... For you & I, a DVI or HDMI cable would more than likely be the solution, but ...

So far, regardless of what mobo or gpu, Windows does install & is quite usable by just using the generic video drivers, so why can't Linux do the same?

Some systems follow standards honestly. Some don't... And then Windows has a long history of 'sometimes doing things differently'... ;-)

The big change in recent years is that more and more manufacturers have adopted Linux and so hopefully the "quirk" you've stumbled across for the on-board (integrated) graphics will be an annoyance of the past.

Meanwhile, a web search of that combination might show a fix. However, sounds like your graphics card is a much better and robust fix. You'll also avoid the small slowdown from the integrated graphics stealing some of the system RAM bandwidth.


Happy crunchin',
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Looks like one flavour of Linux caused a very big splash...


Steve Jobs vowed to 'destroy' Android

Steve Jobs said he wanted to destroy Android and would spend all of Apple's money and his dying breath if that is what it took to do so.

The full extent of his animosity towards Google's mobile operating system is revealed in a forthcoming authorised biography.

Mr Jobs told author Walter Isaacson that he viewed Android's similarity to iOS as "grand theft".

Apple is suing several smartphone makers which use the Android software. ...


Now... That is all rather 'rich' when you consider that Apple has made extensive use of freely available open source software and the inherent design in that software to make Apple products...

I wonder why both Microsoft and Apple appear not to like the Linux (and BSD) world(s)... All a question of freedom?


IT is what we make it!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Looks like one flavour of Linux caused a very big splash...


Steve Jobs vowed to 'destroy' Android

And now that other Steve has to try his putting-in-the-boot for a 'good kicking'...

Ballmer disses Android as cheap and complex

... “The biggest advantage we have over Android is that you don’t need to be a computer scientist to use a Windows Phone,” he said. “But the cheapest phones will be Android, and we are going to have to look at bringing the cost of our handsets down.” ...

I wonder why both Microsoft and Apple appear not to like the Linux (and BSD) world(s)... All a question of freedom?

I wonder...


IT is what we make it!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Something for the extreme geekie but something that nicely shows the power of open peer reviewed and openly collaboratively developed Free/Libre Open Source Software:

[PATCH] x86, AMD: Correct F15h IC aliasing issue

This patch provides performance tuning for the "Bulldozer" CPU. With its
shared instruction cache there is a chance of generating an excessive
number of cache cross-invalidates when running specific workloads on the
cores of a compute module. ...

This patch addresses the issue ... [so] avoids instruction cache aliases.

This change leaves virtual region address allocation on other families
and/or vendors unaffected.


Re: [PATCH] x86, AMD: Correct F15h IC aliasing issue

> Out of curiosity, what's the performance impact if the workaround is
> not enabled?

Up to 3% for a CPU-intensive style benchmark, and it can vary highly in
a microbenchmark depending on workload and compiler.


Just one small example of the depth of detail and excellence in the Linux kernel. Also a good example of the power of openly working amongst a large world of peers.

IT is what we make it!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

... For you & I, a DVI or HDMI cable would more than likely be the solution, but ...

So far, regardless of what mobo or gpu, Windows does install & is quite usable by just using the generic video drivers, so why can't Linux do the same?

Some systems follow standards honestly. Some don't... And then Windows has a long history of 'sometimes doing things differently'... ;-)

The big change in recent years is that more and more manufacturers have adopted Linux and so hopefully the "quirk" you've stumbled across for the on-board (integrated) graphics will be an annoyance of the past.

Meanwhile, a web search of that combination might show a fix. However, sounds like your graphics card is a much better and robust fix. You'll also avoid the small slowdown from the integrated graphics stealing some of the system RAM bandwidth.


Happy crunchin',
Martin

that is the problem with linux distros, you usually have to start fixing problems once you have installed some distro, it just won´t work straight ahead, and the 3% boost of the post below, won´t actually matter cause your craphic card won´t work. bummer.

but there is a hope.

Win 8 will come and it will make linux distros obsolete.

---

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exist elsewhere in the Universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin to the Hobbes

that is the problem with linux distros, you usually have to start fixing problems once you have installed some distro, it just won´t work straight ahead, and the 3% boost of the post below, won´t actually matter cause your craphic card won´t work. bummer.

Many people find the Linux distros work simply and easily. Don't confuse the freedom to be 'extremely geekie' if you want to, with the freedom to keep it all simple and easy to enjoy your freedoms graphically also.

