GNU/Linux on a Samsung X20

This document describes how I installed and configured GNU/Linux (SuSE 9.3 distribution) on a Samsung X20 laptop.

Technical specifications

Component	Details
CPU	Intel Centrino 1.6 GHz
RAM	1024 MB
Hard disk	60 GB
Display	15" 1400×1050 LCD
Graphics controller	Intel i915
Modem	56 Kbps V.92 AC'97 S/W modem
Ethernet	BCM4401-B0 100Base-TX
Wireless LAN	PRO/Wireless 220BG
DVD drive	TSST 8x DVD-ROM, 24x RW, 24x CD-R, 24x CD
Sound	AC'97
Ports	IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
	3× USB 2.0
	PCMCIA
	RJ45 (Ethernet)
	TV-out
	RJ11 (modem)
	VGA
	headphone
	microphone
	S/PDIF
	memory stick

Summary

Component	Status
ACPI	not tested
DVD	working
Ethernet	working
wireless	working
FireWire	not tested
graphics	working
graphics, dual monitor mode	not tested
hard disk	working
modem	not tested
PCMCIA	not tested
sound, MIDI	not tested
sound, wave	working
TV-out	not tested
memory stick	not tested
S/PDIF	not tested
USB	working

Details

Preparation and installation

Before booting for the first time, press F2 to enter the BIOS setup and make a note of which version you have. If necessary, upgrade your BIOS as there are some bugs in older versions which may affect the WLAN on/off button and other components.

The X20 comes with Windows XP preinstalled. Its hard drive partition must be shrunk in order to make room for GNU/Linux.

SuSE 9.3 was installed via network through my company's LAN. Except for the X.org display setup, installation went off without a hitch.

Display

SuSE's X configuration utility, SaX, had trouble setting up the graphics card and display. I had to use the default /etc/X11/X.org file produced during installation. This gave me a respectable display of 1280×1024 at 24 bpp.

To achieve the maximum LCD resolution of 1400×1050, you need to make several changes to the system. First, download and install 915resolution and add the following line to /etc/init.d/boot.local:

915resolution 5c 1400 1050

You may need to obtain the latest i810 driver; be sure you download the one appropriate for your version of X.Org. Install the driver in /usr/X11R6/lib/modules/drivers. The i810 driver that comes with SuSE 9.3 does not support 1400×1050 mode; I'm not sure about later versions of SuSE.

Finally, modify the relevant sections of your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file to read as follows:

Section "Module"
  Load         "dbe"
  Load         "dri"
  Load         "extmod"
  Load         "glx"
  Load         "freetype"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
  Identifier	"LaptopLCD"
  Option	"DPMS"
  DisplaySize   304 228
EndSection

Section "Device"
  Identifier  "i915Chipset"
  Driver      "i810"
  BusID	      "PCI:0:2:0"
  VideoRam    131072
  Option      "NoAccel"       "false"
  Option      "DRI"           "true"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
  Identifier	"LaptopScreen"
  Device	"i915Chipset"
  Monitor	"LaptopLCD"
  DefaultDepth	24
  SubSection "Display"
    Viewport	0 0
    Depth	8
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Viewport	0 0
    Depth	16
  EndSubSection
  SubSection "Display"
    Viewport	0 0
    Depth	24
  EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
  …
  Screen       0  "LaptopScreen" 0 0
  …
EndSection

Section "DRI"
    Group      "video"
    Mode       0660
EndSection

Hotkeys

The following hotkeys work out of the box:

Fn-Up/Down: adjust LCD brightness
Fn-F4: toggle LCD/external monitor
Fn-F7: toggle S/PDIF
Fn-F8: toggle 3D sound
Fn-F10: toggle "Etiquette mode"
Fn-F9: toggle touchpad
touchpad middle button: toggle touchpad
WLAN button: toggle WLAN

Volume hotkeys

To get Fn-F6 (mute), Fn-Left (volume down), and Fn-Right (volume up) to work, put the following in /etc/X11/Xmodmap:

keycode 174 = XF86AudioLowerVolume
keycode 176 = XF86AudioRaiseVolume
keycode 160 = XF86AudioMute

If you are using KDE and the package `kdeutils3-laptop' is installed, then you will get nice popups for volume adjustment. (If this not enabled by default, go to Control Center→KDE Components→Service Manager, make sure the "Use" box for "KMilo" is ticked, and if necessary, start it by clicking the "Start" button.

ACPI hotkeys

Not tested; check back later.

Application hotkeys

To enable the three application buttons, add the following lines to /etc/init.d/boot.local:

setkeycodes 74 93
setkeycodes 75 94

Then add the following to /etc/X11/Xmodmap:

keycode 131 = F13
keycode 128 = F14
keycode 208 = F15

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