Ever had any issues with LAN controllers + Ubuntu?

[craftech]

This has run it's course on the Operating Systems forum:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=30841408#post30841408

So I would like to try it here (if the moderator does not mind):

Original Post from there:

I usually test new builds with an Ubuntu or Kubuntu disc. This time I couldn't get the LAN controller to work. No activity light on motherboard connector. No DHCP when booting. I have returned the motherboard for an exchange. I suppose I should have posted first, but it really seems like the LAN controller circuits weren't working.

This is the motherboard. Inexpensive build for a relative:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-192-_-Product

Don't see any complaints in the User Reviews.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So I replaced the board and the same thing happened. Slapped in a cheap net card and it worked fine.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

John

 

[nenforcer]

Is your concern that the onboard LAN chipset was non-functioning or that there were no proper drivers written for the onboard Realtek 811X chipset for that motherboard?

Testing using Ubuntu is a good test for motherboard functionality as a general rule but for a specific component you would really need to check to see if any drivers were written for that specific hardware component and then make sure they were included in whatever Linux kernel your Ubuntu used.

For instance, I went to the Foxconn support website and was able to download Windows XP drivers for the LAN chipset on this board but the Windows Vista 32/64 download failed every time.

Its possible the LAN chipset worked fine but without proper drivers you would never know.

 

[craftech]

Is your concern that the onboard LAN chipset was non-functioning or that there were no proper drivers written for the onboard Realtek 811X chipset for that motherboard?

Testing using Ubuntu is a good test for motherboard functionality as a general rule but for a specific component you would really need to check to see if any drivers were written for that specific hardware component and then make sure they were included in whatever Linux kernel your Ubuntu used.

For instance, I went to the Foxconn support website and was able to download Windows XP drivers for the LAN chipset on this board but the Windows Vista 32/64 download failed every time.

Its possible the LAN chipset worked fine but without proper drivers you would never know.

Yes, that's possible. I tried loading the drivers (there was an option) when the Ubuntu "Live" CD was loading. It didn't give you a choice of drivers nor a confirmation. When Ubuntu loaded the LAN was still dead. Maybe I should just go ahead and install XP Pro and see what happens.

Thanks,

John

EDIT: Problem solved: Downloaded the latest Ubuntu "Live" CD and the included drivers worked perfectly. I am typing this on it right now. Thanks for everything.

John