Few questions about installing linux?

DMGrier

DMGrier

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Will my old laptop be able to support the latest linux OS? Dell inspiron b130, 1.6 GHz celeron, 512 MB of memory, 50 GB HDD. And since I would be instaling a different OS on there how would I install my old drivers?
 
Well I'm glad to hear that it will run but I am curious what about installing my drivers. I have always bought prebuilt computers so this is my first time installing a OS so a little nervious.
 
It'll be fine. I don't have much experience with Linux, but from the times I've used it, I've gathered it's pretty simple. My Wireless Reciever was working straight away, so I didn't need drivers for that. When I tried to enable desktop effects, it told me I needed new drivers and started to download them for me. So it's all pretty simple.
 
Well I'm glad to hear that it will run but I am curious what about installing my drivers.
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Don't have to; in 99% of cases the default drivers / the stuff on the installation disc will work fine. Usually it's wireless that's causing the problems if any; though now that Atheros has gone open source that is changing fast. If any proprietary drivers need to be installed, it's a matter of few mouse clicks. Really simple TBH; unless the wireless drivers are the problem, those can be a pain to get working (welcome to the terminal).
 
ubuntu, what happen was xp wouldn't boot up and since I do not use this laptop anymore so I fighure I would reformat it with ubuntu linux, wanted to try a new OS. When I went through the help manager, I went through a program it told me to and it said that it was disabled and that it shouldn't be a problem to go through windows (which is no longer on there) and turn it on. So do you know a way to turn it back on or could you recommend a cheap external wireless card that I could purchase that is compatible. Thanks.
 
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DMGrier said:
I can't get my wireless to work so what do I do?
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What have you tried to get it working?

I just had a bit of a deeper look into your laptop specs and found this which may prove helpfull:) It talks about using Ndiswrapper.

Good Luck
 
Well it recognizes my wireless card but it says I have to go through windows to turn it on cause I guess when I turned it on last when xp was working I had turned it off. But online I found a external wireless card compatible with ubuntu Linux, a Edimax 54 Mbps Wireless USB stick with Antenna.
 
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Irishwhistle said:
Except for when it isn't. I've had a good luck with my hardware and Ubuntu, but there are some who haven't been quite so fortunate.
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Ive been fortunate on my desktop but my old laptop was a pain to get the wireless working. It took some doing, but eventually everything came together.
 
Thanks guys, I was able to turn it on but it is not compatible. I am going to buy this external wireless card.
 
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