HP LTE Notebook PC 5100 Operating System Support for Compaq Portable Products - Page 19

Operating System Support for Compaq Portable Products 19 Advantages Disadvantages • Free Open Source OS • Difficult to install and setup • Availability of free or inexpensive productivity applications • Runs on most industry standard computers • Minimal hardware requirements • More stable than Windows operating systems • Y2K compliant • Linux code updates get released to public while being developed even if they are not considered "production quality" • Lack of a single dedicated technical support infrastructure • Limited availability of commercial applications (although the list is slowly growing) • Numerous commercial distributions (versions) • Lack of advanced mobile computing features Compaq has released a white paper Installation of Linux on Compaq Armada 7400 and 7800 Portables designed to help customers self install Linux on Compaq Armada 7400 and 7800 portable families. The paper tells customers what hardware features work and do not work, and where to obtain and how to install hardware-enabling drivers. DOS 6.2x & Windows 3.1x Although Microsoft does not plan to continue development for DOS or Windows 3.1x, both operating systems still account for a small share of the installed user base. Some corporate customers have opted to stay with Windows 3.1x until they are ready to deploy Windows 98 or Windows 2000. For this reason Compaq will continue to provide support for DOS 6.2x and Windows 3.1x on the LTE 5000 and older Armada product families. Refer to Table 2 for information on supported operating systems by portable family. Support for DOS 6.2x and Windows 3.1x means that the operating systems install correctly and enable all hardware supported by Microsoft within the native operating system. In addition to functionality inherently supported by the base operating system, software enhancements are provided to extend functionality or enhance the overall user experience. However, Compaq does not support new hardware features and functionality that is not supported by the operating system. Examples of unsupported hardware features under DOS/Windows 3.1x include 32-bit CardBus PC Cards and high-speed infrared (i.e. transfer speeds up to 4Mbps). Customers who encounter difficulties that are not directly related to a Compaq-provided driver or utility should contact Microsoft directly. Compaq software enhancements are available as individual SoftPaqs and can be obtained by contacting Compaq Customer Service & Support or on the Compaq Web site at http://www.compaq.com. For additional convenience Compaq software enhancements are also available on CD. See the section titled Support Software for more information. Note: Standard feature support for Microsoft DOS 6.2x and Windows 3.1x will continue to be provided for several products announced in 1998 and early 1Q99. Support statements for Windows 3.1 on the Armada 1700, 7400 and 7800 are detailed in the White Paper titled Windows 3.1 Support on Compaq Armada and LTE 5000 Portables. Refer to this white paper for more information on the level of testing conducted and availability of support software for these platforms. Compaq does not preinstall DOS or Windows 3.1x on any currently shipping Armada platform. NA120D/0199