John, so glad you are using the same type of laptop!
I don't really know that much about external modems, but I suppose it won't
be hard to find one for the Dell.
about ordering from cheapbytes, is it the x86_64 version or the i586 version
that I need?
Thanks,
laura
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Layt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2005 9:43 AM
Subject: Re: [newbie] compatibility? Mandriva 10.1 or 2006 w/ Inspiron 8600?
On Sun, 09 Oct 2005 01:33, Laura Callier wrote:
Hi,
Totally new....thought about using linux and Mandriva a while back, but
decided not to....have changed my mind.
Sorry for the totally newbie questions.
What is the difference between 10.1 and 2006...are they both complete
systems? Is 2006 more up to date?
I think I need the 10.1? I read about 2006 coming out, but i don't know
if
that is just a download. I have dial up and would want to get cds in a
box, so I think I want 10.1? Can I upgrade to 2006 alittle later?
Right now I have a Dell Inspiron 8600 w/ 512 RAM, 40 g hard drive and
Nvidia graphics. it's slowly dying on me, and I will probably have to
get
a new computer next year (a desktop).
Is 10.1 or 2006 compatible with my Dell?
Thanks,
Laura
I've been happily using Mandriva on my I8600 for the last couple of years.
Depending on the exact configuration, virtually everything works OK except
for the modem and power management for hibernation/standby (the Nvidia
drivers don't fully support ACPI, the Dell BIOS doesn't support APM). As
you
are on dial-up, the modem could be a problem, but it depends on which
modem
you have, and I never tried too hard to get it working as I have broadband
and an external modem as well.
Mandriva is generally rated the best distro for laptop support. 10.1 is
about
2 years old now which is ancient in Linux terms, 10.2 aka 2005LE is better
as
it is less than a year old and had some good improvements for laptop
support,
and 2006 has just been released to club members, hence much grumbling on
the
list about slow downloads :-) The boxed commercial version will be
available
in about 6 weeks (I think).
The best way for you to get this now is from here:
http://cart.cheapbytes.com/cgi-bin/cart/0070011218.html?id=YGaEnmmF
That's the basic 4 CD set for US$9, but I would recommend getting the full
9
CD set for US$19:
http://cart.cheapbytes.com/cgi-bin/cart/0070011218.html?id=YGaEnmmF
as this will include more commercial drivers that you may need, or you
could
get the DVD version for $9 at:
http://cart.cheapbytes.com/cgi-bin/cart/0070011219.html?id=YGaEnmmF
If you need any advice on configuring the laptop, just drop us a line, or
you
can read some dated reports at http://tuxmobil.org/dell.html and
http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/dell.html .
Cheers!
John.
Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.yahoo.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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____________________________________________________
Want to buy your Pack or Services from Mandriva?
Go to http://store.mandriva.com
Join the Club : http://www.mandrivaclub.com
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