Hp ARMADA 7400 Installation of Linux

White Paper

June 1999 [0206-0799-A]

Installation of Linux on Compaq

Prepared by Portables Software Marketing

Compaq Computer Corporation

Contents

What is Linux?..............................................3

Key Features..................................................3

Linux Advantages/Disadvantages................4

Linux Availability.........................................5

Compaq’s Linux Strategy for

Commercial Portables...................................5

Services Support............................................6

Linux on Armada 7400 & 7800...................6

Hard Disk Support ........................................6

What To Expect...........................................10

Installing RedHat 5.2:.................................11

Installing with SuSE 6.0.............................15

Installing Linux with Windows NT4.........21

Questions and Answers...............................22

List of Tables

TABLE 1 – SUMMARY OF LINUX

DRIVERS......................................................6

Armada 7400 and 7800 Portables

Abstract: According to a recent press article, “Linux runs faster, makes

better use of pre-emptive multitasking and uses only a fraction of the memory required by a Windows or Mac OS. Notebook batteries last much longer on a Linux system, partly because it knows how to put the processor to sleep when idle. It is more stable, crashes far less often and is easier to fix then Windows.”

The Linux operating system was originally developed on desktop Intel Architecture systems. As such, Linux was developed without portable features. Recently, Linux added support for features that portable users expect such as Advanced Power Management (APM), PCMCIA cards, and X windows video drivers for LCD panels. Many other features of portables are so implementation dependent and have no analogy in the desktop world that the Linux developers have not considered adding these features. For example, each portable manufacturer has their own implementation of device swapping and docking stations.

This paper provides a summary of the Linux operating system, its history and features. Also covered are pointers on installation, methods to enable APM, PCMCIA, Internal modem, Compaq Netflex, and X Windows on the LCD panel and use on Armada 7400 and 7800 notebooks as well as Compaq’s Commercial Portables position and strategy on the Linux open source operating system.

Compaq recommends upgrading to the latest system BIOS available at

www.compaq.com.

Linux specific information related to features and Year 2000 compliance has been obtained from the official Linux web site http://www.Linux.org

(David Bragi, Portable Computing, March 1999)

Installation of Linux on Compaq Armada 7400/7800 Portables 2

Notice

The information in this publication is subject to change without notice and is provided “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. THE ENTIRE RISK ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS INFORMATION REMAINS WITH RECIPIENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL COMPAQ BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR OTHER DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION OR LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION), EVEN IF COMPAQ HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

The limited warranties for Compaq products are exclusively set forth in the documentation accompanying such products. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting a further or additional warranty.

This publication does not constitute an endorsement of the product or products that were tested. The configuration or configurations tested or described may or may not be the only available solution. This test is not a determination or product quality or correctness, nor does it ensure compliance with any federal state or local requirements.

Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Compaq, Contura, Deskpro, Fastart, Compaq Insight Manager, LTE, PageMarq, Systempro, Systempro/LT, ProLiant, TwinTray, ROMPaq, LicensePaq, QVision, SLT, ProLinea, SmartStart, NetFlex, DirectPlus, QuickFind, RemotePaq, BackPaq, TechPaq, SpeedPaq, QuickBack, PaqFax, Presario, SilentCool, CompaqCare (design), Aero, SmartStation, MiniStation, and PaqRap, registered United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Netelligent, Armada, Cruiser, Concerto, QuickChoice, ProSignia, Systempro/XL, Net1, LTE Elite, Vocalyst, PageMate, SoftPaq, FirstPaq, SolutionPaq, EasyPoint, EZ Help, MaxLight, MultiLock, QuickBlank, QuickLock, UltraView, Innovate logo, Wonder Tools logo in black/white and color, and Compaq PC Card Solution logo are trademarks and/or service marks of Compaq Computer Corporation.

Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, Windows NT Server and Workstation, Microsoft SQL Server for Windows NT are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

NetWare and Novell are registered trademarks and intraNetWare, NDS, and Novell Directory Services are trademarks of Novell, Inc.

Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. The information in this publication is subject to change without notice. Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective

White Paper prepared by Portables Software Marketing First Edition (June 1999)

Document Number [0206-0799-A]

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Installation of Linux on Compaq Armada 7400/7800 Portables 3

What is Linux?

Since its inception in the early nineties, Unix-based Linux has been highly visible in the academic and research community, used primarily for e-mail, web servers and bulletin boards. With the source code and the operating system freely available over the Internet and potentially twelve million users worldwide, there is evidence that Linux may be in the process of gaining acceptance for commercial applications. This is further substantiated by the fact that leading companies such as Oracle, SAP, Informix, Sybase and software vendors like Netscape, Corel, and Computer Associates have ported their applications to Linux or are planning to do so. Compaq’s participation in joint projects over the last four years has also contributed significantly to the Linux marketplace.

