About GNU/Linux/Ubuntu

[Azraelthe7th]

I just noticed your posts on the front page (I usually just jump to the forums), and had to say something.  As far as I can tell, Ubuntu has no problems with the 8800GTS.  In fact, it should detect the card just fine.  If it doesn't run as well as it could, you could just use the EnvyNG tool to go fetch and install the latest driver.

If, however, you did like me and got a 9600GT, then you would have had to compile the card's driver yourself.  Not to mention that it's the beta driver to boo.

[Javokis]

Hmm. None of that matters right now with the whole SATA disabled IDE issue. Linux does require the Master Boot Record and Microsoft wont give it up easily if it was first installed. Unfortunately, I don't want to reformat again.

[Azraelthe7th]

Funny, I thought Linux would set up the GRUB boot loader without trying to take over, unlike Windows.

I should know, I installed Windows XP after Ubuntu, and the damned thing decoded it would be the primary boot loader.  Good thing I was able to use the live cd to correct that.

[Javokis]

It's really odd because I recall being able to install Fedora Core into a computer that had XP in it before. Maybe Vista is being more strict about the boot record. On the other hand, I checked around to find out that Linux has been known to be locked out of the boot record if microsoft stuff was installed first. I can't be arsed to reformat. I have to call up microsoft everytime I re-install XP - very annoying. So I'll just save up some money for another SATA drive.

Actually, Ubuntu does have issues with the 8800GTS. It is a known issue. I looked into it and support questions are all over the place about Ubuntu's problem with the 8800GTS. I have found few answers unfortunately.

[Azraelthe7th]

It's still strange, considering I was able to install a dual-boot with Vista on my sister's PC with no problems.  Maybe you'd have to check a triple-boot guide for XP, Vista and whichever Linux distro you go with.

As for the 8800GTS, apparently, using the latest drivers via EnvyNG helps a lot in getting good performance, though NVIDIA still has work to do to get the 8 & 9 cards working perfectly on the X server.  Hopefully, the Nouveau project will have made enough progress by then to supplant the need for NVIDIA's proprietary drivers for X server rendering.

[Javokis]

Well my beef about linux nowadays is it really doesn't appeal to my hardcore DX10 gaming needs of today. Maybe if I was still using my Compaq computer I'd consider installing linux. I want to play my DX10 mad games.

[Azraelthe7th]

Meh, DX10 isn't enough of a reason for me to use a paranoid, RAM-eating, slow-booting and even slower shutting-down "OS".

OpenGL 2.1 can do what DX10 does, and it's cross-platform.  OpenGL 3.0 will bring all of the much vaunted DX10 "features" to all OSes.  D3D's biggest failure is sticking to one OS "just cuz".

[Javokis]

I'll install limux if this means that it'll play my Gears of War and other DX10 games I have purchased. Otherwise it's all academic.

[Javokis]

Ok... I sortof caved... I installed ubuntu on my Virtual PC as a test of the system's stability on my computer. I don't want to do a literal install of a linux OS untill I at least test it out first and make sure it's not going to piss off my computer. Virtual PC is safe way to test linux. I had to use this tutorial to install ubuntu in Virtual PC:

http://arcanecode.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/installing-ubuntu-804-under-microsoft-virtual-pc-2007/

[Azraelthe7th]

You could also use Virtualbox.  The latest version has OpenGL support too.

Also, the WINE guys started implementation of DX10 about a month ago.

[Javokis]

I'm going to do more testing in Virtual Box on the newest 64-bit ubuntu. I want try out Cinelerra. Not sure how well it'll work in virtual, but I'll find out soon enough. If all goes well, I'll be re-partitioning my drives to install into the real thing.

[edit]

Bah! I think my pc hates all things linux. I did a full non-virtual install of ubuntu after reformating and completely redoing my partitions. I felt like I was using a poor man's operating system. This takes me back to the days of Windows 3.1 meets Windows ME. Granted there was some cool effects used when I turned up the appearance settings, but the OS acts worse than Windows ME - crashes just as much. My computer must hate everything about it. Even the simplest tasks like restarting the computer causes whole kinds of oddities.

I've returned to windows 7 and I'm not turning back. The less I have to think about, the better.