Want to run a Linux based machine, but which distro?

[NetRyder]

Believe it or not...I had more problems with Redhat than I did with Slackware. 😛
Mainly hardware compatibility issues. But that was a few years ago. They should have been fixed in Redhat too by now.

 

[falcone]

it has improved... but its rather unstable for a linux OS 🙁 i tink mandrake would be better for "out of the box", quote Xie 😎

 

[NetRyder]

I agree with you. Given a choice between Redhat and Mandrake only, I'd go for the latter.

 

[j79zlr]

I agree with you. Given a choice between Redhat and Mandrake only, I'd go for the latter.

Funny, I'd go with neither 😛

Glaanie, you just need to fix [most likely] the hor. and vert. refresh rates in XF86Config on BSD, don't give up, BSD is the best.

 

[Glaanieboy]

Funny, I'd go with neither 😛

Glaanie, you just need to fix [most likely] the hor. and vert. refresh rates in XF86Config on BSD, don't give up, BSD is the best.

So I've noticed 🙂 The problems I had last time when I installed BSD, was because the installation asked me how to configure the XFree86 modules. I chose visual mode, thinking that would be the simplest. It was not, because the default values where out of sync with my monitor. I neer got it to work again, so I formatted and used it as a secundairy disk in Windows XP.
Now that I have actually read what the installation says (rather than pressing ok blindly), I now chose for the ncurses mode in the X configuring, so I could continue the installation 🙂
And thanks to the great howto j79zlr provided I also upgraded all packages and my kernel to the latest versions 🙂 I think I'll stick with FreeBSD for a while.

Oh wait, I have one other problem:
I have installed the latest GL compatible nVidia drivers, but when loading the nvidia driver, I get this error when starting X:

Chipset "GeForce2 MX 100/200" in Device section "Card0" isn't valid for this driver.

WHY!?! GF2 MX 200 (what I have) is supported, according to the device compatibility list in the readme. When I load the "nv" driver, instead of the "nvidia" (faulty) driver, everything works as normal. The only lines in XF86Config I have changed are the driver from "nv" to "nvidia", removed the "load "dri"" line and added "Load "glx"" line in the modules section. I haven't visited yet the nVidia helper page and I haven't quite read the FAQ, but maybe someone knows the answer.

 

[Glaanieboy]

*bump* 🙄

 

[j79zlr]

try commenting out the chipset line, probably not necessary.

 

[furthur]

I agreee with NetRyder stick with freebsd. It sounds to me that xf86config is not setup correctly. get 5.2 install the disto get gnome from a port install, then config your xf86config. and you will be golden. Fedora is nice but its too fluffy, and for mandrake dont even waste your time with that garbage. 😱

 

[Glaanieboy]

try commenting out the chipset line, probably not necessary.

That worked! Thanks 😉 Now I can finally see those GL screensavers 😛