Motherboards To Avoid

[bbb]

Linux Motherboard Compatibility
I’m in the middle of building a new PC so to have enough CPU & RAM to use QEMU with an XP guest on an XP host.
Thought I finally had a MoBo picked out; but when reading its user reviews, there were a couple comments about Linux compatibility problems.

With the growing pop of Linux, I just assumed that this would no longer be an issue.
Since I definitely wanted to be able to try Knoppix in the future:
Is there any manufacturer or chipset I need to avoid to make sure I’m Linux ready?
I did do a search and found a recommendation for the nforce430 chipset, but are there some I need to avoid?
Thanks.

This MoBo Model: MSI RS482M-IL
Here are the Linux related reviews from this page for this MoBo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustRa...0&Pagesize=100
1) Okay board, not recommended for Linux
Cons: One of the USB headers didn't work, though MSI gave me an RMA easily. Not many overclocking features. Onboard sound leaks electromagnetic interference quite a bit, though not as bad as some. Many problems running this board in Linux. ATI just doesn't support Linux well. For instance, the onboard video is not well utilized, Cool 'n Quiet is unstable, and I had to disable some of the kernel's clock functionality to get it to run in Linux. I am selling this board and getting an nVidia chipset.

2) no title
Cons: If using Linux, there are issues with the clock.

[techieMoe]

It's hard to keep a topic like this going without it turning into a flamewar, but I'll keep an eye on it. Here are some companies I've had problems with in the past (note this is just my personal experience and your mileage may vary):

ATI - Their 3D drivers aren't as easily installed or work as well as Nvidia's for me, particularly with Linux. I've also had a Radeon card melt on me.

ECS - a motherboard I bought from them nearly fried my CPU.

Nforce2 chipsets - I can't speak for the newer ones available now (Nforce3 and Nforce4) but I had some issues with certain distributions of Linux and Nforce2.

For more details on what problems I had, see my site (link in my signature).

[spencerf]

I don't see why you would have a problem with this board. It has realtech audio and network which are supported. The only linux post I saw was something about the clock and that is most likely the posters fault for having something set wrong like UTC vs. Local time.

The onboard video would work (i think) with the radeon driver or the ati proprietary driver. Everything else should be fine.

edit: spelling and (of course this is only a socket 754 so you would not have the ability to upgrade in the future, basically socket 939 are the way to go but if using a preexisting cpu this seems fine)

[bbb]

Thanks all.

The only linux post I saw was something about the clock and that is most likely the posters fault for having something set wrong like UTC vs. Local time.

The other Linux post was on that same long page. I excerpted it above & here: "Many problems running this board in Linux. ATI just doesn't support Linux well. For instance, the onboard video is not well utilized, Cool 'n Quiet is unstable, and I had to disable some of the kernel's clock functionality to get it to run in Linux. I am selling this board and getting an nVidia chipset."
Kind of surprised to see these issues in an MSI board -- thought that was supposed to be a reliable maker.

[techieMoe]

Kind of surprised to see these issues in an MSI board -- thought that was supposed to be a reliable maker.

Any company can make a stinker, or just have a bad batch. I had startup issues with one of the MSI boards I bought a few years back.

[budman7]

Any company can make a stinker, or just have a bad batch.

I just installed a brand new AMD mobo for a customer, it had a bad cmos battery.
The computer wouldn't boot up, the BIOS kept resetting itself to a non-usable configuration, so I replaced the cmos battery, now it boots fine.

[bbb]

Thanks all,
And then there is always the issue of retailers that keep circulating returns until someone who doesn't know any better keeps it. Got a CRT from Circuit City once that must have been through that cycle at least 3 or 4 times.

I guess my best bet is to keep an eye on the reviews and on those that are available as "refurbished" -- especially where ATI is involved.