It has and Icore 5, 4 GB and 124GB SSD. If I can I like to nuke the windows 7 home edition or shrink it way way down, in case I need access on the windows side. It's really nice, sturdy metal case and very, very thin. It has a 13.5 inch screen. Perhaps I need to discover all the hardware particulars before I format of the windows 7 home edition ? Perhaps I just need to leave the W-7 and shrink it up?
It only has (2) usb ports and a mini usb port. I have an Asus usb-to-ethernet, works under window. I'm not so sure about the bios (EFI) American Megatrends setting to get it to boot. So I was first looking for an easy image to put on a usb 3 drive with a common linux to get the boot settings right, before I try to get it to boot/install gentoo. I'd like a very minimize gentoo linux with a minimized Desktop? Perhaps I should just install and run a linux install design for these old laptops? Perhaps an older SystemRescue usb images to test the boot settings? I can do an overthe ethernet install if necessary, but would prefer a gentoo-usb install at least for the basic minimize gentoo. Suggests, as my experience with usb linux installs is very weak. A pathway, that is easy to follow, as I might just install several old laptops, if this works So in the bios the aptio setup utility:: Boot Option #1 Windows boot manager (po: Sandisk SSD u100 124GB Disabled OR:: ADD new boot Option ...Add boot option (dialog box with 'add boot option) ...SELECT File system PCI(1F|2)\DevicePath(Type 3, SubType 12)Part1,sig787(long key sequence) ...PATH for boot option (just a dialog box for 'path for boot option) ...CREATE (please set boot option name and file path) In the bios it also has:: Save Changes & Exit "Boot Override Windows boot mgr Launch EFI shell from file system device Suggestions, and which instructions to follow (I found several in the gentoo wiki not to mention other gentoo laptop install pages. Perhaps a bios update before beginning? No, a bad idea? Openboot or another open bios on this old but sturdy laptop? I could just use a live-gentoo rewritable usb 3 (thumb drive) on it and forget the install? All suggestions and references appreciated.