R61 & SLED - No Go [ Edited ]

[chagwood]

I purchased my R61 about two weeks ago. Falling short by a few weeks for the official R61/SLED release.

I'd like to have a Lenovo supported version of SLED 10.1 on my thinkpad.

I installed SLED 10.1 myself and was very impressed. I haven't used SuSE since it's 9.x days. I am not new to linux so please don't get the idea that i'm someone who knows nothing about computers and/or linux.

The one big thing that SLED has going for it is it's support and stability. That really draws me to SLED. The $50/year pricetag is well worth it IF the operating system would actually work out of the box (or after a few updates from zen-updater)

I don't want to have to tredge through forums and google looking for solutions to get my hardware working in SLED.

Here is my current configuration:

Thinkpad R61 7743
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
Windows XP Professional
14.1" WXGA Display
nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Intel Turbo Memory 1GB
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Enhanced
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG (supporting Centrino Pro)
6 cell Li-Ion Battery

Out of the box the Intel 4965AGN isn't reconized, the sound doesn't work, and the Quadro 140M wasn't reconized properly.

I wasn't able to get the recommended resolution and desktop effects working until I downloaded/installed a nvidia driver myself. The nvidia/ati drivers supplied from Novell when you register doesn't do anything.

Installation was a breeze. But the 3 hardware problems doesn't thrill me to totally switch to SLED (which I'd like to do)

I don't have the time these days to tinker with the OS like I used to. I am a big supporter of the open source movement, but I don't want to have to make things work myself.

So here are my questions..

Will lenovo make a CD-image available for purchase/download so that I can have an official version of SLED 10.1 that is supported by Lenovo?

Will the ThinkVantage utilities be available for the R61? (I've seen them available for the T60's. But not the R61 yet). I'd like the power utilities and being able to hibernate/suspend without crashing the system.

Will I be able to have SLED working on my R61 anytime soon? Or am I just SOL since I purchased before the official release.

I've seen certifications stating that SLED works on the R61. Why isn't it working for me?
- http://www.linux-tested.com/results/lenovo_thinkpad_r61_8933-22U.html
- http://developer.novell.com/yes/91094.htm


Message Edited by chagwood on 02-05-2008 10:56 PM

[joeyman9]

Well, the reason why SLED isn't working for you is because it doesn't have all the specialized drivers lenovo includes on its factory installed SLED.  I was wondering if I could just buy the OS from lenovo too.  I just bought a T61 with 965 graphics and the 64 bit intel chip.

I am using Mandriva and everything just works ('ceptin' some  Fn keys).  Hibernate works and standby (closing the lid) is intermitant.  Sound, video, work ok.  I'll call lenovo and find out if they will sell the factory install disks as I haven't seen them offered for sale anywhere on the Lenovo USA site.

[joeyman9]

By the way I installed Mandriva on my daughter's N3000 V200 (12 inch screen) and it worked fine (again some Fn keys didn't work).  I just got my T61 two days ago and I'm happy with the performance. (I left the Windows partition on the machine too).


Message Edited by joeyman9 on 02-07-2008 06:30 AM

Message Edited by joeyman9 on 02-07-2008 06:33 AM

[jackmanfred]

I'm kindof in the same pickle. I bought an R61e and now wish to install SLED without losing the ThinkVantage and other goodies that are part & parcel of why I bought a Thinkpad in the first place. Any thoughts?

[chagwood]

Thanks all for the quick reply.


Please, any of you, let me know if you find out if the Lenovo SLED version will be available. I'm eager to have this!

Thanks

Chase

[carbon_unit]

Here is a link to some Lenovo downloads for SLED 10

[chagwood]

Thanks, but those are all for the T60 thinkpads. Not the R61.

But that's pretty much what i'm looking for. But for R61


Message Edited by chagwood on 02-07-2008 09:18 PM

[carbon_unit]

I see that, but they are not that much different. The R61 and T60 share many components. Give it a try. The drivers may not work but the apps will.



Message Edited by carbon_unit on 02-08-2008 06:34 AM

[buddinggeek]

try using open suse 10.3 it will recogize ur 965g driver and will get configured exactly,all comiz fusion effects will work flawlessly as well and above alll its free

[Esteban_Lenovo]

chagwood,

Could you solve your issues? If not let us know what problems might still be outstanding so we can assist you.

Regards,