Linux on SONY VAIO VGN FS315S/FS315M

In order to use your lappy in linux to it's maximum power, you need to recompile your kernel and to download and install some drivers. I've installed Debian, but it should be simillar for any distribution. If you have a good Internet connection, the whole installation & setup process should not take more than 2-3 hours.

Sony VAIO VGN-FS315S main specs
- Intel Pentium M 750 1.86 GHz, 2MB L2 Cache (Centrino) processor
- LCD X-Black 15,4 screen with 1280x800 resolution
- 1024 MB RAM
- 100 GB Hard drive
- DVD-/+RW optical drive
- NVIDIA GeForce Go 6400 with TurboCache technology (128 MB)
- Realtek High Definition Audio Soudcard
- Intel PRO/100 VE (wired network interface)
- Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG (802.11b/g standards)

First of all, grab the latest 2.6 kernel from kernel.org.

Then enable ALSA as follows:

Device Drivers -> Sound
Device Drivers -> Sound -> Advanced Linux Sound Architecture
Device Drivers -> Sound -> Advanced Linux Sound Architecture -> PCI Devices

Now enalbe wireless:
Device Drivers -> Networking support -> Wireless LAN (non-hamradio)

But this is not enough, you will also need to get http://ipw2200.sourceforge.net and http://ieee80211.sf.net and follow the installation instructions for both. Reboot and you should see the wireless interfation on ifconfig -a, then you can play with iwconfig.

If you dont need 3D acceleration and 1280x800, you can use the standard vesa driver. But I am sure you wanna go for 1280x800 so you will need http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html. Follow installtion instructions, then add the next lines to your /etc/X11/XFree86-4:


Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
HorizSync 28.0 - 110.0
VertRefresh 43.0 - 90.0
Modeline "1280x800" 80.58 1280 1344 1480 1680 800 801 804 827
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "nvidia geforce go 6400"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth24
Modes "1280x800"
ViewPort0 0
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "nvidia geforce go 6400"
Driver "nvidia"
EndSection

Now you can enjoy your notebook in Linux.