Note: that patch is in advance of a new type CPU and all Linux users will benefit from that automatically when they use that respective kernel version or later. The patch will be in use for people without them even noticing unless they care to take a look.


Meanwhile, do you know that the same fix is or will be in Windows 8 when that comes out whenever?

And if you do, how can you know?


Happy fast crunchin',
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

but there is a hope.

Win 8 will come and it will make linux distros obsolete.

Ahhh... Is that why Microsoft appears to be dictating that no other software other than Windows 8 will be permitted to run under the Windows 8 logo via the UEFI boot replacement 'extra secure' scheme?

To me, that looks like Microsoft is attempting to stifle development and competition as ever...


IT is what we make it,
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Wow, I do like Sabayon 7 (x86) PDF(pretty damned fast) so might consider using this regularly.

HOWEVER have a major criticism of this & other linux distros.....

On running the live CD for testing before actual installation...get stage 1..press ALT+F1 for verbose mode, do so & see that all is ok...

stage 2..press F2 for verbose mode.. all ok, just after network manager it looks like going to the nexr stage(if there is one) & get black screen with the following... "Input Signal out of range". Have had this before with several linux distros, so shut down & install seperate gpu (was running with onboard video), restart.....

Bingo, we have lift off.......live cd pretty good so installing on disk & completed installation a lot faster than Windows does & for nearly 2gb file that's pretty good.

shut down & pulled gpu, rebooted, get same video issue, reinstalled gpu & we're good.

for linux to hit the world, what chance has the average home user to rectify an issue like this?

.....hmmn, still got some way to go IMHO.

It's possible that X has started and it's configuration sensing has failed. If true you may be able to get to a working console by pressing "Ctrl-Alt-F1" simultaneously. From there you should be able to shut down X and attempt to get it to sense the built-in video correctly. That the LiveCD provides a functioning graphical environment leads me to believe that there is some hope of getting this set up to work, though I must confess X configuration is not my area of expertise.

---

I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that ...

Wow, I do like Sabayon 7 (x86) PDF(pretty damned fast) so might consider using this regularly.

HOWEVER have a major criticism of this & other linux distros.....

On running the live CD for testing before actual installation...get stage 1..press ALT+F1 for verbose mode, do so & see that all is ok...

stage 2..press F2 for verbose mode.. all ok, just after network manager it looks like going to the nexr stage(if there is one) & get black screen with the following... "Input Signal out of range". Have had this before with several linux distros, so shut down & install seperate gpu (was running with onboard video), restart.....

Bingo, we have lift off.......live cd pretty good so installing on disk & completed installation a lot faster than Windows does & for nearly 2gb file that's pretty good.

shut down & pulled gpu, rebooted, get same video issue, reinstalled gpu & we're good.

for linux to hit the world, what chance has the average home user to rectify an issue like this?

.....hmmn, still got some way to go IMHO.

It's possible that X has started and it's configuration sensing has failed. If true you may be able to get to a working console by pressing "Ctrl-Alt-F1" simultaneously. From there you should be able to shut down X and attempt to get it to sense the built-in video correctly. That the LiveCD provides a functioning graphical environment leads me to believe that there is some hope of getting this set up to work, though I must confess X configuration is not my area of expertise.

Good advice, and on such as Mandriva Linux there is the simple command "XFDrake" to 'fix' any graphics problems, but...

I think most people will find such steps 'alien' to them, even though Windows does pretty much the same sort of thing with a "Safe Boot" or with it's "Recovery Console". Perhaps Linux is ahead of Windows in that there are graphical recovery tools available used in the Linux world. Those are even used to 'fix' broken Window systems. Anyhow, enough of trying to head-off the expected Linux bashing...


For the example of that integrated graphics + monitor combination not working, I think this is an example of where using a discrete graphics card is far cheaper and better than the time needed to do arcane tweaks for one problem with that monitor. Or even quicker and cheaper, use a DVI or HDMI cable.

Sometimes, some old and occasional combinations are just not worth fixing when there are trivial work-arounds...


But then again, learning about what is needed to fix such things is a good example of how open systems are good and educational and can lead on to much better things. Many people are insulted and rebel at the "proprietary - keep out!" or "no user serviceable parts" rebuffs!


Happy crunchin',
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

but there is a hope.

Win 8 will come and it will make linux distros obsolete.

Dream on! Win 8 is looking more & more like a pig's dinner....for desktop users anyway.

