NForce2 + FreeBSD

[Igor B. Bykhalo]

From: "Sergey A. Gribchenko" <gsa at gsa.kiev.ua>
To: <freebsd-stable at 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 at 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 at FreeBSD.ORG>
To: <freebsd-hackers at FreeBSD.ORG>; <freebsd-net at FreeBSD.ORG>; <freebsd-chat at 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 at 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 at windriver.com | Wind River Systems
> =============================================================================
>       "If stupidity were a handicap, you'd have the best parking spot."
> =============================================================================