Linux - Laptop and NetbookHaving a problem installing or configuring Linux on your laptop? Need help running Linux on your netbook? This forum is for you. This forum is for any topics relating to Linux and either traditional laptops or netbooks (such as the Asus EEE PC, Everex CloudBook or MSI Wind).
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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.
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.
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.)
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