Dell 4150 & ACPI-0293: ** Warning: Buffer created with zero length in AML

[Sean Welch]

Regarding the mks2d.exe program on Dells; this program only works
properly if a) it creates the partition and b) it initializes it.
Practically speaking, this means the only way to get a working
s2d partition is to use the program *before* you've partitioned
the whole disk (removing a partition does not work).  The real
limitation appears to be that the program expects empty,
unpartitioned disk from some point to the end of the usable space
on that disk.

I seem to recall there is also a limitation on how far up the
disk you can create it.

My personal process was to install a Windows partition (yuck!) at
the beginning of the disk, then use mks2d.exe to create and
initialize a s2d partition.  I then partitioned the rest of the
disk and installed 3 versions of FreeBSD (creative sharing of 
/home, /tmp, swap, and a large /data partition between two
partitions -- grub will let you boot a segment that is not
labeled with an "a").

I run an Inspiron 8000 with 40GB disk.  I strongly suggest you
calculate out a size for your s2d partition that will accomodate
the largest amount of RAM you can install (think of it as 
insurance for the future!).

Good luck!

                                                    Sean