Mandrake Laptops: Compaq

This file contains a list of laptops on which Mandrake Linux has been successfully installed on. All entries have been contributed by Mandrake users.

Ratings ('Marks') range from 1, worst, to 4, best:

  1. Barely working,
  2. Partially working,
  3. Mostly working and
  4. Perfectly working.

Compaq

* section index * top

Compaq

Model
Rel.
Comments / URL
Mark
Armada E500
8.0, 8.1b1
The sounds are default WAY too loud on this machine (e.g. KDE startup sounds). The Video-card, TFT display, Ethernet card (integrated), touchpad, keyboard, CD-ROM, floppy works great!
The modem I haven't tried yet, the battery is reported to be out of power too early I think (low battery warning after one hour, but worked fine for another 1.5 hours without going empty). Some issue about the system being
sluggish when going from one network to another (e.g. another DHCP server with different addresses and different scope), but i think that one is related to software (no probs under windows 2000).
Apart from that; couldn't be happier.
3
same
7.2, 8.0
Works perfectly except for (win)modem support. There are kernel modules available
for the modem if needed, but I didn't need them. Everything else detected perfectly and
automatically. Specs are PIII-800(?), 392MB RAM, 12GB Hard Disk, CDROM/DVD ROM (oops, haven't tried to get DVDs working), both Lucent
WaveLAN (IEEE 802.11b wireless) and built in 10/100 Ethernet (Intel) work
perfectly.  I tried 7.2 and the video didn't work properly but did under SuSE 7.1. With 8.0, the problem is corrected and I'm back with my favorite distro!
I'm the Linux consulting lead for Compaq's consulting division incidentally.
4
same
8.0
No problem, Works flawlessly, except miniport modem (Lucent based winmodem
that I didn't try).
PC-Card Xircom RealPort RBE100 (Eth only) wouldn't work except beeing configured in promiscuous mode (ifconfig eth0 +promisc). But it's been 2 years that Xircom tulip based card wouldn't work completely normally under Linux...
4
same
7.2, 8.0
The winmodem needs Lucent's binary-only drivers. That is
an issue of the modem, not of the laptop though.
4
same
8.0
Only had problem with Internal Modem. Solved by downloading the driver at www.linmodems.org
4
same
8.0
Works Perfect =)
4
same
7.0
works perfectly found everything but the modem
4
same
8.0
Very cool.
3
same
8.0
modem is not working :=)
3
same
8.0
Everything works fine, d/l linmodem stuff and the modem works.  Character mode works in the dock.  X crashes in the dock.
3
same
8.0
This is a Model PIII, 14.4", ATI Rage, Intel NIC, Winmodem Lucent and works just fine.
4
same
8.0
Pb with modem (compaq 56k V90 detected as Lucent WinT modem).
3
same
8.0
Only hardware that needs additional setup is the modem, but it is working correctly.
4
same
8.0
none
4
same
8.0
none
3
same
8.0
none
3
Armada E700
8.0
Internal winmodem :-( - doesn't work, Ethernet card is fine, but 3c59x module needs to be manually removed and insterted back after suspend. Didn't manage to get ACPI working, atyfb does not work, but svgafb is fine and cooperates with XFree. IBM TouchPoint works fine as PS/2 mouse, but if it is set (in Windows) to generate button events by clicking the point itself (apart from buttons) it generate events at random, this 'feature'
is disabled after suspend. Apmd works fine as well as the suspend button.
4
Armada E705
8.1
The machine after the installation don't boot on hda and on floppy nothing apparence error. [Read the 8.1 errata. tom]
1
Armada M300
8.0
Pretty much no problems. PC Card, USB, Ethernet, sleep, DVD movies, all work. Haven't fully checked out IrDA yet.
4
same
7.2
none
4
same
8.0
none
3
Armada M700
8.0
none
4
same
7.2, 8.0, 8.1
Pretty much no problem at all!  Cool Linux box! :)
4
same
7.2, 8.0
none
4
same
7.2, 8.0
I have always problems with the automount function (as my floppy is external and usually connected with the parallel card). If the floppy is not there, the system looks for it every time I open or close a file manager or when I exit Linux. I have disabled the function but it is a pity.
3
same
8.0
I'm impressed, but certain functions in KDE's control center will freeze the machine completely. Even switching the terminal won't work.
4
same
7.2, 8.0
none
3, 4
Armada V300
8.0
Just working all fine !!
4
some
8.0
Works really well, except the occasional console freezing after resuming from suspend. (Opening another bypasses the problem). Haven't tried the modem.
3
same
8.0
Built-in winmodem works but needs the Lucent driver, the TV out is supported by the
laptop's BIOS, and I haven't made an effort on the IRDA. A few random shortcut
keys/buttons don't work. Video card works, but not with 3d accel.
3
Armada 100s
8.0
none
4
same
7.1 - 8.0
This is the first computer I tried Mandrake Linux on. Now all my computers use it exclusively. The laptop in question has all hardware supported (and out of box) except
for the built in winmodem.  I also am using a pcmcia network card (which was autodetected and installed) to connect to my flat mates' computers through our LAN. The laptop is also responsible for sharing an Internet connection from modem to all the
machines on our LAN. The only thing that ever caused any problems was trying to run X in anything other than 800x600x16, it just doesn't, but it supports this mode beautifully. I can even close the screen without the power shutting off (which was a
problem with mdk 7.1). All in all an outstanding distro that supports all my hardware well.
4
same
8.1
All works fine (and a pcmcia net card "one level") except the internal modem (winmodem).
4
Armada 1400
8.0
Only thing that doesn't work is the winmodem on the thing so far.  Bought it before I was a linux user!
3
Armada 1500C
8.0
Pretty painless install. Had to to configure sound "manually" afterward
using sndconfig (using SB 16 module). Display adapter (CT9000) was not detected properly, so I had to select the right module manually during install. No biggie.
4
same
8.0
Sound doesn't work.
3
same
7.1, 8.0, 8.1b
It is working properly in release 7.1 and 8.0 but not in 8.1b.
3
same
8.0
none
2
Armada 1530D
8.0
X needs much tuning to work.
3
same
7.2
 Like it so far, configuration was so simple, really happy with it, connected to network fine, even with the DHCP and Internet sharing that is running on the network

