Ubuntu is a great version of linux if you just want to drop in a CD and have the software install and set up your computer. They really have a very simple to use installation system with their version of linux (Debian). However, there are some issues that you should understand when you are trying to use Ubuntu with older equipment, especially laptops.
I first installed Ubuntu on a suped up Dell Dimension latop and everything worked just fine right out of the box. I had just downloaded version 9.04. After a few minutes I was able to get the wireless networking running and the laptop has performed perfectly ever since. I was truely amazed at how easy it was to install and have the lap top working just fine.
However, I recently installed Unbuntu 9.04 on a Dell D610 machine. While the installation went very well and was easy to use, I found that the wireless feature of the laptop was not working. I checked around the internet and found out that the ndiswrapper is no longer installed for Ubuntu 9.04 and now 9.10. I spent quite a lot of time downloading packages and drivers and trying to get them to work. However, for some reason, I was unable to get the installation to load the driver and have a working wireless card.
I dug around a bit further and I found that people had used Ubuntu 8.04 on their Dell D610 laptop just fine. I found the older version and installed it as a clean install on the Dell D610 and "viola", the wireless card works perfectly.
>
On my Dell D610 laptop everything works out-of-the-box, including wi-fi. After the first boot the touchpad stopped responding, but, using the trackpoint I gave it a reboot and now it is working. […]
Trying to install wireless drivers on my dell latitude d610
Ive got an old dell latitude d610 running the latest version off ubuntu, however the drivers for my wireless card did not come pre-installed. […]