Summary

Installing Debian Sarge

There have been no problems. I used kernel 2.6 by selecting the boot-option linux26. The only critical point was the 1280x800-resolution of the i915-chipset in x.org - 915resolution fixed this (hint: don't map the 1280x800 resolution over 1024x768 if you would like to switch the display to an XGA-Beamer :-)). Here you find the relevant part of my xorg.conf.

Framebuffer

For getting framebuffer to work at WXGA-resolution, vesafb should be compiled into the kernel. The intelfb-module also supports the 915GM-graphics, but it only runs an 1024x768 pixel. With vesa the following kernel-parameters work fine:

vga=0x360 video=vesafb:mtrr,1280x800-16@72

Sound

The lspci-command finds a 'High Definition Audio Controller' and the alsa-module snd_hda_intel loads without errors. But for getting the sound to work you need to give the model=asus-parameter to the alsa-module and install alsa-utils at least in version 1.0.10. In my opinion the sound-quality is not too good, but in win it is not better - so it's not tux' fault. By the way: The controller for the intigrated speakers is called 'Front'.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth should be activated by ACPI - but the file /proc/acpi/asus/bt is missing. I wrote a patch against the acpi_asus.c-file of vanilla 2.6.14.3-kernel based upon the one of Fernando A. P. Gomes for Asus W5A. Please download it here. After applying bluetooth may be switched by 'echo 1 > /proc/acpi/asus/bt'. The syslog recocnizes the new device immediataly.

ACPI / Speedstep

ACPI is working from the beginning of the installation. So is speedstep. One can read the battery-state, the temperature and even the state of the fan. This one is unfortunately on all the time, but its noise-level is not really disturbing. By activating 'asus laptop extras' in kernel/acpi the brighteness of the display (0-15, asus/brn) and the video-output (acpi/lcd, acpi/disp) may be set up.

/proc/acpi/events is reacting for any hotkeys but the WLAN-switch in top-left of the notebook. Using the packages acpid and osdsh you will not see any difference to the windows-environment! Please find the hotkeys used by me here.

Configurations

/etc/X11/xorg.conf  (relevant part for dual-head-option):

Section "Device"
        Identifier      "intel915-lcd"
        Driver           "i810"
        BusID           "PCI:00:02:00"
        Option          "MonitorLayout"         "CRT,LFP"
        Option          "DRI"                       "true"
        Screen          0
EndSection

Section "Device"
        Identifier      "intel915-vga"
        Driver           "i810"
        BusID           "PCI:00:02:00"
        Option          "MonitorLayout"         "CRT,LFP"
        Option          "DRI"                       "true"
        Option          "DevicePresence"       "yes"
        Screen          1
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
        Identifier      "monitor-lcd"
        HorizSync      28-49
        VertRefresh   43-72
        Option          "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
        Identifier      "monitor-vga"
        HorizSync      30-83
        VertRefresh   56-75
        Option          "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
        Identifier      "lcd"
        Device          "intel915-lcd"
        Monitor         "monitor-lcd"
        DefaultDepth    24
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth           24
                Modes           "1280x800" "1024x768"
        EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
        Identifier      "vga"
        Device          "intel915-vga"
        Monitor         "monitor-vga"
        DefaultDepth    24
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth           24
                Modes           "1024x768"
        EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
        Identifier         "lapguin"
        Screen             0 "lcd"
        Screen             1 "vga" RightOf "lcd"
        InputDevice     "Generic Keyboard"
        InputDevice     "Synaptics Touchpad"
        InputDevice     "USB Mouse"
        Option            "Xinerama"      "false" 
EndSection

ACPI-hotkeys:

WLAN-script (switching on/off):

#!/bin/bash

DEVICE=`cat /proc/net/wireless | grep ^[[:blank:]]*eth | sed -es/"^[[:blank:]]*\([A-Za-z0-9]*\):.*"/"\1"/`

if [ -n "$DEVICE" ]; then
        su -c "/usr/bin/osdctl -s 'shutting down WLAN'" <user>
        logger "shutting down wlan ($DEVICE)"
        /sbin/ifdown $DEVICE
        /sbin/rmmod ipw2200 ieee80211 ieee80211_crypt
        /etc/init.d/ifplugd restart
        su -c "/usr/bin/osdctl -s 'WLAN is down'" <user>
else
        su -c "/usr/bin/osdctl -s 'activating WLAN'" <user>
        logger "bringing up wlan"
        /sbin/modprobe ipw2200

        DEVICE=`cat /proc/net/wireless | grep ^[[:blank:]]*eth | sed -es/"^[[:blank:]]*\([A-Za-z0-9]*\):.*"/"\1"/`

        IWCONFIG=/sbin/iwconfig
        $IWCONFIG $DEVICE key [1] xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xx
        $IWCONFIG $DEVICE key [2] xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xx
        $IWCONFIG $DEVICE key [3] xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xx
        $IWCONFIG $DEVICE key [4] xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xx
        KEY=`expr $RANDOM % 4 + 1`
        $IWCONFIG $WLAN key [$KEY]

        STATUS=`/usr/sbin/ifplugstatus eth0 | grep beat\ detected`
        [ -z "$STATUS" ] && /etc/ifplugd/action.d/lan_vs_wlan eth0 down
        su -c "/usr/bin/osdctl -s 'WLAN is up'" <user>
fi