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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/12/2009 12:38:58 PM
Posts: 3, Visits: 6 |
| Hi, I want to try linux on my laptop, but I think I should probably backup the mbr before.
My last attempt resulted in an unbootable laptop, complete vista reinstall plus all of my
software and data 5hours+.
The laptop (Compaq cq60) did not come withe a vista disc, only a partition that allows
a restore to factory setup.
Ideally I'm looking for a freeware app that can hopefully create a bootable cd that would restore
the mbr to pre-linux without grub installed.
Any recommendations on a foolproof method. Google throws up lots of info that I either don't
understand or I wouldn't feel confident with.
Thanks |
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Co-Administrator
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 3:55:10 PM
Posts: 2,769, Visits: 3,071 |
| Having installed and used different flavors of Linux on several different laptops, I can tell you from experience that the experience with Linux is very laptop-model and Linux-version specific.
Your best bet for now would be to burn a LiveCD of the Linux version you want to try and boot the laptop from that CD. That will show you how well that flavor and version of Linux detects your laptop hardware and installs the proper drivers.
Any problems you have using the LiveCD will, after installation, range from trivial to impossible to solve.
So, you should make record of the problems you encounter, and go to the support forums for the Linux you ran, and search for solutions to those problems for your specific make and model laptop.
I know this sounds like a lot of work, but believe me, it pales in comparison to the huge amount of work you will have to do if the default drivers aren't installed by default in Linux.
And before you ask, NO, you can't use your MS Windows drivers in Linux.
ASUS A832nSLI-Deluxe, AMD 64X2 4400 OC 2.4GHz, 2GB OCZ,
Running: Windows 7, Vista 32-bit, Ubuntu 9.10, 9.04
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/12/2009 12:38:58 PM
Posts: 3, Visits: 6 |
| Thanks, I am in the process of trying various live distros, and as you say I am having
varying degrees of success with wireless and graphics etc.
I do dual boot my desktop pc (XP and 64Studio). Unfortunately 64studio dislikes my
laptop and refuses to live boot or install.
I'm looking for another distro that can offer a realtime kernel, jackd, wine and wineasio
out of the box. I tried ubuntu studio not live so installed and messed up the laptop which
led to a complete vista reinstall.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks |
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Co-Administrator
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 3:55:10 PM
Posts: 2,769, Visits: 3,071 |
| Some other distros I've tried that worked "better" than Ubuntu on various laptops were OpenSUSE and PC Linux OS (Gnome and KDE versions).
Also, don't hold out much hope for Wine. If you're planning on running lots of Windows apps in Wine, be aware that it only runs SOME apps, and of those, mostly the older versions.
Your best bet regarding Wine is to go to the Wine Application Compatibility database site and do a search on the app and version you want to run. Any rating less than Gold is going to be a LOT of work to get working -- IF it even works.
The link is below:
http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&sTitle=Browse%20Applications&sOrderBy=appName&bAscending=true
ASUS A832nSLI-Deluxe, AMD 64X2 4400 OC 2.4GHz, 2GB OCZ,
Running: Windows 7, Vista 32-bit, Ubuntu 9.10, 9.04
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/12/2009 12:38:58 PM
Posts: 3, Visits: 6 |
| Thanks for the advice, tried OpenSUSE and didn't care for it, PC Linux OS is looking quite good.
In wine, I'm only planning on Cockos Reaper which works well in wine.
Still got a pile of other distros to try.
Thanks |
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Co-Administrator
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 3:55:10 PM
Posts: 2,769, Visits: 3,071 |
| Suggest you go to the distrowatch.com website and take a look at Linux XP. It's a port of Mandriva made to look and work like XP/Vista. It looks interesting.
ASUS A832nSLI-Deluxe, AMD 64X2 4400 OC 2.4GHz, 2GB OCZ,
Running: Windows 7, Vista 32-bit, Ubuntu 9.10, 9.04
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