Re: Linux/Fedora setup - Hardware Compatibility?

From: Timothy Murphy (tim_at_birdsnest.maths.tcd.ie)
Date: 02/10/05

  • Next message: BearItAll: "Re: Linux/Fedora setup - Hardware Compatibility?" 
    Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 13:11:28 +0000

    epigram wrote:

    > I am a complete newbie to Linux. I am about to attempt to install Fedora
    > 3
    > onto a PC. My question is does Fedora/Linux have any default drivers for
    > typical hardware like a Windows OS installer has? I've tried looking for
    > linux-specific drivers for my sound card (Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 - model
    > SB0100), NIC (Network Everywhere NC100), and video card (Sis 305), but
    > could
    > not find any. So, I have no idea what is going to happen when I try to
    > run
    > the Fedora install. Do I need to go buy these components where on the box
    > it states Linux compatibility? If so, any suggestions on what models to
    > buy for each of these components would be greatly appreciated.

    I'm no guru, but I would say in the first place
    that Linux _does_ have "default drivers" exactly like Windows.
    In Linux they are implemented as kernel modules,
    the correct module hopefully being recognised and used.
    I would be surprised if the three items you mention are not catered for,
    as they don't sound very unusual.

    If I were in your position, I think I would download Knoppix,
    and create a Knoppix CD.
    This allows you to run Linux from a CD
    without installing it on the hard disk.
    It is generally a useful CD to have around, anyway. 

    -- 
Timothy Murphy  
e-mail (<80k only): tim /at/ birdsnest.maths.tcd.ie
tel: +353-86-2336090, +353-1-2842366
s-mail: School of Mathematics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
  • Next message: BearItAll: "Re: Linux/Fedora setup - Hardware Compatibility?"

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