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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