NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Dell Forums › Dell Home (Inspiron, XPS, Studio) › Looking to go Linux on 9300, help appreciated.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Looking to go Linux on 9300, help appreciated.

post #1 of 24
4/25/06 at 6:46pm
Thread Starter 
Hello all,
For the past year I've continued to use Litestep and other theming programs to change the way XP looks and feels. I've also gone with pretty much opensource software and I feel that it's time to give Linux a try. I've read all the Linux posts in the Dell forums and a bunch on www.ubuntuforums.org and would like some direction. For starters here's my sys specs and what I'm looking to do.

specs:
Dell 9300 PM 1.73ghz, 533fsb
1gb DDR2 533mhz RAM
60gb 7krpm HD
nvidia Go6800
Intel 2200 wireless
8xDVD RW

Currently I've got my HD in two partitions, one XP w/ progs and one for Data and files. Both are NTFS. I still have the Dell partition on there, but I'll be getting rid of that as soon as I burn a backup CD. I already keep an updated image of my partitions on external HDs. I've actually already used Partition Magic to create an unallocated partition of 6.6gb on my HD when I was thinking about installing OSx, but I changed my mind.

I'd like to create a dual boot, XP & Ubuntu machine. From the reading I've done, this looks fairly easy to do using the Ubuntu installation CD. I will use XP for gaming and audio production and use Ubuntu for everyday stuff.

Questions:
1. There's Ubuntu with Gnome and Kubuntu with KDE. It seems that the only differences are the GUI. Is that right? Can anyone provide relevant insight into why go with one or the other?
2. I'd really like the ability to access my files on my data partition through Linux. It seems that Linux doesn't write to NTFS formatted drives. Is there no way that I can access those files? I don't want to have duplicates of all my data.
3. Is the 9300 hardware recognized in Ubuntu? It seems like it is using the Synaptic download manager to get all the correct drivers and what not. What's your experience?
4. I keep seeing Novell referenced and even watched a couple videos on what they're doing with Linux, but what is Novell in relation to Linux?

I'm sure I have other questions, but can't think of them right now. Any and all input is appreciated. Thanks.

Jonathan
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 24
4/25/06 at 6:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jabulani_jonny

4. I keep seeing Novell referenced and even watched a couple videos on what they're doing with Linux, but what is Novell in relation to Linux?

This I can answer! Because of the open source nature of Linux, anyone can create their own distro and anyone can charge money for it. Novell are simply a commercial company that sells a particular version of Linux.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 24
4/25/06 at 9:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jabulani_jonny
Hello all, For the past year I've continued to use Litestep and other theming programs to change the way XP looks and feels. I've also gone with pretty much opensource software and I feel that it's time to give Linux a try. I've read all the Linux posts in the Dell forums and a bunch on www.ubuntuforums.org and would like some direction. For starters here's my sys specs and what I'm looking to do. specs: Dell 9300 PM 1.73ghz, 533fsb 1gb DDR2 533mhz RAM 60gb 7krpm HD nvidia Go6800 Intel 2200 wireless 8xDVD RW Currently I've got my HD in two partitions, one XP w/ progs and one for Data and files. Both are NTFS. I still have the Dell partition on there, but I'll be getting rid of that as soon as I burn a backup CD. I already keep an updated image of my partitions on external HDs. I've actually already used Partition Magic to create an unallocated partition of 6.6gb on my HD when I was thinking about installing OSx, but I changed my mind. I'd like to create a dual boot, XP & Ubuntu machine. From the reading I've done, this looks fairly easy to do using the Ubuntu installation CD. I will use XP for gaming and audio production and use Ubuntu for everyday stuff. Questions: 1. There's Ubuntu with Gnome and Kubuntu with KDE. It seems that the only differences are the GUI. Is that right? Can anyone provide relevant insight into why go with one or the other? 2. I'd really like the ability to access my files on my data partition through Linux. It seems that Linux doesn't write to NTFS formatted drives. Is there no way that I can access those files? I don't want to have duplicates of all my data. 3. Is the 9300 hardware recognized in Ubuntu? It seems like it is using the Synaptic download manager to get all the correct drivers and what not. What's your experience? 4. I keep seeing Novell referenced and even watched a couple videos on what they're doing with Linux, but what is Novell in relation to Linux? I'm sure I have other questions, but can't think of them right now. Any and all input is appreciated. Thanks. Jonathan
1.) Desktop Environments are purely personal preference. I've used KDE for all of my previous installs. 2.) You can mount your windows partition with SMB and access the NTFS just fine. 3.) I've noticed a few threads floating around with people that installed and got everything working 100%. 4.) Answered above.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 24
4/25/06 at 10:14pm

Suse 10....