---

And Linux marches onwards... To the release of Kernel 3.1:


Linux Kernel Now Supports OpenRISC, Nested Virtualization

Linus Torvalds has released the next version of the Linux kernel, and with it come virtualization enhancements and support for the emerging OpenRISC processor architecture.

Linux 3.1 also includes updates to graphics drivers that expand its range of 3D image rendering -- and, for the first time, a driver to support use of the Nintendo Wii handheld motion-control device. As usual, the new version also includes many other additional drivers and bug fixes. ...

... support for nested virtualization within the KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) hypervisor. This feature, built from AMD's Nested VMX, allows a virtual machine to be run from inside another. Linux will also provide KVM with the ability to tap into the SMEP (Supervisory Mode Execute Protection) of Intel's next-generation Ivy Bridge processors, which should reduce some of the performance overhead typically associated with virtual clients.

Users of the Xen hypervisor get some new features as well...

... In the realm of processors, Linux 3.1 is the first version that can be run on the 32-bit OpenRISC 1000 family of processors. OpenRISC is a volunteer-driven project to design an open-source processor architecture. Linux 3.1 also supports the newest version of the Oracle Sparc processor, the SPARC-T3 series. ...



More detail is given in a nicely human-readable form over on:

What's new in Linux 3.1

Among the most prominent advancements of Linux 3.1 are...


That post also gives the outlook for the next kernel version 3.2.


All beautifully fast paced!

And those kernel goodies are already being incorporated into the next Linux distros to be released soon before the end of this year.


Fast paced fun stuff!

IT is what we make it,
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

This has just got to be some fabulous fantasy! It just beggars belief in ultimate abuse:


Android 'stands on Microsoft's shoulders', says MS lawyer

And there is only a modest charge for doing so


The comments are far more informative than the article.


With the various other amazing patents attacks, this is quickly degenerating into a patents Armageddon beyond all reason. I'm starting to wonder if there is going to be some very serious fallout and collateral damage that is going to spread beyond the immediate arena...


IT is what we make it,
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

This has just got to be some fabulous fantasy! It just beggars belief in ultimate abuse:


Android 'stands on Microsoft's shoulders', says MS lawyer

And there is only a modest charge for doing so


The comments are far more informative than the article.


With the various other amazing patents attacks, this is quickly degenerating into a patents Armageddon beyond all reason. I'm starting to wonder if there is going to be some very serious fallout and collateral damage that is going to spread beyond the immediate arena...


IT is what we make it,
Martin

actally, the comments were not informative at all, they were just not intellectual comments over issue that has nothing to do alleged patent violations, but i am sure yhat you martin can show as that the alleged patent violations are without cause.

---

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exist elsewhere in the Universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin to the Hobbes

This has just got to be some fabulous fantasy! It just beggars belief in ultimate abuse:


Android 'stands on Microsoft's shoulders', says MS lawyer

And there is only a modest charge for doing so


The comments are far more informative than the article.


With the various other amazing patents attacks, this is quickly degenerating into a patents Armageddon beyond all reason. I'm starting to wonder if there is going to be some very serious fallout and collateral damage that is going to spread beyond the immediate arena...

actally, the comments were not informative at all, they were just not intellectual comments over issue that has nothing to do alleged patent violations...

I'm sorry, but you do have to exercise a black sense of humour and satire for those style of comments. However, the comments are very appropriate and "apt".

I nearly fell off my chair ("ROTFLMAO") at reading the Microsoft claims in that article. Considering that Microsoft is so very late in trying to enter the smartphone market, and considering Microsoft's history and present actions, I consider those claims to be laughable except for what I see to be the blatant malevolent intent.


Are we all to be ruled by highly paid lawyers making extravagant claims and threats, riding high on the back of abusing grandiose frivolous patents?

Regardless, I think this is all going to turn into a very expensive and restrictive mess, that we then all pay for.


IT is what we make it...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

I spent the last 3 evenings attempting to install the Mandriva 2011 on my mandriva 2010.2 PC. Each time I attempted to get updates the system would halt give me a file that it needed to install update files with and it would either fail to install anything or lock completely. If it locked I was forced to restart only to find it wouldnt go to the desktop. This forced me to reinstall... after the 3rd try I started installing a few files at a time. The end result is that I've installed UBUNTU which seems to be a very clean and easy install. Now to enjoy the learning curve.

task bar on top, shrink/close apps is on the upper left instead of right. This may take some getting use to

---

In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope

I spent the last 3 evenings attempting to install the Mandriva 2011 on my mandriva 2010.2 PC.

