checking for supported hardware
Suppose I'm at a computer shop trying to decide what computer to buy.
Naturally I'd want one with supported hardware. One known method is to
get a live CD and check the hardware.
So how do I check that the hardware is supported? And do I spend the
minimal time testing that?
I suppose I use a XFCE Lenny desktop, as it boots quicker than
gnome/kde.
Booting from a built-in CD driver is probably preferred to USB if
possible, as (from my limited experince) has a higher chance of
working without a need for editing BIOS settings of the target system.
Display adapter: We see that the system booted.
* Accelerated: glxgears requires a terminal to run from. Any relevant
game or whatever? Should start quickly and be very simple to
quit.
* compiz an co.: Any need to test separately?
Sound card: play a file. Which file is there to play? Any shortcut for
that? Make sure volume level is indicated.
Microphone: Record a file and play it (after verifying I can play). Make
sure recording level is indicated it.
Ethernet: ethtool?
wifi: iwconfig?
Modem: Any chance it would work out of the box with a live CD?
How do I get a clue that "hardware device X may work, but needs some
firmware"?
Keyboard:
* Special keys (volume, browser, and such) - any quick way to
configure them?
Printer:
* I guess that there are multiple methods depending on the printer.
* Assuming you'll actually get to print a test page
Scanner:
--
Tzafrir Cohen
icq#16849755 jabber:tzafrir.cohen@xorcom.com
+972-50-7952406 mailto:tzafrir.cohen@xorcom.com
http://www.xorcom.com iax:guest@local.xorcom.com/tzafrir
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