5.1 - should I?

[Michael Collette]

As you've probably seen from my previous posts, I'm having a heck of a time 
getting 4-STABLE to play properly on this Thinkpad R40.  My #1 problem has to 
do with the power management.  After running through a variety of kind 
suggestions I'm still no further along in returning this box to it's owner.

I'm a little leary about putting 5 on there, as it'll be my first install of 
this version.  I wouldn't mind so much playing around with it on a box that I 
would have in front of me, but this is going to a user that has no intention 
of learning Unix.  That's what admins and geeks are for :)  Having not used 5 
I don't know how well I'll be able to support this user right away.

4-STABLE does not appear to be a solution for me on here.  Even so much as 
having the screen blank causes this box to become unresponsive.  I'm heavily 
leaning towards the opinion that what I've got here is a problem with how 
FreeBSD deals with that ATI Radeon 7500 card.

At this time there is no critical data on this laptop.  Lot of time compiling 
apps, but nothing I can't do over.  Right now is the best time to figure out 
which way to take this, as the user hasn't had a chance to work with it at 
all.

Sorry about the rambling here.  I'm on the fence as to which way to take this 
installation and I was rather hoping for a little push one way or the other.  
Some of the questions I have running through my mind...

5-CURRENT

1. Will it properly talk with this ATI card?
2. Will it resolve my power management issues?
3. Built in wireless working?
4. Anyone out there with a similar setup on 5?

Thanks,
-- 
"Always listen to experts.  They'll tell you what can't be done, and why.  
Then do it."
- Robert A. Heinlein