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Linux_n00b_57 07-29-2007 07:14 PM

Toshiba Satellite A200-AH1
 
Alright, So i'm going to be buying this laptop in a week, unfortunately it will have Vista on it already, and I want slackware on it because slackware is the only Linux distro which I really like.

First of all, does anyone Toshiba laptops and Slackware...How compatible are they?

Next, it has a generic onboard graphics card and i want to run E17 on it, will there be any complications performance wise?

I also want to dual boot with vista because i will still need access to windows if things go wrong or there is a compatibility issue. I've read a way to do it with GURB(i think thats what its called), but not with Lilo, i read vista overwrites the MBR, but i don't know if its every time it loads or what not...

This laptop will be used mostly for research and papers, also photos and maybe a bit of editing. Music, movies, the normal things. I don't know programs are great for slackware with DvDs and such, my experience with slackware wasn't the best, but I had fun.

Anyways, I don't think there was anything else, but if there is I'll just add on.

Thanks in advance!

folkenfanel 07-29-2007 11:16 PM

Toshiba Satellite A50-110
 
Working perfectly with Slackware. You could check:

www.linux-laptop.net

www.linux-on-laptops.com

SCerovec 07-30-2007 12:34 PM

If Vista rewrites MBR You should not skip making a USB-boot-FlashStick for emergency and to avoid using CD/DVD #1 for rescue ;)
Slackware 12.0 supports USB emergency boot

Linux_n00b_57 08-06-2007 10:24 AM

Sweet.

So what about duel booting, how well does that work with Lilo(if there is a different boot loader I can use let me know)...I haven't seen a tutorial about that...

Also, what is everyones thoughts on E17?

Enochs 08-06-2007 03:54 PM

Toshiba
 
I dual boot a new Toshiba Satellite with no problems but I use Fedora. I just wanted to mention that it does not matter if you use Grub or Lilo. I do not know which one Slackware comes with but either will work fine.

Ensure that you do NOT use Gparted, QTparted, Partition Magic, or any other third party partition software to modify your Window's Vista partition or you will lose everything. Window's Vista uses a new type of partition that is not campatable with these other partition managers.

1. Under control panel navigate to your disk management tools and shrink your windows partition down to a size that will give you enough space for slackware....I give my Linux 25GB.

2. Now load your Linux into the free space that you just created. Note that you can use your 3rd party partition software to add or delete partions for Linux and it will work fine but never use it to adjust or modify your Vista partion in any way. Vista can't add or delete partions, all it can do is modify/format existing partitions. During the installation of slackware you should have an option to tell it to use the available "free space" ... select that option and Slackware will take care of it's own partitioning.

I don't use Lilo or GRUB but instead use the Vista bootloader.
The procedure to use Vista's bootloader is a bit more complicated but if you are interested then let me know and I will type up a short how to.

Jay

Linux_n00b_57 08-06-2007 04:03 PM

Haha, of course I'm interested!

Thanks for the information, i didn't know vista had a bootloader.

I'm getting my laptop Tomorrow or Wen. so I appreciate the help :)

Enochs 08-06-2007 04:57 PM

Here is how to use Vista's bootloader if you do not wish to use the one that comes with Slackware.
Ok, Vista is very different from anything Windows has ever released. First of all if you try to open the boot.ini file and add another operating system (Like with XP) you will notice that there is no longer a boot.ini file!! Vista uses 3 programs to manage the boot process now and I am not an expert on how it works. The good news is that you don't have to be an expert either because someone made this niffty (FREE) little software program called easyBCD and it will do everything for you.... you can download it at this link:

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...scription.html

1. Use Vista's disk managment tools to shrink your Window's partition to give Slackware a place to live. (I deleted all the trial software and defragmented my C: drive first to ensure I had enough room...this takes a while but who is in a hurry?)

2. I have never installed Slackware so Google you a good "How to install" guide for Slackware and install Slackware into the "Free Space" that you created. Obtain specific instructions on how to install Slackware WITHOUT LOADING THE BOATLOADER INTO THE MBR. This is very important if you want to use Vista's bootloader...otherwise you will have to use Slackware's.

