since i can't seem to get my ethernet card, modem, or sound working properly, i will probably go out and buy all sorts of new things for my pc that will be compatible with linux

what are some good, fairly inexpensive pieces of hardware compatible with linux for sound, ethernet (and wireless), and modem?

also, does linux care if it is installed on a slave hdd? does the boot loader have to be installed on the slave or primary hdd?

What do you have for existing hardware? I just curious why there are some many problem items.

There are too many to list. Like stickman asked, what do you have currently as most likely they are supported, buying new hardware won't make it easier to configure in most cases.

I would hate to think as many systems out there with a slave drive that doesn't work cause we use Linux.. hehe.
And usually the boot loader is on the MBR or the first sector of the first hard drive. Or you can even create a boot disk using a floppy if you want for Linux..

alright, so i can install linux into a slave hdd without problems

now, for the problem devices:

modem: lucent win
sound: off the motherboard intel 97 BAM audio
ethernet: off the motherboard intel pro/100 VE

Your modem, not sure without a model. Though by the looks its a winmodem which might not be supported but you can always check out www.linmodems.org to find out which ones do work under linux.

Your soundcard is supported and most likely already has support builtin, or if not, can be a quick kernel recompile away. Your sound should use the same drivers/modules as the AC 97 Audio chipset, which is mentioned many many times on this site, a quick search might find the results to get that working for you.

Your ethernet is supported using the eepro100 module or driver. I did a search and it even appears you can get the drivers from Intel if your distro doesn't already have them compiled, etc.

Hi SM

Just as a general point, the manufacturers of the Winmodems or Internal PCI Software modems are pathetic when it comes to providing Linux drivers for their modems.

Their are a couple of Internal PCI HARDWARE modems though that you can get good Linux drivers for.

I think one is the US Robotics Pro (can't remember the model number) - it uses a Connexant/Rockwell chipset I think.

The safest bet with Modems and Linux are the External Serial modems - you shouldnt have a problem setting one of them up

SBLive works well, but I prefer the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz soundcard myself. I use a Realtek 8139 nic with no problems.

I love my $14 external serial modem I picked up off the internet. It's even faster than my hardware pci modem.

# Modem and connection troubleshooting
Modem NHFs
Modem HOWTO
Linmodems.org
Conexant/Rockwell modem HOWTO
The Unofficial PCTel Linux Driver page
I finaly got my PcTel hsp56 mr modem to work
Linux driver for Winmodems with Lucent Apollo (ISA) and Mars (PCI) chipsets
Lucent AMR modem listed as an Intel AC'97 - Smart Link Modems
The kppp Handbook
Dial-up Networking Configuration Using KDE's Kppp
Troubleshooting ISP Connection Problems
Connecting to AOL with Linux