Dell Latitude D610 + Debian Linux + 2.6.14 kernel

Get the ipw-2.2 firmware, drop it in /usr/lib/hotplug/firmware/
Install using 2.4 kernel, then upgrade to unstable and switch to kernel 2.6.14. You need to install mkinitrd originally, which will anger apt, but too f*ing bad.
Then enable maximal support for devices in /etc/mkinitrd/mkinitrd.conf

put these in /etc/modules:

ide-core
ide-cd
ide-detect
ide-disk
xfs
generic
psmouse
snd-mixer-oss
snd-pcm-oss
speedstep-centrino
cpufreq-userspace
sg

(yes, I know most of these modules aren't in 2.4. Deal.)

build the initrd by hand (it's easy, manpages describe it without fail)
alter grub config to understand gigantor ramdisks. You'll probably have to do something like ramdisk=200000 or something ludicrous like that. The ramdisk you just made is freakin giant. Remember to modify /etc/fstab to point hd* to sd*, and edit the grub config to do the same.

Then go to yaird for your initrd generator.
create a one line file:

echo "options libata atapi_enabled=1" > /etc/modprobe.d/libata

Then run yaird. You'll have support for the sata cd/rw/dvd drive when you reboot.
Reboot with your new image.

install acpid, laptop_mode, and powernowd

edit /etc/acpi/actions/lm_lid.sh
and add the following list of commands:

sleep 1
export XAUTHORITY="/var/lib/gdm/:0.Xauth"

if grep "closed" /proc/acpi/button/lid/LID/state; then
        /usr/bin/X11/xset -display :0 dpms force off
fi
if grep "open" /proc/acpi/button/lid/LID/state; then
        /usr/bin/X11/xset -display :0 dpms force on
fi

Put that before the laptop mode crap.

If you don't use gdm, like a civilized human being, deal.

throw the following in /etc/network/interfaces:

auto eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp
        pre-up /sbin/mii-tool eth0|grep ok > /dev/null

That way when you boot, if you have link on your ethernet, it runs dhcp. If not, it skips it.

install 915resolution

vi /etc/default/915resolution

#
# 915resolution default
#
# find free modes by  /usr/sbin/915resolution -l
# and set it to MODE
#
MODE=3c
#
# and set resolutions for the mode.
#
XRESO=1400
YRESO=1050

use i810 driver with xorg. Do the defauls through x's config, and then add this res to Depth 24:
"1400×1050"

Reboot (yea, reboot)

You should have a fully configured system with a working CD burner, working wireless, working gigE, and a SXGA+ screen.

woo.

And if you take the backlight down, it should last almost 4 hours on battery. The keys you'd expect do what they should, both for sound control, and brightness, if you run gnome.

I've gotten ~6 hours with the lid shut, processor idle. 🙂

I still like the thinkpads better for linux.