Hello I am new to linux I am having Dell laptop Inspiron 6000 so I installed RH9 init itis not working, I guess RH9 is old so it may not support, Now I am planning install RH enterprize linux 5, I am a software trainee right now working as a Telecom protocol programmer, some people are going for fedora 8 or 9, can you please guide me in choosing right linux operating system which suites my dell laptop.

You could try fedora, also, is the red hat free community version, or ubuntu which was chosen as the best distro for personal use computers!

Well, I can confirm that Ubuntu works well on my Inspiron 3000 as does Debian and OpenSuse. I suggest Ubuntu if you are new to Linux but you will need to get your hands slightly dirty configuring your wireless network card which shouldn't be difficult if you are in the trade.

I believe mostly dell inspiron laptops comes with an intel wireless card, you would need the iwlwifi driver, check the info for that, but ubuntu would do great configuring your hardware automatically.

I have a dell inspiron 6400 with ATI X1400 and intel wireless card, only those two had to be manually installed.
Still theres a lot of documentation around for ubuntu that should help you out!

I run Debian on my Inspiron 8100 Works great.

for more info you could look at the Linux laptop resources / How-to's

http://www.linux-laptop.net/

http://tuxmobil.org/mylaptops.html

I just installed PCLinuxOS '08 on my GFs new Dell Vostro. I don't remember the details, but it recognized everything and worked well.

On my IBM T42p I tried several distro's before settling on PCLOS because it was the easiest to get full ACPI function and 3d with ATI FireGL graphics. For me Ubuntu was 2nd and Mepis close behind for personal use.

As an Admin for the last 4 years, I first used Fedora because I was working in a RHEL environment and it was easier for my little brain to deal with. Fedora is excellent and huge; it probably has the most documentation and archive of any free distro.
This past year we moved to Debian-based systems and it is easier for me to use whichever distro I choose. So I've been on PCLOS '07 for about 8 months for work and personal use and it's been great.

The best reply in general to this question, imo, is to try different OSs until you find the one that works with your hardware and suits your needs.

hth

Hi,

I would try some 'LiveCDs' to checkout what fits for you.

This link and others are available from 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

Sidux installs and runs great on the Vostro 1400, recognized everything even the wifi