I don't know if this is OT or not but, I do feel that Mandriva is going downhill. The last version I really thought was a good stable OS was 2008. The 2009 and 2010 versions had more bugs than a mattress in Afghanistan. I was very disappionted in them, particularly as I had paid for the Power Pack versions.

T.A.

I spent the last 3 evenings attempting to install the Mandriva 2011 on my mandriva 2010.2 PC.

I don't know if this is OT or not but, I do feel that Mandriva is going downhill. The last version I really thought was a good stable OS was 2008. The 2009 and 2010 versions had more bugs than a mattress in Afghanistan. I was very disappionted in them, particularly as I had paid for the Power Pack versions

Not OT at all. More bugs than a mattress?! Oooer...

I'll agree that Mandriva has had some shaky twists and turns since it's cutting-edge heyday. It will be very interesting to see how the Russian sponsorship develops and how compatible that is with the world of FLOSS.

Hence there is the Magiea fork away from Mandriva. Magiea looks to have produced a very solid first release and they now look set to go cutting-edge with their follow-on releases. There is also PCLinuxOS that is a nicely polished derivative of Mandriva.

And as you've discovered, you've got the freedom of choice of other distros so that you can find something you like.

For installing Mandriva 2011.0, I tried going the 'update' route from a 2010 version and there were a few troublesome problems that needed a geekie fix. Making a fresh clean install (but keeping /home untouched) worked fine (assumes you have /home on its own partition as is usually the case).

I'm not sure how Mandriva is going to develop next, so I'm holding off on that one to see how the bits settle.


It is good to have freedom. I hope the new sponsors of Mandriva do not show their contrary ideals...

IT is what we make it!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

A couple of interesting snippets:

Open Source, Open Science, Open Source Science

... we need true openness with respect to scientific software.

One of the key inspirations for the free software movement was the scientific tradition of sharing information and building on the work of others. That arose a few hundred years ago, at a time of rapid scientific progress...


Note how that openness and progress is threatened by the requirement of some very expensive scientific journals requiring 'embargo periods' and 'exclusivity' so as to restrict the spread of knowledge to be only available through their publications (at a price)... Similarly so for how scientific processing packages and equipment are often stamped "Proprietary, keep out!"...


Mozilla and Microsoft announce Firefox with Bing

Mozilla has announced the availability of a customised version of its open source Firefox web browser that uses Microsoft's Bing search engine. In addition to using Bing by default in the search box and AwesomeBar, the default home page is also set to Bing.com. ...


Quite a curious twist from the days of Netscape being wiped out by Microsoft for Firefox to rise from the ashes many years later, and for Microsoft yet later still to be sued and expensively fined long long after the event for the anti-competitive practices that had destroyed Netscape...



It is good to have freedom!

IT is what we make it!
Martin


All just my personal comment as ever...

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

I'll agree that Mandriva has had some shaky twists and turns since it's cutting-edge heyday. It will be very interesting to see how the Russian sponsorship develops and how compatible that is with the world of FLOSS.

Hence there is the Magiea fork away from Mandriva. Magiea looks to have produced a very solid first release and they now look set to go cutting-edge with their follow-on releases. There is also PCLinuxOS that is a nicely polished derivative of Mandriva.

And as you've discovered, you've got the freedom of choice of other distros so that you can find something you like.

For installing Mandriva 2011.0, I tried going the 'update' route from a 2010 version and there were a few troublesome problems that needed a geekie fix. Making a fresh clean install (but keeping /home untouched) worked fine (assumes you have /home on its own partition as is usually the case).

I'm not sure how Mandriva is going to develop next, so I'm holding off on that one to see how the bits settle.


It is good to have freedom. I hope the new sponsors of Mandriva do not show their contrary ideals...

IT is what we make it!
Martin

While we're talking about updates, it took Gentoo a little longer than some to mark the 3.0 kernel as stable. It did so with 3.0.6, which has been running on my machine for a couple of weeks now. Gnome 3 is still not considered stable, though it's not a big deal for me as I typically use KDE, so my next "big" upgrade will occur when 4.7.x is marked stable. While it takes a little bit more to manage, I think I prefer the rolling updates from Gentoo, rather than the big bang type of changes of some of the other distros. Gentoo also gives me some flexibility on when to perform upgrades, for instance, I'm using gcc v4.4.5 even though 4.5.3 is now stable and installed, I'll probably skip that for 4.6.x which has optimizations for my i7 CPU.

---

I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that ...