Linux a Bust?
 

Hello all!

I know i will get some flame from this but i need to speak my mind and maybe just maybe get some advice..

I've downloaded 10 Linux distributions, Mint, Xubuntu, Ubuntu, Fedora, Suse, Elementary OS, Debian, Deepin, a couple others and i am currently in the process of burning DVD of Pinguy and Manjaro...

Only one Distro supported my GPU with install/Live and that was Deepin..Ati Radeon HD6450 VIA HDMI, but that distro although super awesome keeps messing up. it even has a wireless driver installer and installed my Vista drivers for my usb wireless, because it wouldnt install 7/XP---even with it being installed and it saying hardware present i have NO wireless...USELESS

Not One distro thus far supports my BCM43236 Linksys N600 usb wireless adapter..And its nit like its old in terms of version i just bought it 2 weekes ago..Model AE2500-NP....

So i cant get Wireless, sofar even though Deepin is doing okay with GPU now at login my ps2 not working so no mouse and keyboard to login...

I cant get fully working GPU/Digital audio to my Receiver.

These two basic things are the core use of my computer...HTPC with wireless connection

Maybe someone knows how to fix these problems...I think linux is amazing.....im a mac guy but with mac stolen im forced to use PC and Windows blows
but sofar linux has been nothing but a headache most these distros i cant even use LiveCD feature unless i pull my GPU!!!!

Hardware
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2120 CPU @ 3.30GHz, 3300 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)

Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB

AMD Radeon HD 6450 1GB

1TB HDD

Your idea is actually backwards. There is little chance of older hardware not being supported. The newer hardware is, the greater the chance it will not be supported, because sometimes it takes time to produce compatible drivers.

Wireless connection is one thing that causes many people problems, because it usually depends on proprietary software. Distributions that try to keep proprietary software out and only use free software will require work to get a wireless connection working. Reading the instructions on a distibution's website will probably be necessary to configure the connection.

The USB adapter has been out for years. Just revised a bit, I've searched high and low and only found a driver for BCM43236B
Yes I understand that there can be complications with hard ware but this is crazy. Having to pull GPU just to try it--no wireless hard has hell to find drivers just to have video, seems more of a hassle to use linux. If I can't get USB adapter to work I have to go spend more money just to try and find one that does. And if I can't get full use of GPU I have to hit one that will work...And people wounded why no one wants to stray from windows...OS is SHIT but at least manufactures make their products work with it. I'm even using a tool that installs drivers for you! Says it's installed and hardware present yet still nothing.
I just tried Kali Linux and Pinguy both wouldn't boot fully with GPU Pinguy does for a bit then blank screen. So maybe I should buy a 10 year old computer and maybe then linux the far superior OS will work....

Sometimes manufacturers don't support Linux, and some do in several ways. Donating sample code, providing an OEM driver, or developing an open source driver.

I know how you feel about distribution hopping. It sucks.

The AMD Radeon usually isn't supported out-of-the-box by many distributions because it uses a proprietary driver, and the free open source driver is still somewhat incomplete. Usually few distributions ship OEM drivers because of licensing issues.

However, your hardware should have support. Broadcom and AMD both equally support GNU/Linux fairly well and provide drivers. They also have free driver support though Broadcom often requires Firmware downloads and AMD free drivers requires a properly built MesaLib with Gallium3D API support.

My question to you is, how far are you willing to go to possibly, and if necessary, build a package, even from source, to support your devices and thoroughly read documentation to get it all working near perfect?

I only looked at two sources of information, but from what I did see, the company that makes that device has chosen to make it usable only with Windows. If so, blame them, not Linux. Although the second quote has two potential solutions.

We'll I'm a super newbie to linux so not sure how much I can do. Given the chance do what ever to get them purchasing new hardware just to use linux seems like crazy and like the days of vista ect. Even Ubuntu won't work with my GPU yet deepin does although after restoring system settings feature I now can't even log in due to USB mouse and keyboard are not loading now.

Think by now someone would have made a driver for GPU and wireless although they are new versions the hardware been out for couple of years....

That "Someone" would be a volunteer willing to work without any support from the manufacturer to develop a driver they will then be expected to support, because the manufacturer does not think enough of their users to supply Linux drivers or suitable documentation for others to write them.

Perfect opportinuty for you to write to the hardware mfgrs and let them know that you are a Linux user and will avoid their hardware until they have a reputation for supporting it with documentation or drivers.

Have you checked the linksys website for a driver? Isn't the hardware vendor who normally makes drivers for THEIR hardware? You think this is somehow a downfall of the Linux distros that you have tried? When you install Windows, is it a Microsoft driver that is installed by default, or a driver from the hardware vendor? I would guess the hardware vendor.

Actually yes I do. When I installed windows I used my mfg supplied drivers, out of all the distros out there not one said hey let's make a linux that is able to work with most hardware out there especially hardware that's been out for years. I've been reading up on most the distros and seems they are more interested in packaging as many versions as they can and not making one uber awesome version then build on that. Unless they don't want new users to the community hey stick with not supporting anything and making it so people have to drop a bunch of money on hardware to work with linux. I look like a complete ass in front my friends and family - boating about linux and when try to fire it up it's more troublesome then windows....

Yea I'm going to do that---- send them a nice email---all reality I'm done with Linux...to many problems 20 DVDs now of failed linux distros.

Well, sorry that you had problems, but it is NOT Linux asking you to spend more money on hardware - it is THE HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS and Micro$oft!

Honestly I don't think that you have grasped what the situation is with respect to who does, and who should provide support for all the new hardware, but I think that more discussion would be lost on you at this point as you seem to have your mind made up.

The only useful suggestion that I can make is that you check whether the hardware is supported under Linux before you spend the money - and gain a little experience before you brag...

Sorry to hear it, but again, I don't think that you had or have much of a clue what to expect from Linux - it is not Window$ (its much better!) - and how to have a good experience - it really isn't difficult!

Maybe you can try again when you have more time to think about it - good luck!

You are correct in that there is a problem, but not with GPUs and wireless. The problem is with that one piece of hardware you have, or more accurately, with the company that makes it. If the hardware has been around for a few years, but no open source software has yet been made for it and the company has not released Linux-compatible proprietary software, that means the company that makes the hardware engineers it so that it requires software only made by them and not only refuse to make their product usable by anything other than Windows, but also refuse to release details of the software to protect their "secrets" (thereby preventing anyone from making open source equivalents). It is a pretty shitty company in my opinion and their stupidity is the cause of your problems.

We'll you seem to be taking this personally.. How is it Microsoft's fault they didn't make the hardware..and windows is shit and I expect more from linux. People like you are the reason people don't reach out you have a lot to say in the way of applying a facade of intellect. But nothing useful- thanks for your insight as to my misunderstanding and wrongful thinking- shame on me for expecting a OS to at least support basic hardware.

Thanks - I agree it's so stupid!!! I want to use linux so bad it's killing me. I've been searching for two weeks on fixes last resort is replace hardware.... Thanks for your help appreciate it I know I'm a grumpy butt...after 20 distros I kind of went nuts

Thank you for making my point so clearly.

Personally? My responses were intended to be direct, helpful, courteous and respectful. If you took them to be otherwise motivated then I would ask, respectfully, that you read through this thread once more, or please tell me what has offended you so that I may try to restate it.