From: "Sergey A. Gribchenko" <gsa@gsa.kiev.ua>
To: <freebsd-stable@freebsd.org>
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 12:43 PM
Subject: NForce2 + FreeBSD
> Hello,
>
> Is this possible to install drivers for this hardware under FreeBSD,
> and begginig from which version?
>
> Motherboard Epox 8RDA3+ (NForce2)
>
> none0@pci0:0:1: class=0x050000 card=0x10001695 chip=0x01eb10de rev=0xc1
hdr=0x00 vendor = 'NVIDIA Corporation'
> device = 'nForce2 Memory Controller 1'
[...]
Sergey, i don't have an answer for particular drivers,
but you may be interested in the following message
(in case you missed it):
From: "Bill Paul" <wpaul@FreeBSD.ORG>
To: <freebsd-hackers@FreeBSD.ORG>; <freebsd-net@FreeBSD.ORG>;
<freebsd-chat@FreeBSD.ORG>
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2003 7:29 PM
Subject: nVidia nForce2 potential owners please read (take two)
> This only made it to one list the first time, trying again. These
> newfangled computer things clearly can't be trusted.
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Ok, so, it occured to me recently to try to convince nVidia to cough
> up programming documentation for their MCP ethernet controller.
>
> However, in order to do that, I need to be able to show that
> there is in fact sufficient demand for a FreeBSD (or even NetBSD
> or OpenBSD) driver to make it worth their while. nVidia doesn't
> listen to end users, only OEMs, and if the OEMs don't ask for
> support for a given OS, then support will not materialize. My
> goal is to convince them to pull their heads far enough out from
> between their legs to realize that Linux is not the be-all, end-all
> of open source, and that just because OEMs haven't mentioned
> FreeBSD, NetBSD or OpenBSD by name doesn't mean there aren't
> people who want MCP ethernet support in BSD.
>
> For this, I need your help. What I need is to gather proof of
> demand. What I want you do to is e-mail me (oh god, I can't believe
> I'm setting myself up for this) if:
>
> - You wanted to purchase a computer system with an nVidia nForce2
> chipset but _didn't_ once you realized there was no BSD driver
> support for the on-board ethernet.
>
> - You bought an nVidia nForce2 system without realizing the on-board
> ethernet wasn't supported in BSD, were really disappointed once
> you found out, and complained to the manufacturer _OR_ you wanted
> to complain but didn't (because you weren't sure who to complain
> to, or you didn't get around to it yet, or you forgot, or you were
> abducted by aliens, or your dog ate your homework, or whatever).
>
> - You are in a position to approve or recommend the purchase of
> a computer system (or several systems) for your company, research
> group, espionage organization or other institution with money to
> spend, but won't because there's no BSD driver support for the
> on-board ethernet.
>
> - You never heard of nVidia, the nForce2 or the MCP ethernet controller
> until I mentioned them, but now that you have, and you've gone out
> and searched the interweb or visited your local computer store, you
> think they're all really spiffy and would happily buy an nForce2
> system, but will hold off until there's a BSD driver for the
> on-board ethernet.
>
> - You want to give me free large bags of cash.
>
> Do *NOT* e-mail me if:
>
> - You want me to help you transfer a large sum of money out of Nigeria
> or some other African nation.
>
> - You think I'm dying of cancer and my dying wish is to collect
> e-mails from all over the world.
>
> - You think I want to MAKE MONEY FAST (if I wanted to do that,
> I wouldn't be writing device drivers for free).
>
> - You work for SCO or the RIAA.
>
> I think you get the idea. Consider it a petition of sorts. All I
> need is an e-mail from you, with a line or two explaining your
> particular circumstances. If you did not buy an nForce2-based
> computer due to lack of BSD support, say so. If you did, but you
> were pissed by the lack of BSD support, say so. If you told your
> friends, relatives, cow-orkers or purchasing office not to buy
> nForce2-based computers because of the lack of BSD support, say so.
> Cite the OEM vendor of the computer (or computer) and the model
> (or models) where appropriate. If more than one computer was
> involved, say how many.
>
> Every lost sale or dissatisfied customer I can present as evidence
> makes it that much easier to convince nVidia to unclench its
> tight... fists... and provide the documentation needed to write
> a BSD driver.
>
> NOTE: Please do make up phony e-mails just to bloat the figures or
> or cobble together a perl script to send me hundreds of auto-generated
> messages from forged addresses. Play nice, you scum.
>
> So, send your cards and letters to wpaul@freebsd.org. And don't be
> afraid to spread the word. Ask other people on other mailing lists.
> Ask your friends. Ask your enemies. Ask not what your OS can do for
> you: ask what you can do for your OS.
>
> -Bill
>
> --
>
============================================================================>
-Bill Paul (510) 749-2329 | Senior Engineer, Master of Unix-Fu
> wpaul@windriver.com | Wind River Systems
>
============================================================================>
"If stupidity were a handicap, you'd have the best parking spot."
>
=============================================================================