Fedora 7, 8, 9 and 10 Linux on Gateway MX8711

I just purchased a Gateway MX8711 from Best Buy and have installed Fedora Linux. As I get various parts working correctly, I'll document it here.

The first thing to do is get all updates and install the Livna repository.

Wifi

Install the bcm43xx-fwcutter package using this command:

yum -y install bcm43xx-fwcutter

Next, create a folder named bcm43xx on your desktop.

Now download the Broadcom firmware from here:

http://downloads.openwrt.org/sources/broadcom-wl-4.80.53.0.tar.bz2

Extract the files wl_apsta.o and wl_apsta_mimo.o and place them in the bcm43xx folder you created.

Open a terminal in the bcm43xx folder and install the driver using this command:

bcm43xx-fwcutter -w /lib/firmware wl_apsta.o

Reboot and then run System -> Network Device Control and add a new wireless card as wlan0.
Set both eth0 and wlan0 to not activate when the computer starts.

Open a terminal window and do:

chkconfig --levels 35 NetworkManager on
chkconfig --levels 35 NetworkManagerDispatcher on

When you reboot and login, the network will connect to eth0 or wlan0 automatically. The NetworkManager icon should appear in your system tray.

Modem

The modem works perfectly when Livna's slmodem-alsa package is installed.

yum install slmodem-alsa

You will then need to hand edit one line in /etc/init.d/slmodemd

Find this line and add the part in bold:

daemon /usr/sbin/slmodemd --alsa ${COUNTRYARG} hw:0,6 --daemon

Edit /etc/sysconfig/slmodem and edit your country code.

On reboot, the modem shows up as /dev/ttySL0

Audio

Works.

Video

Works in all modes on Fedora 7 and Fedora 8.

For Fedora 9 & Fedora 10, create and then chmod 755 this file:

/etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc.d/45-mymodes.sh

In this file, put: the following:

#!/bin/sh

/usr/bin/xrandr --output LVDS --newmode "1360x768" 84.75 1360 1432 1568 1776 768 771 781 798 -hsync +vsync
/usr/bin/xrandr --output LVDS --newmode "1360x768" 72.00 1360 1408 1440 1520 768 771 781 790 +hsync -vsync
/usr/bin/xrandr --output LVDS --newmode "1280x800" 83.46 1280 1344 1480 1680 800 801 804 828 -hsync +vsync
/usr/bin/xrandr --output LVDS --newmode "1280x768" 80.14 1280 1344 1480 1680 768 769 772 795 -hsync +vsync
/usr/bin/xrandr --output LVDS --newmode "1280x720" 74.48 1280 1336 1472 1664 720 721 724 746 -hsync +vsync

/usr/bin/xrandr --addmode LVDS 1360x768
/usr/bin/xrandr --addmode LVDS 1360x768
/usr/bin/xrandr --addmode LVDS 1280x800
/usr/bin/xrandr --addmode LVDS 1280x768
/usr/bin/xrandr --addmode LVDS 1280x720

SD Memory Slot

Edit your /etc/rc.local and add to the bottom:

/sbin/modprobe tifm_sd