Toshiba recovery cd and ubuntu
 

Okay, I've been trying to install Linux on my Toshiba Satellite M70-SR6 for quite a while now. I started with Ubuntu, which I almost got working but because of my ATI (x700) video card I had some drivers to mess around with and didn't actually ever get them figured out. Then I installed SuSe but had the same problems again (of course). Right now I'm dual booting SuSe and XP on a 100Gb HD. At the moment my XP partition has 18.6Gb which occurred when I installed Ubuntu (I had intended on having 70Gb at the time...).

Right now, I just want to format my HD, install XP, install Linux when I know exactly what to do to get it working with my video card, and actually get some serious Linux experience. The problem is that all I've currently got to install XP is my Toshiba Recovery CD (yes, it sucks) which, although I've used it before, now seems to think my computer isn't a Toshiba. I get an error message saying "Wrong Computer. This recovery CD was made to work only on Toshiba computers." (approximate transcription) when I boot from the disk.

Now, what I'm asking for is help with my format and subsequent XP install initially (I know this is a Linux forum, sorry) then to point me in the direction of simple, to the point, step-by-step instructions to install a Linux distro (probably Ubuntu) on a laptop with an ATI Radeon Mobility X700 video card and get everything working properly. Instructions for getting wifi to work would be useful as well.

Thank you very very much for any help you can offer.

Maybe it's looking for the XP loader in the MBR. Shouldn't make any difference - I'm sure I've rebuilt my old SatPro 4600 from the recovery disk whilst having grub as the loader.
Blew everything away - all my partitions.

I might be inclined to zero the MBR and following couple of sectors just as a test. Pretty drastic, but can be backed up and restored reasonably simply from a liveCD in need.
May not be something you're comfortable with.

Toshiba XP restore CD
 

Restore CD's use a hidden partition to store machine specific info on the HDD of the machine. Linux probably blew away that partition. I doubt if the restore CD will work now. On the upside, you have a great reason to start using linux - XP won't install.

Mmm, thats what I was afraid of. The thing is, I still want XP for various things and I still need help with getting Linux to work with my troublesome ATI Radeon X700 video card. I guess I'll have to try to get Toshiba to send me an XP installer (ahem...) or something...dammit.