Re: New Motherboard: some newbie advice

In comp.os.linux.hardware, Oldtech had the audacity to say that:

Rockinghorse Winner wrote:
I am almost to the point of buying the parts for a minitower build, and just
wanted to ease my mind about drivers. 1. Does Linux have all the drivers
for the interfaces like IDE, SATA, PCI, etc? Cuz, most of the mobos only
come with Windohs drivers.


*R* *H*

Best Option:
Grab a live CDrom of Mepis (Ubuntu +1% goodness) and start sticking it
into computers you encounter in stores. If they balk, you walk.
I do it hundreds of times each year, in dozens of large stores.
Handing out the LiveCDroms after the demo. Got five minutes? Watch
Mepis boot a top of the line system in the computer section at a major
chain store. Crowds gather.

Have yet to find a system that won't boot and run. I love the positive
comments from folks who already are disgusted with those commercial
bundled systems that only slow their work, or worse, won't provide any
support! Mepis, like most Linux distros, provides online forums; plus,
support from users, by email; and a database of resolved questions.

Recently went on the web (pricewatch.com and bought from newegg, 3btech,
computergate) and bought several system boards, some with cpu included.

I purchase by price, not by technology. That's how much I trust Linux
to have the gonads to run stuff, as all hardware really must comply to
ISO. Most systems were built, including all updates, in less than 20
minutes. There is no trial ware nor nag screens. Immune to all
"Microsoft virus, malware, trojans, and exploits".

I toss out all winmodems, winprinters. Thrift stores, and charity
shoppes, garage sales, in my local community all have multifunction
Laser printers at less than the cost of a crappy Lexmark printer.

There are too many genuine parts for cheap prices. Yes, many of the
brain dead objects can be run using Linux, but, there is so much
available good, proper, stuff, that I don't care to fuss with cheesy crap.

So, I have running systems with MSI, Chaintech, PcChips, ECS, ASUS, FIC,
Intel, and other makers boards here, without any problems. All Dell,
HP, Compaq, and white box systems simply boot and run with the Live
CDRoms of GNU/Linux.

I also pick up donated & curbside recovered computers of Pentium Class,
and they all run, though I recommend at least a 350 Mhz processor for
quick response. Slower units become Ipcop boxes, and/or Thin Client
terminals. I place the surplus systems into homes of single parents
with kids, plus local private schools and charities.

This unit is my first incursion into modern 64 bit systems, running
Mepis Version 6.5, 64 bit version. Sweet! It is an MSI K8NGM2-FID with
Sempron 3000+, a 64 bit, 939 pin socket, running with 768Mb of DDR 400
RAM. Double sweet!

I also have a 1993 DEC Alpha, running Linux. Also Sweet.

Bottom line, grab a LiveCDrom from http://livecdlist.com and examine
systems with it. Look up the system specs, and you will find that the
component parts for that Compaq, HP, Dell, etc. system, are on the web
much cheaper, and that they all run Linux.

Yea, ok, you convinced me. I'm pretty much settled on a nvidia/nforce mb
and a X2 3800+ cpu. Heard the lower X2's don't run too hot w/ stock cooler.
The only other thing (other than SATA compatibility) is whether the PSU that
comes with the case is up to the job (450 watts, but cheap!).

*R* *H*

--
"I'll take the nice ones with simple installers etc, because to me, thats the
whole and only point of using a distribution in the first place."
Linus Torvalds (2007)
.

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