There is still a lack of posts reporting complete compatibility concerning 965 motherboards in the hardware forums. Phoronix will do some reviews soon but as I'm looking to upgrade during the holidays I'm wondering if anybody is running linux on the mentioned MSI motherboard already. If so, what works and what doesn't?

The only motherboard for C2D that I'm fairly certain will work is the Intel PD965LT since Pogolinux uses it in their Verona workstations. There are many sites like "Linux for laptops" which are invaluable to people looking for state-of-the-art mobile computers who require linux support but I haven't found an equivalent pc component HCL yet.

I picked up an MSI P965 over the holidays and pulled out most of my hair over a period of three solid days trying to install a debian-based linux distro.

Here's what I was NOT able to install on my shiny new MSI P965 workstation:

- Ubuntu 6.06 Server
- Debian (Sarge) 3.1r4
- Debian etch installer rc1
- MEPIS 3.4-3


It looks like there's a problem with the Debian installer (http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...2&postcount=19) and that it doesn't support many SATA chipsets.

If I can't have Debian, I'll take whatever will run on this motherboard and do a re-install when Debian gets their installer fixed.

Anyone know what Linux distro will run on a MSI P965?

Thanks for the input Mel,

I'm probably gonna go with FC6 myself this time. Not sure if it is using a more recent kernel revision in the installer than the distros you tried, but Fedora is usually up to speed.

If you were booting from a DVD, did you use the P965/J-Micron required kernel parameters to get the show going? As I understand it, an optical drive connected to the J-Micron chip (on chipsets lacking "real" IDE, notably Intel's 965) can be forced into submission with correct kernel parameters and maybe BIOS settings. Then again, this might not be the only issue. As I said, reports are still lacking.

I'm sure that there are people out there who have got conroe setups working flawlessly though, just don't know exactly what hardware they are using.

I installed Ubuntu 6.10 alternate-install CD, it works fine.

Sounds like good news Jonttu, I'd really like to hear more about your setup.

For example, did you have to specify any kernel parameters? Are you using a SATA optical drive by any chance? I take it that onboard audio & ethernet are working, but have you been using the board's firewire port for anything?

Yes I do use SATA and it works fine. I didn't have to change any settings on install. Haven't tested firewire yet.

Just one other question

I also have the P965 ( http://www.msi.com.tw/program/produc...il.php?UID=744 )

Are u using the SATAII port by JMicron JMB361 ( this is the first sata port) or one of the other controlled by Intells ICH8? Because i heard there where some probs with the jMicron stuff.

Try looking at Jem Matzan's excellent article, "Hacking openSUSE 10.2" and in particular the section headed "CD not found" error.
This applies to all 965 motherboards with the dreaded Jmicron IDE controller.

The article can be found at:-

http://www.softwareinreview.com/cms/content/view/60/

The article as a whole should be compulsory viewing for all users of openSUSE 10.2, which in my opinion is one of the finest Linux operating systems in existence. So there!