[ale] Dell and Linux

[Geoffrey]

keith frost wrote:
> many years ago i'd bought a couple of used dells from
> a computer surplus store.  i can't recall the exact
> problem but it was related to everything being
> integrated into the mother board.  video card i think.
> 
> anyway, i emailed Dell and explained that not only was
> i trying to install linux but that it was a used
> machine(second hand).  they treated me like a new
> customer, they had people that knew linux and helped
> me get thru my install.

It's changed quite a bit.  They won't even talk to you unless you've got 
the number off the box (I don't recall what they call it)  Anyway, mine 
is a laptop and it's running and the number is of course, on the bottom 
of the laptop.

There web site takes the Microsoft approach.  You register your box and 
then when/if you return to the support web site, it assumes you're 
looking for info on that registered box.  If you enter search criteria 
does the search based on that box, so even if you enter info for a dell 
device (monitor, laptop, whatever) it returns not found if it's not 
designated for the registered device.

I actually got to talk to someone regarding my laptop floppy which is an 
ls120 device.  Wouldn't entertain any Linux questions at all.

> 
> i've heard war stories at both good and bad extremes
> with dell.
> i was impressed myself.
> 
> --- Geoffrey <esoteric at 3times25.net> wrote:
> 
>>I keep hearing all this waffling on Dell's part as
>>far as Linux support.
>>   I just happened to scoot by their site.  Selected
>>support->downloads.
>>   There's a dropdown where you select your OS. 
>>Linux being the first in
>>the list.... ???
>>
>>-- 
>>Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric at 3times25.net
>>
>>I didn't have to buy my radio from a specific
>>company to listen
>>to FM, why doesn't that apply to the Internet
>>(anymore...)?
>>
>>
>>---
>>This message has been sent through the ALE general
>>discussion list.
>>See http://www.ale.org/mailing-lists.shtml for more
>>info. Problems should be 
>>sent to listmaster at ale dot org.
>>
>>
> 
> 
> =====
> phrostie
> Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of DOS
> and danced the skies on Linux silvered wings.
> http://pfrostie.freeservers.com/cad-tastrafy/
> http://www.freelists.org/webpage/cad-linux
> 
> __________________________________________________
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> 
> 


-- 
Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric at 3times25.net

I didn't have to buy my radio from a specific company to listen
to FM, why doesn't that apply to the Internet (anymore...)?


---
This message has been sent through the ALE general discussion list.
See http://www.ale.org/mailing-lists.shtml for more info. Problems should be 
sent to listmaster at ale dot org.