I have used Ubuntu, linspire, mandrake, and even installed MAC OSX on my XPS M170, but the best so far is SUSE 10. This is now put out by Novell. I have to tell you, it is AWSOM.

It finds every device in my laptop, bluetooth, Touchpad with scroll, Both internal NIC and the Intel Wireless, sound (Seperate Volume Control for the subwoofer too). It even installed my wireless durring the install so it could connect up to it's update site and pull down all the live updates durring the install.

It runs at 1440x900 resoulution on my WXGA monitor, and also comes with nVidia Drivers.

It just has to be the best linux you can get for laptops, or desktops for that matter.

And you can switch between KDE, or Gnome for your desktop.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 24
4/25/06 at 10:14pm
Thread Starter 
That's good info guys. Reflux have you seen the graphics stuff Novell has on their site? Check out the vids here: Novell/Linux Videos

It's good to know I can access my windows stuff. I did see help on mounting windows drives so I'm sure I can get that up and running. Have you guys used Linux on your Dell machines?

Thanks again!
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 24
4/25/06 at 10:16pm
Thread Starter 
Damn Pugsly, you posted right before I did! SUSE huh, I keep reading about it, but I thought Ubuntu was the go to for Dells, I guess not. I'll look more into SUSE. I see you've got a 9300 so that gives me hope that it will run on my machine. Although yours is tricked out more than mine. I sure wouldn't mind doing that PinMod, but I'm a little scared off right now and don't know if it's worth the hassle.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 24
4/25/06 at 10:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pugsly0014
I have used Ubuntu, linspire, mandrake, and even installed MAC OSX on my XPS M170, but the best so far is SUSE 10. This is now put out by Novell. I have to tell you, it is AWSOM.


Is that the freeware version, or the $59.99 version?
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 24
4/25/06 at 11:12pm
Thread Starter 
Pugs, do you game through SUSE, or dual boot?

Jonathan
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 24
4/26/06 at 2:31am
I was inspired.

I installed Ubuntu (I'm on it now).

Not bad. Gnome is pretty nice. I'm only having issues with this damn PCMCIA SB Audigy ZS2. I can't boot with it in, and if I plug it in it locks up.

I can't get root to freaking work either. ARG! I'll figure this damn thing out.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 24
4/26/06 at 3:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GZS
I was inspired.I can't get root to freaking work either. ARG! I'll figure this damn thing out.
There is no "root" in Ubuntu, you are basically always running as "root". When you want to do something as "root", type 'su' into the terminal and enter your admin password, you are now running as the equivalent of "root" (I'm going from memory, I don't currently have Ubuntu installed). [edit]Maybe it was 'sudo' not 'su'? I've been playing with too many distributions in the past few years. Doesn't hurt to try.[/edit]
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 24
4/26/06 at 3:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jabulani_jonny
Questions:
1. There's Ubuntu with Gnome and Kubuntu with KDE. It seems that the only differences are the GUI. Is that right? Can anyone provide relevant insight into why go with one or the other?
2. I'd really like the ability to access my files on my data partition through Linux. It seems that Linux doesn't write to NTFS formatted drives. Is there no way that I can access those files? I don't want to have duplicates of all my data.
3. Is the 9300 hardware recognized in Ubuntu? It seems like it is using the Synaptic download manager to get all the correct drivers and what not. What's your experience?
4. I keep seeing Novell referenced and even watched a couple videos on what they're doing with Linux, but what is Novell in relation to Linux?

1. Already answered ;D.
2. I believe that you can still access your files read-only, and change some files, as long as they retain their current size. Otherwise, writing to an NTFS partition is experimental. I could be wrong though, it's been a while.
3. Ubuntu when I ran it was much better at recognizing hardware, and if not, there's a few kernel .config files out there, as well as xorg.conf files if Ubuntu doesn't work right away for you.
4. Already answered far better than I could ;D.

