PC-BSD on my laptop - will this work?

[blauweißesfahnenmeer]

Hey@all!
After having big problems with Linux and no fun with MS Windows, I'm looking for a new OS that works and is nice eye-candy...
I once used PC-BSD 0.8.2 on my old PC, but now I got a brand-new laptop with the following specifications:
- AMD Turion64 X2 (is there a multiprocessor FreeBSD/PC-BSD kernel?)
- 896 MB DDR2 RAM
- ATI Radeon Xpress 1100 (are there proprietary drivers for PC-BSD?)
- ATI Southbridge Audio with Realtek HD Chipset (did NOT run with Linux, will it do with PC-BSD?)
- 100 GB Fujitsu HDD (this is pretty much enough, heh?)
- 15.4" WXGA display (1280*800 pixel)
I hope you can tell me, that PC-BSD will run on my laptop! I would LOVE to use it :-D !!!
Greetz!!!

[marc]

Well, there is a multiprocessor FreeBSD/PC-BSD kernel, so you don`t have to worry `bout that part.
I would be more concerned about your graphic card and acceleration ...
Oh, well ... from what I heard it`s just better now, probobly will work fine.
Just check FreeBSD hardware compatibility list or try to install and see for yourself. That`s the best way I think.

[blauweißesfahnenmeer]

@marc: Thanx for your quick reply!
Will the multiprocessor kernel be chosen automatically during the installation process or will I have to do something manually? (total FreeBSD newbie ops: )
Well, I didn't find my video card in the hardware compatibility list at freebsd.org, but I think the stupid "radeon" driver is okay (I don't really need 3D acceleration), the only important thing is getting my 1280*800 resolution (movie addict).
The sound card is also not listed, but I have the Unix drivers from realtek.com.tw...
Hope this will work. Should I perhaps test the hardware compatibility by running FreeSBIE before I install?

[marc]

Yes, you can run FreeSBIE, but AFAIK it is based on 5.x line of FBSD while PC-BSD is based on 6.1, so ...
You can change your kernel type very easily from within GUI by choosing KDE Menu > System Configuration > Kernel type
You`ll find this in menu anyway, under PC-BSD configuration options.
I think you won`t need any additional sound or video drivers.
Just install and see for yourself. BSD isn`t that bad in HW detection. Usually it has all of required drivers.

[DenaliWolf]

Another alternative could be RofreeSBIE 1.2. Based on FreeBSD 6.1.
Infos at http://www.rofreesbie.org

[blauweißesfahnenmeer]

Okay, my biggest problems are solved now
But there is still ONE important thing for me: I've got a WLAN chip, a Broadcom 802.11g - it worked under SUSE Linux 10.1 with NDISwrapper, under Kubuntu it did not work. My question is now! How is it with PC-BSD? Does it provide support for the BCM43xx series automatically or is something like NDISwrapper available for PC-BSD? WLAN is very important for me at home...

[antik]

Okay, my biggest problems are solved now
But there is still ONE important thing for me: I've got a WLAN chip, a Broadcom 802.11g - it worked under SUSE Linux 10.1 with NDISwrapper, under Kubuntu it did not work. My question is now! How is it with PC-BSD? Does it provide support for the BCM43xx series automatically or is something like NDISwrapper available for PC-BSD? WLAN is very important for me at home...

Yes you can use ndisulator in PC-BSD. I can't find your Broadcom in supported hardware here.

[marc]

You probobly know, that we don`t have an exact specification of each hardware part available out there
Check compat list and just install PC-BSD. That`ll be the best I think.
Eventually you can recompile kernel.

[TerryP]

I find a great way to test hardware support before installing PC-BSD or any other Unix like system is to boot off Knopix Linux (a Live CD) and test stuff like sound/networking. That should usually work to detect no sound/ethernet or major problems.

I don't know any thing about the Turion processors, although I thought that they we're 64-Bit only??

What chipset is the broadcom btw? I have yet to be able to use any of their networking stuff..

[blauweißesfahnenmeer]

Hey!
This NDISulator looks great! I will use it, yes! Luckily, I still got the Broadcom drivers... Is there a utility (best with a graphical interface) to configure WLAN networks? And does this utility support WPA encrypted networks?

I don't know any thing about the Turion processors, although I thought that they we're 64-Bit only??

@TerryP: Yes, they are 64bit processors, but they are compatible with any kind of 32bit-OS or applications! That's the great thing with them!

You probobly know, that we don`t have an exact specification of each hardware part available out there

@marc:I know, but, yes, the questions of a stupid newbie, heh?

Eventually you can recompile kernel.

@marc: I hope not. I'm afraid of using the konsole... ops:

OK, you guys, the questions at the beginning of this post, will probably be my last ones before the installation of PC-BSD!