New Dell Inspiron 9400: From Vista to Fedora/Vista.

Nat Gross nat101l at gmail.com
Tue May 8 18:05:16 UTC 2007


On 5/7/07, Sam Varshavchik <mrsam at courier-mta.com> wrote:
> Nat Gross writes:
>
> > On 5/7/07, Nat Gross <nat101l at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> On 5/7/07, Sam Varshavchik <mrsam at courier-mta.com> wrote:
> >> > Nat Gross writes:
> >> >
> >> > > On 5/7/07, Sam Varshavchik <mrsam at courier-mta.com> wrote:
> >> > >> Nat Gross writes:
> >> > >>
> >> > >> > I would like to have Fedora on it in a dual boot config.
> >> > >> > If I have to, I'll reinstall Vista (and free Win software) from scratch.
> >> > >>
> >> > >> Are you really sure you can do that?
> >> > >>
> >> > >> The Vista CD you have included with your shiny machine is, most likely, a
> >> > >> castrated "rescue CD" that merely copies over the original Vista install
> >> > >> image off a hidden, extra partition.  I'd be surprised if it even gave you
> >> > >> an option of choosing your partition layout.  More than likely it just wipes
> >> > >> everything clean and sets up an entire disk-spanning partition, again.
> >> > >>
> >> > > This is a Vista DVD and it seems like the complete Vista is on it.
> >> > >
> >> > > Currently I am trying the rescuecd but, although it boots ok, it won't
> >> > > startx, so I cant do gparted - yet.
> >> > >
> >> > > Make me wonder if Fedora might also have gui problems on this.
> >> >
> >> > More than likely.  I'll probably get tired of repeating this: but you just
> >> > can't pull a random laptop off the shelf, and expect that video will work
> >> > flawlessly, in Linux.  That's not the way it works.
> >> >
> >> > Now, if you have the basic model, with the Intel 950 video, you might
> >> > actually have lucked out, and there's a good chance that you'll get
> >> > accelerated 3D out of the box.  If, however, you "upgraded" to the ATI
> >> > x1400 video option, well, you've upgraded yourself out of Linux video
> >> > compatibility (although you should be able to get basic 2D video working).
> >> >
> >> > Note that the preceding paragraph was based solely on the information I
> >> > could easily pull off Dell's web site, and www.mesa3d.org.
> >>
> >> Uh oh. We (we? *I* ) have a problem. I have the ATI X1400.
> >> I think I'll return the sucker. Hope they let me.
> >
> > There is a RAY of HOPE. Namely:
> > http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/linux/linux-radeon.html This is a
> > bran new driver!
> > But.... although the install does not seem too complex per:
> > https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/linux_8.36.5-inst.html
> > I am not sure if:
> > a) I know the answers to the installer questions as it pertains to FC
> > 6 (hint hint).
> > b) Will I be able to get to the point where I can run the installer?
>
> Well, feel free to ignore my advice, but:

FEDORA LOVERS --- GOOD NEWS!!
Finally, I booted the FC 6 DVD, just to see if the gui will come up.
FC 6 *automatically detects* the ATI mobility 1400, and automatically
installs *something* (don't ask me what), automatically runs a variety
of X.org tests, and *passes* the tests, and runs startx, and voila!
the gui comes up 100%OK!!!!!!!!!!!

Am I missing something?
Thanks.
nat




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