[plug] Problem with Toshiba 420CDT laptop debian install

[John Usher (Maptek)]

This laptop appears has a chips and technologies video driver.

We have a similar problem with X locking up on a slightly different C&T
chipset, and its due to the use of the hardware cursor.

To fix the problem, you need to alter your XF86Config (may be
/etc/X11/XF86Config-4...not sure for debian?)

In the Section "Device" for the graphics card chipset, try adding 
	Option "SWCursor"

Of course, you probably want to start up in runlevel 1 or similar to
make sure you don't hit X before you get to a text login screen!

Yes...sigh...it does make the machine lock up completely!

...John...

-----Original Message-----
From: David & Lisa Buddrige [mailto:buddrige at wasp.net.au] 
Sent: Thursday, 31 July 2003 8:59 PM
To: plug at plug.linux.org.au
Subject: [plug] Problem with Toshiba 420CDT laptop debian install


Hi all

A friend of mine wanted to try out Linux.  So, they got hold of a
Toshiba
420CDT laptop, with 1.2GB hard-drive, 40Mb RAM, and a low-end Pentium
processor.  I have loaded it up with Debian Woody, with basic X, plus
KDE.
When I crank it up and it gets to the login screen, it just freezes.
The
keyboard is locked up, and I can't even use Alt-Ctl-F1 to get to a shell
and
see what's going on.  Do you think this is a RAM problem?  (It seemed to
run
Win98 ok.  I don't know if the RAM can be upgraded (I'm hoping so) but I
am
not sure if this is the problem or not.  Does anyone have any ideas?

The login manager that I am using is the most basic one I could find
(xwm or
somesuch from memory) - in any case, it just has a login-name/password
field
and _nothing_ else - the basic X screen is shown behind it without even
a
coloured desktop.

Any ideas muchly appreciated. 8-)

cheers

David.