Installation report for Acer TravelMate 8100

[ford42]

1) ATI X700 => Thanks, I will try that.

2) I have tried the ipw drivers with no success.  I can build them and
install them, but when I try using them, I get complaints that a
Hardware Kill switch is ON.  If I shut off the Wireless switch and try
again, I get complaints that it fails to turn the power (TX_POWER) on
for the card.  I also tried the ndiswrapper.  I get closer with that,
but still can't get it working.

3)  The DMA problem is the one that is annoying me the most.  I have
tried linking in the  scsi emulation to it, generic IDE, etc, no luck. 
I've booted with Knoppix and Mandrake Move, but no luck there either.  I
get messages in the logs saying "IDE port busy" during bootup.  I wonder
if that has something to do with it.  My guess is that the wrong driver
(ide-generic?) is attaching to the device and preventing its proper
functioning.  

I did get sound working in Linux, but for some reason, I can use XMMS
without problems, the sound plays on startup, but the "CD Player" has
no sound.  I tried changing the default sound between alsa and OSS in
the KDE config, but no luck.

Also, is the harddrive REALLY serial ata?  Or does Linux (2.6 kernel)
just recognize it that way?

I love this laptop, but I am getting frustrated already with the linux
install.  I also have a problem with the wireless card under Win XP not
seeing my Access Point.  It sees my neighbors (warned him about it many
times), but not mine.  I have other devices that can link to my AP with
no problems.  My AP is set up to use WEP, filter an access list, and not
transmit its ESSID.  I added the MAC into the list, added the key to
WinXP, and even had it connected at one point, but then I lost the
connection, and it is not seen anymore.  Still can see the AP and
connect with other devices, though.  The fun of getting a laptop with
all the current stuff.


-- 
ford42