hardware support?
 

Is there really hardware support issues with add-on cards, motherboards, and CPUs? I checked the HCL, and neither my future motherboard nor my future CPU was listed. Well... FX 55 was listed, guess that's good enough for me.

But how about add on cards? For my future computer, I was looking around for some USB 2.0 add on cards at newegg, and most say:I had another look at HCL, and sure enough there are I/O controller devices.

So what I really want to know is do these things really have issues with Linux? I can't think of a reason for them to really have any problems. Do they really need drivers? Or is it just because of detection?

I've never really had any problem with this myself (just those stupid win modems) I have plenty of stuff thats supposed to only work with windows that works fine in linux. but it's on a case by case basis and some times it takes a little work to get going. as for the HCL it's such a pain in the ass to add things to I only added my iPod and none off my other stuff so just 'cause it's not there doesn't mean it won't work. is there anything you are wondering about specifically?

Well, really only the PLEXTOR PX-740A and motherboard. Although I can't think of a reason why the motherboard wouldn't be Linux compatible. I haven't figured out which add on card I'd get yet. I just wanted to clear that up before I actually chose one out. I still can't think of a reason why add on cards would have a problem. As long as it can communicate with the motherboard, it should be fine. It'd only be the device that would need a driver, right?