On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 15:36:14 +1200 Christopher Sawtell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> The test is simple. Not all machines will boot Knoppix but if it can, it will > work with Linux. If the seller won't let you test Knoppix, go somewhere else. > As I understand it, Dick Smith has a policy that computers sold through them > will run Linux. The pci modem card that they supply will work if you > recompile the driver so that it matches the kernel and compiler you are > using. no, i disagree. if it boots knoppix that does not guarantee the modem, the 3d video acceleration hardware, the high speed ide options, the other vagaries of the motherboard hardware, the usb2.0 support, the pcmcia/cardbus support, the internal ethernet port support -errr there are bound to be others. new motherboards ==> new chipsets, with manufacturers saving as much $$ as possible. I would want to sit down with said box for an hour or so, with a number of my peripherals to plug in, and see if they work. also play a game at full speed, saturate the the modem and ethernet interfaces, the disk drive etc. having said that, knoppix is a good tool to evaluate those things. what knoppix will give is access to most of that, and probably a good hardware list (lspci -vv) for you to go home and google on. grops.google.com will soon throw up people moaning about particular chipsets. also some modems will work with linux (lucent for example) but are not supported on knoppix because they are not GPL. and don't say that people should buy an external modem or a supported pci modem, some people, eg laptop users, do not have a choice! -- Nick Rout <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