Armada 1540DM
7.1
Mostly works but X needs more work to get 800X600 screen.
2
Armada 1550
7.1
I'm a Linux brand-newbie, but so far so good . . .
4
Armada 1550DMT
8.0
none
2
Armada 1570
8.0
none
4
Armada 1575D
8.0
none
2
Armada 1580DT
8.1
Installs OK. But crashes with hex dumps on reboot. Needs kernel parameter 'nobiospnp' from boot loader to work.
4
Armada 1700D
8.0
Did not recognize/install sound card (ess1868), but could be configured with
sndconfig (still not visible in harddrake application: sound cards is empty)
4
Armada 1750
8.0
 had to remove the winmodem and use a PCMCIA Modem.  Also had to use SNDCONFIG  instead of Mandrake's sound utility and configure the sound card as a Soundblaster Pro.
3
same
8.1
8.1 crashes when rebooting after install! This is probably due to a bug in the latest BIOS (30/11/99) which cannot handle the pnpbios stuff in 2.4.4+ kernels. Adding the option "nobiospnp" as additional argument for the kernel (lilo configuration) fixes this problem.
Sound can be activated with sndconfig.
3
same
8.1
Installs fine but as soon as kernel loads after boot, screen scrolls with weird hex code in brackets. Goes too fast for me to write it down.
Machine has 64MB ram (now 192) and 6 gig HD split 3 for Windows NT and 3 for Linux over two partitions.
1
same
8.1b
Kernel will not boot after successful install. I booted from CD 2 and installed alt2
kernel and that brought it up with some errors about tmpfs support not being there.
I have never been able to get sound to work even with sndconfig in 8.0 or 8.1.
3Com Combo card works initially but network timeouts occur and if I restart network manually, it's good for a bit (20 mins at best). I can get logs. 3Com non-combo card does
same thing with same driver.
1
same
7.0 - 8.0
Problems with network card (PCMCIA) using nmap on 8.0 release.
3
same
7.1
Works very well.  Everything (sound, video, touchmouse, etc...) installed great.  It did take a very long time to install though.  Something like two hours.
4
Armada 3500
8.0, 8.1
had to add NOBIOSPNP to LILO options GDM doesn't run . everything else is fine
3
Armada 4110D
8.0
none
2
Armada 4120T
8.0
Mouse works in installer/x test config, but not after reboot (jumps and is
spastic)
3
Armada 6500
8.0
Everything working, incl wireless networking on PCMCIA .
4
Armada 7350
8.0
works well
4
Armada 7370DMT
8.0
none
4
Armada 7380DMT
7.2, 8.0, 8.1
 7.2 installs and works fine. 8.0 installed but could not configure 3com net card and soundcard. 8.1 installs but after installation refuses to boot. I just see a bunch of numbers on the screen.
2
Armada 7400
7.2
installed in less than 20 minutes, recognized my linksys integrated pcmcia network card during the install, and hot swaps the floppy and the DVD player just fine.  I do not the DVD working (yet)
4
same
8.0
none
3
Armada 7730MT
8.1
As previously noted, 8.1 crashes with a register dump loop when rebooting after install apparently due to broken pnpbios handling in 2.4.4+ kernels.
You need to ESCape from the boot menu, enter 'linux nobiospnp' to the boot prompt, log in and add a "nobiospnp" to the 'append=...' lines in lilo.conf and finally run /sbin/lilo to fix this problem.
3
Armada 7770DMT
8.0
none
4
Armada 7792DMT
8.0
Everything set up great, even the modem which I couldn't get WinNT to work with.
4
same
7.2
My Laptop comes with 96 MB RAM. I've tried MDK 7.2 and 8.0. I prefer MDK 7.2 because it needs less memory than MDK 8.0 to run whith KDE.
MDK 7.2 kernel 2.2.17 never uses swap but MDK 8.0 needs always the swap.
4
Armada 7800
8.0
The display in X Window is not working properly because the horizontal and vertical refresh rate are messed up. I have fixed the settings for v and h refresh rates in XF86config and it still wont work with X Window display.
2
same
7.2, 8.0
Netscape occasionally takes a nap; else few problems.
4
same
8.0
Installs OK - could not get 8.1 to work at all.  Tried several times to get 8.1 on - Installed ok, but on booting, nothing but strings of numbers flying by.  Went back to 8.0  :(.
3
same
8.1
Doesn't work. Install goes fine, but then system doesn't boot because it can't mount root file system.
1

