LinuxQuestions.org - Toshiba SPM30 DVD Drive choice and HDD noise and linux 8 boot problems

Hey Guys,

my question is a little bit more hardware related then just linux related, i got a new toshiba satellite pro m30 laptop, very nice in look and some performance but i am picky regarding technical specs such as noise, heat and durability.

The dvd/cdrw combo is a matshita ujda750, which surprised me that the moving part near the lens was not covered as most drives are, but it doesn't seem like an error in manufacturing but more of a design issue, which is ok by me if this is the case, and the drive seems more fragile then my older IBM a31 laptop cd. anyhow, i have the chance to switch it with an LG HL-DT-ST GCC-4241N same specs, what do u suggest guys???!! need ur opinion; which is better??

second question, the hdd is 60 GB 4200 rpm which i asked to put, because the former one in the model was a 40GB. this drive gives some noise, i dunno if it is the problem from the very thin chassis or the hdd, need recommendation regarding this also!!!!!

and i tried to install linux 8 on it, it installed alright, but did not boot neither by floppy (usb Drive) nor by lilo nor grub even though as the only OS or with other OS on the system. It hang on the "controller..." problem something when booting from hdd and it gave "boot failed" from diskette. although it installed pretty fine. need opinion regarding this issue please.

I am new at this , thank for the patience

N.B: solaris 9 did install but i only got black and white colors in the screen although the log in screen used 16 colors.