"Customized" Power Connector. The black USB connector is for the camera (this is a self-portrait).
Wow! How sturdy! How rugged!
Established 4/20/1999. Last modified 01/13/2001.
USE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Latest News
(01/13/2001) My 1675 was showing its age, so I performed some non-factory approved upgrades to repair damage to the power connector and upgraded the CPU to achieve a ~25% perfomance boost. The Compaq maintenance and service guide can be found at http://www5.compaq.com/athome/support/msgs/1270-1675. I didn't have it when I did the work, but it sure would have helped to make things easier! (Thanks to A. Nahr for passing it along). Information on http://www.mgrudkin.clara.net would also have been nice to have found (such as the DIP settings).
I replaced the 380 Mhz K6-2 chip with a 500 mhz K6-2 (2.2v core/3.2v IO ~ $50 street). It's not the fastest thing you can get, but fast K6's are starting to get kind of scarce. The 1675 has a ZIF socket 7 not unlike standard motherboards. Unfortunately, at 500 MHZ, the chip generates too much heat and the kernal faults under both NT and Linux after about 30 minutes of simutaneous chess benchmarks/AVI movie playing (heating both the FPU and the MMX units), so you'll need to underclock it a bit. Excess heat is one reason it is hard to upgrade laptops...
While playing around with the mysterious DIP switches to find a 500 mhz setting, I stumbled on a 475 mhz configuration which seems to do the trick. The original DIP settings (0-4) were 10110. I changed them to 01110 to get what I assume is a 5x multiplier with a 95mhz front-side bus (or a 4.75x multplier at 100 mhz). The other DIP switches were left unchanged (since I have no clue what any of them actually do). I don't know how this will affect battery perfomance, but I'd guess it would trim it by at least 25%, probably slightly more. (Note that the BIOS will report only 450 mhz, but linux clocks it at 475.)
With regards to the power connector, I can't believe Compaq put such a shoddy, but critical, component on a $2400 machine! It starting failing a few weeks ago (I had to giggle it to get connectivity -- quite a problem if your battery is dead, since the machine goes down hard!). Anyway, I solved the problem with a 6" piece of 18 guage speaker wire and a $2.50 external connector (sorry, I didn't get the part number - San Mateo Electronics has it) which matched the Compaq power supply adapter.
I removed the broken power connector from the Compaq motherboard
using a soldering iron and solder sucker, attached the wire (only two
of the three connections are used -- the edge one is not as you will
observe), tied a square knot to prevent it from being pulled through
the former power connector hole and then threaded it through to the
outside of the case. Then I attached the complentary power connector,
taking care to make sure that the polarity matched the original
configuration (center prong on the motherboard matches the outside
potential of the power connector), and voila -- reliable power for my
Compaq once again! Okay, it isn't pretty, but it works, and it sure
beats giving compaq a hundred bucks or more when I can save that money
for my next laptop (hopefully something with a decent 3D chip).
"Customized" Power Connector. The black USB connector is for the camera (this is a self-portrait).
Wow! How sturdy! How rugged!
Taking apart the 1675 is pretty complicated, so I wouldn't recommend it to someone what hasn't taken laptops apart before (it was my second). Fixing the power connector means complete disassembly (about 10 steps) since you need to get the MB out. There are many ways you can destroy the machine through a careless maneuver. If you do take it apart, be very patient, always gentle, and be sure to write every step down (and note each screw) so that you can reassemble it again.
In case this isn't completely obvious to you: TAKING APART ANY
COMPUTER VOIDS THE FACTORY WARRANTY! Also, exercise extreme caution
when taking a soldering iron to a multilayer circuit board. Get
yourself a torx screwdriver set and a 5 mm mini-socket wrench before
starting. Be sure not to damage the heat transfer tape on top of the
CPU (I destroyed it and had to replace it with heat transfer grease --
which may actually work better, who knows). Also, you'll probably
damage the (already loose) screw covers on the side of the display
trying to remove them, but rest assured that this will just give your
Compaq 1675 that most-enviable customized look (below).
Compaq 1675 Custom Turbo (475 mhz).
