Linux Newbie looking for small footprint Linux advice.

[barrywohl]

I want to get a Linux for my ThinkPad T61p that I can run from a PC Express Card or from an SDHC card.

I used to use AIX five years ago, but I wasn't really a power user, but I'm not quite a 100% newbie to Unix.

I have a new server at my office that runs Linux, so I'm looking for a Linux to learn Linux from. I don't want to give up my Vista64. I don't want to add "dual boot" software and partitions to my T61p hard drives, but I'd like a Linux I can put on an SD or SDHC or PC Express card.

Of course, I'm also looking for "free" but I'd be willing to spend up to $50 plus some hardware to make it run well.

I would like to be sure the Linux will run my 1920 x 1200 WUXGA screen and recognize the PC Express Card and the SD card and connect wirelessly using WEP 128 bit encription.

My T61p has 4 gb of ram, a T7700 processor, a 15.4 inch screen and a DVD burner. I have Wifi and USB Bluetooth but the Bluetooth I don't use much.

[carbon_unit]

Most modern linux disrtos will run from the live cd without installing to the hard drive. Most of them will allow you to create a "save file" on the hard drive with your settings. It will run a little slower from the cd but once you have evaluated a few versions and settled on one you can install it to your hard drive.
My favorite is Linux Mint. but you can try Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Mandriva, Suse, Fedora and the list goes on and on. Se a full list at distrowatch. Scroll down and look on the right side.

[barrywohl]

I followed your advice and burned a Linux Mint 5 beta048 DVD.

I'm pleased, but I've not yet worked out how to get my wifi going with the 4965AGN Intel card.

Barry

[carbon_unit]

Well remember, it is a beta. The full version will be out soon.
I'm still running ver.4 and in it you left click on the network icon in the systray and select a wireless network to connect to. The 4965 in my R61 just worked. It may be broke in the beta.

[trent9008]

I'm pleased, but I've not yet worked out how to get my wifi going with the 4965AGN Intel card.

Ubuntu 8.04 has out-of-box support for the 4965agn card. You might be able to install it from within Linux Mint if you have a wired connection, but since you're running the live version anything you install will be lost on the first reboot.

[barrywohl]

I've made good progress.

I downloaded Ubuntu 8.04 64 bit. I figured out how to configure the wireless connection and I got FireFox to work. It recognized my 1920 x 1200 screen out of the box as well as my wireless adapter.

Then I went back to Mint 5 beta048 and also got it to work. Mint 4 wouldn't initialize in GUI on my laptop.

Neither Ubuntu nor Mint turn on the WIFI LED on the ThinkPad, but as long as they turn on the wireless adapter, I'm happy.



Barry

[carbon_unit]

Excellent progress! Don't worry about the wifi light. It doesn't work on any distro yet as far as I know. It is a problem with the driver.
Ubuntu and Mint aren't that much different. If you want to see something different try Mandriva, Suse or Xubuntu. They have a whole different look and feel to them.
Find the one that fit's your style the best.