Installing Slackware 11.0 on a ThinkPad R60

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Overview

Slackware 11.0 requires a bit of work to get all of the major features of this great notebook working. It may take some time, but don't be daunted, it can be done. This wiki is a work in progress (like all wiki's really) and i will try to make frequent updates until i have a fairly comprehensive guide, but i will especially focus on the issues that took some time (and head scratching) to resolve.

The R60 I am using has the following specifications:

  • Intel Core Duo T2400 (1.83GHz)
  • 512MB RAM
  • 60GB 5400rpm SATA HD
  • 15in 1400x1050 LCD
  • Intel 945GM/GMS/940GML Graphics Controller
  • Built in CDRW/DVD
  • Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
  • Built in Modem
  • Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5751M Gigabit Ethernet
  • Built in fingerprint reader
  • IEEE 1394 (firewire)
  • 6c Li-Ion Battery

Things that currently work properly:

  • Intel "High-Def" audio
  • WiFi
  • Ethernet
  • Suspend-to-RAM (finally)
  • X at 1280x1024
  • Dual core support (SMP)
  • DVD / CDRW support
  • Trackpoint
  • Synaptics touchpad (with scroll functionality)
  • (most everything else i don't mention below)

Things i still do not have working properly:

  • The special keys and key combos (which should be fairly easy, but i have not yet had time to work on)
  • The thumbprint reader (this is due to the fact that Slackware does not use PAM for authentication, not driver problems)
  • The highest resolution in X (1400x1050), although 1280x1024 works by default

Untested:

  • Hibernation (to disk), i normally only use Suspend to RAM, but i believe there are pages devoted to hibernation
  • Multi-headed VGA out
  • S-Video out
  • Firewire (probably works)
  • Modem
  • Integrated security chip

Before You Begin

Go into the BIOS and enable "compatibility mode" for the SATA controller (this is necessary to be able to suspend), and while you're there Diable the protection of the recovery partition if you know you won't be using Windows, and want to recover the extra 5GB (do at your own risk!) Make sure you have a basic understanding of lilo and how to recompile a kernel. I'll also assume that you are familiar with the basic steps of installing Slackware, if you're not, consult Slackware Installation

Installation

Begin by booting off disk 1 of Slackware 11.0. For the purposes of installation, Slackware uses the 2.4.33 kernel which will be installed by default. After the installation we'll be changing the kernel anyway, so it's okay to just install this default kernel.

Kernel

I am using the 2.6.18 kernel, others may work, but this is what i will be focusing on.

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