(11/11/2000) First report that the jumping mouse problem may finally have been fixed in a linux kernel (2.2.18-pre21). Check out this mailing list: http://www.boinklabs.com/zope/linux_presario/index_html
(5/11/2000) Today I performed a fresh Mandrake 7.0 install on my 1675 with great results (Things have gotten SO much easier for this laptop in the last year). However, I did have to manually specify my display type (LCD 1024x768) and graphics card (ATI RAGE LT PRO). Sound works out of the box, with no configuration required.
The infamous jumping mouse problem persists, but you can replace /usr/src/linux/drivers/char/pc_keyb.c with the file pc_keyb.c to get rid of it (should be compatible with kernels 2.2.14 and 2.2.15). NOTE: You will have to recompile and reinstall the kernel after doing this, but that's all part of becoming a linux expert. For more, read the lastest kernel HOWTOs. Generally it is a good idea to leave your current LILO configuration intact and add the new kernel as an alternate boot option until you are sure it works.
Also, I upgraded my network card to a Xircom Realport Cardbus Ethernet 10/100. It's a type III card with the RJ45 jack built right in the card. It also worked out of the box with Mandrake7 after I specified the correct kernel module (tulip_cb.o) Hooray! No more broken dongles (I was on my 4th).
Information below this line is old and quite possibly out of date. Be careful.
Old News
(#1) Jason Krisch reports that RedHat 6.1 does a flawless (upgrade) install on the 1675 from 6.0. However, the kernel patch for the mouse doesn't work under this version -- you may need to used the msfix program (see way below) for now until that gets straightened out.
(#2) XFree86 3.3.5 doesn't require a patched Mach64 X-server.
According to Slawomir Pilarski, Open Linux 2.3 (Caldera) runs out of
the box on a 1690 without making any changes to the X-server. You
need to select the monitor: Compaq TFT500. However, Tom Gilbert
reports that Open Linux 2.3 only has 3.3.4, so you may still need to
updgrade the Mach64 X server to 3.3.5 for it on work on the 1675.`
(#3) Kernel patches for the mouse problem have finally become available.
No more nasty hacks or work-arounds needed!
SUPREME THANKS to William Tonseth and Slawomir Pilarski for finding very similar solutions within 24 hours of one another!
If you have been using my msfix hack, don't forget to disable it and restore the mouse to "/dev/psaux" in the XF86Config file.
If you are still using a stock 2.2.5 kernel, you can apply this RPM to update your kernel.
kernel-2_2_5-22_i386.rpm (Thanks to Greg Badros)
Do:
rpm -Uvh --force kernel-2.2.5-22.i386.rpm
/sbin/lilo
If you want a patch that will work on kernel 2.2.5 (only),
here it is pc_keyb-compaq-2_2_5.patch (Greg Badros)
If you have a more recent kernel or would prefer to manually edit the source, simply replace the handle_kbd_event function in /usr/src/linux/drivers/char/pc_keyb.c with this code (for kernel 2.2.5) or this code (for more recent kernels) and then recompile and reinstall the kernel. Here is my ".config" file from 2.2.9 if anyone wants it. Be sure to save a backup copy of pc_keyb.c file if you later plan on patching your kernel up to higher versions.
FYI, the difference between the two versions lies the number of arguments to the handle_scancode function, which increased in later kernel versions -- thanks to Tim Underwood for pointing this out.
Also, will someone who knows how see to it that this patch gets incorporated into the main 2.2.x kernel tree in the future (I am clueless in this area). Please let me know when this is done so that I can remove this request.
REDHAT 6.0
Recently I upgraded to RedHat 6.0. There are some problems you should be aware of before upgrading. Scroll down more on RedHat 6.0 and the 2.2.x kernels!.
For 6.0 you will definitely still need the patched X-server and XF86Config.
SuSE 6.1 Linux
There's nothing specific here to SuSE 6.1, but Hubert Samm reports that it works fine with the patched X server.
Caldera 2.2
Slawomir Pilarski reported success with Caldera 2.2 on a 1690 after installing the patched X server.
PLEASE NOTE: Much information presented here assumes that you are familiar with the PC linux installation process (repartitioning, setting up LILO, configuring X-windows, etc.) If this is your first linux installation, I strongly recommend that you get a good linux book and be prepared for some initial frustration. Also, try to find an experienced friend who can help you out.
