Linux on an IBM Thinkpad 380D

Model: IBM Thinkpad 380D
Type: 2635 - 3AU (This information can be found on the bottom of the laptop, above a set of lines that look like a UPC symbol.)
Distribution: Debian 3.0 - Woody
A full list of system specs here
  1. Introduction
  2. The First Three Installs
  3. The Final Install
  4. Setting Up the Extras
  5. My Final Words of Advice
  6. Helpful Links

4. Setting Up the Extras

X

I did not choose an X desktop environment during tasksel. When I got to dselect I chose blackbox, and deselect took care of choosing all the needed X packages. Debian took care of the configuration afterwards. The IBM Thinkpad seems to be pretty standard, and I did not have to do anything special. The "eraser top" works as a standard 2 button PS/2 mouse, and if I plug a mouse into the PS/2 port at the back I can use either the mouse or the "eraser top". The video card will handle 1024x768, but the LCD will only handle 800x600. By choosing both setting during the configuration, I can use 800x600 with the laptop, or 1024x768 when I attach an external monitor or projector.

Remove GDM

By default, once you install X, Debian will install xdm. If you install GNOME or KDE then Debian will install gdm or kdm. I don't always use the desktop, particularly with a laptop. There are a couple of methods to stop from booting into X, but I choose to use update-rc.d -f xdm remove. Of course you can change xdm to what ever is appropriate for you.

Netenv

As with many laptop users, I use my laptop on different networks. Netenv is designed to switch you network setting during boot-up for different static network settings. Netenv does not handle DHCP without a little hack (more like a work-around). I found the work-around from Hugo Haas. I used his scripts, then added a method to restart samba for my work setting and my school settings. Directions and my scripts for the samba addition can be found on my Netenv & Samba page. After using these settings, I found that netenv started to early for my system. To make it start later, I moved then netenv symlink from /etc/rcS.d/S40netenv to /etc/rc2.d/S99netenv. This will run Netenv later in the boot process, but only when booting in runlevel 2. You may need to copy the symlink to /etc/rcX.d/ where X is your runlevel.

Samba

As I mentioned before, I use my Thinkpad at work and at home. Work is 100% Windows, and home is 50% Windows. So of course Samba is a necessity. The short explanation is that I have two smb.conf files, smb.conf.home and smb.conf.work. As part of the netenv scripts, the necessary one copies over the current smb.conf. You can find the scripts, along with a more descriptive answer on my Netenv & Samba page.

APM

To get APM, I had to compile a custom kernel. I had never compiled a kernel on my own so I was a little nervous. I used the howto, Creating custom kernels with Debian's kernel-package system. The directions are very easy to follow, and I had no problem. Although I did find that my PCMCIA card was not working and that I had to recompile PCMCIA for use with my new kernel. The HOWTO mentioned this at the end, but I must have missed it when I read through the directions the first time.

Sound

This is one thing that I have not tried, nor do I what. My Thinkpad is purely a working machine. To keep down on the distractions (both to others and myself) and the amount of used disk space, I have not installed any games, video players, mp3 players, etc.

IR Port

This is another device that I have not set up. I have no IR devices, so why waste the time, effort or drive space.

5. My Final Words of Advice

The first an most important peice of advice would be RTM (read the manual). If I would have read all the documentation included with the Debian CD, I would not have had half the problems I did. Also take some time before installing to really think about what you want to do with your Thinkpad. That way you won't install a lot of little used or duplicate software. If you take some time to learn how to use the console (or shell) you can eliminate a lot of extra packages. I have taken the time to learn how to use cp, mv, ls, chmod, chown, etc. profeciently so I would not have to use a file manager. Although I did install Midnight Commander (mc) as a "back-up"

6. Helpful Links