linux distributions

Dell make some Live CDs freely available for download, which you then just need to burn onto a blank DVD (albeit they are unofficial and unsupported). For details and downloads of the Ubuntu 7.10 versions look here:

http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Ubuntu_7.10

As far as I understand it these Live CDs are specific to the actual models Dell sell pre-installed with Linux, but there should be quite a few common components in other models in the same range, e.g. I'm planning to use the Inspiron 1420n Live CD for my Inspiron 1720 when it arrives (although I've asked on another thread for confirmation by people with experience of doing this).

The Dell Live CDs should give you fewer driver problems on Dell systems than generic Live CDs for Dell systems because Dell has built them to include drivers for the specific hardware they use. However from the many questions asked on here, unless you have one of the Dell systems that comes pre-installed with Linux you may still need to do a bit of tinkering to get everything working.

Edit: still learning English as a 1st language!

Message Edited by Spaceman_UK on 01-26-2008 11:24 AM