CONTACT US if are installing or have installed linux onto a Compaq 1675. Please email warren@delanoscientific.com to announce your existence. As of 9/22/99, over seventy people have responded to this page. Together we can form a miniature 16xx support group that pools useful information and solutions for this machine. Be sure to share what works!
OTHER PRESARIO 1675 LINKS:
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
LINUX INSTALLATION
WARNING!!!!
Be very careful using the Compaq-supplied restore (aka. destroy) disk once you set up linux. IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY REPARTITION YOUR HARD DRIVE AND WIPE LINUX. The trick to getting around this is to hit ESC when it threatens to repartition. The process will then skip repartitioning. Trust me -- you won't make this mistake twice.
Setting up Dual Boot.
A. With Partition Magic ($$)
1. Shrink your Windows 98 partitions down to around 2.0 GB for "c:" (or size as needed) and no less than 0.8 GB for "d:".
2. Install linux in the remaining space.
B. The "flush Compaq" approach. Reinstall Win98 from scratch and
reinstall the relavent drivers. Some of them are provided below.
This is basically your generic linux/windows dual boot
install, and you will have more disk space available from linux. I eventually chose this method after my Win98
partition became hopelessly corrupted. I don't think you'll be able
to get the 4 short-cut buttons on the front to work, but for me that was a good thing since I
had a tendency to accidentally hit one and launch AOL right in the middle of
important meetings!
Win 98
Drivers
Display: w82560en.exe
Touchpad:
cpq_1230.exe or us5_0_23.exe (later
version?)
Sound: s1-w98.zip
Modem: sp9664.exe
DVD: ATI's Cinemaster-based DVD player (v3.0/3.1) has the best quality
and may be available on the web, but don't ask me for it. Unfortunately,
I don't think Compaq is willing to give out an indendently installable
copy of the DVD player you purchased with the machine.
Win NT Drivers
Touchpad: us5_0_23nt.exe
Sound: ess_nt.zip.exe
Display: (?) http://www.ati.com
Modem: (?)
PCMCIA
For RedHat 5.2: Download the latest version of the PCMCIA driver from ftp://csb.stanford.edu/pub/pcmcia. Be prepared for a little manual configuration as described in the PCMCIA-HOWTO file.
For RedHat 6.0: No upgrade necessary. upgrade.
FYI, I use a Linksys EtherFast 10/100 PC Card (16bit). You must COLD BOOT or it will hang if you've been using Win98, and you need to explicitly specific the IO (0x300) and IRQ (5). Also, be sure so specify PCIC_OPTS="irq_list=5" in /etc/sysconfig/pcmcia.
Modem/ethernet cards known to work:
X-WINDOWS
UPDATE: the latest release of XFree86 3.3.5 works fine without any patching. The RPM's are available at http://www.redhat.com/corp/support/errata/RHSA1999035-O2.html
(XFree86 < 3.3.5) The stock server won't work.
First upgrade to at least 3.3.3.1. www.xfree86.org (RedHat 6.0 comes with this installed)
Then use Method 1 on Steve Hseih's site: http://www.eecs.umich.edu/%7Esteveh/inspiron/ (choose libc6 for RedHat 5.2 or 6.0).
If Steve's site is down, here are local copies of XMa64.tgz and the XF86Config that I use on my 1675 (save this file as source - not text, or you may get CR's in the file that will prevent it from working). Make sure the Mach 64 server is chmod 755 before trying to use it.
X-WINDOWS POINTER PROBLEMS
UPDATE: This problem has been addressed by the kernel fix provided at the top of this page, so you can skip over this section. I will remove it soon.
There are problems with erratic pointer movement under X-windows (RedHat 6.0). Use of an external mouse does NOT solve the problem.
The Synaptics configurator is rumored to lessen these problems. However, it doesn't run consistently at or above kernel 2.2.7, and I am currently on 2.2.9. Apparently you'll need to patch your kernel to get it run reliably with the recent kernels (see http://compass.com/synaptics).
Here are Tim Underwood's instructions for installing the Synaptic configurator including a patched tpconfig.c file. The two attached files he refers to are: tpconfig.c and synaptics-2.2.tar.gz.
