Hardware compatibility list

[zolar1]

Where can I find a hardware compatibility list?

The minimum I need is a wireless adapter, 350+mbps that does NOT require fiddling with command line stuff to get it to work I need a true plug-n-play one.

I need a range of at least 300 feet (indoors).

I can use a card or USB. Currently I have USB 2.0

I may build a new box but need to know what limitations linux has for the new hardware.

Last thing I want to do is buy parts, build one, and not have it work.

I plan on reusing some of my old hardware (video card still works fine for now).

Build in sound is strongly desired.

I was looking at Microcenter parts. Lots to choose from.

Do I build a 64 bit system?
Do I need a $1,000 CPU and $20 worth of RAM?

I noticed that every single version of linux I tried is a cpu hog and doesn't use much memory.

I hate to buy the wrong mix.

Note: I am being stalked and will be leaving Ohio permanently, living with friends, effectively dropping off the face of the earth for a few years. There is a Microcenter nearby right now, but none within reasonable driving distance and I have no credit/debit card to buy online.

Quad cores are dropping in price almost monthly.
I am using an AMD 64 dual core right now. It is OK, but getting slower and slower as time goes on. I am using an SSD hard drive too (64gb). I store other data on regular hard drives when necessary.

[sling-shot]

http://www.pclinuxoshelp.com/index.php/PCLinuxOS_Hardware_Database

This above is the link to PCLinuxOS Hardware Database. It is extremely limited at the moment.

You could search other Linux hardware databases and look for something suitable.

Could also have a look at www.smolts.org to see what other Linux users have to say about any hardware you are eyeing.

-SS.

[zolar1]

http://www.pclinuxoshelp.com/index.php/PCLinuxOS_Hardware_Database

This above is the link to PCLinuxOS Hardware Database. It is extremely limited at the moment.

You could search other Linux hardware databases and look for something suitable.

Could also have a look at www.smolts.org to see what other Linux users have to say about any hardware you are eyeing.

-SS.

I assume that Linux works with most hardware. I am worried about how to get a wireless dongle or card and get it to work. Almost every one of them say 'Windows Only, XP or newer".

I assume that a wireless for a MAC would be plug and play on Linux?

My old video card that I use now works fairly well in linux. Hard drive work on just about anything. Burners too.

Pretty much I was looking at a new MOBO with built in sound, a new CPU, and wireless plus optional wired. The memory is the part I am most unsure of. 4gb, 8gb, how much?

I plan on using XP until the next stone age if I can as a backup. Some of the programs I have work on XP only.
But I need to be sure that whatever I build will work with Linux and the newest Windows.

Also, what about the new motherboards that do not use a BIOS?
Are the current linux distros able to still be used?

I thought about taking a couple of distros on disk with me and have them put each disk into a display model to check for compatibility. But even that may not be close enough.

I notices that Linux has two very weak points - video cards and internet. Another weak area is sound.
A crippled sound card due to generic drivers dramatically slows down the system.

[zolar1]

Ok, here is one of the ones I looked at:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0213755
Says windows only, of course.

I would want the wireless N (newest one out there).

Ok, these are the only one's I can see. Others below this are for different uses:
Airlink

Airlink AWLL3028 Wireless-G Ultra Slim 802.11g USB 2.0 Adapter

PCLinuxOS Version: PCLOS2008, 2009, 2010.12
Desktop Environment: KDE3.5, KDE 4.6.1
Other Comments:
Known problems or issues: None

Belkin

Belkin F5D7050 802.11G Wireless USB Adapter

PCLinuxOS Version: PCLOS2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.12, 2012.2
Desktop Environment: KDE3.5, KDE 4.6.1, 4.6.5
Other Comments: I have tried this with Kernel Version 3.2.15-pclos1.bfs and it works great.
Comes with extension cable and stand for use on desktop computers.
Known problems or issues: None

Belkin F5D8053 v4 802.11N Wireless USB Adapter

PCLinuxOS Version: PCLOS 2008, 2009, 2010
Desktop Environment: KDE3.5, KDE 4.6.1
Other Comments: Comes with extension cable and stand for use on desktop computers
Known problems or issues: None

This is the one I would prefer:
Belkin F5D8053 v4 802.11N Wireless USB Adapter

I need a really good adapter. One that is plug and play with pclos 2012, very difficult to crack, and has a LONG range.

[YouCanToo]

http://www.pclinuxoshelp.com/index.php/PCLinuxOS_Hardware_Database

This above is the link to PCLinuxOS Hardware Database. It is extremely limited at the moment.

You could search other Linux hardware databases and look for something suitable.

Could also have a look at www.smolts.org to see what other Linux users have to say about any hardware you are eyeing.

-SS.

I assume that Linux works with most hardware. I am worried about how to get a wireless dongle or card and get it to work. Almost every one of them say 'Windows Only, XP or newer".

I assume that a wireless for a MAC would be plug and play on Linux?

Don't assume!  You will find it to be wrong.....  Just because something works on a MAC DOES NOT mean it will work on the many different distributions of Linux.  Linux might work with most hardware if there are proper drivers for it, but many times the mfg. of the equipment DO NOT provide the need drivers. So something it works with Linux sometimes it don't.

My old video card that I use now works fairly well in linux. Hard drive work on just about anything. Burners too.

