Which Linux?

[DiskDoctor]

@JJ

What do you need a 64 bit system for?  Personally I see no much advantage in a 64 bit Linux 'xcept for some apps not working.  Besides 64bit system is against Amiga philosophy :-)

Anyway go Ubuntu or Kubuntu that both have nowadays commercial (best) background or/and support.  If you prefer stability, go for Ubuntu.  If you rather like tip-top and up-to-date UI (which KDE is, but less stable), go Kubuntu.  I got Kubuntu 9.10 installed on my HP 530.  It has no problems at all in seeing the existing Windows Vista/7 installation (both GRUB1 and GRUB2).

But remember that best Unix you can ever get (possessing all or most Linux features) is MacOS Leopard (or Snow Leopard).

BTW if you want to check which linuxes are "supported at all", go here.

DD

[DiskDoctor]

Umm 64bit because I would like to use all the ram in my laptop.  I only run 64 bit os as all my chips are.  why run a slower version of vista/7/linux

I don't get it.  I suppose you can use a 32-bit system to address up to 4 GB of RAM (which is your situation I suppose).

Besides you're not really forced to 64-bit linux anyway.  In my work, I got a machine that has 16 GB of RAM.  And I have Kubuntu 9.10 installed, 32-bit version as well.  There's a hack (not sure, in GRUB2 maybe) that allows 32-bit linux to be installed on a machine having more that 4 GB RAM.  And of course, my Linux sees all 16 GB of RAM :lol:

So to me, installing 64-bit linux nowadays is as someone said, more headaches (to already a lot caused by Linux programs / libraries (well, unless someone is using Linux to be fixing all the stuff all over)).

Think over pal.

[DiskDoctor]

just cant get machine to work properly, so going to try a 32bit install instead.  The wireless thing is pain in the arse though

DELL you say.

I'm through it, too.

Try this.  But check first if that's the device you're having.

EDIT* That might help also.

[DiskDoctor]

What device is your wireless client in particular?  I mean vendor/model?