Im installing SuSE on a Compaq Presario 1200 notebook with a Celeron processor, however i cannot not figure out the differance between i586 and x86-64, can some one tell me which one i need for this specific laptop.

i586.

x86-64 is for 64-bit processors, your Celeron isn't.

Another user's Linux experience with the same laptop (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/01/07/forcing_linux_on_a_crap/)

thank you very much Mictlantecuhtli. and i read that article before but he has a totally different config of his hardware. And im installing SuSE and he had better luck with that, and hopefully so will i. thanks again