I had previously posted a note that I could not get XFree86 to work with
the Apple Studio Display 17" LCD via DVI port on a Radeon 7500 card. The
Apple monitor remained blank. I knew the hardware was ok because I could
drive a (borrowed) Sony monitor. Note that this hardware combination worked
under Windows XP with no difficulty.
I was never able to resolve this despite 2 weeks researching, modifying
configs, trying CVS drivers, and very generous help from several people
working on XFree86.
Finally, based on other suggestions, I bought a Nvidia card (a lot cheaper
than getting a new monitor <grin>). Out of the box with the standard
XFree86 driver ("nv") the screen lit up (first time that had happened with
XFree86) but showed only hash - no image. As soon as I installed the Nvidia
driver ("nvidia" downloaded from their site), the monitor worked
gloriously.
I post this for the record and with the hope it will help someone else in
the future. But I think the experience also makes another point -- the
long-term success of Linux depends in part on active support from the
commercial hardware sector.
And I for one, think the Linux community might be more explicit in their
support of those companies that are responsive. I built this homebrew PC
explicitly to run Linux -- but in all my readings of various forums there
was no clear statement that Nvidia cards were more likely to work with
unusual monitor situations than Radeon cards. I bought the Radeon card
largely by chance. Next time I see a "what hardware is best with Linux"
post, my response will be to explicitly recommend Nvidia.
Another obvious -- more important -- example of the importance of corporate
support (support, not ownership) is IBM's very clear, forceful response to
the OSC "lawsuit" (I may have the corporate ID wrong -- apologies). I
understand that IBM is motivated by "enlightened self-interest" here -- but
such insight is going to be key to the success of the open-source movement.
Again, many thanks to all those in the Linux community who responded to my
posts and offered suggestions.
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