Linux on Laptops
Forum: Laptops
Topic: Linux on Laptops
started by: leke
Posted by leke on Aug. 26 2006,10:14
I was wondering why DSL is the only distro I can get running on my DELL P2 128MB Laptop? I have tried loads of other live CDs (including Knoppix) but they all fail to boot. Why is this so?
Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Aug. 26 2006,18:57
This is probably because DSL was created with compatibility for older/more obscure hardware in mind 
Posted by leke on Aug. 29 2006,11:59
Really!? A DELL PII Laptop is classed as OLD AND OBSCURE 
Anyone know which part of a distro defines the hardware support?
Posted by bwh1969 on Aug. 29 2006,12:20
I have a Fujitsu Lifebook tx770 [Pent 200 MMX maxed out with 96 meg] and DSL is the only linux distro that will load on it. Knoppix 3.3... a very old version, will also load if given 5 minutes. I must say that DSL allows me to use this old laptop rather well. It is acceptably fast, whereas the original os W95 has been obsolete and rife with errors for a while. Wifi even works with an old 802.11B card I have... with NO configuiration requirements once DSL is up. This computer works great for travel when I am on random networks. My new laptop has XP, and I don't want to expose it to the variety of stuff that can happen on public networks. Be happy something works on your old beast. My students laugh when they see my old computer, as it is as thick as their textbook. I secretly laugh when they ask for my help fixing their laptops due to viruses. I help them and then recommend a live cd dsl or knoppix distro.
Posted by leke on Aug. 29 2006,18:25
I am very impressed with DSL. I am trying to get out of Win98se at the moment, but I am still trying to get my WLAN card recognised 
I am nearly there though.
Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Aug. 30 2006,03:11
haha, I said older :PAnyways, P2's came out around 8 years ago.. and I still have them running as well
Posted by loserbaby on Sep. 04 2006,22:21
I also have DSL running on an older compaq with MMX200 and 96mb ram, 3gb hard drive, and my WiFi 802.11b card works great. only thing is I have to "start it" with iwconfig and netcard config after each boot. Nothing else was really functional on this laptop, yet DSL keeps it fully functional.