Creating Distro. FOr different computer
 

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
I am currently running Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and have enjoyed it since I started. I have become quite adapt at using the command line to do basically all my tasks for me, downloading/installing searching and everything like that. So I decided I was going to take on a slight challenge that a heavy Linux user in my family, he's used so many distros. He is currently running Slackware on his desktop at home and has a Alienware (MX11 R2 I believe)
He told me that everything he has done on that computer for linux failed him. He spent a great deal of money on it and doesn't plan on spending more. In fact he gave the challenge since he saw how well I have become and using Linux to create a Linux for his Alienware. The only problem he has every faced was his wireless card (and as I said he will not replace it) and that is where I got stuck as well. I was wondering if maybe someone could tell me if I could create the distro for his computer off mine and just burn it on a cd or a bootable usb. (He offered to remburse ,sorry if I spelt that wrong been up last 30+ hours trying to find this out, if I could get it to work) He has never made his own distro neither have I. So if anyone can help me, please let me know. Can I just make his distro from LFS (On a different type of computer) and the make it on a bootable usb or a cd to use on his :Pengy:


Edit: He has two video cards as well (one is intel, the other I think is ATI, maybe but UNLIKELY Nivida)

Welcome to the forums!

The first step is to identify the wireless card using the terminal command lspci. For example on my computer:

Once you have the info, post back here, and someone will help you figure out how to get it working. I don't see any reason you have to create a new distro from scratch; probably you can use the Ubuntu 12.04 you already know and love, it should only take 5 or 10 minutes to install the wireless driver once you know what to look for. :)

The Alienware MX11 R2 is a laptop with Nvidia's Optimus technology, so you have to find your way around Bumblebee to get that working properly.
No offense meant and I don't want to discourage you, but from the type of questions you ask it would be better to just install Ubuntu on that machine and try to get wireless and graphics working. I doubt that building a new distro based on LFS is something you should try at this moment when you have to ask these question, besides from the fact that building a distro from scratch for just one machine is way overkill.

The wireless cards ( I'll get the serial later) is an Intel, this is taking a while because my computer is messing u p and not booting all the time.

As far as I know, most Intel wireless cards should work out-of-the-box with Ubuntu 12.04. (Intel does not require a "nonfree firmware" like some other manufacturers do.)

Here is a list of supported cards, but unfortunately it appears to be out of date: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Ha...workCardsIntel

Once you know your specific wireless card, I suggest you visit http://ubuntuforums.org and use their Search feature to see if any users have reported success/failure/workarounds for your specific chipset.

If its an alienware MX11 R2, it should have a "Dell Wireless 1520" wireless adapter (which is a rebranded Broadcom BCM43224). It should run with the right drivers and firmware-

http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43/

I believe that there were also MX11 R2s with intel wireless chips as well. I really hate that many laptop manufacturers change hardware mid production run without a new model number....

Dont buy expensive dell laptops with fancy cases for linux use.

Unless I've got the wrong hardware spec (or you've got the wrongbrand/model number) it shouldnt be that hard at all to get wireless going. Optimus (combined nvidia/intel video, which that laptop also has) is far more of a pain in the arse.....

If you want to build a something with LFS, go ahead. But it wont make your life any easier. If its possible to get the wireless going with LFS you should be possible with virtually any current distro.