Linux on a Dell Precision M90. Noob wanting help...

[operaman1]

So,

I just got an 80GB drive to try out Linux on my laptop. My laptop is as follows:

Dell M90
Merom T7200
2 X 1 GB DDR2 PC533 RAM
2500M Vid Card
80 GB SATA
NEC 6650A DVDRW
Intel 3945 card since it has the best driver support for Linux

I am going to use Ubuntu for now since it is the most noob friendly with a good GUI. I will then try other versions once I have a clue as to what I am doing.

I have questions though:

1. I have booted to Live CD but it had issues installing on the HD. It would stop at 15% or pretend to go through it and stop. Is this an issue with the vid card not having native support?

2. Do I need to MANUALLY set the different partitions or let it do it's thing?

3. Are all of the drivers native to the install or are there some specific steps I need to take within the OS in order to get it installed?

Basically I want to try out Linux and eventually make it my main OS, but I want to take as much sting out of the learning curve as possible.

Any and all help from people in this community would be appreciated.

 

[n0cmonkey]

1. Usually drivers for the VIDEOCARD don't have much to do with installing on the HARDDRIVE.
2. Auto-partition is probably fine.
3. Yes. Depending on which drivers you need, you may have to install some after the install.

 

[bdc417]

Please post your Linux compatibility reviews for this product at http://ubuntuhcl.org/browse/product+dell-precision-m90?id=5131