ThinkPad T420s and T420 laptops, despite their age, remain reliable for web browsing, word processing, and various other tasks. Linux can breathe new life into such dated computers, allowing them to perform efficiently.
I configured one of these laptops for my son, and he is now able to do his homework using it. With proper configuration, ThinkPad laptops can achieve optimal performance and power management. This article provides a guide to configuring X11/Xorg, kernel parameters, firmware, fan control, and power management settings to optimize the ThinkPad t420s or t420 for modern use.
Some instructions in this article are specific to Debian/Ubuntu-based distributions, but they can easily be adapted to other distributions such as Red Hat, Fedora, Arch Linux, Gentoo, and others.
X11/Xorg
To ensure proper functionality of Intel graphics and avoid issues such as black screens after waking from sleep, use the Intel driver instead of modesetting.
Create the configuration file /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/30-intel.conf:
Section "Device"
Identifier "Intel Graphics"
Driver "intel"
Option "Backlight" "intel_backlight"
EndSectionCode language: plaintext (plaintext)Ensure the intel driver is installed:
sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-intelCode language: plaintext (plaintext)IMPORTANT: Ensure that the integrated graphics are set as the default video card in the ThinkPad BIOS.
Kernel parameters
To ensure backlight control is working (increasing and decreasing brightness), add the following kernel parameter: acpi_backlight=native
On a Debian/Ubuntu based distribution, this can be appended to the kernel command line in the bootloader configuration, typically in /etc/default/grub (for GRUB users):
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi_backlight=native"Code language: plaintext (plaintext)After modifying this file, update GRUB with:
sudo update-grubCode language: plaintext (plaintext)Fan control
Without software to control the fan, it may run at maximum speed. To enable fan control, create the file /etc/modprobe.d/thinkpad_acpi.conf:
options thinkpad_acpi fan_control=1Code language: plaintext (plaintext)After that, install zcfan. On a Debian/Ubuntu based distribution:
sudo apt-get install zcfanCode language: plaintext (plaintext)Packages
Ensure the necessary firmware for Atheros and Realtek network devices is installed. On Debian/Ubuntu-based distributions, install the following packages:
sudo apt install firmware-atheros firmware-realtekCode language: plaintext (plaintext)It is also recommended to install essential packages for hardware encoding and decoding, including intel-microcode for the latest processor updates, which improve system stability and performance:
sudo apt-get install intel-microcode intel-media-va-driver-non-free i965-va-driverCode language: plaintext (plaintext)TLP
TLP is a power management tool that optimizes battery life. Install and configure it as follows:
sudo apt install tlpCode language: plaintext (plaintext)Create the configuration file /etc/tlp.d/00-base.conf:
DEVICES_TO_DISABLE_ON_BAT="bluetooth wwan"
DEVICES_TO_ENABLE_ON_STARTUP="wifi"
DEVICES_TO_DISABLE_ON_LAN_CONNECT="wifi wwan"
TLP_DEFAULT_MODE=BAT
CPU_SCALING_GOVERNOR_ON_AC=performance
CPU_SCALING_GOVERNOR_ON_BAT=schedutil
# PCIe Active State Power Management (ASPM):
PCIE_ASPM_ON_AC=performance
# Set Intel CPU performance: 0..100 (%). Limit the
# max/min to control the power dissipation of the CPU.
# Values are stated as a percentage of the available
# performance.
CPU_MIN_PERF_ON_AC=70
CPU_MAX_PERF_ON_AC=100
# [default] performance powersave powersupersave. on=disable
RUNTIME_PM_ON_AC=on
RUNTIME_PM_ON_BAT=powersupersaveCode language: Python (python)Conclusion
The ThinkPad T420s and T420, though older models, remain reliable machines for everyday tasks. With the right configuration, these laptops can be revitalized, making them well-suited for modern use.