Which Linux is the most compatile on X61?

[ludu35]

Hi
My X61 is currently have Vista Ultimate 64-bit and I am planning to have a Dual boot with Linux on it, but before doing that I need some advices from forum that:

1. Which Linux Distribution is most compatile with this X61 laptop?
2. Anything that I need to look out during installation?
3. Which OS should I install first? Vista or Linux?

Thank you very much for all the info.
LD

[Stan]

Try a Linux live CD before installing a particular distribution.

I have had good results with Mandriva and PCLinuxOS on my T42, though your mileage will vary as with any Linux flavour on certain hardware.

Install Windows first, it doesn't like to play second fiddle to Linux (or anything else for that matter, even earlier versions of Windows).

[revertTS]

There's not really any version of Linux that would be more compatible as the core is the same. A more up to date distro will probably suit you better as it will have more support for the newer hardware. If you're just starting out with Linux, I'd look into something like Ubuntu (my personal suggestion), Fedora Core, or Suse (all desktop distros). Generally I'd say install Linux second as Windows can sometimes be finicky about its boot loader. Once you have Vista and some extra space on the disk, many of the desktop distros have an option if you want to install with dual-boot. Usually this will use Grub as the default boot loader, but once everything's setup there are ways to change it back to the Vista one if you feel so inclined.

On my X60s I used Debian in the past and have since switched to Gentoo. I like keeping a light system, doing a lot of tweaking, and making sure that hardware such as the harddrive protection system operates, so it happens to suit my style.

[tecmec]

On my X60s I used Debian in the past and have since switched to Gentoo. I like keeping a light system, doing a lot of tweaking, and making sure that hardware such as the harddrive protection system operates, so it happens to suit my style.

I find it funny that someone like that would recommend Ubuntu

[Aristotle11]

PCLinuxOS is by far the best for easy install and compatibility, of the distros I've tried. Ubuntu requires more work to get all the drivers working.

[spaznrq]

this quarter, i finally permanently dual-booted my x60 with winxp and ubuntu 7.10. i have tried in the past but reverted back to winxp-only simply because ubuntu was not refined enough for me to use daily. 7.10 seems to have made the improvements i needed for a good setup.

i finally got dual screen (with different resolutions), logitech mice, thinkpad scroll and back/forward buttons, and whole lot of other things working now. in the past, it had been very difficult even with the helpful people over at the ubuntuforums.org.

there are MANY guides on how you can dual-boot your machine which you can find through googling or reading specific forums for your choice of linux distro. basically, install windows first, then linux.

as for the choice of distro, i'm sure there are others who are more knowledgeable to answer that question. i'm just a linux newbie

[lightweight]

2 pennies:

1. Outside of configuring wireless, even a conservative distro like Debian installs easily on a basic x61s, bluetooth included.

2. Unless you use a distribution with a 2.6.23 and up kernel, you may need to research the modules needed for your wireless card. Thinkwiki is good for instructions, information, and experiences with this and your specific hardware.

Fingerprint reader requires extra software and possibly compiling modules, depending on your distribution.

If you have the EVDO/3G card, it might get trickier. (I do not have such a card.)

3. Vista/Windows will come preloaded. Vista's partitioner is a joke, so be prepared to save your rescue and recovery partition and recreate your partions as wanted. Again wikis and the Linux forum here have lots of info.

You should pick the distro that caters to your needs. If that is an easy, out of the box solution, Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, and many others are Debian derivatives with good hardware support and installers. Slax was popular and is based on Slackware, perhaps the most pure of all Linuxes. However, many folks who use these distros have not experienced the so easy anyone can do it installs of most any Linux nowadays, Debian Etch included.

If your goal is to learn Linux, going through the experience of a Slack, Debian expert, or Open/FreeBSD install along with a good book will help you progress faster. Some would make the point that a distribution built from source, such as Gentoo, is best, should you be the type who can absorb minutae quickly and have a weekend (seriously) to spare for a base install.