Installing Xubuntu 7.04 on a ThinkPad X60s

First of all this was a complete success, and I will not go back to Wndows. Reasons for moving:

- I don't want to move to Vista. - I don't like how XP slows down, and gets more bloated as time goes on - I just want to be able to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and surf - I want speed and efficiency

Even though the X60s is fast core duo 1.8 Ghz machine I wanted to maximise efficiency so I choose Xubuntu.

Here are the steps I followed.

- Purchased USB CD drive ($60) - burn the Xubunto image and boot up on the CD (press Thinkvantage button, and F12 - select CD) - most screens are self evident - when the partitioning screen arrives, pick the one that manages partitioning automatically - the first choice - few more screens, location, language etc, noting controversial - reboot and you are presented with a DOS type screen offerring Xubuntu, or lower down Windows XP Professional - choose Xubuntu

Thats it. So then the fun begins, and I can save you the hassles here:

- my wireless didn't work immediately, nor power management - simple solution - plug into a wired network connection to get internet - open Synaptic Package Manager and install:

 1. Gnome Power management
 2. Gnome Network Management

- Open Applications, System, Network - change wireless to roaming (roaming was not there before you installed Gnome Network Management)

For me that did it - I have screen saver, auto sleep on lid close, wireless connections to WPA, and WEP.

Overall, the laptop just flies and no degradation of service like Windows.

My next step is to run GParted on a CD with the USB drive, and reduce the Windows partition/ increase the Linus one. Right now it only allocated 37 Gig to Linux with 60 Gig to Windows. Windows is about 19 gig on my machine (Linux is tiny in comparison (2/3 gig I think) and I want to allocate only 25 to Windows, and the rest to Linux. I will only keep XP because of Itunes and the occasional Webcast that needs Livemeeting.