Micron Millenia TransPort Compatibility Specs

Last update: 7/12/96 13:05:17 EDT

Warning: document out of date

I'm writing this document in preparation for getting one of these beauties, to compile my findings on the compatibility of the various components of this system with OS/2, Linux, and NetBSD. As of the time of the first writing of this, I've only been able to check on the Linux compatibility. Send corrections to shabby@mit.edu.

Thanks to Cliff Matthews <ctm@ardi.com> and Ken Mitton <mittonk@colorado.edu> and Troy Sparks <tsparks@ibm.net> for allowing me to quote them here.

OS/2 Support Flash

Micron has made the file flopyos2.zip available for use in installing Warp on the Micron Millenia Transport with the SMC 655IR rev c controller chip. Not sure how many machines are affected, but if you're still having problems installing Warp, you can use the instructions in this file to get it installing.

A solution to the Warp problem has been found! tsparks@ibm.net (Troy Sparks) posted on comp.sys.laptops 5/16/96 with a complete fix for OS/2 (I also saved a repost of the original post):

First, get ATAPI.ZIP and overwrite the drivers on the Warp Install Disk 1 (not the boot disk, but the Diskette labeled #1) with the drivers contained within (IBM1S506.ADD, OS2DASD.DMD, OS2CDROM.DMD, and IBMIDECD.FLT). Also, get IBM1FLPY.ADD and use that to replace the file on Warp Disk 1.

Edit config.sys on disk 1, changing:

BaseDev=IBM1S506.ADD BaseDev=XDFLOPPY.FLT

to:

BaseDev=IBM1S506.ADD /A:0 /U:1 /ATAPI REM BaseDev=XDFLOPPY.FLT SET COPYFROMFLOPPY=1

A sales rep for Micron told me over the phone that OS/2 compatibility was listed as "Not applicable", meaning the testing to certify compatibility either wasn't performed or wasn't completed. Call them to ask about OS/2 compatibility; make the demand known.

PCI

The PCI Chipset is the Intel 430MX chipset. Not sure what that means.

PCMCIA

The system has two type 2 slots, or one type 3 slot, just like almost all systems currently on the market. The PCMCIA controller is the Cirrus 6730. I'm unable to find any specifics on PCMCIA support for any of the three operating systems at this time.

Video

The video is based on the Cirrus Logic 7548CE chipset, which is "unsupported" by XFree86 (i.e. Linux and NetBSD). However, it appears that XFree86 3.1.2e does, in fact, work with this chipset. According to ctm@ardi.com on comp.sys.laptops

Chipset "clgd5428"
Option "linear"
Membase 0xfc000000

in the device section in XF86config will solve most problems with the system, and allow a 1024x1023 virtual desktop.

Cirrus Logic also provides support for this chipset under OS/2. (Other drivers for this chipset are listed on their website.)

Network/SCSI

The network and SCSI in the MicronDock are both taken care of by the AMD 79C974KD Rev. A4 chip (previously known as 'that thing they threw on the Zeos motherboards'). There is a patch available for Linux to use this chip, and the ethernet part of it, at least, is considered supported. Both parts of this chipset are supported under OS/2 - the drivers are available from Micron.

Note: The Micron page calls the OS/2 Ethernet drivers "LAN Manager drivers"; this includes an OS/2 NDIS driver. LAN Manager drivers for ethernet cards usually cause trouble for OS/2 users trying to use LAPS or MPTS, since they don't contain the right format NIF file. After I get my system I'll be making a corrected .NIF file available here. (ETA of my system: 7/26/96)

InfraRed

The IR port is based on the Intel 82430 MX I/O Controller. Linux 2.0.5 kernel sources at least have #defines related to this. Not sure what this means.

Sound

The Micron page claims "SoundBlaster(TM) 16 Sound" - this sounds like the real thing. That means compatibility with Linux, NetBSD, and OS/2, of course.

Pointing Devices

I presume these act as a PS/2-port bus mouse, also supported by all three operating systems. I take the existence of dual PS/2 ports on the MicronDock as evidence towards this.

Advanced Power Management

APM is APM is APM, apparently. ctm@ardi.com supplies positive confirmation of Linux 2.0's compatibility with the TransPort's APM setup on comp.sys.laptops.

CD-ROM Drive

The CD-ROM is a standard ATAPI drive. Some pressings of OS/2 install media may have problems with this. When I installed OS/2 on my home system, it would crash in the second disk of the installation due to a problem with the ATAPI drivers. It's necessary to get ATAPI.ZIP from software.watson.ibm.com and follow the instructions within.

Floppy Drive

ctm@ardi.com has had some weird experiences with the floppy drive on his laptop with Linux, but he still doesn't quite know what's going on. He wrote of his problems in comp.sys.laptops.

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