Linux machine advice needed please

GraemeUK

GraemeUK

GraemeUK

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Joined
19 Oct 2004
Posts
952
Location
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Hi guys. Im after some advice if anyone knows a ready made pc, or the components to make a cheap as possible Linux machine with 100% or near enough compatibility.

I want to learn Linux but I don't want to dual boot on my current machine, ive just built it, and installed ubuntu 6.10 and hardly anything worked at all. Mouse worked for all of 10 seconds each time, no sound, display issues, crashing etc. My new pc is all high end so im guessing its a driver/compatibility issue.

I have spent the last few hours searching/googling but didnt find any reliable info.

I would like to spend about £300 max (not inc monitor, or any other peripherals). Something like this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-037-OK

but open to advice

Cheers in advance :)
 
find out the mobo chipset , then google that for linux problems, and linux support, most mobo chipsets these days include everything (sound nic etc) so that should help.

Most drivers will be in the linux 2.6 kernel so check that out for list of hardware supported I can't find a list right now...

http://kernelnewbies.org/LinuxChanges <- handy page for checking out cutting edge changes and driver support...

Your best bet will be to pick a peice of hardware, and determine the level of linux support, rather than trying to find out the best linux support for bunch of devices. (rather than what's the best soundcard? Ask, this card here, does linux support it?)
 
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whitecrook said:
Your best bet will be to pick a peice of hardware, and determine the level of linux support, rather than trying to find out the best linux support for bunch of devices. (rather than what's the best soundcard? Ask, this card here, does linux support it?)
Click to expand...
This is a fine strategy. I'll name some brief, very broad rules-of-thumb. In general:
nVidia's driver support is better than ATi's
All Creative products suck in terms of driver support (they continually state that they're working on Linux drivers but they never seem to materialize)
Atheros wireless chipsets are well supported, nDisWrapper can sort most cards nicely.
The vast majority of chipsets are supported out-of-the box. If yours is too now to have support it probably will have support in a few weeks.
 
tbh, I'm loving the VIA Mini-ITX systems with linux. small and quiet with low power consumption.
get in!
 
Go to your local tip and you should find something suitable Pentium 3 x 1000 if lucky for just a few quid like a £5. K/Ubunto Mephis Fedora should recognise everything
 
BillytheImpaler said:
All Creative products suck in terms of driver support (they continually state that they're working on Linux drivers but they never seem to materialize)
Click to expand...


I don't know about newer cards, but my SBLIVE (EMU10K1) I bought about 6 years ago works like a champ under Linux using the emu10k kernel module. Easily available on the bay for 75p and packet of Rolos.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

Am thinking about a mac mini and try to get it to dual boot with mac osx and ubuntu...not sure if it will work but then I could try Linux and Max OSx as I've never learnt either.
 
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