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geekyhawkes
April 8th, 2013, 10:18 PM
Hello,

So I'm expecting to have my new laptop delivered and want to dual boot with windows7 as effectively as possible. The details of the machine are here http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=LT-127-SA

I haven't used Linux on a machine with specs like this before, do I need to be aware of any setup issues, traps? What is the best way to use the express cache ssd, are they hardware managed or should I place the cache for xubuntu there?

Any tips are welcome, I am used to using Linux on an nvidea desktop PC that's a few years old, not exotic hardware at all.

Andy

mikewhatever
April 9th, 2013, 12:02 AM
Hello,

I haven't used Linux on a machine with specs like this before, do I need to be aware of any setup issues, traps? What is the best way to use the express cache ssd, are they hardware managed or should I place the cache for xubuntu there?

Well, if it has dual graphics, Intel + AMD, you might have problems with that. The description leaves little doubt that the machine is designed for Windows, you'll need to run Ubuntu from DVD/USB to test what works, and what doesn't.
Not really sure what you mean by 'cache for xubuntu'. What's that? If, by any chance, you meant the swap partition, then no. In fact, with 8GB of RAM, there is no need for swap at all.

oldfred
April 9th, 2013, 12:35 AM
That looks like it has Intel SRT? That cause issues. Is it still Windows 7 as that would avoid the issues of secure boot, but some of the last Windows 7 were still UEFI not the older BIOS boot.

Samsung Ultrabook Windows 8 & Ubuntu & recovery boot Disk view of partitions post 7
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2097690
Samsung Series 7 - post #5 Windows 8 & UEFI, Ubuntu only to new SSD
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=12382951
SAMSUNG Series 3 NP365E5C-XXXXX laptops
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2120763
Samsung series 5 UltraBook, erase Windows & install to SSD
http://schoolsplay.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/install-ubuntu-linux-on-a-samsung-series-5-ultrabook-with-ssd/


Intel Smart Response Technology
http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/highlights/chpsts/imsm
Some general info in post #3
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2071242

Brand not important as the implementation of Intel SRT is the Intel standard.

Some info on re-instating details in post #9 Dell 14z
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2038121
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2070491
Ubuntu on hard drive, re-enable SRT post #19 details
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2129157

Disable the RAID, it was using the Intel rapid management thingy and telling it to disable the acceleration or the use of the SSD. If you have a different system, just disable the RAID system then install Ubuntu. Once installed you can then re-enable it.
sudo dmraid -E -r /dev/sda
sudo dmraid -E -r /dev/sdb

You will need to use the dmraid command prior to running the Ubuntu Installer so that it will be able to see the partitions on the drive because otherwise with the raid metadata in place it will see the drive as part of a raid set and ignore its partitions.

geekyhawkes
April 9th, 2013, 10:15 AM
Thanks for the reply. This is new tech for me to actually use, but it seems like I should be able to get it working. I was thinking of putting swap on the ssd, but maybe I will just stick to installing Xubuntu on its own HDD partition and then use the SSD in windows as cache.

If I have success or issues I will post back, might save someone else asking the same question in future I guess.

Andy