problems installing fresh os

[mindlogiczero]

ok, i know this isnt much to go on, just posting so i can get some ideas before friend brings me his pc to work on, so ill have extra ideas handy.

recently my friend bought a hp laptop with vista from a local guy, come to findout the vista wasnt registered so my friend has been trying to put a different os on it, he's saying the computer wont let anything but vista, that when he trys other os's he has problems, is that a common problem? i was going to try putting linux on his pc or something, i know it isnt much to go on but it's all he's told me so far..

[guestolo]

Some HP computers have only compatible Vista drivers by default>>Hardware specific
Not to say you can't track down drivers for it, but it could be difficult
As far as Windows goes, eg.. Going back to a copy of XP
Some older drivers may work
It's too general of a question without knowing Laptop make/model
Motherboard, etc...

Linux distros should work on the laptop however
I would check the related forums to see if anyone has had problems

Eg.. Ubuntu or SuSE forums, depending on what distro you choose

[mindlogiczero]

just got intouch with him, its a hp dv6000,
    * AMD Turion 64, dual core processor
    * 2 GB DDR2 memory
    * 15.4″ WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
    * 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 7200
    * 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
    * LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
    * 1.3 Megapixel Webcam with mic built into screen
    * Altec Lansing speakers built in
    * 3 USB ports, ExpressCard/54 Slot, Video Out, Integrated Consumer IR, 1 RJ-11, 1 RJ-45
    * Windows Vista Home Premium

[mindlogiczero]

the os he tried that didnt work was something called darkxp