the Linux SMP HOWTO (available through http://www.tldp.org/). Note that some CPUs, such as the current crop of VIA C3s, might not be used for SMP. Also, SMP motherboards require that all CPUs be identical. This means that you need two identical CPUs to take advantage of SMP.
> Faulty or bad memory causes Linux kernel panics or Signal 11 errors (segmentation faults), causing a system crash or a program to abort execution. Linux is quite sensitive to faulty hardware, but runs with great stability in a correctly configured system with good hardware. Problems can arise from incorrect BIOS settings, especially if video memory must occupy and use a portion of system RAM. Always install quality (and appropriate) memory in your PC to avoid problems.
Preparing and Using a Hardware Inventory
Buying a turn-key Linux solution is one way to avoid hardware problems, and many vendors are standing by, ready to prescribe solutions. However, managing deployments aimed at using existing hardware requires some information collection.
If you are a small business or individual user, you are well advised to prepare detailed checklists of existing hardware before attempting a migration to Linux. Not only do you benefit from the collected information, but you might also be able to sidestep or anticipate problems before, during, or after installation. Problems are most likely to occur with newer hardware, cutting-edge hardware such as new motherboard chipsets and video cards, or extraneous hardware such as operating system-specific scanners, printers, or wireless devices.
Table B.2 provides a comprehensive checklist you can use to take inventory of target hardware, such as the computer and any peripherals. Veteran Linux users can take the collected information to build custom systems by adding known hardware or substituting cheaper but equivalent hardware.
TABLE B.2 System and Peripheral Inventory Checklist
| Item | Errata |
|---|---|
| Audio devices | Microphone: |
| Line out: | |
| Line in: | |
| BIOS | Type: |
| Revision: | |
| ACPI: | |
| APM: | |
| CD-ROM drive | Brand: |
| Type: | |
| CD-RW drive | Brand: |
| Type: | |
| CD-R write speed: | |
| CD rewrite speed: | |
| CD-ROM read speed: | |
| DVD drive | Brand: |
| Type: | |
| DVD+/-RW drive | Brand: |
| Type: | |
| Dual layer?: | |
| Digital camera | Brand: |