Contura 410c
486
I was using using Mdk486 although a bit slow with only 8Mb i could boot off
the Parport CDROM... i switched Windows for a few months, for some...:(.
anyway, now i gotta get back..:)) and set it up as a firewall on my cable connection. Linux ROCKS !!!
4
LTE 5000
7.1, 8.0
Very slow with KDE. P75 & 40M. Screen must be set to multisync.
2
LTE 5300
8.0
 Don't try a graphical install! It will complain the whole time. Text/Expert
is the way to go.
3
Presario 12XL300B
8.0
Clean install.  Touchpad conflict causes cursor to appear as two static bars. Winmodem doesn't work and 8.0 wouldn't recognise my D-Link DFE-670TXD PCMCIA card.
3
Presario 12XL325
8.0, 8.1b
none
2.5
same
8.0
Everything works great but for the winmodem.
1(?)
same
8.0
Everything works quite allright, except for the modem .
3
Presario 12XL400
8.0
Clean install however my touchpad and mouse don't like each other. The
pointer appears as 2 lines.
3
Presario 12XL408
7.2, 8.0
Connexant WinModem doesn't work with Linux.
Needs XFree 4.0.2 for Trident Cyberblade Video Card.(Drivers for previous
versions don't work)
3
Presario 14XL241
8.0
It won't support the NIC or modem.
3
Presario 17XL570
8.0
Everything worked out of the box except for modem/NIC.
Had to buy linksys pcmcia network card.
3
same
8.1
 Everything worked right out of the box except for the NIC/Modem (Conexant combo, winmodem) and the "Internet zone" special buttons. No biggie, just spent another $20 on a Linksys 10/100 PCMCIA card and went from there. I actually found it easier and less painful than a Win2k installation on the same laptop!
4
Presario 17XL574
8.0
Ethernet and modem are not recognized and I've been having troubles making them work
2
Presario 18XL3
8.0, 8.1
3D DRI working fine. Sound is a mystery, but is working consistently under Gnome. Presently sound under KDE is not working. Not all programs that have sound work.
3
Presario 18XL481
8.0
 problems with int. modem - solved installing ltmodem-kv_2.4.3_20mdk-5.99b1-1.i686.rpm
still have problem with audio, but - frankly - I didn't even tried the solution
3
Presario 18XL483
8.0
http://lis.snv.jussieu.fr/~rousse/linux/presario.html
4
Presario 18XL580
8.1b
Love it!
4
Presario 1200
8.0
Doesn't insmod rtl8139 net card module
3
same
8.0
All devices are detected, even my network card. Only thing not detected is
an USB to serial device, but I'm working on it. Otherwise the system works like a charm :)
3
Presario 1200 LX
8.0
Had trouble with my Xircom Ethernet card, it configured good, but did not
receive packages! Bug in the tulip_cb driver, work around 'ifconfig eth0-promisc'. Everything else worked right out of the box!
4
Presario 1200-XL
6.5, 8.0
8.0 working fine
3,4
Presario 1200-XL101
8.1b
the beta packages seem to be a little messed... I cant compile my FVWM2
'cause there are a lot of lib*-devel missing! but the rest is OK! even my orinoco wireless card was detected during install!
3
Presario 1200-XL106
8.0
none
4
same
8.0
Everything Works! (including Winmodem w/ driver from linmodem.org)
4
same
8.0
Can't figure out how to set up energy saver modes. But it works like a charm.
4
same
8.0
Works fine, but you have to download the latest ltmodem driver for the Lucent Winmodem from linmodems.org.
4
same
8.0
System work like a charm. Even configures sound in Install, 7.2 didn't. Only problem is that 3D-Accel doesn't work. And sometimes the cursor on the screen shows-up about 30 pixels right of the mouse true location.
3
Presario 1200-XL109
8.0
none
4
Presario 1200-XL118
7.1, 7.2, 8.0
The XL118 is a model Compaq only sold briefly, and trying to get drivers for it (or find out which ones to use) has been a challenge.