3. NOTE!!! While installing Slackware take your time and look for the option to NOT load GRUB (or Lilo) into the MBR. Most Linux distrobutions have this option. Sometimes you will find the option hidden under a button labled "advanced options." If you tell Slackware to NOT install GRUB(or Lilo) into the MBR then it will install it into one of it's own Linux partitions. Write down what drive/partition (if it tells you) that it is placing GRUB into and write down (again if it tells you) if it is using GRUB or Lilo. Don't panic if you don't see this information but if you can get it then it will save you a couple extra min in the next step.... the key is to ensure that the bootloader is NOT loaded into the MBR (Master Boot Record).

4. Run the easyBCD program and add Slackware ... the software does the work and is easy to figure out but you will have to tell Vista (at the bottom) on what drive/partition Slackware loaded the bootloader and if it was GRUB or Lilo. If you don't know then select GRUB and select each partition... one at a time... rebooting after each attempt and select Linux during bootup. Each time you select the wrong drive....it won't work and you will have to boot back into Vista. If none of the partitions work then change to Lilo and do them all again (only about 3 or 4 choices so it's not that bad)

5. If you have any problems just let me know and I will help you....the only mistake that I can't fix is if you modify the Vista partition without using Vista's utility to do so..... If that happens then you will get to try out the re-installation disks that come with your new computer. (Norton Ghost 12.0 is Vista compatible and this latest version can ghost Linux partitions as well...It's worth the investment if you are going to dual boot) Good Luck.

Linux_n00b_57 08-07-2007 11:00 AM

Thank you, I'm going to give that a shot. Since the laptop is new, I don't have to worry about losing information.

So has anyone used E17 before?

pappy_mcfae 08-09-2007 09:42 PM

I have a Toshiba...
 
...satellite circa 2001. It is currently dual booting with XP and Slackware. I didn't have to use anything other than the install disks to set up the dual boot. The computer works well whether it boots to Slack or Windoze.

Good luck getting Vista to dual boot.

Blessed be!
Pappy

Enochs 08-10-2007 02:07 PM

Let me make a correction....
 
I said
"During the installation of slackware you should have an option to tell it to use the available "free space" ... select that option and Slackware will take care of it's own partitioning."

I know nothing about Slackware. After reading a little more about it I know think that this might be the first Linux version that I have ran across that will NOT do its own partitioning. Like I said above....you will need a good "How To Guide" on installing Slackware. My input is meant to show the steps needed to use Vista's Botloader instead of GRUB or Lilo.

Jay


.

SCerovec 08-11-2007 05:25 AM

@Enochs
As it starts from the bootscreen, Slackware likes readers ;)
You will notice after booting that it requires You to login as root. This way You know the normal CD(DVD)boot ended successfully.
After there's a # in front of the cursor You are at the command prompt.
Read all on screen information carefully. There You'll find lines that You (most of us) don't understand or don't need. Some of the however, will prove usefull.
One of the later is the one stating to run cfdisk.

cfdisk is a partitioning tool for newbies regarding commandline partitioning. If You had used PQ's Partition Magic or other graphical tools for a while You should have no trouble imaging what's going on. On the other hand pay close attention do device naming convetions in Linux.

tommcd 08-11-2007 06:06 AM

Slackware will be able to partition the free space that you create. It uses cfdisk, a text based partitioning tool. Here is the official guide to installing slackware:
http://slackbook.org/html/book.html
You will be able to choose not to install lilo, or you can install lilo to slackware's root partition. Slackware also offers grub, in the extra section of disk #3, or from any slackare mirror.

T3slider 08-11-2007 08:49 PM

I've never used cfdisk. Is it that much easier than fdisk? And is it as reliable? (I have just always partitioned my PCs with fdisk and had no problems - I'm just curious about cfdisk)

tommcd 08-12-2007 03:08 AM

Well, if you can use fdisk you should have no problem with cfdisk since it is probably a bit easier than fdisk. Once you have made some free space with vista's partitioning tool you could then partition the free space for linux with gparted live CD if you prefer to use that.

thegoofeedude 08-12-2007 04:42 AM

Haven't installed e17 myself on Slackware 12, but Slackware packages of current snapshots are available here:
http://slacke17.sourceforge.net/

Based on the information on enlightenment.org, enlightenment is designed to be minimal, running quickly even on old hardware, so integrated graphics should run it without a hitch :-) (Also, I've run beryl on the Intel 945 integrated graphics chip and it ran very smoothly.)


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