[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I just got my new HP laptop, don't know if any of you noticed it
lastnight. I would like to turn it to a linux box, Gentoo most likely.
This will be my first install of linux on a laptop. It there anything
that
I should be aware of that is different from a desktop install?
Damon
I've had a couple issues. X still doesn't automatically detect screen
resolutions and even common ones like 1640x1080 aren't in the defaut
x.conf. I've had to manually hack the x.conf to get RedHat to run
correctly on all 3 of my wide screen monitors.
Wireless support IMHO is joke on linux. I've gotten it to work, but not
without major headaches: iwlist, iwconfig, edit
/etc/sysconfig/networks-scripts/ifcfg-x to add WAP keys, compiled drivers,
and use windows drivers on Linux. I've wasted hours of my life on this
stuff. This type of stuff might be fine for servers that don't change
configs often, I find it to be hell on a laptop where you are constantly
changing networks.
I ended up maxing out my RAM and installing VMWare on XP, and that's the
config I'm using most of the time now. I know a lot of people here will
probably disagree, but is my opinion that XP is far better than Linux on
x86 Laptops. And I spend a lot of time keeping Linux boxes running in
production, and have been very happy with its performance in that domain.
Unless you are developer interested in improving Laptop support for Linux,
I say save yourself the hassle, max out your RAM, and take a look at
VMWare. BTW, VMWare won't solve your problems with X resolutions. Still
requires manually hacking the config file.
Just my experience.
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chris i have to agree. i don't mind the screen issues and such so much,
mostly cause once you figure it out you are set. But what has really
driven me crazy is the lack of wireless support. although i know most
people seem to have some success with ndiswrapper, i haven't and i am
using the dell laptop with the very common true mobile stuff. From what i
have seen even if you do get ndiswrapper working there is a lot of every
day configuration involved to use it. From what i have seen there is no
good auto management of your network connections on linux including auto
detection of wireless. So you are manually turning your interface on and
off, cause if you set it as automatic you can get lots of hanging on boot
up and such. Just my experience, but it has gotten to the point that i
don't utilize my laptop as much as i would like cause linux doesn't run
nice on it. I still don't have the highest expectations of multi-media
functionality on my linux box and quite honestly i really could careless,
but i do have high expectations in terms of practical useability and these
days wireless is a must.
-ryan
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Am I a fluke? I have found that installing ndiswrapper, then installing
the MS driver for the card in Linux has never failed to give me complete
wireless service under Linux. Wireless IS indispensable, but I've never
been without it.
Bill
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