Bill Tonseth reports that you can get rid of the jumping cursor by (1) using the Synaptics tpconfig tool to put the pointer in slow, relative mode (tpconfig --rate=0 --relative) (2) and then unmasking interrupts with the hard disk driver (hdparm -u1 /dev/hda). WARNING: according to the hdparm man page, this may result in massive filesystem corruption if there is a problem with the drive/controller. I tried this solution on my 1675 with kernel 2.2.9, and it seems to help considerably!
If the Synaptics tpconfig tool doesn't work for you, you can use my original mouse filtering hack (msfix) . It does a good job supressing the jumpies, but it doesn't seem to prevent random "unclicking" (nothing seems to stop that). If you are going to use msfix with tpconfig, be sure to run tpconfig before starting msfix, and still use the fake "/tmp/psaux" device with X (see instructions).
One way I've found to test drops and jumpies is:
MODEM
Forget about the built-in modem. John Goerzen confirmed that the Lucent LT is a WinModem (Boo Compaq!) Go out and buy a good PCMCIA modem (or a Modem/Ethernet combo) that will work with linux. Then send your receipt to Compaq for reimbursement (anyone up for a class action lawsuit?).
http://hyper.stanford.edu/HyperNews/get/pcmcia/home.html has more info on PCMCIA cards including supported modems.
DVD
The CDROM works, but I haven't tried anything DVD related. If you get this to work, please let me know and I'll update the page.
SOUND
UPDATE: The latest kernel (2.2.12) recognizes the ESS-SOLO driver and works on the Compaq!
I haven't tried. If you get sound to work, please send instructions that I can instructions to this page.
You can purchase OSS/Linux for the ESS SOLO-1 for $30 (www.4front-tech.com). This works great.
There have been some reports of people getting the ALSA driver to function (http://www.alsa-project.org). It may not yet work cleanly (a cold boot is important, and you may need to initialize with the OSS demo). Brian Macy reported success with kernel 2.2.10 using ALSO out of CVS.
POWER MANAGEMENT
More research needs to be done in this area. What kernel power management options can we safely enable?
HAS ANYONE GOTTEN a 16xx machine to successfully standby and wake up under linux without it going crazy or acting lethargic afterwards?
REDHAT 6.0 GNOME
Seems to hang sporadically. Any ideas?
REDHAT 6.0 (Kernel 2.2.x) HARD DISK ISSUES
Under the stock 2.2.5 kernel, the machine will sometimes give the
following message on startup:
VFS: Cannot open
root device 00:30
Kernel Panic: VFS: Unable to mount
root fs on 00:30
(Note: under kernel 2.2.9, this problem can occur 100% of the time,
making the machine unbootable.) (Also note: according to Brian Macy,
this problem depends on the choice of kernel options, but the exact
culprit remains unknown).
Solution (tested under 2.2.5 and
2.2.9): The kernel is unable to reliably probe the ALi M5229 IDE
controller. To fix this problem, you must add the following kernel
option to your lilo configuration file:
append= "ide0=0x1f0,0x3f6,14"
For
example: (in my /etc/lilo.conf)...
| image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.2.9 | ||
| label=linux | ||
| root=/dev/hda2 | ||
| read-only | ||
| append= "ide0=0x1f0,0x3f6,14" | ||
Be very careful editing lilo.conf -- typos can make your machine unbootable. Once you have made the changes, run /sbin/lilo to activate the modifications. Make sure it doesn't return any errors.
Also, by default under RH6.0, the IDE driver drops down to 16-bit
access mode without DMA. This severly penalizes disk throughput. You
can use the hdparm utility to enable 32-bit and multi-sector transfers
giving nearly a 100% increase in throughput. Be sure to "man hdparm"
before trying this. Be warned: data corruption could result if
there are any hidden incompatibilities.
---USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!---
hdparm -c1 -m16 /dev/hda
---USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!---
(I put this command in /etc/rc.d/rc.sysinit -- but that might not be the best place for it)
Unfortunately, it does not appear possible to get an even bigger speed
boost by enabling DMA or Ultra DMA under linux with this controller,
at least with kernel 2.2.9. Later kernels may have remedied this problem.
THANKS TO CONTRIBUTORS AND TESTERS...
Good luck!
Warren L. DeLano
warren@delanoscientific.com
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