This is not the way to go about it. Instead, since you already have the beastie, use a live distro and see if it works. Check HCL (not there). Use lspci to get a hardware list... then google for support for each item.
Is this your laptop?
http://www.xpcomputers.co.nz/views.asp?hw_id=2166
.... this is basically an intel chipset machine, so it should mostly go with the latest kernels.
Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 1.66Ghz 667Mhz 2MB L2 cache
... good with smp kernel
1GB DDR2 667 MHz (512MB. 1 slot used 1 slot free)
Embedded Intel 945GM internal graphics 128MB Shared
... you may need an extra package for top resolution
100GB 2.5" 9.5mm SATA + TPM 5400
8x DVD Super Multi Drive DL
1.3M Megabyte Pixels Video Camera
... built-in cameras are heaven or pita and nothing in between.
8-in-1 SD/ MMC/ MS/ MS Pro/ XD/Mini SD/ MS Duo/ MS Pro Duo via adapter
... this will be a usb (internal) card-reader... probably fine.
Azalia Compliant and V.92 / K56flex support
... sounds like a winmodem... don't expect this to go.
10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
... fine as long as it is standards compliant. Some of these cards need special drivers to work.
Intel 3945 ABG supported
Integrated 802.11a/b/g
... linux drivers available, semi-open source, for intel wireless. This is very new and may not work right out of the box.
Built-in Bluetooth V2.0+EDR
TPM V1.2 - Integrated by BIOS and SW UI w/ Security Function
... looks like something to disable in bios
Authen Tec FingerPrint
Built-In ASUS Security Protect Manager
... disable this
HDD User Password Protection and Security Lock
... disable this
But best info is from lspci.