I also have a Toshiba, actually 2. A 8000 Tecra and a new A30. I installed Mepis (Debian based) and it runs flawless. Pcmcia, usb, video touchpad, ethernet all autodetected. I have had to next to zero tinkering with it. Try out the live cd, if it works you can use the installer program.
Good luck.
P.S. The only part that was a bit trick was the power management. Make sure your lappy is plugged in because when your login screen comes up it my think your battery is dead until you configure Klaptop apm.
Alan.
