[SLUG] Linux on combo motherboards

[Terry Collins <terryc@xxxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.msi.com.tw/products/mainboard/mainboard.php?model=MS-6378

FYI - There was a question about running Linux on a combination
motherboard before on the list. This is just a report on the above
motherboard that I've just set up.

This one has video & snd on the motherboard. I've installed RH7.1[1] on
it. The CPU is a 1.2Gb Athalon Thunderbird with 266FSB, but the ram is
only 256MB (PC-133Mhz) (max is 2 x128Mb).

Sound is fine, i.e. it will play music CD's for SWMBO.

Video is a Trident Blade 2D/3D - I'm currently running is as TNT Generic
3D. The RH install chooses TNT Crystalblade which locks the machine
solid when X starts. The video can take up to 64Mb from RAM. 16MB will
be quite sufficent for this setup. No problems running X and WP8. 

The only quirk noticed so far was when installing apps from CD's, there
was a shimmer on the screen. No shimmer when playing music CD's. So I'm
thinking a cable upgrade might solve this.

Obviously your milage may vary. I just told the motherboard to emulate
SB, etc for sound, so it works. The Trident video cards are good basic,
economical cards and descrete cards have been thrashed here for over a
year (with only one rejection).

Cost was $210.

I've filled the three PCI slots, Tekram DC-315U SCSI, TV Capture and
NIC, but only the last is operational at the moment.



[1] FYI - you will need to download mouseconfig & Xconfigurator updates
if you want to fiddle with video after install.
-- 
   Terry Collins {:-)}}} Ph(02) 4627 2186 Fax(02) 4628 7861  
   email: terryc@xxxxxxxxxx  www: http://www.woa.com.au  
   Wombat Outdoor Adventures <Bicycles, Books, Computers, GIS>

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