I have an old Sager Notebook that is my new toy to try to install Linux on. I've wanted to experiment for a long time and now I can. I have downloaded 6 different distros that came up in the "which distro is right for you" test. I've tried each one and keep having major video problems. Here are my specs:
Processor Speed included: Pentium 4 3.06GHz with Hyperthreading
RAM included: 1 GB
RAM Type: 266MHz PC2100 DDR
L2 Cache: 512KB on-die
Hard Drive included: 80GB
Screen Size included: 16.1"
Display Type: SXGA Active Matrix
Graphics Memory: 128MB DDR SDRAM
Graphics Chip: Mobility Radeon 9000ATI
Resolution: 1280x1024
CD-ROM Speed: 24X Max
DVD-ROM Speed (optional): 8X Max
Are there any distros that are compatible with my old machine??
Thanks in advance

What kind of problems?


Kind regards

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Hard to say how to help....no idea what you mean by "major video problems", so providing details wouldn't hurt. As far as a distro, pretty much any should work, based on what you posted. Bear in mind that you can get Linux up and going with crap video resolution at first, then go and download the ATI drivers for your card, load them, and all should be well. So if all you're suffering from is bad resolution, that's easily fixed. Be sure to install your kernel source, and all your development libraries when you do the installation, just to save yourself some headaches later.

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Thanks for the quick help! My problem is horrible resolution. I will try what was suggested. I;m sure I'll be back for help.

Well, if horrible resolution is the problem, it's easily fixed. First, pick a good distro, that has good support. Something like openSUSE, Mandriva, or Ubuntu, would be my suggestion, but really, it's up to you. Again, install ALL the kernel sources, development packages, etc.

From there, you've got two options:
ATI Driver that MAY work for you:
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownloa...eon_linux.aspx

This thread also has hints:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=119263

Doesn't appear that Sager plays nicely with Linux, but there are ways around video issues.

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The Radeon 9000 series is not supported anymore in the proprietary ATI-driver. You have to use the open-source "radeon" driver. To change the display resolution you can use xrandr.

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trying to install ubuntu and it stops at the clock setting every time

Go for a AntiX install.

Read the whole AntiX page before booting Iso.

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You probably need a custom xorg.conf file. The following instructions should work with most distros:

From a console, as root, run which will generate the file /root/xorg.conf.new. You may need to edit that file by adding the appropriate modelines to the monitor section, editing the appropriate driver in the Device section, and/or the appropriate resolution(s) in the Screen section. Once edited, copy this file to /etc/X11/xorg.conf. Now restart your X server (often logging out and then back in is all you need do).