PC hardware subsystems
Hard drive controllers
Computer memory
Hardware identification on Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP computers
Hardware identification on Windows 9x and Windows Me computers
You should know as much about your computer as possible before installing Red Hat Linux. This appendix introduces the basic systems that make up a computer. We also show you how to discover information about those parts.
Knowing your hardware can be useful at parties: “My processor is faster than your processor!” In addition to letting you brag at parties, this knowledge can be helpful if you have problems installing Red Hat Linux in Chapter 3. Under-standing the bits and pieces that comprise your computer can help you install Red Hat Linux. That information also lets you know better what your new Linux computer is capable of. This appendix helps you get started on your path to self discovery.
Technical StuffLinux runs on Intel processors from the venerable 386 on up to the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) Alpha, Sun SPARC, and other systems. However, the version of Red Hat Linux included with this book works on only Intel 386-, 486-, and Pentium-based computers. That shouldn’t be a problem because it seems that 99.9 percent (well, maybe not quite that many) of the world’s computers use Intel.