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VanLUG Email Archive

Re: installfest: hardware hazards...

Chris Halsall
Wed, 2 Sep 1998 00:58:29 -0700 (PDT)

Hey All.

Art Stone wrote:
> Also, the most recent graphic cards were not yet supported when I was
> buying, and this is probably true again now. (We have Matrox Millenium and
> Mystique cards, which we bought just after they became supported. I doubt
> that these particular cards are even on the market now.) That's a problem
> at the high end; there are also problems at the low end. E.g., when I
> buying, the least expensive -- and most popular -- Ethernet and SCSI cards
> would not work with Linux. Parts that had worked in the recent past would
> no longer -- because of new minor changes. The new cards would still work
> with MS Windows, but not with Linux.

A number of new, advanced XServers for newer video cards have been
made available by the SuSE guys. I'd give you a URL, but freshmeat.net
is acting strange at the moment...

Our experiece at VLUG during our last two InstallFests have shown
high success rates. I think of 20 machines, only one couldn't be
configured, and I don't think that was because of the video card.

We haven't seen many people arrive with ethernet cards, although those
being provided by Rogers/Shaw/BC Tel for their respective high-speed
services appear to be Linux compatible.

> It can be a chore and a struggle, to carry your new hardware to the SUB.
> If we have a high failure rate, and an angry mob on our hands, we may do
> the reputation of Linux more harm than good.

Your point is sound. These events must have high success rates.

Good turnout of Linux talent is important for this -- find those
who know how to solve the tricky problems, and make sure they're
there!

There is always the risk of finding truely incompatible hardware,
but even with bizzare video cards standard VGA X Server will almost
always work. And a super-fast 4M Linux friendly video card is
below $50 now. Just advise the guest that that should be their
next computer investment... 9-)

> I'd say the answer is simple: we should give out warnings in our
> advertisements -- -- -- but, but, but I don't see any quick way to warn
> people about the specific machines that will run MS Windows but not Linux.

Rarely will an install simply not take. It might not be optimal,
but generally someone's not going to be leaving without an installed
box.

> I've just looked at the current Hardware HOWTO. There are longer lists of
> supported equipment -- but very little is said about what is NOT supported.
> In particular, I found no warnings about equipment that is not YET
> supported, or big companies like Compac, IBM or Dell. (There's an appeal
> from a Compac user in the September Linux Journal (p.6) -- but no reply.)

Dell machines seem to run Linux fine. We run at least a half dozen
Dell's with Linux. (But please don't think I'd recommend the brand!)

I don't know about Compac nor IBMs, but usually it's going to be
the on-board video or some strange sound card which is the problem.
Ususally isn't a show-stopper, although it may not be optimal. Very
often, motherboard based video can be by-passed, allowing a
compatible card to be used.

-Chris

-- 
Chris Halsall, Software Dev. (



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