Ubuntu on new XPS 1330

Hi Folks
I will be getting my XPS 1330 anytime soon. I intend to install Linux - not 100% sure about the flavor, but Ubuntu is high on the list. (I might have to switch to fedora if a certain software won't work).
Since the very first thing will be flattening the HardDrive to get rid of any VISTA traces and the second will be to install XP32 (dual boot), how should I partition the harddrive? I intend to mainly care about Linux, and use win manily for a few games.
I heard the Wifi causes issues sometimes?
Is there a place one and buy professional support for Ubuntu?
Cheers
M.
P.S. I made sure I got the Intel Wlan module and the buddy is pretty maxed out: 2.5 Penryn, 4Gb memory, 320 HD, Geforce 8400...

 

if you don't wipe you're drive, Vista will be on C:, your primary partition. You will also prob have a recovery partition, I don't know if you'll want to keep it or not. Get a boot manager like easybcd to help boot into the diff OS'.

 

The best thing to do is try some live CDs of different distros. This will give you a feel for the disrto, and can also help you to see how well they may support your hardware before committing to the install process.

 

Hm, How does that funny "plugin" work?
M.

 

Check your PM.

EDIT: Do you have PM turned off or something?

 

Well the problem is that I need to install a software (matlab to be precise) and do some testing with it. I actually care more about some of the mex files that most of the hardware...
But the question is: How to I partition the harddrive? Windows on the first? Or linux?
Is there another fileformat besides crappy fat32 that both can properly use?
M.

 

Check your profile, there's something wrong with your code under "Current Notebook".

 

You'll want to put Windows on it's own partition, and make sure it's the first partition, so if you're using XP for example, you'll format that partition with NTFS. Then you'll install Linux on it's own partition, which is usually formated with ext3.

Many Linux distros walk you through the setup and partitioning process, so it's no big deal, it's really easy, you can do it.

For step by step instructions on creating a Linux Windows dual boot setup, just Google those terms, and you'll find plenty of them to choose from.

 

I never doubted that I can do it. Just thought I might as well plan it ahead.
So installing XP32 first, prob. using the complete disk, the using the linux distro to move partitions is still the way to go?
M.

 

When I did it I created the two main partitions first, and then just did the rest when I installed the distro.

 

When you check out Ubuntu, be sure to check out Kubuntu as well. The underlying software is basically the same (i.e. the package manager, hardware support), but the desktop environment is different (GNOME in Ubuntu vs. KDE in Kubuntu). Some people happen to like KDE better but don't find out about it until after using Ubuntu for a while (like myself), since it's not clearly advertised that there is another desktop environment available. Also, if you desire, you can install both GNOME and KDE on the same system and pick which one you want when you log in.

 

Great post srunni!

I'll add to that, that in my experience, KDE is more Windows like than Gnome, which I prefer myself. So KDE may be an easier transition for you.

 

@nobscot6: I'm instaling Ubuntu on an eMachines desktop as I type this. Ubuntu allows the use of the entire hdd, and so rids the machine of other systems. Actually I'm reinstalling Ubuntu; the machine had both Ubuntu and OpenSuse installed and I cleverly decided that installing Slackware would be a good idea. Somehow, I managed to screw up both the other systems while getting partitions read for the third OS. LOL

Fortunately, installing Ubuntu only takes about 20 minutes, give or take. But, my point is (finally!) Vista no longer exists on this machine (unless GParted is giving me bum scoop). I've never used DBan or the like to wipe the drive, and have had no trouble installing Linux distros. Of course, the exception was when I tried to triple-boot with Slackware. I probably won't do that again any time soon.

@OP: I have a second eMachines desktop which came with Vista. I DBanned its drive, and then installed XP and Ubuntu 7.10. Ubuntu's wireless works at least as well on my machine as does Windows' wireless. I doubt you'll have problems. FWIW, that cheapo machine is using a very inexpensive Belkin adapter.

 

@ bmwrob
Well I am pretty confident that one gets everything running on Unbuntu. - in principle. What I am worried about (a bit) is how seamless. On my old Lappi wifi with works great. Including standby. That is I put the system to standby - it uses very little battery on standby (about 1 day on a completly rotten battery with about 1h power for browsing), I awake the system and wifi just logs back in first thing. takes roughly 10 secs alltogether. Is it that smooth in Ubuntu 7.10?
M.

 

Can't vouch for that, mschira, because my laptop is a Mac. Linux is installed on my desktops. FWIW, I often don't reboot for days on end, but Ubuntu snaps out of its slumber always, just as XP does if I happen to be using it. I've had no wireless problems with 7.10 at all.

 

Ubuntu is probably a good choice for you, as there is a Dell version of most drivers (too bad they don't seem to offer a Linux version with the dedicated GPU). As for partitioning, I like to give 10-15 GB for Windows, 10-15 for Linux (depending on drive size) and the remainder in Fat32. Although that said, NTFS support has been improving in Linux if you need large file support. I use BootIt NG to partition before installing, but there are lots of other options. If you are wiping Vista, it makes sense to set up initial partitions before installing anything--it's faster to set up before hand that move things later.

 

Yes, I hate rebooting my laptop.I don't reboot my XP lappi ever unless Adobe complains it has to because of a crappy update. But I know it doesn't have to work that smooth, my wife's lappi sucks battery like hell in standby and screws the wifi every second time it wakes up.

Hehe. I know that! It happens whenever I touch a Mac. Which is annoying 'cause I kinda like them. But they don;t like me. They probably think I am not cool enough.

Sound's good let's hope it will work out!

Yes, that is why I am eying Ubuntu. And it is a work machine and I will probably buy a year of Ubuntu support. My main concern is how well some precompiled (based on a fedora core4 ) matlab/hybrid C code works So Ubuntu may end being a bad choice since based on Debian not Red Hat.(or I get better compiling the stuff myself which I am right on to).

But they do! at least at Dell uk you can configure it and ad a Geforce 8400! A friend of mine just bought one. That's how I came ti eying a Dell Usually I am to posh for that kind of stuff.

That's what I thought. It's have a 320Gb platter so I think I can be a bit generous for the native OS partitions. I will probably also need a 4Gb swap partition for Linux. I am renowned to do memory eating computations... After all the fact that my old Lappi only supports 2Gb of memory is the reason I need to upgrade...
Cheers

 

Do you think it makes sense to try Hardy Heron 8.4? I like the new world clock (in fact I have Yahoo widgets right now that do exactly this) the remote desctop utility an Firefox 3 (which I am already using...)
AND I like the idea of 3 years support....
When will the first beta be out? April isn't to long no more...
M.