I have not had much luck with Linux with the Vostro 1500 at this time. I have been able to get Ubuntu to run from Live CD with some xorg.conf tweaking. I could not get Fedora to see the CDROM drive, and Sabayon ran, but slowly. I think some of the components are too new as of yet for an easy install. Any others?

I didn't even get the Ubuntu Live CD running. Folks on Ubuntu forum gave some solutions, but none worked for me. However, there's hope since I saw there's a session call "drivers for Ubuntu" on Dell's website. I haven't had the time to play with the computer much, but I hope that install a "text-only" version of Ubuntu first, then upgrade the graphic card driver and stuffs may help.

There is a Vostro how-to on the Ubuntu forums link

If you are using the Gutsy 7.10 cd's, I too have had NO luck getting them to boot. The 7.04 Feisty version is the one that I have the most luck with, and can get to boot . Now if I could only set up the partitions the way I would like! ;) BTW, does anyone know what the 2.5G hidden partition is? Can I delete it? I know it is not the recovery OS partition, so can I safely delete it, or is it necessary for some reason.

The only Linux and the only live CD I got working on my Vostro 1500 is PCLinuxOS 2007. SAM Linux which is based on PCLinuxOS also works but PCLinuxOS looks better. The vesa video is at very low resolution but I haven't installed the system to the hard drive or the 3d drivers. I haven't tried wi-fi and doubt it works on the live CD. I have the Nvidia 8600M GT graphics and the Intel 4965 N wi-fi card. No bluetooth and no webcam. I have the lowest resolution display with anti glare. The processor is 2.2 Ghz and I have 4GB of memory. I didn't check the sound but I doubt it works. The people that do have sound working on the Vostro in Linux report poor or low quality sound. Message Edited by Troepie on 08-13-2007 06:35 AM

Message Edited by Troepie on 08-13-2007 06:36 AM

I just tried the Bluewhite64 12.0 live DVD and it works except the sound. The live DVD does not have an installer.

Just installed the just released latest version of Sidux Linux on my Vostro 1500. So far it's the only Linux that recognizes all the new hardware on in the Vostro notebook. Both the 32 bit and the 64 bit versions work for internet things like Flash Player it's best to use the 32 bit version as there is no 64 bit version.