Pretty much I was looking at a new MOBO with built in sound, a new CPU, and wireless plus optional wired. The memory is the part I am most unsure of. 4gb, 8gb, how much?

With the PAE enabled 32 bit Linux kernel you can use up to 4 Gb memory. With the 64 bit Linux I believe it is up to 64 Gb. With Windows I really don't know the max memory, since I do not use it......................  As with everything just because you have lots, doesn't always mean the software uses it.  You can always add memory if you need it, if your motherboard supports it.

I plan on using XP until the next stone age if I can as a backup. Some of the programs I have work on XP only.
But I need to be sure that whatever I build will work with Linux and the newest Windows.

Since you say you are staying with Window XP you can only use a max of 3.5 Gb memory or something close to it.

Also, what about the new motherboards that do not use a BIOS?
Are the current linux distros able to still be used?

Who really know about the UEFI stuff. I am sire one of the other members might have more experience with UEFI than I have.

I thought about taking a couple of distros on disk with me and have them put each disk into a display model to check for compatibility. But even that may not be close enough.

I notices that Linux has two very weak points - video cards and internet. Another weak area is sound.
A crippled sound card due to generic drivers dramatically slows down the system.

[gseaman]

Just a minor correction: PAE kernels support up to 64gb memory, not 4gb. Also, the best way to know if a system will work with PCLinuxOS is to take in a working liveusb and ask to be allowed to boot from it.

Galen

[zolar1]

I can get XP to work with more than 3.5gb memory and no errors. I just make a RAMDRIVE and allocate whatever is above the 3.5 limit. Then put temp files and such on it.

I have an iRam card too. That holds 4gb of DDR ram though, max. Like an electronic hard drive with a battery backup. If you installed XP on it and had a decent CPU you could boot XP to a working desktop in 3 seconds.

I am using the AMD kernel for pclos. I find no difference between the normal kernel, the pae enabled kernel, and the AMD optimized Kernel.

It is a 30 mile one way trip to get the wireless dongle. If it didn't work then it is a lather, rinse, repeat until I find one that did work. Not my idea of an economical endeavor.
I don't have a lot of time to research and read everything before buying. It takes forever to go through everything and pack it up for my upcoming move.

Btw, those vacuum space saver bags are GREAT! You can put 3 boxes of stuff in one bag!
Just fill, attach the vacuum, suck the air out and when it seems like it is done, have your wife sit on it (wide hips) to force the rest out. No worries about bugs, water, or mold either.
Boxes cost around $3.00 each, on average.

[YouCanToo]

Just a minor correction: PAE kernels support up to 64gb memory, not 4gb. Also, the best way to know if a system will work with PCLinuxOS is to take in a working liveusb and ask to be allowed to boot from it.

Galen

Thanks Galen, I stand corrected.

[YouCanToo]

I can get XP to work with more than 3.5gb memory and no errors. I just make a RAMDRIVE and allocate whatever is above the 3.5 limit. Then put temp files and such on it.

I have an iRam card too. That holds 4gb of DDR ram though, max. Like an electronic hard drive with a battery backup. If you installed XP on it and had a decent CPU you could boot XP to a working desktop in 3 seconds.

I am using the AMD kernel for pclos. I find no difference between the normal kernel, the pae enabled kernel, and the AMD optimized Kernel.

The difference between the PAE and the standard kernel is the amount of memory that is made accessible. I believe that the AMD optimized kernel is just has been optimized to work better with the AMD CPU.

It is a 30 mile one way trip to get the wireless dongle. If it didn't work then it is a lather, rinse, repeat until I find one that did work. Not my idea of an economical endeavor.
I don't have a lot of time to research and read everything before buying. It takes forever to go through everything and pack it up for my upcoming move.

Btw, those vacuum space saver bags are GREAT! You can put 3 boxes of stuff in one bag!
Just fill, attach the vacuum, suck the air out and when it seems like it is done, have your wife sit on it (wide hips) to force the rest out. No worries about bugs, water, or mold either.
Boxes cost around $3.00 each, on average.

[zolar1]

Just a minor correction: PAE kernels support up to 64gb memory, not 4gb. Also, the best way to know if a system will work with PCLinuxOS is to take in a working liveusb and ask to be allowed to boot from it.

Galen

Thanks Galen, I stand corrected.

I asked them if I could do that and they said NO!

[YouCanToo]

Just a minor correction: PAE kernels support up to 64gb memory, not 4gb. Also, the best way to know if a system will work with PCLinuxOS is to take in a working liveusb and ask to be allowed to boot from it.

Galen

Thanks Galen, I stand corrected.

I asked them if I could do that and they said NO!

That really isn't a big surprise, that they will not let you.

[gseaman]

Just a minor correction: PAE kernels support up to 64gb memory, not 4gb. Also, the best way to know if a system will work with PCLinuxOS is to take in a working liveusb and ask to be allowed to boot from it.

Galen

Thanks Galen, I stand corrected.

I asked them if I could do that and they said NO!

That really isn't a big surprise, that they will not let you.

It's unfortunate that they have that attitude, but it is probably just their ignorance. If you can't find a business that will let you test, then I would make sure there is confirmation in writing that if it doesn't work for you, you can return it. Costco is great about returns with no reason given.

Galen