Dumping Vista off a new system for Linux?

[enderbean]

I'm going to buy a laptop, but I'm not sure if I should go with a custom-built with Linux already installed, or should I go with some fancy bells-and-whistles Vista model (looking at hp.pavilion dv6500z) and just format the hard drive and install Linux?

Let me say that I have no experience with Linux or Vista, and I'm really not looking forward to Vista. So I'm hoping I can just jump onto the Linux bandwagon, but if necessary I could partition part of the HD for Linux and get used to it before I go all the way.

The build I'm looking at (the hp model, not the custom one I mentioned) is this:

HP Pavilion dv6500z customizable Notebook PC
* – Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
* – AMD Turion(TM) 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-62 (2.1 GHz, 512KB+512KB L2 Cache )
* – 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
* – 75% OFF Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
* – 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
* – HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
* – Wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth
* – FREE Upgrade to 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive!!
* – LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – Norton Internet Security(TM) 2007 - 15 Month Subscription
* – System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
* – Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

And the total comes out to 962.38USD after instant rebates and coupons and what not. Sorry for such an in-depth question, but I'm really hoping to get it soon so I can bring it with me on Xmas vacation, so I'm just trying to get all my questions answered as soon as possible.

Thank you in advance for even reading this far, and thanks again to any who reply.

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

If you have no experience at all with Linux, you might be wise to get a lappy with Windows on it and do some dual-booting for a while. You wouldn't believe how many new Linux users come here complaining that Linux is too different from Windows and they then try to make us feel like it's somehow our fault that they can't understand Linux. If that happened to you, there you'd be with a new lappy that you couldn't use.

Now, if you were experienced with Linux, I'd suggest skipping on Windows altogether.

Take a look at the link in my signature for lots of good information on getting started with Linux. While there, be sure to take a look at the "Linux is NOT Windows" threads, too. It's a long read, but well worth the time spent.

Once you decide on a Linux distribution to try, don't hesitate to start new threads with any questions about it.

Enjoy the Linux experience!

[bigvoo]

im in total agreement with Oz on this one. I am new also, but i remember the shock of going from mac to unix back in 1990. I just bought a cheap gateway notebook. i have to use vista at the moment because i capture video with it. but I sure don't care for vista now that im using it, but my desktop is going to be 100% linux by next weekend. my desktop runing xp finally went down to a ratpack of viruses lol. and since it needs a total clean install any how, figure i'll start a new life with linux. good luck.

[amaresh_83]

Hi

if u want to see coredump then :

vi /etc/profile

and u can find one comment line for coredump....

try to change there ulimit -U -c 1000000

ok after tht u ll get core dump like core.19999 like

thanks

Amaresh Ch Das