Hi guys, I've put off learning linux for a long time now, but my current job will sort of require it, so I've got a few questions before I proceed. First of all, I've already tried installing linux on my second machine, and what ends up happening is that I never use it afterwards . Right now I've decided (since I need a reinstall anyway) to wipe out windows from my main box, and install some linux distro on it and see if I can live with it for a few weeks at least (hopefully I'll leave it there, but you know... ).

Anyway, so my question is this, below is some of the hardware that has me a little concerned in terms if I'm going to be able to use it under linux. Please let me know, and if you can help me out with any custom configs I'll need to do once installed, I'd appreciate it.

First of all I'm fairly sure that nvidia is ok, but just to be certain my video card is nvidia 6800, and it's running with dual-monitor setup.

I've got creative audigy 2 zs sound card - will linux be able to handle 5.1, EAX, etc.?

One that has me most concerned is my tv tuner - Leadtek TV 2000 XP Deluxe. The manufacturer lists no linux drivers and no linux software. Is there some 3rd party tools I can use especially for PVR functions, or is this out of the question?

Last would be my keyboard and mouse (especially mouse). I've got the Logitech MX1000, will it be able to function at all, and will it be able to use all of the "non-standard" buttons? For keyboard, I'm using Microsoft Multimedia keyboard, and what I'm a little concerned about are the special function keys like media, e-mail, internet, etc.

If you can give me answers to at least parts of these I'd appreciate it. Also, will the choice of distro make a difference in hardware support, or will it be go out and find 3rd party tools anyway? I'm thinking about going with gentoo, but that's yet to be decided.

Hi, you may find most of your answers in the hcl right here on lq.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/index.php

As far as the sound goes you'll want to look at alsa.

http://www.alsa-project.org/

good luck.

Thanks for that, but unfortunately the two things that have me most concerned aren't listed there - MX1000 and my tv tuner

You're welcome the tv tuner seems to be supported.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/sh...p?product=1716

The mouse should work, you may or may not be able to get all of the functionality out of it as you would with windows. Some googling should give some insight as to how much you'll lose.

On another note, you could try a couple of live cd's to see how your hardware will interact with the os. You might even like running it for a while, just to "take a test drive" and figure out if you're going to like it or not.

The beauty of the live cd's is no install, no damage to the machine, and you have a fully functional os on a cd. I'd recommend knoppix.

http://www.knoppix.org/

good luck.