Some time ago I bought a used IBM T41 laptop. It came with an official windows XP license (my first one!!! :). But since I tried that OS and didn't like it, I installed Ubuntu 7.04 at that time, for a dual boot setup. I kept XP on there for several reasons: I might sell it, to try out windows software and for gaming. But the partition is so small, and I never use it, so let's get on with how my IBM T41 reacted on Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn.

1. System info

* Type 2373-5G2
* Intel Pentium M (Centrino) 1.6GHz
* ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 with 32MB
* 14.1" TFT display with 1400x1050 resolution
* 512MB PC2700 memory standard, 2 GB max.
* new 80 GB HDD
* intel AC'97 Audio controller
* Integrated Intel Gigabit (10/100/1000) Ethernet Controller
* UltraBay Slim CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive
* new keyboard
* 1,5h of battery life during normal internet usage

2. lspci

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 82855PM Processor to I/O Controller (rev 03)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82855PM Processor to AGP Controller (rev 03)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 01)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 01)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 01)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-M) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 01)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev 81)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801DBM (ICH4-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 01)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801DBM (ICH4-M) IDE Controller (rev 01)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) SMBus Controller (rev 01)
00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 01)
00:1f.6 Modem: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) AC'97 Modem Controller (rev 01)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon R250 [Mobility FireGL 9000] (rev 02)
02:00.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCI4520 PC card Cardbus Controller (rev 01)
02:00.1 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCI4520 PC card Cardbus Controller (rev 01)
02:01.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82540EP Gigabit Ethernet Controller (Mobile) (rev 03)
02:02.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI Adapter (rev 04)

3. Results

Almost everything worked out of the box, which is very nice, IBM laptops are known to be very linux compatible. BUT not everything worked. 2 problems and 1 issue:

1.) Suspend and hibernation work, but I had no sound when coming out of the hibernation or suspend. I don't use it, so I didn't bother to fix it.

UPDATE:
I noticed suspend works completely as of kernel 2.6.20-16 (sound works without a problem)
When you have problems with having no sound when coming out of hibernation, you will want it back. You will have to shut the machine down and reboot. A restart won't fix the problem. You have to do shutdown, and boot it back up. Hibernation is still a lot slower than a normal shitdown/reboot, that I don't think anyone would use it, even if the sound would work.

2.) Compiz didn't work neither. I did a lot of twiddling and got it to work.

3.) My wireless worked better when in XP than on Ubuntu. XP seemed to have less problems with very low signal strength networks.

4. How to get Compiz to work

The videocard was a ATI Technologies Inc. Radeon R250 (Mobility FireGL 9000) + a screen with a 1400 x 1050 resolution

It was some time ago, but this is what I remember:

sudo apt-get install compiz

sudo apt-get install compiz-gnome

If you have the same graphics card, you need to make some modifications to your xorg.conf file..

First backup your xorg.conf

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup

Install my xorg.conf file (it worked for me, so if you have the same system -videocard and screen resolution- it should work for you too, but don't shoot me if it doesn't)

download my xorg.conf from the attachment and copy it to /etc/X11/, or better replace the old one.

Restart X - or log out

Ctrl + Alt + Backspace

and log back in

enable desktop effect in system > preferences > GL Desktop
(the desktop-effect menu entry didn't work well for me)

Start Compiz

sudo compiz --replace

If all goes well, you'll have compiz working. If not

sudo metacity --replace

This being said I'm going to upgrade when they release the new Ubuntu :) Got to keep up with the kids. Btw Compiz worked out of the box on my desktop on Gutsy Gibbon, when it didn't even want to install Dapper Drake! So better to try the newest version when you have the opportunity.

UPDATE:
I was unsuccelfull in booting from a Hardy Heron LiveCD

That's all!