Hi, I have got a Compaq computer and I've only had problems since I

bought it thanks to the damn motherboard (with its idiot-proof Compaq

bios).

I had the double clock speed bug and I fixed it

The main problem is that it freezes randomly with any distro (and the

problem is not related to the RAM).

Most distros don't work on my computer (e.g. Mepis, even the latest

beta hangs up and I can't even see the livecd working)

My motherboard is MSI RS480 socket 939.

Could you recommend me a good motherboard for Linux, please?

Here are my requirements:

1) 1 PCI EXPRESS slot

2) it has to be a socket 939 board (I have an AMD 3500+ and 2GB DDR

RAM)

3) it MUST NOT have the double clock speed problem

4) 1 SATA slot

Please, I don't want to be condemned to use Windows. I bought this

computer to use Linux and I didn't check if the hardware was supported

by Linux (because I was a newbie and I hadn't had any problems with

Ubuntu on my Compaq laptop)

I believe the Asus A8N-SLI Premium meets your requirements.

tseliot,

Before you buy a replacement motherboard, make absolutely sure that your case will accept the new motherboard - many HP/Compaq motherboards are OEM'd by Foxconn to HP/Compaq's specs, which often include nonstandard backplanes. That will often prevent installation of a standard ATX chassis.

Of course, if you're willing to switch chassis (cases) then my point is moot.

--Kim

Abit owns. I got 4 of them. The only problems i had with were resolved with a clear cmos. Asus is good too, but it's overestimated. I've seen shitty bioses, strange bugs with a lot of their mobos. Of course you can buy some tyan or intel.

I'm surprised you are having difficulties with the MSI board. I'm using a msi k8t neo. I've never had a problem except for a couple of older version distros not supporting sata.

I'm still running an old T-bird with a Gigabyte board. It's five years old and never had a hiccup.

Asus has always had problems with ram compatibility.

Abit is generally looked at as the top motherboard especially for overclockers.

Here is a good place to look at motherboards.

www.motherboards.org

Thank you for your answers. I've bought a new computer and chose its components. The new mobo is an Asus A8V Deluxe which has worked fine with every distro I have tried.

Sorry its a bit late, but you should check the HCL list for supported hardware, if one distro works on your machine then theoretically all distro's can be made to work on it.