Thinkpads Forum

I want to install SUSE Linux 10 on my laptop but I still want to keep my Window XP and my IBM Access IM button working. How could I do?

I want to use SUSE Linux on my IBM ThinkPad T43 but I am not sure how to install it without affecting my IBM Predesktop Area.
I have heard that if we install Linux on IBM ThinkPad carelessly, it will affect our IBM Predesktop Area. Therefore, we can no longer boot from this
partition by hitting "Access IBM" button when booting our laptop. How can I prevent this problem?

I have read in many articles. They recommended to not install the GRUB of the Linux on MBR but install it into the boot sector of the boot partition and
leave the MBR alone. Moreover, before installing Linux, we have to set the BIOS for IBM Predesktop setting from "default " to "secure". Is this the point?
Is anybody has both Linux and Windows XP on the same hard drive while the IBM Predesktop Area still working properly?
If yes, could you please teach me how to install Linux step by step?

Thank you so much : )

MOD EDIT: Please don't double post

At this early learning stage for you, I recommend you install VMWare and install SuSE as a guest machine. Since you can run both XP and Linux simultaneously this way, you will learn more. You can't damage your Windows machine or PreDesktop Area this way. ... JD Hurst

http://thinkwiki.org/wiki/Installation_ ... inkPad_T43

Getting Access IBM to Work

Question. Does VMWare affect the performance of Windows much? In other words if I install VMWare, will I see much of a performance hit in my existing Windows installation? Also, what is the going rate for VMWare?

VMware does not affect the performance of the host system with the following proviso: VMware is an application and if the guest is hogging the CPU or the Disk, then the host will notice. Generally my host machine is unaffected by VMware.

I think the current cost is about 200 dollars US.

I have been using VMware and a VMware customer since version 1. I have used every version and an now on Version 5.5. I wouldn't be without it as I can run any system I need on demand.
... JD Hurst

FYI to the Mods, this is a double post, as the OP posted in the Linux conference as well. (Note: this one has more responses).

Thanks everybody.

for Jdhurst, thank for your advice but I don't want to use Linux on VMware. I really want to install Linux on IBM thinkPad.

I have installed Linux on desktop before but I am not sure about installing Linux on IBM laptop if it will affect the IBM predesktop area.

I just wonder if I install GRUB on the boot sector of the boot partition and
leave the MBR alone, does my "Access IBM" button still work when I press it on booting the laptop? Does anyone know about this?

Thanks

I've answered this in the now-locked thread.

Here's another vote for VMWare. I use the free VMWare Player. You can build an empty vmdk with Qemu, then install linux from the ISO file (don't even need to burn a CD). I installed KUbuntu on my T41P that way. One nice thing about VMWare is that you get virtual network support(ie uses the Windows driver) so you don't have to worry about unsupported hardware, messing with linux wifi settings, etc.

Hi,

I am currently using Suse 9.3 on my t43p. But I had installed once the version 10.0 .

Both of the versions are installed very easily, and you don't loose your windows partition. The only problem is the access ibm button functionality.

I didn't really pay attention to that button so I don't know what it does at the boot stage, but if you want to keep rescue partition functionality, you can have it as an item in the grub menu.

If I remember correctly, you have to change the security of the predesktop partition to 'not secure'. And in the installation , at the partitioning stage you have to change the type of the rescue partition to vfat. Then after the installation you can add this partition to the grub menu.

I think Suse is a very good choice, because all the components are working out of the box, except ati drivers, which are very easy to install.
If you're not in a rush, you can wait for the next version of Suse (10.1) wich wille be released in 15th April. Its kernel has smapi and hpaps within.

Good luck

Kuay wrote:I want to install SUSE Linux 10 on my laptop but I still want to keep my Window XP and my IBM Access IM button working. How could I do?

I like to experiment with different Linux distros. I certainly am no Linux expert but I have invested considerable time running different distros on different PCs, both desktops and notebooks. In general, many novices and many more Linux experienced people express difficulty intalling Linux distros on notebook PCs. I could not get one to work without a lot of time investment on older compaqs until I tried a 2005 release of Xandros.

I am impressed at how easily live CD distro versions load & run on Thinkpads, expecially the T23 series. I haven't tried a 2005 release yet that was not ready to go in about the same amount of time as it takes to load Win 2000 or XP and everything worked, except for Wi-Fi cards. That is another story.

Most 2006 Live CD Linux releases can also install onto your hard drive and can do dual boot partition. Before you try a dual boot, you might want to invest several hours teaching yourself Linux lingo and the names and functions of the basic programs that comprise a Linux system. Unlike Windows, Linux distros consist of component programs ( desktop program, terminal program, compiler, etc) and you get choices such as desktop GNOME.

The best way, I think, to mess around with Linux on a Windows notebook is to use the live CD versions. You can get quality Linux distros on CDs cheaply from budgetcds. I have a new live CD version of a major distro that loads entirely into main memory and runs from there. I recommend novices start with [censored] Small Linux. I have it installed on a 256MB USB thunb drive. The newest 2006 release will even install DSL on a USB device for you. A travelling salesmen created DSL to fit & run on a mini CD (business card CD)

All you need do to load a live CD version on Thinkpad is press F12 key which stops Win boot and presents a menu so you can pick your boot device. Just pick CD-ROM and the CD will do the rest.

A user must know a lot more about the Operating System and the Desktop to use Linux than you do to use Windows or the MAC O/S (another variant of UNIX).

A person who has not done his Linux homework is heading for a big headache if he simply tries to install or dual boot install a Linux distro onto his Windows PC hard drive. It is sort of like waking up blind one morning and deciding to just go forth and run accoss a street.