I use dual boot, and to be able to do that I had to get a friends copy of
Windows 98, since the one the machine shipped with was on a "restore system software" disk that would have erased the  Linux partitions.

I've used M7.1 and M7.2, and those worked quite well. I recently installed M8.0, and for the first time I am able to use the sound card under Linux.   However, the new version of XF86 was very problematic. With M7.1
configuring the screen took no time at all, with M8.0 it took forever.
However, M8.0 also works with my PCMCIA card which M7.2 never did properly, so on balance M8.0 is better.
3
Presario 1200-XL202
8.0
I just can't get my modem to work.
3
Presario 1200-XL323
8.0
 I tried installing with mandrake 7, but eventually gave up because of some problems with X. Everything's great now, but for some reason I have to run in 16bit mode or X crashes... may just be my memory config.

3-4
Presario 1200-XL406
8.0
Almost everything works perfectly...exept for the "scroll arrows" and the
"Internet keys". Even my D-Link DU-E10 USB Adapter worked immediately and perfect
4
Presario 1200Z
8.0, 8.1b
Athlon 4 1.0GHz. Had to get updated Tulip drivers from Donald Becker for the Conexant MiniPCI Ethernet, but it works great now.  ACPI support is kinda iffy, I get an oops when it tries to power off on shutdown.
4
Presario 1210US
7.2
The things which are not working:
1. USB
2. Sound card
3. Internal Modem/LAN combo
3
Presario 1220
7.x, 8.0
Small hard disk 2G works  well with most programs but for the software update package. Sound works with installation of SoundBlaster 16.
3
same
7.x, 8.0
I gave the original information on this model. With LM 7.2 everything works now including the updates. For sound try SoundBlaster 16 (Base I/O 220-22F, MPU+I/O 330-331. Interrupt IRQ5, 8 bit DMA Channel=DMA1, 16 bit DMA Channel=DMA5). Don't know about the modem. I use a modem card Hayes Accura. Everything works great.
4
same
8.0
none
1
Presario 1235
7.1
Works just fine, even the winmodem! I hope under marks, 4 is the best.

