Re: [PLUG] "Friends don't let friends use Dell"

[Fred K Ollinger <follinge@sas.upenn.edu>]

> After a few days of struggling along using Redmond's finest desktop OS,
> I realize I'm using my personal laptop (Apple Powerbook G4) way too
> much.  Dagnabbit, I need a *NIX box on my desk.
>
> While I usually use OpenBSD or OS X for personal stuff, this is work,
> and I don't have time to screw around.  So I grab Red Hat's latest
> stable distro (8.0), pop it in the chintzy little CD tray trying not to
> break the 'puter and reboot.
>
> Red Hat installs fine, no complaints, and even seems to recognize my
> video card and monitor.

Did you do a text install?

> XFree86 doesn't work.

Unless you did a text install, how did you install it?

> OK I know Dell somewhat recently got out of the Linux business, but boy
> oh boy I didn't know they were going to go out of their way to use
> stuff that doesn't work with Linux (actually, I'm lying... I used to
> support their laptops so I know what kind of compatibility pains can
> come with Dells).  Turns out that the video chipset they are using
> won't be supported until XFree86 4.3.0.

Although I don't like rh's business practices, I don't think that this is
correct. This is an XFree related question, which as you realize
transcends mere distro anomolies.

Are you sure you have the model right?

I am typing on that model right now from rh7.2. I can give you a copy of
my XFree86-4 file. I can't help you w/ anything other than rh7.2, however,
b/c that's all I have experience w/.

> Right now I'm compiling binary RPM's from the SRPM's from Rawhide
> (XFree86-4.2.99) and crossing my fingers (and maybe saluting this Dell
> with a finger).  Every time I touch a piece of Dell hardware I am
> reminded way I dislike their hardware and why, given an opportunity to
> do so, I'd never sign a purchase order for Dell hardware.

Ha, funny what money makes us do. I'd not only support windows, I'd
support a Vic-20 if that's what paid the bills. But I'm lucky enough to
deal primarily in linux.

> If it sounds like I'm overreacting, you might be right if it were just
> one isolated incident.  But I've never had to deal with  a single
> manufacturer pumping out more *BAD STUFF* over such a long period of
> time except perhaps Packard Bell.

I can tell you compaq horror stories, but Packard Bell hardware was just
silly. :)

Fred
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