linux laptops

[freeflap]

Hi,

I'm having problems with installing linux (mandrake8.1) on my Dell 8100 laptop. The installation goes well until I hit the X free setup. Seems that it can't resolve the graphics card / monitor issue. I get streaking color bands and then a fault error that says, "cannot load default fonts". Under the listed graphics cards, there is no Geforce2Go option. So I selected Geforce2 DDR. Under monitor I have tried all the generics, but think that the generic laptop LCD at 1400 x 1050, since that is the native resolution of the screen. I've also tried their failsafe mode, with unlisted card, and fbdev server (?) but that doesn't work either.

Please help!! Or do I need to wait till Mandrake 8.2?

Thanks
Ben

 

[Armitage]

Take a look here: Linux-on-laptops

The Dell 8100 is listed, so you may be able to pick up some tips.

 

[n0cmonkey]

You can always not setup X, boot into console, get the nvidia drivers (more up to date) and even XF864.2 and configure from there.