Linux is an independent POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface) implementation and includes true multitasking, virtual memory, shared libraries, demand loading, proper memory management, TCP/IP networking, and other features associated with Unix-type operating systems. Linus Torvalds, at that time a student at the University of Helsinki in Finland, initially developed Linux in 1991. He continues to be one of the primary developers of Linux enhancements.

While Linux refers to the kernel of the operating system – the part that controls hardware, manages files, separates processes, and so forth – it can also refer to the entire operating system built around the Linux kernel. A number of companies, such as RedHat, Caldera, S.u.S.E., and Slackware have taken the freely distributed source code of the Linux kernel, created documentation, installation procedures, and packaging, and tailored their own versions toward a specific target audience. These companies’ versions of Linux are commonly referred to as distributions.

The source code for Linux was developed under the GNU2 {means “Not Unix”, GNU Public License (GPL)} and is freely available to anyone within the restrictions of that license. Linux distribution providers may give away or sell copies, as long as the source code remains available. Because of the nature of the GPL to which Linux is subject, the Linux kernel is still free as of its version 2.2.

Key Features

Linux has most major features and subsystems of a modern-day Unix operating system, including (but not limited to) NFS, TCP/IP, X-Windows, send-mail, BIND, shell command-line interpreters, editors, and other tools that the Unix market expects. Additionally, Linux has a large amount of Microsoft compatibility in the form of file system support, PCX networking, and floppy management utilities.

The following are a subset of the Linux features:

§ Multitasking: several programs running at the same time

§ Multi-user: several users on the same machine at the same time

§ Multi-platform: runs on many different CPUs, not just Intel

§ Multiprocessor: Symmetric Multi-Processing (SMP) support is available on the Intel and SPARC platforms

§ Multithreading: Linux has native kernel support for multiple independent threads of control within a single process

memory space

§ Source code for the kernel, drivers, development tools and user programs is available and can be freely distributed

§ Multiple virtual consoles: several independent login sessions through the console

§ Supports several common file systems including Minix, Xenix, and all the common system V file systems as well as

an advanced file system of its own, which supports large volumes (up to 4 TB) and long file names (up to 255 characters)

§ Transparent access to MS-DOS partitions (or OS/2 FAT partitions)

§ Special file system called UMSDOS which allows Linux to be installed on a DOS file system

§ CD-ROM file system which reads all standard CD-ROM formats

The GNU project, initiated for the Free Software Foundation by Richard Stallman, has the goal of writing a Unix compatible-operating environment

without reverse engineering.

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Installation of Linux on Compaq Armada 7400/7800 Portables 4

§ Support for networking:

- TCP/IP networking, including FTP, telnet, NFS, etc.

- Netware client and server

- Many networking protocols: the base protocols available in the latest development kernels include TCP, IPv4, IPv6, AX.25, X.25, IPX, DDP (Appletalk), Netrom, and others. Stable network protocols included in the stable kernels currently include TCP, IPv4, IPX, DDP, and AX.25.

The following portable features are not currently available under Linux:

§ Hot-swapping of optional storage components (such as Hard Disk Drives, Floppy Disk Drives, CDROM’s, DVD-

ROM, LS120 or ZIP drives).

§ Hot-docking into Armada Station docking stations.

§ Multi-media support of MPEG-2 Hollywood Encrypted video content designed for Digital VideoDisks (DVD-

ROM) drives.

§ Enhanced audio features.

§ Use of Compaq programmable keys .

§ USB is experimental only.

Linux Advantages/Disadvantages

The following matrix represents the results of a small, qualitative study conducted in December 1998 by Compaq Computer Corporation’s Enterprise Computing Group. The study group consisted of participants from corporations, ISPs, research institutes and academic institutions.

Advantages Disadvantages

• Free Open Source OS

• Availability of free or inexpensive productivity

applications

• Runs on most industry standard computers

• Minimal hardware requirements

• More stable than Windows operating systems

• Y2K compliant

• Difficult to install and setup

• Linux code updates get released to public while being

developed even if they are not considered “production quality”

• Lack of a single dedicated technical support infrastructure

• Limited availability of commercial applications (although the list

is slowly growing)

• Numerous commercial distributions (versions)

• Lack of advanced mobile computing features

According to this study, the RedHat distribution of Linux is the most popular and easy to use. The latest version of RedHat is 6.0, which incorporates the latest Unix Kernel 2.2. For information about RedHat please refer to

www.redhat.com.

