cyclocommuter

When I installed Mandrake 10 (Powerpack), it automatically detected that I had an "HT capable" processor and added "SMP" entries in LILO (i.e.) 2.6.3-7mdk-p3-smp-64GB which is what I set as default so the Kernel detects that I have "2" processors CPU0 and CPU1 and 1 GB of memory. Other Kernel options made available by the install in LILO (without SMP) only detected 1 processor, or (without the 4 or 64 GB) detected less than my 1 GB of memory. Here is a snapshot of Gkrellm showing the Kernel I am currently using (2.6.3-15mdk-p3-smp-64GB) and 2 CPUs plus other info from lm_sensors:

I guess it depends on the motherboard you are using, In my case (Intel D865 PERLK), I did not even have to edit the /etc/rc* files. All I needed was to install lm_sensors and it's libraries, run sensor-detect script answered yes to allow detection of IC2, but no to ISA , and finally edit the /etc/modules.conf to add: #----cut here---- # I2C module options alias char-major-89 i2c-dev #----cut here---- Once I rebooted, sensor was running and I just had to configure gkrellm to get motherboard info (temps, fan speed, voltages). Here is a good how to link on to set up lm_sensors from Linux Journal: sensor setup. cyclo

I have spent time doing my research on video cards (including comparing FX 5700, 5900XT) before deciding to buy the MSI GeForce FX 5900XT. 5900XT actually uses the same GPU as the 5900 Ultra only clocked slower. RAM used are also slower but you can overclock both GPU and RAM to make it run almost as fast as an Ultra. This card runs great on Mandrake 10 using the generic nVidia FX drivers from the Powerpack CDs. I also dual boot to XP mainly for gaming and this card runs Far Cry smoothly with most quality setting at "high". My old Geforce 4 4200 Ti doesn't even compare to this on both speed and quality (gaming). cyclo

I had the same problem with a Logitech mouse using a KVM switch to alternate between a Mandrake 9.2 PC and Windows XP PC. My solution? I used a Microsoft optical wheel mouse and it works all the time. cyclo

Thanks for posting a progress report Chris, I myself started another thread on which motherboard is best for Mandrake 10 Powerpack edition. I have Mandrake 9.2 running on an nForce2 board (ASUS A7N8X Deluxe 1.04) and had to add noapic nolapic acpi=off in the bootloader parameters to prevent lockups / freezes. This minimized the lockups a great deal but did not completely eliminate it. I have also researched quite a bit, even thinking of getting an Intel based board but now I probably will go with SOYO... with the VIA KT400 or KT600 chipset.

VeeDub, which SOYO do you have?

Running multiple apps should not lockup any harware... perhaps slow it down but not lock it up. Anyway, you might not be having it but I sure am, along with others... Result of Google Search: nForce2 Lockup Problems Here is a more detailed/technical explanation of the problem: nForce2 woes with Linux cyclo

How long have you been using Mandrake 10 on A7N8X Deluxe? Do you have the latest version (A7N8X E Deluxe) with the gigabit ethernet? Did you have to turn off APIC in BIOS or add bootloader options noapic nolapic to avoid lockups in Mandrake 10? I myself did not encounter lockups on my A7N8X Deluxe until I started stressing it by compiling / building Java apps while having other applications running. I would have loved getting another A7N8X to install Powerpack 10 on but I think I will play safe this time and get an ASUS P4800P (Intel 865E). I have gone through many forums and it seems many people are still encountering lockup problems on nForce2 boards even with Mandrake 10. I can probably get the nForce2 stable by compiling the kernel with certain options specifically designed to workaround nForce2 apic / acpi problems but I don't want to spend too much time on this. cyclo

Hello all, I just pre-ordered Mandrake Powerpack 10 (6 CD naked edition) from MandrakeStore.com. I will be building a dedicated PC for this distro. I was initially thinking of using an nForce2 powered motherboard such as ASUS A7N8X but my experience with Mandrake 9.2 and an ASUS A7N8X Deluxe has not been positive at all. I have gotten intermittent lockups specially when the PC is being stessed (such as when I am compiling / building applications). Adding noapic nolapic parameters in the bootloader config file minimized but did not completely eliminate the problem. Right now, I have no preferrence whether the CPU is INTEL or AMD. I just want a stable motherboard to run Mandrake 10 preferrably one which will run reliably without setting parameters, etc. Any suggestions? Thanks!