The Geek Forum
Main Forums => Hardware, Software, and Other Imperialist Crap => Topic started by: 12AX7 on January 29, 2007, 07:01:05 AM
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Can someone enlighten me on a few aspects of laptops; namely, is it manhandleable softwarily like a pc?
I mean, I can just "Format c:" on a pc and install whatever I please. This laptop has Gateway's Wndows
XPHome on it; Im wanting to wipe the entire thing, and install XP Pro; none of this "Gateway" crap. I've
been told there are different commands used on a laptop (like "killdisk" instead of "Format C:")... is
there anything to this? If it's just the same as a pc, I'm good; I just didnt want to get started on it
and find out it's totally different.
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A PC is a PC is a PC as far as I know.
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Some of the devices are different for a laptop, such as the touch pad, but when I put Slackware on an old laptop I had it seemed to handle it well enough. (I didn't do any extensive testing...) I've put different versions of Windows as well, mostly because I know them better. (Windows 2000, and prior to that Windows 98)
Unless your laptop has a special feature (I.e. it's a tablet which lets you write on the screen), Windows XP Pro should be fine on the laptop, and the programs you use shouldn't be effected, and even then there are usually drivers that you can get from the Gateway website. (Be careful though, sometimes the vendors will only supply drivers to the version they shipped with...)
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Cool.
I had tried to run Ubuntu on it, and it wouldn't do it. Just hosed every time. (ran fine on my pc)
I can get drivers; no problem; so I suppose I'll go ahead with it. Fdisk/format/install new
Ah'll let ya know how it goes. Thanks!
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I wouldn't worry about having issues if you want to install XP pro. It's usually an optional upgrade on all laptops that ship with XP home as default so obviously, it would be fine. If you want to install some funkyer OS, then you could run into issues with specific devices, but generally you should still be ok. If you have uncommon devices like a fingerprint reader for example, then you may have difficulties finding workign drivers, but you'll still be able to operate the laptop regardless.
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Hmmexcellent. It's a Gateway BIOS, too, (or it's in a Gateway shell of some sort); plus it's created it's own drive to backup on; so I wasn't sure how far their claws were dug in; and how bad theyd bleed when I cut everything out. I need to study this BIOS before I do anything (now that I'm looking at it).
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Be aware that most laptops have some rather proprietary components... XP was a bitch-and-a-half to get working on mine when I tried. Needed a special driver for
- video card
- wifi
- sound
- touchpad
- optical drive
- NIC
Without which the above were "unrecognized" by Windows. It wouldn't be a bad idea to identify each component and have the drivers already searched for, downloaded, and burned to a CD before you start, if you don't already have them on the disc that came with the laptop itself.
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Thanks! That's kinda what I was wondering; if there was anything to be aware of ahead of time. Im in the process of compiling all those drivers now. Some are on the restore disc; the others might be and I just haven't found em (yet). I signed up at Driver.com a while back, too; so far every time Ive needed something, they've had it.
I'll let y'all know the outcome when it comes out.