Using Linux on Sony Vaio PCG-TR3AP

by Damia Soler
v1.0, May 2005

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Introduction

I am going to recognize that i bought the Sony Vaio without really know if it was fully compatible with Linux, I google the Internet and I see there are a lot of VAIO models running Linux, but there are not a lot of information about this specific model. Then I try to run Linux, following experience from other users that have other Sony Vaio computers. The good news. Yes! It runs Linux, the hardware is enought supported, it runs perfectly, The screen, the sound, the wireless, only the webcam and other minor details don't work.

Then I explain how i did it.

Identifing your model

vaio-photo

Sony sell three models PCG-TR3AP1, PCG-TR3AP2 and PCG-TR3AP3. All three models only differ on RAM and DVD/CD Combo.

Model RAM Combo
PCG-TR3AP1 512 Mb CD-rw/DVD-ROM
PCG-TR3AP2 1 Gb CD-rw/DVD-ROM
PCG-TR3AP3 1 Gb DVD-rw

My model is PCG-TR3AP1, but I think everything is valid for the other models. If you want check the hardware you have, you could see the output of my lspci command.

Choosing distribution

I am a Debian fan, and then don't try to install any other distribution. Now i am running Debian Sarge. I think all the distribution could work, and no one will made Xwindow work full screen. Debian have some specific Sony Vaio packages, like spicctrl, for backlight brightness. To install Debian I have no problem booting with the standard boot installation CDs.

You can see a list of my installed packages, the output of my dpkg -l.

Knoppix works well, on the Sony Vaio, no sound, or full screen, but is usable to rescue data, or similar.

I compile my own kernel, I disble APM, activate ACPI, and choose all the modules needed. You can download a copy of my .config.

You can see the output of my lsmod.

X-Window

Xwindow works but don't cover full panoramic screen, you need a BIOS patch, that you can download 1280patch , this patch, change the BIOS dumped on memory then is not permanent (and not dangerous at all) you have to exec every time you boot your computer, before start Xwindow.

NOTE: 1280patch is deprecated, now you can use the Debian package 915resolution.

To make it work:

Download, compile and install 

# wget http://www.damia.net/vaio/xpatch/1280patch.c  (1)
# gcc 1280patch.c -o 1280patch                   (2)
# cp 1280patch /usr/local/sbin                   (3)
# echo /usr/local/sbin/1280patch > /etc/rc2.d/S98xpatch   (4)
# chmod +x /etc/rc2.d/S98xpatch                            (5)

  1. Download the source file

  2. Compile it

  3. Copy to right directory

  4. Exec on start up

  5. Make the start up script executable

On your /etc/X11/XF86Config-4, modify the Monitor section 

Section "Monitor"
Identifier      "Generic Monitor"
HorizSync       31.5-90
VertRefresh     59.0-75.0
Modeline "1280x768" 80.14 1280 1344 1480 1680 768 769 772 795
Option          "DPMS"
EndSection

check if it works 

# /usr/local/sbin/1280patch
# startx

I make public my full XF86Config-4, you can use if is useful for you. (If you have Debian sarge it should work).

CPUfreq

Works perfectly, detects the battery power, and change cpu speed whe no power is connected.

I use included Debian package cpufreqd.

Sound

I use the ALSA drivers, with "Intel i8x0/MX440, SiS 7012; Ali 5455; NForce Audio;" driver.

The sound is a thing that must work, it was the issue cost me more time, all the problem was the mixer, the Sony Vaio have an "external amplifier" that must be enbled if you want to listen anything. If the external amplifier is disabled you could use a headphones and still listen very low volume sound. (but then you know the sound and are on the right way, and only need to activate teh external amplifier).

I recomend you to use "alsamixer", on the right of the panel is the "external" amplifier switch. (Note on other mixers it works inverted enabled<->disbled),

Brightness

I install then sony tools, and then it works. I use the spicctrl Debian package.

To setup maximun brightness I use:

# spitrl -b 255

Wireless

It is easy, you need to compile Wireless drivers

Follow the documentation there.

Webcam

Dont't work, further investigations tell that no one have it work, there is no specifications, and no one is trying to reverse the hw to made it work…. :-( Other VAIO models with other webcam hardware make it worki, but no one with PCG-TR3AP model

special keys

Don't work, I think it is posible to make it works, but don't lose too much time on it.

DVD-cdwriter

Fully functional, with ide-scsi module, as any other cd-writer.

TODO

As a writer of this webpage, I will update it, adding my kernel options, I give more info about the modules I have loaded, etc…

I want to investigate, how to ACPI works, when I halt the laptop, don't works a hardware halt, and like to halt.

Please feedback!!! If you have any comment email me at:

email

Links

There are other websites explaining howto install Linux on other VAIO computers, that helps a lot, due the hardware is the same or very similar to my laptop model.