i have a lot of excited raving to do about this distro++(see the bottom of this post), and the results i got on my laptop, but i moved all that to the bottom of this post, so that you, the reader, would not get frustrated and leave... so let's get right to it... most everything works, so there's not a lot of technical stuff to report...
Dell Latitude D630 with Mandriva Linux 2008 (PowerPack) (note; i started with the free 2008 One live CD, and when that worked with my system, i decided to support the company and bought a 1 year subscription for the PowerPack)
Intel Centrino Core Duo T7100 @ 1.8 GHz - works properly
Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (965 Chipset) - works properly
14.1 WXGA LCD Panel 1280x800 - works properly
1.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS - works properly
80GB2 SATA Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 5400RPM - works properly
Standard Touchpad - works, but haven't figured out how to change settings (pad is ultra-sensitive)
24X CD-RW/DVD - works properly
Ethernet: Broadcom Nextreme Gigabit - works properly
Wireless (VERY IMPORTANT) Intel Pro/Wireless 3945 - works properly!
Integrated sound card (part of the chipset i guess) - works properly (but see below)**
6 Cell Lithium-Ion battery - works properly... i get the same up time as i did on XP
USB ports - working properly
"Fn" key + the various function keys - working properly (ie. battery usage display, brightness controls, standbye...)
PCMCIA slot - haven't tried it yet.
Earphone jack - haven't tried it yet
microphone line in - haven't tried it yet
i should also mention that the the volume buttons just above the keyboard do not work under linux - (THIS HAS BEEN FIXED!) it's as simple as selecting "System\Preferences\Keyboard Shortcuts" from the menu, and then selecting the actions and corresponding volume keys above the keyboard (i'm in Gnome, i am sure it's just as easy to find in KDE)... as i learn more about Linux, the more i realize that it truly is a complete answer to all my computing, and a VERY viable solution to the "windows problem".
**ok, the "weird sound issue". i have seen one other Mandriva user mention this problem (on the Mandriva boards) that i had when i first installed the distro... for some reason, the speakers make a loud hissing noise that at first makes you think that your fan is going at full blast. i played around and realized it was the sound of speakers on full blast with no sound coming out... just that loud hissing. it's a trip. :-)
i solved the issue by opening up the volume control and selecting the "HDA Intel (Alsa mixer)", then hit the "Recording" tab. on the first field "MUX", either slide the controls to the bottom or (what i did) simply click on the icons at the bottom to "X" them out, turning them off. i don't know anything about recording, so i have no idea what MUX is for, but for now, it solves the "hissing" problem and it has had no effect on my sound system in any other way.
++OK, LET ME RAVE EXCITABLY FOR A MINUTE... why a posting on my latest "tech obsession"? well, i finally made the switch to Linux... i have been wanting to drop windows for a long time, and i finally found the answer: and the winner is? Mandriva. why this distro? it was the first distro to really "just work" for the most part on my Dell laptop (although today i gave the Fedora 8 live CD a try... it's just as good). i am very proficient on the PC, i can do just about anything on windows that needs to be done, but i am brand new to Linux, and i needed a distro that worked right out of the box (or rather, right out of the download) and would let me focus on learning Linux file systems, package management & networking... and not keep me tied up spending days messing with my basic system configurations like wifi and screen resolution.
i know that i could have bought a Dell Inspiron 1420 with Ubuntu already installed, but i didn't want an Inspiron, i wanted a Latititude D630... it was worth waiting a few months for Linux to get caught up with my hardware... needless to say, i specifically told Dell to NOT install Vista, but to give me plain old XP home addition. i had every intention of switching to Linux once i learned enough and found a distro that would perform well enough to run my laptop without a lot of issues...
Mandriva is the first distro to "JUST WORK" on the Dell D630, which for a newbie like me is great. i have been dual booting just in case i get screwed up with my networking and need to jump into XP for some file transfers, but i figure in another few days it will be nothing but "NUX" on this ol' laptop!
a note to other newbies... when you find a distro that really works with your laptop, and you decide to make it your OS, help out the people that develop it! if they are a company selling support, boxed sets and/or subscriptions, at least get the basic package. if they are a private citizens sharing their hard work, buy a t-shirt or anything they are selling to support their efforts (or just make a donation)... use your dollars to "vote" for Linux... it will help the development of alternatives to microsoft, and it will still be a lot cheaper than paying for windows and all that commercial software developed for it... and while you are at it... get your coffee at that little mom-n-pop shop (or even 7-eleven!) instead of that other evil monopoly that is trying to kill off the "little guy".
marc
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