What to do when your hardware doesn't work
From Grokdoc
Linux is in a unique position. It is almost entirely citizen supported. That means that the Linux kernel developers don't necessarily work for the corporations that make the hardware. As a result, cutting edge or obscure hardware is not always supported right away. But the odds are that you are not the first one that has had the problem.
Things to try:
- Use Google. Search on model number and brand name.
- Find a forum. LinuxQuestions.org There are several, and some may apply better than others to your problem. TODO: Can we get a list of forums?
- Find a mailing list. Search the archives.
- Subscribe to the mailing list. Post a message. Please be throrough. The more you dedcribe your problem in your first message the less time we spend sending emails back and forth nailing down what the problem is.
- IRC - Internet Relay Chat. This is your father's version of a "chat room". It was around before AOL, and still thrives today. You'll need to use an "IRC client" (KSIRC, Konverstaion, or Kopete, for KDE, Mirc for Windows (if you're stuck on that platform for now), and I GNOME has one too, but I don't know its name) connect to a server (i.e. irc.freenode.net) and join an appropriate channel (#linux). Sometimes where they specify the mailing list they also specify an IRC server and channel. The people are there to help, so be polite.
- Be patient. While you are being patient, find out if your driver is provided by the hardware manufacturer. If it is not manufactuerer supplied, please use the time to tell them about how you are using Linux and would like official support for their hardware.
- While you are waiting for responses, you can use the time to try closely related hardware drivers. A lot of the hardware today are just variations of one reference design. This will require you to do some homework though. And it is a great way to learn.
- The daring can try a compiling a new kernel version.
- The even more daring can try to write your own, or modify an existing driver.
