[NMLUG] Testing hardware for Linux compatibility i.e. x86-64

[valentin.guillen at gmail.com (Valentin Guillen)]

I've found that one of the quickest, easiest ways to test hardware for
general compatibility in Linux and BSD is to use "live" bootable CDs.
In the case of 64 bit processors, this ability is more limited, but is
in fact growing. There are far fewer versions of 64 bit Live CDs
available than for 32 bit processors, but the list grows rapidly, and
frequently.   I have at least 10 versions of live CDs which I always
carry, in addition to the multiple versions of regular install media.
First here is a list of 64 bit versions of Live bootable CDs available:
Kanotix - http://kanotix.de/info/index.php?lang=en
SuSE Live Eval - http://www.suse.com/us/private/download/suse_linux/index.html
Ubuntu - http://www.ubuntulinux.org
Gentoo - http://www.gentoo.org
Gnoppix - http://www.gnoppix.org/
Kubuntu - http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/hoary/preview/
Knoppix64 - http://www.applia.fr/contents/knoppix64.html

Here are some links for finding ALL other versions, including Windoz,
Linux, BSD, etc.:
http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php
http://www.google.com/search?q=live+Linux+bootable+CD&hl=en&lr=&client=safari&rls=en-us&start=0&sa=N
http://www.edmunds-enterprises.com/linux/cart.php/ba/plst/category/19

Keep in mind, however, that when using these Live CDs, the range of
hardware which is directly usable is far more limited.  Many times,
the same hardware which a Distro DOES support in their "installed OS"
version is NOT supported directly in their Live CD version.  One of
the advantages of having immediately available a wide selection of
bootable CDs is the fact that most of the time, hardware which is not
supported by one Distro's bootable CD is supported on someone else's
Distro.  My perrenial favorites of the bootable Live CDs are various
flavors of Knoppix, of which there are probably a couple dozen
derivatives, and Pro Mepis.  Ironically, these are Debian
deriviatives, and I use and swear by SuSE!

With CD recordables available as cheaply as 15~20 cents apiece, having
20 versions of bootable "test" CD media represents about a five buck
investment.  Having one of these five buck investments can save a
person untold hours of grief when diagnosing problems, and thus is one
of the best investments possible.