<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> </head> <body text="#003333" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <tt>Shopping for a 64 bit motherboard for Ubuntu feels like a trip to the casino... It affects development and users. </tt> <tt>Overview: With the move toward 64 bit -only support, 64 bit motherboards, native BIOS settings, BIOS config for Linux, and motherboard manufacturers are an important topic.</tt> <tt>The questions include: a. what BIOS settings are relevant and b. specific issues LISTED BY MANUFACTURER.</tt> <tt>Problem: Generally, installing Ubuntu on 32 bit machines has been no problem. However, different 64 bit motherboard manufacturers have different native BIOS settings, many of which create problems for installing and booting to Ubuntu. Every situation can be different. </tt> <tt>Searching for solutions on forums is hit and miss. There is no semi-comprehensive place/hashtag to search. </tt> <tt>Also, there is no central place to verify which motherboards "play well" with Ubuntu when installing or making purchasing decisions for which motherboards are good. "Recommended for Ubuntu" is not enough, the public needs to know information on BIOS and motherboards for THEIR SPECIFIC user needs. </tt> <tt>Proposed Solution: There needs to be 1. community awareness and 2. a "centralized" database for necessary BIOS "settings" and "problems".</tt> <tt>The "centralized database" could simply be the hashtag #mb64 ANYWHERE in the forums, stack overflow, askubuntu, etc. It does not require work on Ubuntu's part, no new Wiki, a hashtag is a first step for now.</tt> <tt>Development: Linux installers (the software that installs Ubuntu) also run into problems with motherboard/BIOS settings. Good job guys, but I see you have your work cut out for you. "Installability" on many different 64 bit motherboard manufacturers could be lot of work for developers. This "centralized" databse will also help streamline development roadmaps for Ubuntu installer software on 64bit systems.</tt> <tt>Thanks all and love! </tt> </body> </html>