nForce2 users: anyone running a Linux OS?

[Megatomic]

I keep telling myself that I need to install and use Linux (heavily) for work purposes but I am worried that now it might not be feasible for me to do this. I have seen that nVidia has a support program for Linux users but I haven't seen any feedback on this.

Is anyone here using a Linux OS on the nForce2-based system? If you are, can you share your experiences and any insights you have gained? My specs are:

Epox 8RDA+ (nForce2) using onboard sound, LAN, and parallel port (laser jet printer)
GF4 Ti 4200
19" CRT (Samsung 955DF)
512MB PC3200
2 x 60GB hard drives
CD-R/W and DVD-ROM
PS/2 keyboard, USB mouse

Is this a good platform for Linux? I was thinking of using Mandrake 9.1 if that helps. Thanks for any help/advice/stories.

 

[Soulkeeper]

I don't own an nforce2 board
but i do know that nforce and nforce2 motherboards will run perfectly in linux
now if you want to use the onboard stuff like lan, sound, and video you can use the closed source drivers on the nvidia website
any par port works in linux as long as you have proper support compiled in yur kernel, also usb works
i believe the kernel has specific support for the nforce chipset, but if not it would still run well anyways

nforce2 + linux is a good combo
there are instructions on the nvidia website on how to install their drivers
and just recently nvidia updated their graphics drivers for linux
here is a review showing an nforce2 solution being very competitive running linux
Linux Review barton + nforce2 versus P4 with hyperthreading

 

[floccus]

Linux, especially newer releases, work just fine with the nForce2.

Personally, I'm just waiting to get all of Redhat 8.0 to dl before I go dual boot with Win2K. Also, nVidia just introduced their Linux agent that allows for easier and quicker driver updates so that shows they're commited to helping linux along so if everything doesn't work perfectly then you can expect the issue to be resolved as wuickly as possible.

 

[SpideyCU]

THat's good that they've released that Linux agent. A friend of mine is running his Linux box under the original nForce, took us a while to get everything working.

 

[magomago]

I'm currently using the drake 9.0 (switching over to RH 8.0 in a few days) and I have sound working...but that is it. I used the ASus drivers and I don't have either NICS, the North Bridge or South Bridge (I doubt soundstorm is properly recognzied)

I guess by RH 9.0 we'll get Nforce2 support

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: magomago
I'm currently using the drake 9.0 (switching over to RH 8.0 in a few days) and I have sound working...but that is it. I used the ASus drivers and I don't have either NICS, the North Bridge or South Bridge (I doubt soundstorm is properly recognzied)

I guess by RH 9.0 we'll get Nforce2 support

I got drake 9.1 but I am not sure if I am going to install it on my 8RDA+.

 

[SpideyCU]

RH 9.0 is just around the corner too, tempting.

 

[Megatomic]

The distribution I really want to install is Gentoo but I don't think I am capable of installing it properly yet. Has anyone here used Gentoo? Are my installation fears founded or should I just go for it?

 

[floccus]

Well, I'll say go for it... No one will really know unless someone tries so you can at least have the honor of being #1. For better or worse.

Generally you'll find that Redhat and Mandrake will support more of the newer hardware better, but thats also not true because of the open development which means that maybe someone out there had issues and created their own Kernel that works perfectly. Try stuff out and let us know what happens 🙂