Hello,
First, please forgive any lingo mistakes I make because I'm relatively new to the linux/computer rehlm. I installed Mandrake 10.1 on a Dell Inpiron 4000. I was able to install Mandrake but I ran into a problem with my X server; I recieved an error message saying that my X server was not set up correctly and therefore my system could not communicate with my graphical interface (I chose Gnome FYI). Working through the subsequent commands, I found that I had to choose the correct video card/ chip set installed in my system (I guess Linux didn't recognize it off the bat). Prior to installing Mandrake, I printed out a hardcopy of my system report with all hardware on it. As it turns out, it didn't list the maker or model of my video card. Here is how the problem was solved:
1.) When the computer first boots up, you can enter the boot menu by pressing F2.
2.) Under this mode, you can scroll to find a listing of your hardware (in this case my video card).
3.) Mine was listed as an ATI M3 and that was it.
4.) More research determined that this card could also be called/recognized as a AIT Rage Mobility M3.
5.) After I determined the above information, the next time I booted my system and got the error message I scrolled through and choose the card.

Lessons Learned: Keep a listing of all installed hardware handy.

Hope this helps somebody.

FYI: vesa driver is good when you haven't any reliable list of software. Nowadays it takes a lot of efforts to find video card not supporting vesa. No acceleration, though - but you can comfortably search for the video card mentioned in the output of /sbin/lspci .