Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring Free on my T42
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:56 pm
Well about 3 weeks ago I installed Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring Free (DVD) on my T42, 2378-FVU. This is a dual boot configuration with XP. I downloaded the 4.3 GB .iso from Mandriva and it took awhile to download. About a week later Mandriva Linux 2008 came out, but I have not tried that release yet. Takes too long for me to download the DVD (FYI: there is a CD version available).
So far, so good. Most everything worked out of the box. I did have to download the firmware for my Intel 2200 BG card. I managed to get my Sierra Wireless 860 AirCard working. I also got bluetooth working, but I do not have all the features included in the Widcom stack (for Windows XP).
It has been a learning experience, but I am enjoying it (I am a Linux n00b). I must say that Mandriva is locked down pretty tight. You have limited functionality when booted into root. I install everything running as Superuser from my personal login profile. I understand this is the way to do it anyway. I had to learn some Linux command line commands. Most all the commands I remember from DOS do not work, but there are similar commands in Linux. I need to buy a good Linux reference book soon.
I chose to try Mandriva after a limited foray into Xandros. I hosed the installer in Xandros while installing some .deb files from root. This soured me on Xandros. I could no longer install anything from the graphical interface and I was not getting enough feedback from the command line to know what dependencies were missing or causing problems.
The primary reason I chose to try Mandriva was the positive comments I saw regarding it on Lenovo Blogs. So far, I am pretty pleased with the results, however I do not really know how it might compare with other distros besides Xandros. If I keep liking what I am seeing, I may become a contributer at a later date and buy the full commercial version. I understand the commercial version has things like the Intel 2200 BG firmware already in the package.
So far, so good. Most everything worked out of the box. I did have to download the firmware for my Intel 2200 BG card. I managed to get my Sierra Wireless 860 AirCard working. I also got bluetooth working, but I do not have all the features included in the Widcom stack (for Windows XP).
It has been a learning experience, but I am enjoying it (I am a Linux n00b). I must say that Mandriva is locked down pretty tight. You have limited functionality when booted into root. I install everything running as Superuser from my personal login profile. I understand this is the way to do it anyway. I had to learn some Linux command line commands. Most all the commands I remember from DOS do not work, but there are similar commands in Linux. I need to buy a good Linux reference book soon.
I chose to try Mandriva after a limited foray into Xandros. I hosed the installer in Xandros while installing some .deb files from root. This soured me on Xandros. I could no longer install anything from the graphical interface and I was not getting enough feedback from the command line to know what dependencies were missing or causing problems.
The primary reason I chose to try Mandriva was the positive comments I saw regarding it on Lenovo Blogs. So far, I am pretty pleased with the results, however I do not really know how it might compare with other distros besides Xandros. If I keep liking what I am seeing, I may become a contributer at a later date and buy the full commercial version. I understand the commercial version has things like the Intel 2200 BG firmware already in the package.