4
same
8.0
none
3
Presario 1245
7.1
Lucent softmodem works great after driver was installed.  Performance was pokey until I turned on UDMA for the hard drive controller, since then it's better.  Multimedia performance is poor (stuttered, jerky sound while
multitasking)
4
Presario 1247
8.0
none
1
same
8.0
The easiest installation I've ever encountered. This laptop has several buttons for stupid features that are now useless, but everything else seems to run flawlessly.
4
Presario 1250
8.0
My Linksys 10/100 PCMCIA card wouldn't work out of the box.  I had to 
muddle about with a new tulip driver.
Also, the integrated sound card doesn't work, but I saw a workaround and I'm in the process of fixing it.
3
Presario 1255
7.2
I tried installing my copy of Windows 98 onto this laptop,the real version not Compaq's. No good! 98 was missing the video/sound/modem drivers. I installed Linux-Mandrake onto the same laptop and the install was surprisingly flawless,except for the modem which is now working. I've used Linux on many other systems and did not expect results like that. Linux has come a long way. 
4
same
8.0
Too slow. I wish it could be optmized. Easy install and it works, mostly.
2
same
8.1
Modem not detected. Sound not detected.
3
Presario 1270
8.1
 Sound card and 3com pcmcia NIC not probed correctly had to change modules.conf, winmodem not working now but did with 8.0. Other than that, apm fixed. Got esd running under KDE with "artsdsp esd" prior to running apps.
3
Presario 1275
7.2
All hardware recognized and works except USB. Haven't had time to investigate USB.
3
Presario 1600
8.0
Well, it's just the ONE distro in which everything works. Err, winmodem aside, of course.
4
Presario 1600-XL
8.0
X-Server crashes randomly on a Trident Cyberblade i7.
2
same
7.2, 8.0, 8.1b
The only problem I found was with all them, my graphics card (Trident Cyberblade i1 agp) never works properly because when probed it only finds 256 KB RAM instead of 8MB, this causes everything to run unacceptibly slow.
2
same
7.2, 8.0
Everything works, except the Connexant Winmodem.
3
Presario 1610
7.2, 8.0
Used Reiser FS both times. Software Manager (mdk8.0) crashes quite often. Cannot find solution to this. Had to disable Apache restart (AESctl reload) in /etc/logrotate.d/apache due do system crash. Also unexplainable.
3
Presario 1620
8.1b
Upgraded from 8.0.  Only problem was the known menu problem with 8.1.  8.0 had no issues.
3-4
same
8.0
 Had to do a text-based install.  But only 1 CD (the install CD) is used by the text install.
4
Presario 1681
8.0
none
3
Presario 1692
7.1, 8.0
with 7.1 the mouse would be erratic while in any window manager.  with 8
this is no longer the case.
2-3
Presario 1694
8.0
Lucent Winmodem works great,
http://www.ibiblio.org/mdw/HOWTO/Linmodem-HOWTO-5.html#ss5.2
Needed APM kernel  patch to wake up from  sleep. http://www.boinklabs.com/zope/linux_presario/982622115/
3
Presario 1700T
8.0
Built-in Ethernet doesn't work.
3
Presario 1700XL265
8.1
Everthing works except for acpi power management which is a minor consideration since suspend to ram and power down both work (BIOS supported).
4
Presario 1710UW
8.1b
Sound works, Ethernet works, Modem not tried,  Video (Radeon Mobility) works as framebuffer (1024x768), accelerated video in XFree 4.2 (tried 4.1.9x) when it becomes available.
3
Presario 1800T
8.0
Everything except modem (a linmodem) detected AND configured properly.  The other problem I had was that DrakX would not allow me to chose my laptop's lcd's resolution which is 1400x1050.  Hopefully 8.1 will fix this :)

Presario 1800XL3
7.2, 8.0, 8.1b
Problems with USB on 8.1beta.
4,4,3
Presario 1800 XL183
8.x
Everything is working fine and blasting, even XINE DVD except for the winmodem, which lost support under linux since kernel 2.2.13.
4
Presario 1825
7.0
none
3
Presario 1900XL
7.1, 7.2, 8.0
Sound, video, keyboard, touch pad mouse, floppy, DVD all work flawlessly.
DVD doesn't yet play movies (despite trying a few different players). The
''Winmodem''-forget it! Locks up the system every time whether attempting to use built in kernel stuff or the proprietary Lucent driver.

Using a LinkSys 10/100 network card- hot swappable and works great. Ditto for a generic hardware driven 33.6 PCMCIA modem- a no brainer to get working under kppp and hot swapping works great also.

Score: 9/10 (maximum uptime 36 days before key bindings went 'boink ;).
3
Presario 1930
8.0
After installation, the sound card and modem required extra drivers. The computer is now completely functional.
4
Presario 3100
8.0
 Very nice...99% hardware support has a Compaq 56 df modem (soft or win?) which is not support without a linmodem driver.  sound card is somewhat supported using standard sound blaster 16, everything else was detected during the installation and works beautifully.  Thank You!


4

Prosignia 150
8.0
ESS SOLO 1 sound chip did not auto configure, but running /sbin/sndconfig (as root) resolved the issue. LCD screen occasionally (1x/week) shuts down for unknown reason, forcing me to do a blind konsole shutdown.  Apart from that, system is flawless.
3

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