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Installation of Linux on Compaq Armada 7400/7800 Portables 5

Minimal Hardware Requirements

The Linux kernel’s small size and its efficient memory management contribute to Linux’s low hardware requirements. If run in a text-based mode, Linux requires less processing power for graphics, unless X-Windows or a Graphical User Interface (GUI) is used. Depending on the type of GUI used, the minimum hardware requirements will vary slightly for each distribution of Linux. Following are the minimum hardware requirements for running RedHat Linux 5.2:

• Intel 386SX processor

• 16MB memory

• 120MB Hard Disk Drive required for a minimal custom install

• Most video cards supported

• CD-ROM drive

• 3.5" floppy disk drive

Linux Availability

Linux is free (under the GPL licensing agreements) to anyone who can download it. The Linux source code and operating system are freely available for download from different sources:

• The official Linux Web site http://www.Linux.org

• Anonymous FTP sites and web sites

• Academic bulletin board systems (BBS)

• Packaged on CD-ROMs with textbooks

For a complete list of Linux vendors and free downloadable sites, see http://www.Linux.org/dist/index.html.

Compaq’s Linux Strategy for Commercial Portables

Compaq Computer Corporation Commercial Portables Division is actively investigating Linux to provide as an alternative to existing operating systems for Armada portable products.

Compaq has run compatibility tests under the latest RedHat distribution (version 5.2) on Armada 7400 and Armada 7800 notebooks. Compaq is also investigating the feasibility and support issues related to conducting certifications on selected models of Armada notebooks. Compaq will also investigate other distributions of Linux, their usage for the commercial notebook market, and whether or not they have any established certification programs. Compaq does not provide technical support or driver support for Linux on Armada portable products, nor are there immediate plans to do so. Customers who wish to run Linux will need to rely on existing driver sets available through commercial Linux distributions, provided as part of this document, VARs, or the official Linux internet web site.

Linux is commonly deployed in budget constrained markets. There is little evidence of brand loyalty among Linux users and due to the freeware nature of Linux, it is difficult to estimate its installed base. Nonetheless, further study into the Linux market and the level of support being currently developed for Linux will continue.

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refer to http://www.redhat.com/support/docs/hardware.html for additional information:

Installation of Linux on Compaq Armada 7400/7800 Portables 6

TABLE 1 – SUMMARY OF LINUX DRIVERS

Linux Armada 7400 & 7800 RedHat and SUSE Drivers

Video driver - S3 ViRGE/MX

Audio driver – ESS-1879

Setup & Diagnostics

USB

Compaq Netelligent 10/100 PC Card

Infrared

Cardbus and PC-Card (PCMCIA) Support

http://www.compaq.com/support/files/portables/us/index.html Choose Portables, Model #(7800 or 7400),

OS=Win95, Click locate software. Next, choose ROMPaqs and System Software. Finally, choose Computer

Setup for Portables, Personal Computer Diagnostics, or System ROMPaq.

Linux USB is still in alpha state and requires the latest 2.2.X kernel series. This is for experienced Linux

developers only. The latest Linux kernel/documentation can be obtained at http://kernelnotes.org/

http://hyper.stanford.edu/HyperNews/get/pcmcia/home.html

www.xfree86.org, www.redhat.com, www.suse.com

www.4front-tech.com

Based on TI-ThunderLAN . Kernel module(driver) is TLAN

http://www.cs.uit.no/linux-irda/

Monitor this site for future drivers.

Services Support

Within North America, a ten incident call pack can be ordered from Compaq Computer Corporation customer services as part number QR-SMLNX-B1 for a fee of $1320. This services package provides resolution of ten separate incidents that are jointly supported between Compaq and Red Hat. This package provides coverage for a 9x5-service window (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday local time). “Best Endeavor” support provides remedial telephone advisory delivered by the Customer Support Centers (CSC). Compaq Computer Corporation Services are investigating similar support offerings with other distributors in other geographic areas. But, in the interim, for SuSE or other distributions, please contact those companies directly for any software support issues.

Linux on Armada 7400 & 7800

Hard Disk Support

BIOS setup/diagnostic partition

The Armada family of portables have an enhanced GUI (graphical user interface) to BIOS setup (Computer Setup for Portables or CSP) which is stored on a hidden disk partition. This partition is usually 12 to 16 MB is size and has a partition type of 0x12. Both RedHat and SuSE Linux have installation choices, which reformat the entire hard disk thereby removing any CSP’s that may exist. There are many options.

The first option is to make the Linux boot partition active and install the LILO boot manager into this partition, not the MBR (Master Boot Record). LILO can then be used to boot other Operating Systems and will not interfere with entering CSP using the F10 key during BIOS POST.

