> initialize the s2d partition, dell's very own tool (the latest > version) complains that it does not support systems with more than 768
Did you try this lphtool? Dells BIOS might be a Phoenix one, and there's a linux utility for creating hibernate partitions for phoenix i think. lphdisk i think, it also references Dell Inspiron 5000: This utility prepares and formats the hibernation partition for notebook computers that use Phoenix NoteBIOS. Once this partition has been prepared, it can be used with the BIOS's APM Suspend-To-Disk feature. Laptops that can make use of a hibernation partition include several ARMNotes, the Dell Inspiron 5000, Sony VAIOs, and many Tuxtops laptops. See the README in this package for a complete list. Greetings, Erich
