Got my feet wet - now getting cold feet.

[James Carruthers]

Thank you to everyone who offered me advice on putting Linux on my
inspiron 1100. Your responses were very informative and helpful. I've
filed your advice for future reference, when I'm in a better position to
implement it and delve deeper into the Linux OS for my personal use.
Thanks again,
James

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org [mailto:owner-tlug at ss.org] On Behalf Of Tim
Writer
Sent: February 20, 2004 3:49 PM
To: tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org
Subject: Re: [TLUG]: Got my feet wet - now getting cold feet.


"James Carruthers" <mysticsound-bJEeYj9oJeDQT0dZR+AlfA at public.gmane.org> writes:

> I am considering installing Linux on my own inspiron 1100 (upgraded to

> 640MB RAM and soon to have an 80GB drive). However, I have some very 
> strong concerns. I'd like to hear some thoughts on this to help me 
> make the best decision.
> 
> Some of the many problems I have to learn how to solve are:
> 
> *	Will the Linux OS properly recognize all my hardware? I've done
> some reading on the internet and found that installing Linux on the 
> inspiron 1100 "is not easy" and that certain things won't work no 
> matter what, like the power, but I don't know if that goes for all 
> distros or maybe I was reading out-dated material?

I have an Inspiron 1100 running Debian stable with XFree 4.3 and KDE
3.1.3. It works well but it wasn't easy to setup.  Currenlty, I believe
all of the hardware is working including:

    o   USB 2.0;

    o   the builtin software modem (using beta drivers from 
        http://www.linuxant.com);

    o   on-board sound (Intel i810) which works best with the Alsa
        drivers but also works with OSS;

    o   on-board Intel i830 graphics with DRI/DRM for 3D accelation;

    o   on-board Broadcomm NIC (I'm using the bcm4400 driver from
Broadcomm
        although recent kernels [2.4.22 and later IIRC]) have a driver);

    o   PCMCIA with various Ethernet NICs and an Orinoco WiFi card;

    o   ACPI for power management.

Power management is only functional to a point.  I can use it to monitor
battery status, etc. and it will warn me when the battery is low but
suspend doesn't work.  I understand "software suspend" is supposed to
work but it seems to be a work in progress and I don't travel enough to
be overly worried about it.  You will need to upgrade the BIOS to get
this to work.

The latest version of KNOPPIX boots nicely.  If you decide to install
Debian stable, I can provide you with my kernel package.

> *	Will the Linux OS properly recognize my usb 2.0 wireless mouse
> and my plextor PX-708UF external drive?

I have the ATA version of the same Plextor in my home desktop (also
running Debian stable) and it works like a charm.  Since USB 2.0 is
working and USB DVD[+-]RW drives are supposed to work, yours should.
However, I have no direct experience.

> Will I be able to "plug and
> play" with the PC card slot - for instance I need to get a fire-wire 
> jack to connect to the semi-professional digital video camera I'll 
> soon be using?

I can't speak for firewire but I haven't had any problems using the
PCMCIA with several NICs as wells as an Orinoco WiFi card.

> Cautiously curious,

I agree with the other posters though that it might not be wise to rush
into this before leaving for India.

-- 
tim writer <tim-s/rLXaiAEBtBDgjK7y7TUQ at public.gmane.org>                                  starnix
inc.
905.771.0017 ext. 225                           thornhill, ontario,
canada
http://www.starnix.com              professional linux services &
products
--
The Toronto Linux Users Group.      Meetings: http://tlug.ss.org
TLUG requests: Linux topics, No HTML, wrap text below 80 columns How to
UNSUBSCRIBE: http://tlug.ss.org/subscribe.shtml

--
The Toronto Linux Users Group.      Meetings: http://tlug.ss.org
TLUG requests: Linux topics, No HTML, wrap text below 80 columns
How to UNSUBSCRIBE: http://tlug.ss.org/subscribe.shtml