[NTLUG:Discuss] Hardware for Linux

[Peter Koren]

Al Wyatt wrote:
> 
> Greetings all.
> 
> I'm about (within the next week) to purchase a new PC
> that I plan to dual-boot Linux and that M$ o.s. on.
> My questions are as follows:
> 
> 1. Which local PC sellers have good reputations?  Are
> any of them knowledgable about Linux and
> compatibility?
> 

I usually research the performance web sites, such as Tom's Hardware
Guide, to choose hardware. Of course also check the Linux compatibility
lists. I then buy on the web, often using Price Watch.

Putting together a system yourself gives you more choices, but there is
also the risk that if something is broken, you can't just go to a single
source to get it fixed.
										
> 4. Partitioning the hard disk: IIRC, suse's distro has
> software for re-partitioning an existing HD without
> losing data (this would be helpful if I buy a PC with
> the M$ o.s. already on it).  Do other distros have
> such a utility?  Should I just buy something like
> Partition Magic if I really want to do this?

I like plain old lilo and always use the old fashioned linux fdisk. It
took me a few days back in 1996 as a newbie to get it right, but this
combo is powerful and easy, if you research it properly.

Once you partition, print out the partition table data and save it in a
notebook. It may save you some grief later on.

Always create a partition to hold files that you don't want to lose when
installing a new version of Linux (not just a new kernel). Typically
saved are many /etc configuration files and dot files in your home
directory, such as your .bashrc file. 

Good luck,

Peter Koren