First off - I'm rank newbie. I have a new Gateway laptop with XP OS. I need to install a linux operating system to run some binary code for various analyses.

I have Mandranke 9.1 install discs, and desire to load as dual boot with lilo.

My question pertains to drivers -- will this 9.1 install version likely deal with detecting appropriate drivers for the hardware on a new laptop, or am I going to have to track down the drivers prior to install?

Did I mention I was newbie ? Any insight into what I will be getting into will be greatly appreciated. Can be reached at tvz@mad.scientist.com

should be fine. If you have it, wireless won't probably won't work out of the box, but you can do that later.
The drivers (modules) for most stuff will be found automatically. If you have any problems after install, the first place I would check out would be the log directory where everything like problems and such gets logged (/var/log) or back here.
give it a whirl
Cheers