[tlinux-users:08842] Re: P105-9722 issues..

--- "Renato S. Yamane" <[email protected]> wrote:

> bestonnet wrote:
> > The Omnibook module is for a Phoenix BIOS.
> 
> See introduction page of Omnibook driver:
> 
> "...This package is intended to provide Linux kernel
> support for HP 
> OmniBook, HP Pavilion, Toshiba Satellite, Tecra, Equium
> and Compal 
> laptops..."

Toshiba Satellite with Phoenix BIOS, Toshiba Tecra with
Phoenix BIOS (which were probably made by Compal).

Some Toshiba laptops have the Phoenix BIOS that the
Omnibook driver supports, others have the Toshiba developed
BIOS that the Toshiba module supports.

> When I turn-on my laptop, I see TOSHIBA logo (not
> Phoenix).

When you turn on pretty much any laptop with a Phoenix BIOS
you will see the laptop makers logo.

> When I go to BIOS, I see TOSHIBA logo (not Phoenix).

I don't think the Toshiba BIOS has a logo on the setup
screen (i.e. text mode only) although I really couldn't be
bothered rebooting to find out.

> When I run hwinfo --bios I see:
>    BIOS Info: #0
>      Vendor: "TOSHIBA"
>      Version: "Version 2.00"
>      Date: "02/07/2006"

Wouldn't surprise me if other Phoenix BIOS laptops list the
manufacturer as Vendor.

> When I write: "...don't work in MOST recent laptops...",
> I try write that it don't work in 3/4 laptops. In each 4
> laptops, 3 don't work.

OK, typos happen.

But even so, that is most likely because 3 of those 4
laptops have a Phoenix BIOS.

> Why Toshiba don't provide datas to developers make
> drivers compatible with most products?

A lot of data for the Toshiba developed BIOS has been
released.

Releasing data for the Phoenix BIOS is probably out of
Toshiba's hands (since they don't own it the best they
could do would be try to convince Phoenix to release the
data).

> In current development mode we have modules/drivers that
> work in some laptops and don't work in other laptops,
> because the most drivers is developed by reverse
> enginnering (or somethink like this)... This is not
> funny!

A lot of it also is because different laptops have
different hardware and so need different drivers.

We've gotten to the point at which most laptops will mostly
work with Linux (some effort may be required) though if
you're buying a new one it's a good idea to use Google to
see if anyone else has put Linux on it (as well as look up
the hardware in it to see what Linux support it has).


      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and 
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now.  http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