motherboard messes up the DSDT frames and causes Linux (but apparently not Windows 7 ) to go crazy. Various things are broken including graphics, USB (!) support, internal webcam, and ACPI (!) support (aka no power management).
To get around this, a kernel patch was created that forces the kernel to reproduce each DSDT frame to avoid errors. Unfortunately, this patch did not make it into the stock Lucid kernel, so those affected are left with two options: install a newer kernel or recompile the old one with the patch included.
2.0 - Step 1: Actually getting Ubuntu installed!
Okay, the first thing you'll see when you boot the Ubuntu live CD is a BSOD (black screen of death). Lovely, isn't it?
- As the live cd boots, there should be a (rather low-resolution) boot screen with a keyboard and an accessibility icon on it.
- Press any key and you should be taken to a main menu, just like earlier releases of Ubuntu.
- Press F6 (Other Options) and be sure "Safe Graphics Mode" is checked. Then hit 'Try Ubuntu without installing" or "Install Ubuntu" depending on your preference.
- Ubuntu and/or the installer should fire up with graphics working- albeit in low-res mode.
- Install Ubuntu normally, then proceed to one of the following two sections.
3.0 - The Easy Way - Installing kernel 2.6.35-rc1
- First things first, we'll have to get around the BSOD (black screen of death) that you see booting your "brand new OS!" Unlike the live CD, the installed version of Ubuntu 10.04 has no "safe graphics mode." Instead,
- Hold SHIFT as you start your computer. After a few seconds, you should see a menu asking you which operating system to boot. Just go to the top option and press "E."
- Use the arrow keys to move the cursor to the end, and then type a space and "nomodeset."
- Press ENTER to boot, and Ubuntu should boot normally (again, in low-resolution mode).
- If you can, plug your laptop into Ethernet to get an Internet connection. Otherwise, download the following packages on another computer and transfer them using a flash drive.
- Download the 2.6.35 version of the Linux kernel at http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v2.6.35-rc1-lucid/:
- Download the package "linux-headers-2.6.35-020635rc1-generic_2.6.35-020635rc1_[ARCH].deb," where [ARCH] is i386 (32-bit) or amd64 (64-bit).
- Download the package "linux-headers-2.6.35-020635rc1_2.6.35-020635rc1_all.deb."
- Download the package "linux-image-2.6.35-020635rc1-generic_2.6.35-020635rc1_[ARCH].deb," where [ARCH] is i386 (32-bit) or amd64 (64-bit).
- Place all three packages under your Downloads folder.
- Open a Terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and type the following commands:
IMPORTANT: When you type the second command, you will be asked for your "sudo" password. Just type your normal login password, however you will NOT be able to see any characters (including *s).Code:cd ~/Downloads sudo dpkg -i *.deb- Close the terminal, and press Alt+F2.
- Type
and click "Run."Code:gksudo gedit /etc/default/grub- Browse for the line that says "GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=." In the quotes, add "acpi=copy_dsdt" (without the quotes).
- Open another terminal and type
Code:sudo update-grub- Reboot, and hopefullly everything will work properly!
After the new kernel is installed, you may find that wireless does not work. In that case you will have to download and install the drivers from realtek. Please do this on your own, I don't have time to write a new tutorial.
3.0 - The Hard Way: Recompiling the stock kernel with the copy_dsdt patch
This method involves recompiling your kernel with the copy_dsdt patch applied manually. It involves a fair amount of work in the command line, so be prepared for a lot of typing.
- Perform steps 1 - 4 in the section above to get Ubuntu booted up.
- Plug your laptop into Ethernet to get an Internet connection.
- Open a Terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal).
- Follow the steps at http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...0&postcount=11 to recompile your kernel.
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Well, that's pretty much it! Post back with any problems/suggestions/comments you guys might have.
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