Linux on Dell Vostro 1700

[The Black Knight]

Does anyone know if it's possible to get Ubuntu to run on a Dell Vostro 1700?

I've found links such as this:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=521753

and it appears that it's possible to get it running. However, I need to be certain before I order this machine.

Anyone got any knowledege of this?

Thanks.

[Smeggle]

Just looked over the vostro specs - can't see why not. You may have to tweak the drivers a bit maybe (Graphics/sound) but other than that Ubuntu should go on no problem...

[thread_killer]

I just tried looking at the vostro specs on the Dell website, but I couldn't find them.

Mind, I didn't try very hard.

Ideally you'd want to know motherboard make and model and chipsets, onboard sound, gfx, net, modem, etc. CPU make and model, make and model and Device ID of the various devices plugged into the PCI bus.

Make, model and device ID of any thing plugged into the USB bus (sometimes bluetooth devices for example have an mini-PCI form factor but actually behave as USB devices, and are treated as such by the kernel)

You shouldn't have any trouble with core OS (Linux) stuff, like with a SATA driver or whatever.

The GFX card will probably cause the most or least heartache.


I had a cursory look at that ubuntu post also. I reckon if you don't think that you would have been able to do what's mentioned there yourself without needing that post, don't get this box/use Linux on it. Otherwise go for it!

[The Black Knight]

Cheers lads. I think I'm going to go for a different model because dell, the cunts, replied and said "If you install linux you void your guarantee". I wish I had the option of getting a toshiba.

[thread_killer]

The first thing I always do is void the guarantee.

G'luck with your thing though.

I was looking at the Lenovo X61 tablet laptop myself. Shame the res maxes out at 1280x1024. Otherwise they're gorgeous.

[finn the feenian]

dell actually sell a laptop with ubuntu preinstalled.

[The Black Knight]

Got a Dell Precision in the end. Dell support Linux on it. Going to install Ubuntu now. Arrived this morning. Yeah baby - slurp!