Hi everyone, Linux noob. I am installing Ubuntu on a Panasonic Toughbook CF-33. I was wondering if anyone had advice regarding drivers as the toughbooks have quite a few I/O ports, dual cameras, cellular antennas, and attached keyboard etc. Any advice is appreciated or even resources on where I could go to learn more about Ubuntu. Thanks everyone, take care.

  • 𝕸𝖔𝖘𝖘
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    11 months ago

    Run a live version, and see if everything works. Generally speaking, the TBs aren’t made for consumer Linux. Even Windows kind of works with it, but the drivers are spotty. Search for a CF-33 with Linux from factory, and install that version, if that even exists. The TBs are laptops for a very specific use-case, and support for them on the consumer market is lacking. Good luck, though!

    Edit: quick search found this for CF-33 but is not Ubuntu specifically, and this specifically for CF-31 but it may still be helpful.

    • medic273@lemmy.worldOP
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      11 months ago

      Will do. Yeah, when I got it I did a fresh install of Win 10 Pro and did a driver download from the Panasonic site and still had issues getting the sierra wireless card, gps, and rear camera working. Yeah, it’s been a bit of a journey for my use case. I deploy into pretty austere environments for work and it’s been hard to both hardware (laptops, tablets, cell phones) that are extremely rugged durable and can run open source. Thank you for the help.

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        11 months ago

        I’ve done antiX on the CF-30, but the touchscreen wasn’t working. I didn’t really use it in the first place, but it was still a bummer. To be fair, the touchscreen barely worked on its original WinXP with OEM drivers built specifically for it. Good luck! I really hope you get all the needed hardware running!

        • medic273@lemmy.worldOP
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          11 months ago

          Success!! Ubuntu 22.04 LTS installed and running. Surprisingly most of the drivers are working, including the touch screen digitizer (about as well as the Win10 pro which is eh. Like you, I don’t really use the touchscreen too much) thanks again!

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            11 months ago

            Nice!!! I’m so glad you got all the important hardware working! I have a CF-54 (I think) that I got from a random auction with Win10. I never tried to install Linux on it, because of the failure of the CF-30 at work, but in light of your success, I may just give it a go.