Penguin Support Center

Welcome to the Penguin Support Center. Help us help you by using our online support system. By utilizing the online support system, we'll be better prepared to resolve your issue. Once your ticket is submitted, we'll research the problem and return your email, or call you. Of course, you can still call our toll-free number any time: 1-888-39-THINK(84465). Our normal hours of operation are Monday-Friday 10:30AM-5PM Eastern, 7:30AM-2PM Pacific. For frequently asked questions see our FAQs page.

We also now have an informal Penguin Chat on Matrix. Please note official support channels will continue to be via email/phone.

Networking

Networking & Internet Connectivity Products (Routers, Network Cards & Modems)

Accessories & Other Devices

9.5mm Ultra Slim SATA Blu-ray Writer Owners Manual (TPE-BLUDVSATA95)
How to utilize a USB Data Transfer Cable in Linux Mint (TPE-3TRANCBL)
How to utilize a USB Data Transfer Cable in Xubuntu (TPE-3TRANCBL)
How to utilize a USB Data Transfer Cable in Ubuntu (TPE-3TRANCBL)
How to utilize a USB Data Transfer Cable in Trisquel (TPE-3TRANCBL)
How to utilize a USB Data Transfer Cable in Fedora (TPE-3TRANCBL)
How to utilize a USB Data Transfer Cable in Debian (TPE-3TRANCBL)
How to connect a USB wireless mouse to your computer
Video demonstration on battery installation and connecting a USB wireless mouse (TPE-G1307E)
Documentation for Penguin Key'd Backlit Quiet Mechanical RGB Compact Keyboard (TPE-PENCPKBLED)
Documentation for Penguin Key'd Backlit Mechanical LED Keyboard w/ Cherry MX Switches (TPE-PENKEYBD)
Documentation for Penguin Key'd Backlit Quiet Mechanical RGB Keyboard (TPE-PENKEYBD2)
Documentation for Penguin Key'd Backlit Quiet Mechanical RGB Keyboard (TPE-PENCPKBLED3)
GPS Device Documentation
Documentation for use with our USB 3.0 HDMI Video Capture Dongle (TPE-USBCAPT2)
USB TV Tuner w/ support for HD ATSC / DVB-T Digital TV (US, Canada, & [censored])
Webcam Support Documentation
Bluetooth Device Setup
Bluetooth with Raspbian Howto (Raspberry Pi)
Penguin USB 2.0 Audio Adapter
5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Express Audio Sound Card (TPE-PCIESNDCRD)
USB 3.0 ExpressCard 34MM
How to connect a USB Hard Drive documentation
Canon High-Speed Flatbed Scanner GNU/Linux Edition (TPE-SC9MRK2, older model scanner)
Canon Slim Photo and Document Flatbed Scanner GNU/Linux Edition Documentation (TPE-CANSCR400)
EEE1394B & IEEE1394a Combo Interface FireWire 800/400 PCIe Controller Card (TPE-1394B/APCIE) Documentation
HP OfficeJet all-in-one with automatic document feeder: If can't scan with the ADF in Simple Scan install Skanlite and select the ADF to scan using feeder
Connecting To A Wireless Only HP Printer In GNU/Linux (TPE-DSK3755)
Using a Trezor T On GNU/Linux With Free Software

Printers

HP Printers & Multifunction Machines
Canon Printers & Multifunction Machines (TPE-CANLSR269 & TPE-CANLSR570)
Thermal Label Printers (TPE-ZLBPRNT2054)

Laptops

Keys to bring up the boot menu & get into the BIOS:

Name Model Boot Menu Key BIOS Key
Penguin J2 TPE-PENJ2LAP F7 F2
Penguin J4 TPE-PENJ4LAP F7 F2
Penguin T4 TPE-PENT4LAP F7 F2


