Best Linux for mobility? - Page 2

HUGE difference between those distros! Remember Gentoo designed for custom installation. PCLinuxOS geared for easy installation on all different machines but then can be taylored for you. It doesn't matter what ditsro as long as it works for you!

Kind of a stupid topic, cause linux comes in various tastes

Ah my friend "the only stupid question is the one not asked!" . Not to start a flame war but that post was uncalled for and not needed . As a novice or someone just beginning to want to explore Linux why not ask to see if there was a specfic distro that handled the needs of laptops?

SuSE 10 Has Strong Mobile Tools

I'm a huge fan of SuSE 10 as it includes a wide range of mobile orieinted tools and drivers. I do have the commercial DVD installer, but all of the laptop tools are in the free download as well. The only thing I've found to be a pain is Wi-Fi. You definitely need to learn some shell commands if you plan on using wireless in more than one place.

Hope that helps!

suse and fedora are in ABF's dog house! both were just beyond bad.

Try Ubuntu, Zenwalk and PC-BSD? I like all three of those.

Ubuntu and PC-BSD are straightforward in their installs. But for Zenwalk you have to use fdisk when you boot from the disk. Ok when it boots you type root to enter root mode. Then u type fdisk/dev/hda I believe (if u just type fdisk it will tell u exactly what to type). Then it will say type m for list of commands I believe, type o on the list (this will wipe the partition table on you hda and start with an empty hd. Then you create a new partition (cant remember the letter for it, but it will say in the commands). Then you have to choose a type of partition again in the commands and it will list the different types, choose linux (its like number 40 or 50 something). Then you write the changes to disk using the m commands again. Next you exit fdisk and type setup. Before it starts installing you first have to choose the target partition to install to and the media to install from (both in the setup menu). The installer for Zenwalk never sets up my internet right, so during install I usually just skip the network install section, you can configure it from the xfce4 desktop by right-clicking after zenwalk is installed. Also during installation it will ask which type of log in mode u want, text or graphical, choose graphical cuz xfce doesnt like to launch from text mode for some reason. During installation it will ask you to make a root password, but the non root user u have to create. When the users menu shows up during install create a new one and the group its in for non root use. And you can download the Zenwalk iso right here.

What happened with pclinux? Where did it fail? Did the livecd boot? Don't give up just keep trying I'm sure another distro will work, it will take TIME and effort but it will be worth it. If you were under the impression it would be as easy as mac or dows you are mistaken. Finding the best distro for yourself is half the fun.

Ah time to read up This is all part of the linux experiance. Ndiswrapper will probably get you wireless up but once again you will need time to get it going. The ethernet is most likely a simple command or two away. Each distro has it's own control center in which you should be able to make changes. You just need to find one distro to get you close then work from there. Good Luck and Have Fun! You will end up learning alot if you can stick with it. For the fun of it look at the forums at osx86project.org for some interesting reading about lappy's like yours. Maybe someday Steve will let us have access to OSX86! I have seen it running and reallly like it.

To get Ubuntu Breezy Badger to install on my Compaq Presario v2410US it had to use:
expert noapic nolapic noapci

i seriously recommend you jump in with both feet, and try gentoo. its hard, but if you follow the handbook, you'll make it. it takes hours to do it (sometimes days) but at the end, you know every single item installed on your machine. Nothing you don't need will be installed, and everything you need will. So you can get all your stuff working during the install itself. Thats not to say stuff won't work, but thats the fun of linux.

I never reccomend Gentoo to a complete novice at Linux to be hoenst. Learn the basics first with Ubuntu or the like, then go with Gentoo to learn the advanced stuff and customize to your hearts desire.

Seablade