Linux on Panasonic Toughbook CF-51

Fedora Core 6

Hardware and Linux Support

Category
 Toughbook CF-51 Component
 Supported By
 Driver
Graphics
 Intel 915GM Mobile Graphics Chipset
 Xorg 7.1.1
 i810
Sound
 Intel ICH6/SigmaTel STAC9752
 Linux 2.6.18
 snd_intel8x0
Ethernet
Network
 Marvell/Yukon 88E8053 Gigabit Ethernet
 Linux 2.6.18
 sky2
Wireless
Network
 Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG
 Linux 2.6.18
 ipw2200
Modem
 Conexant Systems HSF RD02-D110
 Linuxant
 (See below)
FireWire
 Ricoh R5C552
 Linux 2.6.18
 ohci1394
USB
 Intel ICH6
 Linux 2.6.18
 uhci_hcd,
ehci_hcd

Graphics Configuration

If you are only using only one monitor (the internal LCD, an external monitor, but not both), you can configure using the Fedora Core system-config-display tool.  If you wish to have the display show on both the LCD and external monitor at the same time, try the Option "Clone" "true" setting in the xorg.conf file--see i810(4) manual page.

xorg.conf file with this set up

Sound Configuration

The Fedora Core system-config-soundcard tool detects and sets up the sound card with no problem.

Ethernet Configuration

The Linux kernel in Fedora Core 6 is recent enough that the Gigabet Ethernet is supported with the sky2 driver.

Wireless Configuration

Fedora Core 6 includes the Intel ipw2200 driver for the 802.11g network interface, but you must also install a firmware package for the interface to work.  You can get an RPM package containing the firmware from rpm.livna.org.

You may be interested in the NetworkManager tool to dynamically switch between the Ethernet and wireless interfaces.

Modem Configuration

There is no built-in support for the Conexant softmodem in Fedora Core.  The Linuxant Installer can detect the modem and install the appropriate drivers.  The free version of the driver (to test compatibility with the laptop) runs up to 14.4 Kbps, there is a V.92 version available for $19.95.

FireWire and USB Configuration

Fedora Core 6 automatically detects the FireWire and USB interfaces in the system.  No configuration is needed.

Enable the Fn hotkey sequences

The Panasonic Toughbook function keys are labeled for Fn hotkeys:
To enable these hotkeys, use the driver at http://www.netlab.cs.tsukuba.ac.jp/~yokota/izumi/panasonic_acpi/.  This page is in Japanese, scroll down to the pcc-acpi links to download the driver.

Do not shut down when power button pressed

The power button on the Toughbook can be used to resume from suspend.  The acpid will recogize the power button being pressed and will shut down the machine.  To disable this, comment out the lines in /etc/acpi/power.conf.

PCMCIA cards do not function after suspend

After a suspend or hibernate, any PCMCIA cards in the system will seem to disappear.  The problem can be fixed by force-unloading the driver for the PCMCIA controller and reloading it.   In Fedora Core, the provided kernel has the driver built-in, so the kernel must be rebuilt.  If you are interested in using PCMCIA cards and being able to suspend and resume, the steps required are: