Download Ubuntu iso (ubuntu.com/download), either for i386 or AMD64. Burn it. Reboot the laptop and press whatever keys are needed to be pressed to boot from that CD (I don't own any Dell, so I don't know).

It will boot to Ubuntu Live CD - you may play around with it (it will be a bit slow - everything's read from the CD, not HDD) or click on "install ubuntu" (there's an icon on the desktop).

Installation is fairly simple (much easier then if you tried to install windows).

i now have ubuntu but i have a slight problem. i have an intel pro wireless 3945abg network card that linux kind of recognizes. i say kind of b/c it will tell me what the card is but at device type and capabilities it says unknown. i think its a driver problem but im not sure how to fix it. can any1 provide an easy to understand answer or a link? also in system/admin/network the wireless card doesnt show up although it shows up under device manager.

Message Edited by ndrew2505 on 07-01-2007 05:12 AM

Does the card work? I have an Inspiron 6000 w/2915abg card and it works fine although it says device and capabilities are unknown, It actually seems to work better. I'm not that familiar with linux yet so I've been going to the ubuntu forums and searching for things there, it's a pretty big database and just about everything's been discussed so far.

i really feel like a n00b now...i went into restricted drivers where the card had been disabled and enabled it and now it works but i have another small question about the touchpad. im not sure if this is how the ubuntu is supposed to control the device but i can double tap the pad itself and sometimes it will open what im clicking on and sometimes it wont. sometimes i just have to use the left pad button to open things and i was wondering if there is anyway to fix this problem? also how do you "open a console" to type in a code?

Message Edited by ndrew2505 on 07-01-2007 02:09 PM

Wow, you feel like a n00b! I've only been using ubuntu for a week so trust me it's hard to get help, when you ask for help I realized someone will say something like 'add this line to this file' WHAT? I didn't even know how to get to these files, being a beginners forum you'd think they'd offer more details lol. OK, to 'open a console' I suppose you mean to get to the terminal, Applications-Accessories-Terminal Next for your touchpad, this gave me a ton of problems, Goto System-Preferences-Touchpad it should let you adjust it' I say should cuz it didn't work for me, if it doesn't let me know and I will let you know how I got it to work

Touch pads are fun. If you tap, it should register as a click. If you double-tap, it should double-click. If you tap with two fingers, middle click. Three fingers, right click.

For info on tweaking your touch pad settings, try this:

http://gentoo-wiki.com/HARDWARE_Synaptics_Touchpad#Post-Installation

All the info in this post is assuming that Dell is using Synaptics touch pads.

I hear you about the learning curve. There is TONS of help in the Ubuntu forums. Try these:

DELL FORUM
http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=256


BEGINNERS
http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=73