On Monday 01 October 2001 10:42 pm, J.Drews wrote:
On Monday 01 October 2001 04:35 pm, you wrote:
How does Linux deal with Nvidia video cards? I am thinking of getting a Dell laptop and they come with that card, so far as I can tell.
Hi Dennis:
I would not get a computer with a nVIDIA card. Here is why:
1) While nVIDIA cards do give excellent graphics they tend to screw up other applications like 3D drawings in Star Offices StarDraw. Also, screensavers sometimes malfunction.
2) nVIDIA cards sometimes causes hang on logout.
3) Certain applications, when run on an nVIDIA card, like Gtulpas and Xmms cause serious crashes.
4) You may not be able to return to your original session after switching to a virtual console.
5) Certain applications that use anti aliased fonts (GV) do not work properly, if an nVIDIA card is installed.
6) nVIDIA drivers are not part of the SuSE distribution; you have to download them and install them. A kernel patch is also required.
7) The provided software drivers are closed source so their can be no check, by XFree86.org, on whether they will work properly.
I had a nVIDIA card installed in my computer for 18 months. Whether I installed SuSE, Mandrake or RedHat made no difference. There was always some glitch. If nVIDIA could not provide satisfactory drivers in that 18 month period, they never will. nVIDIA is a serious gamming card. For instance, you can use your nVIDIA card to play video roulette, with Sax2, for hours on end! Video roulette is where you constantly reconfigure XF86Config in an attempt to get the pestiferous nVIDIA to work. Basically, if you like protracted configuration problems then nVIDIA is for you.
IMHO I would try and get an IBM laptop as they probably come with an ATI card. You should check for linux compatibility here. http://www.linuxcare.com/labs/certs/
A word of warning: If you buy a Dell laptop and then install Linux on it, you may not be able to get warranty support. That has been my experience and also the experience of a Mr. Mike Hall: http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/opinions/3614/1/
What a load of subjective nonsense! Furthermore, you are incorrect on a
number of points.
SuSE 7.x supports nVidia out of the box. No kernel patch is required either.
If you wish you can use YOU to download and install the latest 3D nVidia
drivers (a kernel module is used). This required no knowledge of kernel
hacking nor visits to the nVidia FTP site. It's a point and click exercise.
Your sorry tale may have had some essence of truth a couple of years ago but
not now. You give a warning about Dell and make reference to Linuxcare. Guess
what? Dell and Linuxcare have partnered! See http://dell.linuxcare.com/ and
http://www.linuxcare.com/labs/certs/C1F1.epl. Also, you should note that
NVidia is working with the Linux/XFree86 community and provides high quality
software for Linux systems.
If you can only provide subjective and unhelpful advice (i.e. anecdotal
drivel) don't bother.
M
--
Martin Webster