Hi all
I wanted to share my experience on installing OpenSuse 12.1 on a Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E525 ( AMD A8, 8GB RAM, 500GB HD, etc) so others can find this and take it as a guide.
First: Why OpenSuse? Well, I’m a scientist and I need to run some specific software that happen to run better (or easier to install) in rpm based systems than Debian derivatives. I started to use Linux in a laptop some 5+ years ago in my Fujitsu Siemens Amilo A1630 (a excellent laptop albeit heavy and now as noisy as a helicopter). Upon trying several distros I ended with Opensuse, which had the perfect combination of easy-to-install and production-ready capabilities. But now it was time to find a new notebook but I didn’t want to change the distro.
The laptop comes with Windows 7 preinstalled plus two partitions. One storing SystemDRV and another the Lenovo Recovery. I want to keep Windows at least for the moment, although I rarely use it.
So, I started creating the Lenovo Recovery DVDs with the proper tool in case I screw things up. You will need 1 CD and 3 DVDs in a new system. Make backups of any data you have in Windows (I didn’t have any).
**First problem **is to create enough space in the hard disk for the Linux partition. I wanted 350GB but the shrink tool in Windows won’t let you in one go to do it. The problem are some system specific files located at the middle of your disk. If you shrink your partition with gparted you will kill your Windows installation.
I followed these hints Working Around Windows Vista’s “Shrink Volume” Inadequacy Problems - How-To Geek
However, now I believe that it’s not necessary to do all these things. So, download the PerfectDisk trial version and do a defragmentation with Consolidate Free Space (Aggressive). If you see that there is space at the end of the disk, shrink the disk as much as possible. Reboot, analize again, defrag. Shrink. Perhaps do a couple of Boot Time defragmentations. Shrink again. It turns out that some Metadata files are much more stubborn than the Page or Recovery files.
After four or five reboots you will have the needed space.
Now, you can insert your installation DVD, reboot again (the windows installation tool didn’t work and I didn’t bother to investigate).
Second problem. The graphics during the installation won’t work. You will get a black screen and won’t be able to do anything. Apparently this problem is common across Linux distros for computers with AMD A6 and A8 processors. The solution is simple: nomodeset in the boot options.
This will drop you to a fail safe mode and you will able to install your Linux.
The installation proceeded smoothly and when it was done I installed the ATI catalyst drivers that I stored in a pen drive. Reboot and you will have your fancy graphics. (See here for more details SDB:ATI drivers - openSUSE )
All the rest hardware was recognized without problems and I have my laptop working.
I get however a small problem with the graphics. Some menus look distorted during a fraction of a second and sometimes the Window Manager crashes to be restarted again. I think it’s a problem with the drivers. If someone knows the solution please tell me. Otherwise I wait for the next driver release.
BTW: I replaced the original drivers from those of the repositories in the hope that it solves the problem but it didn’t. Anyway it isn’t a big issue.
I’m not sure however if I will get accustomed to the new Gnome Desktop and I never really liked KDE 
If there are any questions I’ll try to answer. Many thanks to the people involved in OpenSuse development. It’s simply fantastic. 