Controlling RGB keyboards on ThinkPenguin laptops (applies to at least: M3)
T2 Keyboard (what the keys special function keys do)
FreeBSD 12.1 Test Results On the T2
Keyboard not responding after suspending to ram? Try This!
Did you install a new operating system on your T3 or B1 laptop? Having problems? T3 & B1 Documentation
Writing Blu-ray discs in Linux Mint 20 & Ubuntu 20.04: Improving The Performance(tips and other tricks)
How to format a flash drive in Linux Mint 21 using the GNOME disks utility
Demonstration on inserting a SIM card in a Penguin J3 laptop (applies to at least the Penguin J3 GNU/Linux Laptop TPE-PENJ3LAP)
How replace the battery of a J3 model laptop
Troubleshooting 4G modem on Penguin J3 laptop (includes pictures on how to orient SIM card during insertion, TPE-PENJ3LAP)
Enabling DisplayPort over USB-C (also applicable to or in conjunction with the USB-C Universal Docking Station (TPE-USBDOCK30))
Galapagos Laptop Disassembly Video (including screen part #LP140WF3 (SP)(D1))
y=mx+b laptop disassembly video
Adelie Penguin Support Information
Snares Penguin Support Information
Humboldt Penguin Support Information
Korora Penguin Support Information
Royal Penguin Support Information
Penguin Air Pro Support Information
Penguin J4 Laptop Support Information
Penguin J2 Laptop Disassembly Video
Penguin B5 Laptop Support Information
Penguin T4 Laptop Support Information

Desktops/Servers/NAS

General note: There is a greater potential for interference inherent in USB 3.0 devices/connections with the 2.4 GHz band. If you are experiencing performance issues with wireless devices we recommend inserting a USB hub or USB extension cable to put some distance between your USB devices and the computer. These items are not listed as stand alone products in our catalog. Feel free to contact us about purchasing these items.

Penguin NAS 2 Bay Mini Server Manual
Penguin X Mini Edition Documentation
Penguin Entertainment PC Documentation
Penguin Wee 4 Support Information (old)
Penguin Wee 4th Gen Support Information
Penguin Wee 3rd Gen Support Information
Penguin Pocket Wee Support Documentation
Penguin Nano Support Documentation
Penguin Wee Setup Instructions
Penguin Pro: Connecting a hard drive (internal)
Penguin Pro Systems: Using the hot swap bay

Keys to bring up the boot menu & get into the BIOS:

Name Model Boot Menu Key BIOS Key
Penguin Pro 10 TPE-PRO10PC F8 DEL
Penguin Pro 11 TPE-PRO11PC F8 DEL
Penguin Pro 12 TPE-PRO12PC F12 DEL
Penguin Pro 14 TPE-PRO14PC F8 DEL
Penguin X Mini TPE-MINIXDSK F11 DEL
Penguin Mini C TPE-MINICPC F11 F2
Penguin NAS Server TPE-2BAYNAS F8 DEL


Penguin Pro 12: On Ubuntu 20.04.3 there is broken CPU micro code that impacts 10th generation CPUs. A BIOS update is required to fix the problem. A blank screen will occur. Contact support for more information.

Penguin Pro 11: Under an install of Linux Mint 20 you may need to install some updates for full support (should not apply to Linux Mint 21+ and Ubuntu 22.04+): sudo apt update; sudo apt install linux-image-generic-hwe-20.04-edge ; sudo apt dist-upgrade

Servers

How to setup network file sharing in GNU/Linux (TPE-2BAYNAS)

PenguinVPN 2.0 Tutorials

Have you subscribed to our PenguinVPN service in 2023 or later? You've probably got a PenguinVPN 2.0 subscription.

Connecting directly to PenguinVPN 2.0 in Linux Mint 20(OpenVPN protocol)
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN 2.0 in Linux Mint 21(OpenVPN protocol)
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN 2.0 in Fedora 37+ (OpenVPN protocol)
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN 2.0 in Fedora 38+ (OpenVPN protocol)
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN 2.0 in Ubuntu 22.04(OpenVPN protocol)
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN 2.0 in Ubuntu 22.10(OpenVPN protocol)
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN 2.0 in Ubuntu 23.04+(OpenVPN protocol)
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN 2.0 in Debian 12 / Bookworm (OpenVPN protocol)
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN 2.0 in Trisquel 11(OpenVPN protocol)

PenguinVPN Tutorials

This is mostly outdated and only for users who've had a subscription for years (subscriptions pre-2023).

Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Ubuntu 16.04
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Ubuntu 17.10
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Ubuntu 18.04
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Ubuntu 18.10
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Ubuntu 19.04
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Ubuntu 19.10
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Ubuntu 20.04
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Ubuntu 20.10
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Ubuntu 21.04
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Ubuntu 21.10
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Fedora 30
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Fedora 31
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Fedora 32
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Fedora 33
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Fedora 34
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in openSUSE Leap 15 w/ KDE
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN on Deepin 15.11+
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Debian 10 (Buster)
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Linux Mint 18.x Cinnamon
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Linux Mint 19.x Cinnamon
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Linux Mint 20.x Cinnamon
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Linux Mint 21.x Cinnamon
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Parabola GNU/Linux-libre using the GNOME desktop environment
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in Parabola GNU/Linux-libre using the MATE desktop environment
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN in KDE Neon (also works for Kubuntu & Manjaro KDE Plasma Edition)
Connecting directly to PenguinVPN 2.0 Using WireGuard On Android / LineageOS / GrapheneOS / Replicant / etc

Tutorials & Related Fixes / Customization / Documentation

How to get 3D acceleration working by upgrading Mesa on Debian 11 based releases such as LMDE5
Tutorial on how to mount a USB storage device under libreCMC
Tutorial for first time users looking to install a PCIe card in a desktop
How to utilize Merge in gLabels with Kontact to manage multiple addresses for bulk mailings (demonstrated printing with Avery 5160 Easy Peel Address Labels under Linux Mint 20)
Getting to the GRUB boot menu in Linux Mint 20 (changing a forgotten password using the recovery mode menu option is the most common use case)
Getting to the GRUB boot menu in Linux Mint 21 and resetting a forgotten password (change a forgotten password using the recovery mode w/o knowing the password)
Connecting antennas to a computer tutorial (generic)
Bluetooth Profiles Supported Under GNU/Linux
Tutorial on updating SANE/scanner drivers on Ubuntu and other distributions derived from it (applicable to the Canon 400 scanner on Ubuntu 18.04-19.10 and Linux Mint 19.x, and Trisquel 9, TPE-CANSCR400)
No audio after suspending to ram? Try this fix
How to disable logging to /var/log/kern.log
How to burn a DVD ISO image in Ubuntu 16.04
Solving the USB Storage Permission Issue & Cross System Compatibility Problem
Touchpad not working? Accidentally 'clicking' things while typing? Try this.
ACPI fix: How to fix shutdown issues, brightness key issues, etc
How to Manually Upgrade Intel Graphics Drivers
Ubuntu & Linux Mint Kernel Upgrade Howto
Trisquel 6 Kernel Upgrade Howto
Trisquel 6 Kernel Upgrade (without an internet connection)
Playing digitally restricted movies released on DVD
Instructions on how to install Oracle's Java (required for some web sites)
Introduction to the Ubuntu Unity desktop (11.04+)
Adjusting font sizes and font rendering in Unity (11.04+)
Changing screen resolutions in Unity (11.04+)

Disabling the screensaver password: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx
Automatic logins: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx
Networking without passwords & automatic logins: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx
Evolution without passwords & automatic logins: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx
Enabling images in Evolution: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx

Applications & Other Tutorials

Verifying a USB flash drive contains an authentic copy of Linux Mint
Alternatives to the Microsoft Core Fonts: How to rename Liberation fonts to match Microsoft's equivalent fonts using the liberation to mscore fonts renaming package
Moving your home folder to a 2nd hard disk (Linux Mint 21, but should also work on other distros)
Changing A Partitions Mount Point Or More Specifically Setting Up A Different Partition To Use For Your /home Folder Using GNOME's Disk Utility (CentOS 8 demo, but should work on other distributions and releases)
Installing CentOS 8 Demonstration Using A USB Flash Drive On A New Computer
Performing a clean install of Linux Mint 20 Using A USB Flash Drive (Demo'd on a Penguin Pro 6 system which had Linux Mint 19 on it prior)
Creating a new user account in Linux Mint 19, 20, and 21
Testing Hardware Support (3D & Power Management/Suspend/Hibernate)
BIOS Password Reset
Debian 6 Kernel Upgrade Howto
Upgrading from Ubuntu 16.04 to 18.04 Tutorial
Upgrading from Linux Mint 20.1 to Linux Mint 20.2 Tutorial
Connecting to a Microsoft Virtual Private Network (VPN)
How to Install thinkorswim on Ubuntu 18.04
MS Windows Contacts to GNU/Linux - convert contacts to CSV file without MS Windows
Installation & Playing SIGIL a DOOM mod by John Romero on GNU/Linux

Bugs

Empathy Small Fonts to Large Fix

Returns, Warranty, & Support Policies

Warranty, Return, and support policies
Sending goods for repair outside of the [censored] (applicable to [censored] residents)
Sending goods for repair outside of Canada (applicable to Canadian residents)
Sending goods for repair outside of Mexico (applicable to Mexican residents)