I am getting a new laptop shortly and planning to have dual boot with any Linux OS without really disturbing the original software installed.

The Laptop in question would be an IBM T43 from the current crop and will have an 80 GB drive. I have yet to get hold of the machine I wanted to get but more or less the specs of the machine would be close to this

I am looking for any tips, advise, pointers, suggestions, opinions, comments etc etc. to make it easier for me to have a go at it once again. I have in the past indulged in installation of Linux as dual boot as well as a stand alone machine. The distros I used and had some experience of were Mandrake 10 and Red Hat 7.2 and 9. I have also tried Knoppix CD based Linux and another version of CD based Mandrake. I would call myself a novice rather than anything else when it comes to Linux

Anyone?

Wireless internet?
If so, Plum Ugly swears by Xandros for wireless.

To be precise, I will be at times using the CDMA wireless PCMCIA card for my internet needs also.

Well as the resident "expert" (tongue in cheek) I advise popping over to Linx Live CD and having a look at what is on offer, download a couple or three.

Try them on your system and see how you like them ... more important is, will they like your system.

The term we will be using is "New Linux User"




Bet you never knew there were that many Linux OSs around.

Mucks,

Since when did you get to be the "Resident Expert"? (tounge in cheek). I remember when I was at it you had got frustrated before even starting off and given up on Linux at OUR forum.

I will let you get away with that

My patience has gotten longer ... I will gladly step to one side ... have anybody in mind?

You should have seen me yesterday, I would have bitten your head off.

Today is 'play day' there is a lot under the hood on this OS, and some very clever people behind it all.

Apart from some silly little niggles I can't really complain. It works, it does all I need it to do and some of the things I never thought of doing. I even like Firfox.

Just kidding You do know a lot more than I do about computers and I have no hesitation in saying that on an open forum

Get out of here ... shouldn't you be at work? ... you on a day off or summit?

I am fully commited to installing the Linux OS on the new Laptop and while searching for sompatibility issues and most suitable distro, I came across some very useful information to to with the subject laptop which I must share with you all. Some of the information provided is specific to T43 model but others are general in nature, however, related to IBM laptops only. I will be doing a bit of reading later on the weekend as well and prepare a list ot Do's and Dont's for the installation.

http://sharadware.com/2005/06/13/in...m-thinkpad-t43/

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/s...IGR-48NT8D.html

http://www.emperorlinux.com/mfgr/ib...=details&id=273

I also know that portable Linux exists and can be installed on standalone Hard Disks, not sure if they work flawlessly on USB enabled mobile drives. I have a mobile drive with 40GB capacity which I use for back up and more than half is empty, maybe that may come handy also. Can anyone share some info on that?

So far I cannot get my USB Ext HD to work. It is being seen by Suse and I know it is 'mounted' but I still need to do more research as to why I can't use it.

Some interesting insights there Quad.

I did not bother with dual boot, but then I can be a sadist to a PC.