Are gigabyte motherboards compatible with linux distributions? I'm looking to install Linux and was also wondering which is the best distribution.

Thanks

Yes they are, but check their download site before you go ahead, to be sure all the drivers you need are available in a linux format.

Linux supports a very, very large range of PC hardware. Just pick a distro and install. I'd be more worried out getting other hardware like fancy sound cards, webcams, etc to work to be honest.

I recommend you try a live cd. If your computer boots to the live cd and everything works, you can be pretty comfortable that everything will work with Linux installed.

Ubuntu is very popular, with good reason I think. You boot to the cd, and after it's up there's an option to install to hdd.

I personally use Mandriva, and there is a live version available for download.

Ubuntu is Debian-based and uses Gnome by default; Mandriva is RedHat-based and uses KDE by default. Comparing the two will give you a good contrast of the major flavors of Linux.

Ubuntu is what I use and recommend. Also, try Knoppix, I've heard some good things about it.

seeking clarification ...

a motherboard per se is not gigabyte; the ethernet adapter might be OR the installed
memory, but a MB has no such characteristic

so --- what are we discussing ?

edit: oops
I just discovered gigabyte is a brand name :blush:
/edit:

Huh?
www.giga-byte.com
Building top five, or certainly top 10 motherboards of the past 8 years. Recently getting some of the top reviews in CPU and Toms Hardware...

THG? <shudders>

Gigabyte still has the same old problems they always did. I've read of people thrilled with their P35 Gigabyte purchases only to come back a month later with complaints.

Anyway, that's besides the point. No real need to get drivers from Gigabyte. I'd go with the chipset manufacturer drivers, such as directly from Intel, etc. I didn't go to Abit for my drivers at all. I got from Broadcom, Intel and Realtek directly.

Sure they are..., especially if its not an old one.

Check the chosen distro site, search for your board's model and/or chipsets.
The best distro for you depends on what are you gonna use your OS/PC for...

If you are a professional looking to train yourself on Linux for a production environment etc, get Debian, Centos, Suse.
Or even you may want to try with BSD (non linux, still unix like systems)..., FreeBSD or OpenBSD the best choices.

If you are not a pro and just want to mess around get Ubuntu or Fedora.

Good luck.
D.

Yeah they are and the best bet would be to get your drivers from the disc that came with the freaking motherboard. Or just directly like others have said. And with the other guy, i'd go with BSD rather than Ubuntu or other linux. They really are better, very stable. And the gui is awesome.