How to configure ThinkPad R50e 1834 BYG on FreeBSD?"; echo "
"; echo ""; echo "By Marcin Jessa yazzy[at]yazzy[dot]org"; echo "
Created: 14 Jun 2005"; echo "
Last change: 28 Nov 2005"; $result = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM thinkpad_counter"); while ($row = mysql_fetch_array($result)) { echo "

This site was visited by: "; echo "". $row['thinkpad_count'] ." people since 21 Jul 2005"; } echo ""; echo "

uname -a"; echo "
FreeBSD lapdance.yazzy.net 6.0-STABLE FreeBSD 6.0-STABLE #16: Fri Nov 11 07:38:46 UTC 2005 root@lapdance.yazzy.net:/usr/obj/usr/src/sys/LAPDANCE i386"; echo "

/etc/sysctl.conf"; ?>
kern.coredump=0
vfs.usermount=1
kern.timecounter.hardware=i8254
debug.acpi.do_powerstate=1
hw.acpi.lid_switch_state=S3
hw.acpi.standby_state=S1
hw.acpi.suspend_state=S3
hw.acpi.sleep_button_state=S3
vfs.usermount=1
hw.acpi.sleep_delay=3
hw.acpi.reset_video=0
net.link.log_link_state_change=0
/etc/rc.conf
powerd_enable="YES"
powerd_flags="-b adaptive -a max"
performance_cx_lowest="C2"      # Online CPU idle state
performance_cpu_freq="1393"     # Online CPU frequency
economy_cx_lowest="C3"          # Offline CPU idle state
economy_cpu_freq="NONE"         # Offline CPU frequency
ifconfig_fxp0_name="lan0"      # Change interface name from fxp0 to net0.
ifconfig_lan0=dhcp
ifconfig_iwi0_name="wlan0"
ifconfig_wlan0="inet 192.168.xx.yy netmask 255.255.255.0 ssid AABBCCDD"
/etc/start_if.iwi0
iwicontrol wlan0 -d /usr/local/share/iwi-firmware -m bss
iwicontrol -i wlan0 -r
ifconfig wlan0 up
/boot/loader.conf
acpi_ibm_load="YES"		# Enable special keys on Thinkpad.
acpi_video_load="NO"		# Disable acpi video for agp (X-video) to work.
hint.ichss.0.disabled="1"	# Disable SpeedStep, it does not work on R50e.
/boot/device.hints
hint.psm.0.flags="0x2000"
hint.apm.0.disabled="1"
The iwi driver site: http://damien.bergamini.free.fr/ipw/
My mirror: FreeBSD iwi driver

What works:
  • Suspend/Resume with ACPI.
  • Automatic adjustement of CPU frequency.
  • Internal WLAN.
  • Suspend with screen lid off and automatic resume when lid is on.
  • Both X and console come back to initial state when power is resumed.
  • Battery status with applet for gnome panel with ACPI.
  • CPU frequency adjustement works "on the fly"
  • ACPI module for thinkpads shows correct values for special keys.
  • Sound with device snd_ich


  • What does not work:
  • I never tried to set up the built in modem as I never use it nor need it.
  • 3D acceleration although I never really tried to make it work. I bet there are patches for the chip.


  • Miscellaneous configs and listings:
    Kernel config: LAPDANCE
    Xorg config: xorg.conf
    devfs.conf devfs.conf
    iwi config script: iwi.txt
    dmesg: dmesg
    pciconf: pciconf

    Notes:
    Don't forget to install /usr/ports/deskutils/tpb which makes it possible to use the special IBM buttons.

    Links:
    The FreeBSD Laptop Compatibility List
    FreeBSD on an IBM Thinkpad T43
    Wireless Network by Sam Leffler