A second option is to use a CSP from a DOS bootable diskette. A downloadable SoftPaq (# SP) is available from Compaq Support at http://www.compaq.com/support/files/portables/us/index.html which will create the diskette. This downloadable program executes under DOS or Windows. The down side to this option is the floppy drive and CSP diskette must be available.

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Installation of Linux on Compaq Armada 7400/7800 Portables 7

A third option is to partition the hard disk during Linux setup. Both Linux distributions have options during installation to do manual partitioning. In this case the CSP partition can be recognized by its type, 0x12. Should the CSP partition be accidentally deleted then it can be restored using the CSP floppy or by downloading the Personal Computer Diagnostics (PCD) from the same location. Restoration of CSP requires at least 16MB of free space on the hard drive. To restore, first boot the PCD diskette, choose create diagnostic partition and then follow the instructions. One side effect of leaving the CSP partition on the hard drive occurs when a boot loader program is installed into the MBR. Boot loaders replace the MBR so they can control which OS is booted. When attempting to enter Compaq Setup for Portables using the F10 key during BIOS POST (Power on Self-Test) the BIOS will read the MBR to load and execute code in the MBR. Therefore, the boot loader program is executed instead of loading the CSP partition. A work around is to add a selection for the CSP partition to the boot loader menu. To access the CSP, let the boot loader start and select CSP from its menu. When CSP is started from the hard drive it gives the user the choice of Setup or Diagnostics. If Setup is chosen then the machine reboots into Setup. With the boot loader present the user need only choose the CSP entry again to finally enter Setup.

Large Hard Drives

The latest Armada 7400 and 7800 models offer hard drives greater than 8GB in size. Linux supports large hard drives because it accesses the hard drive on a sector basis (LBA) instead of the older cylinder-head-sector (CHS) method. Compaq BIOS fully supports these large hard drives but maintains backward compatibility with older operating systems. This backward compatibility is implemented by limiting the cylinders to 1023 and heads to 240. The 240-head limitation prevents a fatal MS-DOS bug and the 1023 cylinder limit meets the original INT13 specification. The ATA hard drive specification limits the total CHS reported by the drive to (16383,16,63) which gives a maximum drive size of 8GB. To overcome these limitations and maintain backward compatibility with older operating systems Compaq uses the following algorithm:

1. Up until 7.8GB, drives report 15 heads

2. After 7.8GB, drives report 16 heads and remain ATA compliant

3. If ROM sees a drive that has 16 heads and greater than 8191 cylinders it

• Issues an Initialize Drive Parameters command to 15 heads, 63 spt

• Perform translation by using words 54, 55 and 56 instead of words 1, 3 and 6

• The translated cylinder count is capped at 1023

4. Extended INT13 services use ID words 60 & 61(total sector count) allowing access to the full capacity. The formula

used by the drive and BIOS is:

LBA = ((cylinder X number_of_heads) + head) X number_of_sectors + sector – 1, where LBA is Logical Block Address or sector number.

The hard drive is sent a command to instruct it to report the new CHS in ATA-ID words 54, 55 and 56. This new CHS value is not capped at 1023 and follows the above rule, CHS=(0000,15,63). The ATA {IBM AT Attachment} specification caps the cylinder value at 65535. The true total number of sectors in ID words are 60 and 61, this is the best value to use. There are two Linux utility programs that exhibit this limitation. The first is the Linux fdisk program. Linux fdisk does a HDIO_GETGEO call to the kernel to get disk geometry. During the boot process the kernel has four sources for disk geometry, user command line boot parameter, BIOS, physical geometry from the IDE drive, and logical geometry from the IDE drive. The order of use is command line parameters, BIOS, IDE drive information. The algorithm is supposed to check the BIOS information and if it sees more than 16 heads it will use the IDE drive information. Compaq has observed that the kernel is returning BIOS information in the HDIO_GETGEO call. Since the BIOS limits CHS to (1023,240,63), the impact is that Linux fdisk will only allow access to the first 7.8GB of the hard drive. There are two ways to improve on these limitations. The first method uses the extra functionality of the fdisk command to change the cylinder value. In fdisk choose the x menu item (extra functionality). Next, choose c (change number of cylinders). Enter the number of cylinders, which will allow fdisk to see the whole hard drive. The second method, which is preferred during Linux installation, is to enter a kernel command line value. When booting during installation, Linux should present a ‘boot:’ prompt. At this prompt the new drive geometry parameters are specified.

Currently there are two hard drives with capacity larger than 8GB for the Armada 7400 and 7800:

• IBM Travelstar 14GS, model DCYA-214000 = 27,609,120 total sectors

• IBM Travelstar 10GT, model DCXA-210000 = 19,640,880 total sectors

Example:

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