The thing is that I'm having major hardware problems at the moment.

My setup:

Motherboard: Abit NF7 v.2
Cpu: AMD Athlon XP2500, Socket A
Ram: 512MB DDR - PC3200 (Cl2.5)
DVD: Pioneer DVR-A06
Harddrive1: 40GB IBM
Harddrive2: 180GB Western Digital Caviar
GF-Card : Geforce2-Ti


I'm dualbooting win2000 (drive1, master), and Libranet 2.8.1 (kernel2.4.23) (drive2, slave).

Some weeks ago, the computer started feezing when I was using windows. Freezing meaning that I couldn't move the mouse cursor, not use the keyboard, and there was no harddrive activity. There was no "pattern", no special aplications that froze the computer.

I thought to my self that it was probably just windows messing around, and desided to give linux a go.

Installed Libranet 2.8.1, but the problems didn't go away.

I'v tryed about everything there is to try, Changing GF-card, networkcard, soundcard, updating bios, reinstalling, memorychecking etc etc.

The only thing that comes to my mind is that there is something wrong with my motherboard.

That's why I need some recomandations on a good, stable motherboard, that will work with linux. I don't have to much money right now, so it should not cost more than 120-130$.

Any advise would be apriciated. I'm having a java exam in about one month, and really need a stable computer to program on.

I've just had some problems trying to install mdk9.2 - nothing at all would work and was just about ready to recycle the box for a newer model.

However, I did a BIOS flash upgrade - it worked a treat and mdk installed straight away. Saved me a fortune (only cost $25.00 AWARD BIOS).

You could try looking at Shuttle computers (http://us.shuttle.com/) - one model even comes pre- installed with Mandrake. If your on a budget, look to getting a minimum spec unit and rescue the kit, HDD/CDRom etc from the box your currently using.

Your hardware problems sound quite like an over-heating CPU. I'd check that before you spend any money on new hardware.

When Linux crashes due to a CPU error (e.g. overheating), you often get all three keyboard LEDs flashing. Has this happened to you?

Dave

Cpu overheating, didn't think about that.
Well, I checked my fan, and it sems to be ok. (some dust, but I vacumcleaned it).

To rule out overheating of the cpu, I have desided to do something drastic.
I'll install my slk-heatsink, and my Delta-fan. This will for sure cool the cpu down. On the downside, it will make alot of noise..

About the "three keyboard LEDs flashing". Haven't notised it, but I havent been looking for it..

Anyway, off to install my Delta-fan, and warn the neighbours..