Sony VAIO

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Running SuSE Linux on a Sony VAIO Z600TEK

(Last Update: 2002-01-28)
 






Table of Contens

  1. Sony VAIO: Technical Data
  2. Installing SuSE 7.3
  3. Specials
    1. PC-Card CD-ROM
    2. USB-Floppy
    3. Memory Stick
    4. JogDial
    5. SoftModem
    6. Port-Replicator
    7. Monitor-/VGA-Output
    8. i.Link (FireWire)
  4. Things. that don't work
    1. Fn-Keys
  5. Screenshots

 
 
 

Sony VAIO: Technical Data
CPU 700 MHz Mobile Pentium III with Speed Step Technology
RAM 128 MB (max. 256 MB)
HDD 20 GB IBM-DJSA (hdparm: ~16 MB/sec)
CD-ROM 16x (PC-Card)
Display 12,1", 1024x768 XGA
Grafikcard 3D Hardware-Accel. 8 MB RAM, ATI RAGE MOBILITY
Soundcard 16 Bit Yamaha Card
Modem internal V.90, K56 flex
Ethernet internal Intel Ethernet Pro 10/100MBit
PC-Card 1 x Typ II PCMCIA Card
USB 2 x Connectors (1 mini)
i.Link (FireWire) 1 x Connector
Memory Stick 1 Slot
Battery Standard: <= 1,5 h | Longlife: <= 5 h
Weight 1,7 kg
Size 275 x 28 x 226 mm

 
 
 
 

Installing SuSE 7.3

    Well, what should I say, SuSE 7.3 just installs smoothly, even on this exotic hardware :-)
    But take care with SuSE versions prior to 7.3, because the kernel hangs during the install
    process. The problem is the Memory Stick and the Linux USB system. There are alot of
    help out there that shows you how to patch the kernel source. Just feed your favorite search
    machine with the appropriate words. But that's not neccessary anymore Linux kernel >=
    2.4.10 should work great.
    The grafikcard is not properbly detected, and the framebuffer device is used. You should
    use sax2 to choose the 'ATI 3D Rage L Mobility AGP 2x' Xserver after the installation is done.
    While writing this I use SuSE kernel 2.4.12 not kernel 2.4.10 which is included with 7.3.
 
 
 

Specials

    PC-Card CD-ROM

    USB-Floppy

    Memory Stick

        All these special devices run well under SuSE Linux with kernel 2.4.12. I won't loose any more
        words about it and just paste my /etc/fstab   file here. 
            /dev/hda3    /                   ext3    defaults              1 1
            /dev/cdrom   /media/cdrom        auto    ro,noauto,user,exec   0 0
            devpts       /dev/pts            devpts  defaults              0 0
            /dev/sdb     /media/floppy       auto    noauto,user,sync      0 0
            /dev/sda1    /media/memory-stick auto    noauto,user,sync,exec 0 0
            proc         /proc               proc    defaults              0 0
            /dev/hda1    swap                swap    pri=42                0 0


        I heard rumors, that Memory Sticks > 64 MB don't work under Linux. I bought a 16 MB Memory
        Stick and it works without bigger problems.
 
 

    JogDial

        The JodDial is a small little wheel on the right side of the subnotebook. Most of Sony's
        products have a JogDial (and a Memory Stick).
        The use of the JogDial depends on the application that reads from /dev/spic. I found two
        applications for Linux that use the JogDial: jogutils and jogdial-patch
        The first one could be used to start other applications from a twisting menu, the latter one
        is a patch for imwheel to simulate a mouse scroll wheel.
        Additional info can be found here:
               http://www05.u-page.so-net.ne.jp/tc4/t-kinjo/vaio/index_e.html
               http://freshmeat.net/projects/jogdial-patch/
               http://www.isi.edu/~johnh/SOFTWARE/LINUX/jogutils_with_scroll.html
 
 

    SoftModem

        The unbelieveable becomes true. The internal SoftModem works. Thanks to Peter Bauer <pbauer@sbox.tugraz.at> for pointing me to this. All you need is to install the RPM or tar ball from www.mbsi.ca/hsflinux and run hsfconfig.
 
 

    Port-Replicator

        Hm, I use it sometimes to dial-out over my mobile phone, so, I think it works.
 
 

    Monitor-Output

        To make the Monitor-/VGA-Output work you have to connect the monitor cable before(!) you boot the
        Vaio, otherwise you will just see a black screen.
 
 

    i.Link

        i.Link is the name used by Sony for FireWire. Linux supports FireWire but unfortunately I
        don't have a FireWire device for testing. :-(
 
 
 
 
 

Things that don't work

    Fn-Keys

        The Fn-Keys don't work under Linux. Newer 2.4.x Linux kernels provide a "Sony I/O Programming
        Interface" that can be used by user space programms to access Sony I/O events. I paste a small
        part of the SonyPI docu here:
  
            This driver enables access to the Sony Programmable I/O Control Device which
            can be found in many (all ?) Sony Vaio laptops.
 
            It will give access (through a user space utility) to some events those laptops
            generate, like:
                    - jogdial events (the small wheel on the side of Vaios)
                    - capture button events (only on Vaio Picturebook series)
                    - Fn keys
                    - bluetooth button (only on C1VR model)
                    - back button (PCG-GR7/K model)
                    - lid open/close events (Z600NE model)
 
            Those events (see linux/sonypi.h) can be polled using the character device node
            /dev/sonypi (major 10, minor auto allocated or specified as a option).


        Currently two programms exist that uses this interface. 1. a  daemon that converts jogdial
        movements to mouse wheel events and 2. a little tool to set the brightness of the display.
 
 
 
 
 

Screenshots

     Desktop
     The two Battery Types (Top: 5 h, Bottom: 1,5 h)
     Side View
     Slots
     Memory Stick
     JogDial
     Soft-Modem
     Port-Replicator
     USB-Floppy
     CD-ROM
     Front View
     JogApp
 
 
 
 

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