Hmm, a media partition and an OS partition? Good move. Partition magic can convert from ntfs to fat32. The only disadvantage I see for using a media partition as fat32 is that you can't a singular file over 4gb. But what would you need that for exactly ? That and you can't encrypt, but once again, this is a media partition. I keep mine in fat32, and haven't had a problem.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 24
4/26/06 at 4:13am
Yep "sudo" is what you use to execute commands with root priveleges and iirc you use your own password since the root account is disabled. The point of it seems to be to prevent you working continually as a root user i.e. logging in as root or assigning root priveleges to your normal user account. I speak from stupid experience: I once accidentally reset all access permissions and ownerships of the entire system by mistyping a command while logged in as root.

I'll be trying linux on my 1710 when it turns up. Anyone else planning that or done it yet?

BTW, I used to use SuSe all the time but switched to Kubuntu recently and love it. I've heard good things about SuSE 10 and I normally recommend it as a "first time" linux install. It is very user friendly while still being a good platform for power users.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 24
4/26/06 at 4:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Turkish
There is no "root" in Ubuntu, you are basically always running as "root". When you want to do something as "root", type 'su' into the terminal and enter your admin password, you are now running as the equivalent of "root" (I'm going from memory, I don't currently have Ubuntu installed).

[edit]Maybe it was 'sudo' not 'su'? I've been playing with too many distributions in the past few years. Doesn't hurt to try.[/edit]
That could be why I couldn't log in as root.

Every other damn Debian distro I've used had a root. Arg.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 24
4/26/06 at 5:14am
For ubuntu breezy

sudo passwd root
su - root (or similar)

For GDM login....

System -> Administration -> Login Screen Setup
Login Screen Setup

Security Tab -> Options -> Allow root to login with GDM (Checked)

Dapper is a bit different, but the same steps will get you there with some digging. Dapper + updates and my Audigy 2 works fine. You need a newer kernel and drivers for it to work.

Setup Guide
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 24
4/26/06 at 10:43am
Thread Starter 
Got SUSE 10 dl'd last night and installed this morning in about 30 minutes. Holy crap that was easy! I had already created 10gb of unallocated space on my HD, popped the SUSE DVD in and bam, found it, installed perfectly without a hitch. Updated itself and now I'm working through it a bit to see what I can do.

One thing I haven't quite figured out...In advanced settings for my nvidia 6800 I have my resolution set to 1440x900, however under display properties, the highest I can set it is 1280x800. Am I missing something?

Everything just looks freakin awesome right now though. Gotta go figure out how to do that cube thing with the multiple desktops.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 24
4/26/06 at 11:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jabulani_jonny
Pugs, do you game through SUSE, or dual boot?

Jonathan


I installed it's game packages just to see what they had. There arn't any games out that I know of that will nativly install to Linux. I am a big WoW player and the only other platform that it supports is OSX.

As far as the screen res goes, 1440x900 was one of the listed resolutions on my 7800GTX. I am not sure of the highest res for the 6800.

As far as the dual boot thing, I have a seperate HD and caddy I switch out.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 24
4/26/06 at 11:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deceptikon
Is that the freeware version, or the $59.99 version?

The freeware is the same as the $59.99 version the only differences are the packages that are on the DVD. You can get all the seperate packages as downloaded RPM's.

The disk I am using is the $59.99 version, but I didn't pay that...
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 24
4/26/06 at 12:00pm
Thread Starter 
Got display set a while ago, I had to change it to LCD which had the 1440x900 option. It's all good now. I'm just blown away. I think I actually slobbered on myself.

I dl'd the DVD .iso from Novell, the free one. Burned it and loaded it this morning. Was crazy easy.

I'm trying to get my Inellimouse features to work now. I don't see it in the list of mouse models so I may have to download something for it. We'll see. Anybody with help on that feel free to chime in.

Jonathan
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 24
4/26/06 at 12:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jabulani_jonny
Got display set a while ago, I had to change it to LCD which had the 1440x900 option. It's all good now. I'm just blown away. I think I actually slobbered on myself.

I dl'd the DVD .iso from Novell, the free one. Burned it and loaded it this morning. Was crazy easy.

I'm trying to get my Inellimouse features to work now. I don't see it in the list of mouse models so I may have to download something for it. We'll see. Anybody with help on that feel free to chime in.

Jonathan

Havn't tried to plug mine in yet. I assume yours is USB. I will give it a shot tonight and see. You should just be able to plug it in and poof it works, but .. dunno.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 24
4/26/06 at 12:31pm
Thread Starter 
The scroll wheel and extra buttons don't work. I'm making some tweaks right now to see if they'll work.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Dell Forums › Dell Home (Inspiron, XPS, Studio) › Looking to go Linux on 9300, help appreciated.