It seems I cannot install Linux on my lappy.
 

I have a Dell 5100 laptop with Windows XP Pro. I was wanting to switch over to Linux (I have the full version of SuSE 7.1.) I don't have a floppy drive, so I can't even attempt using a boot disk. When I start my computer, it doesn't do a system check like most desktops do, and I can't seem to run the install programs from within Windows. If anyone out there can give me advice, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

is suse 7 not really old?
im not sure i havent used suse since 4.0 and it was terrible back then :P

is your problem to do with booting into the linux installer:
if its a cd/dvd drive it may not boot rite...

id try downloading and using mandrake linux 10.0... or fedora core 2.... boath of theese are very good for laptops....

http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/dell.html should be of help, there are lots of Inspiron 5100 entries here. Dell uses F2 or F10 to either break into the bios or set up the boot order (or it may be F12), you should then be able to boot from cd.

Incidentally, welcome to LQ :D

SuSE Linux is on 9.1 right now, with 9.2 going out the door any day now. If you can burn a CD and have sufficient bandwidth, download the Personal Edition of 9.1 or 9.2. I believe that the ISOs create a bootable CD.

Now, does your laptop support bootable CDs? Most newer distros have bootable CDs to kick off the install. You may need to change the boot order of your devices. I believe that accessing Dell's BIOS is done by hitting F2 during POST.

Thank you all for your help and advice. I'll repost as soon as I can get Linux up and going. (It may take a while, seeing as I get *very* little computer time as of lately.)