[NBLUG/talk] Linux and new Dells (video and NIC workarounds)

[Dave Sisley]

Robert Hayes wrote:
> I've been watching with interest the posting about advantages to linux, and 
> noted that a few people mentioned they were going to join us chosen (choosy?) 
> few and run linux. as soon as they got new machines.
> 
> I just bought a Dell Dimension 2350 and -- I really should know better -- 
> just figured it would run linux out of the box. I really do know better.
> 
> Of course, it doesn't. So I thought I'd share the why's and solutions.
> You will require a 2.4.x kernel.
> 
> The two big deals that are mentioned around the web are the video chipset and 
> the integrated NIC. Neither will work with linux without some work.
> 
> Video:
> The video is an integrated Intel chipset. On my Dimension 2350 it's an i845. 
> Trying to load Debian 3.0r1 from iso images failed to launch X, although the 
> Knoppix 3.1 01-20-03 CD launched X both as a boot CD and as an installation 
> to the HDD. However, once you log off the desktop, X fails and won't restart.
> 
> Mandrake 9.0 failed X straight away.
> 
> RedHat 9 (just hit me now) found the chipset, configured it and ran fine as 
> far as X is unconcerned. Unfortunately, the rpm package manager and 
> everything else I know from running 7.2 for a year + is gone, and all the 
> gui's look like the same bastard child from a parentage of Redmond and 
> Cupertino. 
> 
> In researching the video problem, I found the following link: 
> 
> http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/Detail_Desc.asp?agr=N&ProductID=922&DwnldID=5117

Robert:

I also just bought a new Dell 2350, and can perhaps add a bit to your 
video info.  I loaded the new box with RH8 and was having trouble with 
the video. The graphics would occasionally be scrambled (it looked like 
a visual 'stutter'). I saved some $$ by using my old monitor, and I 
thought that that was my problem.  I mentioned it to someone (I 
apologize, because I forgot who clued me in -- Kyle, I think?) and they 
pointed out that RH does not actually include the best driver for the 
Dell video card.  It was suggested I go to Dell and download their 
driver.  I did and now my monitor looks great.

So the moral is to check and see if perhaps the manufacturer's driver 
doesn't work better than the ones sent with the distro.
-- 
Dave Sisley
dsisley at arczip.com
http://users.arczip.com/habsmoi